Whacker
12-07-2009, 11:10 PM
Dayton faces a tough road game Tuesday night against the George Mason Patriots (4-4). Over the past two years including this season, they are 29-1 at home in the Patriot Center. Head coach Jim Larranaga has won 20 or more games in back-to-back seasons and they should win 20 again this year. The Patriots are young, with only three upper-classmen on the roster, but Larranaga had an outstanding recruiting class last season and those super sophomores are now major contributors.
As many of the Flyer Faithful watched down in San Juan, George Mason gave Villanova all they could handle before the Wildcats mounted a furious comeback in the closing minutes, fueled by spotty free-throw shooting on the Patriots part. They lost to Georgia Tech by eight in a game where both teams went on extended runs, but then bounced back beating Indiana in the final game of the tournament.
Recently the Patriots lost soundly at George Washington while two of their best sophomores sat on the bench for disciplinary reasons. They received Larranaga’s message loud and clear, bouncing back with a road win against UNC Wilmington.
Mason is lead by junior guard Cam Long (6-4 187) a pre-Season 1st Team all-Conference selection. The rangy guard is perfect for Larranaga’s system because he can do it all. Long can shoot the three, but also excels at creating his own shot and finishing in the paint. He is just as good at the other end where he is an excellent defender.
"Cam Long is clearly the leader of our team on and off the floor,” Larranaga said. “We need him not only to run the team, but distribute the ball while also scoring points. We also need him to be our go-to-guy on the defensive end. He's going to be asked to guard the opponents' best player."
Long averages 12 points per game and consistently gets to the line. As a playmaker he just needs to make better decisions, which should come as he becomes more comfortable with his teammates.
Sophomore point guard Andre Cornelius (5-10 172) is a jitterbug with a good, but streaky shot. Because of his size he struggles to finish in the lane, but is almost automatic when he gets all the way to the rim. Andre has been dialed in form downtown all season making over 50% of his three-point attempts.
Sophomore forward Ryan Pearson (6-6 230) made the All-Conference Rookie team last year. Pearson is a competent shooter that will drain them when open. He has a nose for the ball and can finish around the rim, but can’t create his own shot. He does a lot things well (although none outstanding) and might be the Patriots most consistent player.
Sophomore forward Mike Morrison (6-9 222) is a high-motor guy, tough to keep off the glass and an excellent offensive rebounder. He creates most of his scoring opportunities with hustle & effort, but really struggles at the line where he’s just 10-24 on the season. Morrison anchors the Mason defense and is an excellent shot-blocker especially from the weak-side.
Senior forward Louis Birdsong (6-6 230) is a three-year starter Larranaga moved to the wing and he has struggled mightily. Content to mix it up in the paint last year or heft the occasional 12-footer, Birdsong is just 5-24 from the field. Previously a stalwart defender, Birdsong has also struggled to guard at his new position. Until Larranaga moves him back to his natural position or he makes significant progress, he’ll be delegated to limited minutes by Larranaga.
Freshman Luke Hancock (6-5 189) has played well enough to earn 26 minutes a game as Larranaga’s sixth man, despite his inexperience. Hancock has excellent court vision and is an above average passer. He’s a capable shooter and good things happen when he’s on the floor. He’s extremely poised on the floor and exudes confidence. When he does make mistakes, it’s usually trying to make an aggressive play. Once Larranaga can get him playing with controlled aggression, he’ll be an all-Conference performer.
Freshmen Kevin Foster (6-7 211) and Johnny Williams (6-8 249) round out the front court rotation. Foster plays with reckless abandon attacking the glass on every possession. Rounding out the backcourt rotation is junior Isaiah Tate (6-4 214) and freshman Sherrod Wright (6-4 193). Wright came in as the most highly touted of Larranaga’s freshmen recruits. He’s played tentative and at times has looked lost especially at the defensive end. He’s struggled with his shooting, but occasionally strings together a few dynamic plays allowing Mason fans a glimpse of what could be in store.
Larranaga uses a 10-player rotation and demands as much from his players on defense as Brian Gregory does for Dayton. George Mason’s defense has been inconsistent because of their inexperience. It takes a few years before players fully understand Larranaga’s scheme.
The Patriots have struggled to defend in the front court all season. Against Georgia Tech, Favors and Lawal scored 36 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and blocked six shots. The opposing team’s best forward is averaging 16 points and nine rebounds against George Mason for the season. This is a favorable match-up for Chris Wright and he should be able to some serious damage on the offensive glass.
George Mason is at their best when they are attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. While they do have capable shooters, they are most effective draining threes on kick-outs generated from guard penetration. Larranaga favora a high/low post offense that creates pick and roll or pick and pop scenarios.
When the Patriots are consistently moving without the ball and not turning it over they can play with anybody – as shown in their 1-pt loss to Villanova. Too often the offense will hit an extended dry spell, because players try to go one-on-one and turn the ball over when the shot is not there. For the season Mason has just 87 assists to 137 turnovers.
Mason has only played two home games, and despite their inexperience the Patriots always play well on their home floor. Twenty-nine and one doesn’t just happen. If Dayton wants to impress the Tournament committee for an at-large bid this season, they’ll need to show they can win away from the Dayton Decibel Dungeon against a quality team. This would be an outstanding win in a tough environment.
As many of the Flyer Faithful watched down in San Juan, George Mason gave Villanova all they could handle before the Wildcats mounted a furious comeback in the closing minutes, fueled by spotty free-throw shooting on the Patriots part. They lost to Georgia Tech by eight in a game where both teams went on extended runs, but then bounced back beating Indiana in the final game of the tournament.
Recently the Patriots lost soundly at George Washington while two of their best sophomores sat on the bench for disciplinary reasons. They received Larranaga’s message loud and clear, bouncing back with a road win against UNC Wilmington.
Mason is lead by junior guard Cam Long (6-4 187) a pre-Season 1st Team all-Conference selection. The rangy guard is perfect for Larranaga’s system because he can do it all. Long can shoot the three, but also excels at creating his own shot and finishing in the paint. He is just as good at the other end where he is an excellent defender.
"Cam Long is clearly the leader of our team on and off the floor,” Larranaga said. “We need him not only to run the team, but distribute the ball while also scoring points. We also need him to be our go-to-guy on the defensive end. He's going to be asked to guard the opponents' best player."
Long averages 12 points per game and consistently gets to the line. As a playmaker he just needs to make better decisions, which should come as he becomes more comfortable with his teammates.
Sophomore point guard Andre Cornelius (5-10 172) is a jitterbug with a good, but streaky shot. Because of his size he struggles to finish in the lane, but is almost automatic when he gets all the way to the rim. Andre has been dialed in form downtown all season making over 50% of his three-point attempts.
Sophomore forward Ryan Pearson (6-6 230) made the All-Conference Rookie team last year. Pearson is a competent shooter that will drain them when open. He has a nose for the ball and can finish around the rim, but can’t create his own shot. He does a lot things well (although none outstanding) and might be the Patriots most consistent player.
Sophomore forward Mike Morrison (6-9 222) is a high-motor guy, tough to keep off the glass and an excellent offensive rebounder. He creates most of his scoring opportunities with hustle & effort, but really struggles at the line where he’s just 10-24 on the season. Morrison anchors the Mason defense and is an excellent shot-blocker especially from the weak-side.
Senior forward Louis Birdsong (6-6 230) is a three-year starter Larranaga moved to the wing and he has struggled mightily. Content to mix it up in the paint last year or heft the occasional 12-footer, Birdsong is just 5-24 from the field. Previously a stalwart defender, Birdsong has also struggled to guard at his new position. Until Larranaga moves him back to his natural position or he makes significant progress, he’ll be delegated to limited minutes by Larranaga.
Freshman Luke Hancock (6-5 189) has played well enough to earn 26 minutes a game as Larranaga’s sixth man, despite his inexperience. Hancock has excellent court vision and is an above average passer. He’s a capable shooter and good things happen when he’s on the floor. He’s extremely poised on the floor and exudes confidence. When he does make mistakes, it’s usually trying to make an aggressive play. Once Larranaga can get him playing with controlled aggression, he’ll be an all-Conference performer.
Freshmen Kevin Foster (6-7 211) and Johnny Williams (6-8 249) round out the front court rotation. Foster plays with reckless abandon attacking the glass on every possession. Rounding out the backcourt rotation is junior Isaiah Tate (6-4 214) and freshman Sherrod Wright (6-4 193). Wright came in as the most highly touted of Larranaga’s freshmen recruits. He’s played tentative and at times has looked lost especially at the defensive end. He’s struggled with his shooting, but occasionally strings together a few dynamic plays allowing Mason fans a glimpse of what could be in store.
Larranaga uses a 10-player rotation and demands as much from his players on defense as Brian Gregory does for Dayton. George Mason’s defense has been inconsistent because of their inexperience. It takes a few years before players fully understand Larranaga’s scheme.
The Patriots have struggled to defend in the front court all season. Against Georgia Tech, Favors and Lawal scored 36 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and blocked six shots. The opposing team’s best forward is averaging 16 points and nine rebounds against George Mason for the season. This is a favorable match-up for Chris Wright and he should be able to some serious damage on the offensive glass.
George Mason is at their best when they are attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. While they do have capable shooters, they are most effective draining threes on kick-outs generated from guard penetration. Larranaga favora a high/low post offense that creates pick and roll or pick and pop scenarios.
When the Patriots are consistently moving without the ball and not turning it over they can play with anybody – as shown in their 1-pt loss to Villanova. Too often the offense will hit an extended dry spell, because players try to go one-on-one and turn the ball over when the shot is not there. For the season Mason has just 87 assists to 137 turnovers.
Mason has only played two home games, and despite their inexperience the Patriots always play well on their home floor. Twenty-nine and one doesn’t just happen. If Dayton wants to impress the Tournament committee for an at-large bid this season, they’ll need to show they can win away from the Dayton Decibel Dungeon against a quality team. This would be an outstanding win in a tough environment.