We are all Patriots.
-- Bob Kraft, February 2002
To say this was the biggest upset I've ever seen doesn't do this game justice. It wasn't always pretty, but no underdog has ever been as lovable and exciting as George Mason University. I've spent the last half-day trying to come up with an analogous situation to what they've done. The only situations I find appropriate are:
1) Team USA beating the Russians in 1980 at Lake Placid.
2) The Pawtucket Red Sox winning a berth to the World Series by beating the Yankees.
I think it's most analogous to #2. GMU is playing a lot better than a minor-league team would, but in the public's eyes, that's what we just saw. We saw a minor-league team beat the best that big-league basketball had to offer. They did what Gonzaga was supposed to do all these years... prove to America that the most talented team in America could lose to the little guys. Seeing them with the regional championship trophy is the most unreal sight I've seen in 20 years of sports addiction.
The other great thing is that Jim Calhoun had just turned UConn into the undeniable worst-guys-left-standing of the tournament, and Mason took them out. Calhoun was last heard whining about being placed in George Mason's bracket. I mean, come on. How can you read this guy complaining, in the wake of being GIVEN the Washington game no less, and NOT root for George Mason to clobber them? Calhoun was a lot more gracious in defeat than I expected, but there are better ways to emulate Coach K than bitching about the refs not handing you games more. I'm so glad the People's Champions beat their sorry asses.
Also notable is that none of the three big-conference teams are mismatches for George Mason. UCLA's a half-court team, which suits GMU. LSU/FLA are both dependent on their frontcourts, which also suits GMU. The worst that could have happened to them is if Villanova and their four-guard attack had advanced, but they dodged that bullet. So I think they have as good a chance as anyone of winning it all, especially based on their accomplishments thus far.
The Gators are clearly playing the best basketball of the remaining teams, but based on their Jekyll/Hyde act this season, they could easily throw up a stinker. What's working in their favor is that they'll have almost a full week to work specifically on George Mason film study. Billy Donovan will have a chance to break them down, a luxury that neither UConn nor UNC had. And he's a very good coach. But after what I've seen, I have no idea what to expect anymore. (Well, I do know one thing: Jim Larranaga will get a HUGE advance on his book deal.)
Anyway, this has been the best tournament in a long, long time. Not the best-played, for certain, but the most exciting by a wide margin.
-- Bob Kraft, February 2002
To say this was the biggest upset I've ever seen doesn't do this game justice. It wasn't always pretty, but no underdog has ever been as lovable and exciting as George Mason University. I've spent the last half-day trying to come up with an analogous situation to what they've done. The only situations I find appropriate are:
1) Team USA beating the Russians in 1980 at Lake Placid.
2) The Pawtucket Red Sox winning a berth to the World Series by beating the Yankees.
I think it's most analogous to #2. GMU is playing a lot better than a minor-league team would, but in the public's eyes, that's what we just saw. We saw a minor-league team beat the best that big-league basketball had to offer. They did what Gonzaga was supposed to do all these years... prove to America that the most talented team in America could lose to the little guys. Seeing them with the regional championship trophy is the most unreal sight I've seen in 20 years of sports addiction.
The other great thing is that Jim Calhoun had just turned UConn into the undeniable worst-guys-left-standing of the tournament, and Mason took them out. Calhoun was last heard whining about being placed in George Mason's bracket. I mean, come on. How can you read this guy complaining, in the wake of being GIVEN the Washington game no less, and NOT root for George Mason to clobber them? Calhoun was a lot more gracious in defeat than I expected, but there are better ways to emulate Coach K than bitching about the refs not handing you games more. I'm so glad the People's Champions beat their sorry asses.
Also notable is that none of the three big-conference teams are mismatches for George Mason. UCLA's a half-court team, which suits GMU. LSU/FLA are both dependent on their frontcourts, which also suits GMU. The worst that could have happened to them is if Villanova and their four-guard attack had advanced, but they dodged that bullet. So I think they have as good a chance as anyone of winning it all, especially based on their accomplishments thus far.
The Gators are clearly playing the best basketball of the remaining teams, but based on their Jekyll/Hyde act this season, they could easily throw up a stinker. What's working in their favor is that they'll have almost a full week to work specifically on George Mason film study. Billy Donovan will have a chance to break them down, a luxury that neither UConn nor UNC had. And he's a very good coach. But after what I've seen, I have no idea what to expect anymore. (Well, I do know one thing: Jim Larranaga will get a HUGE advance on his book deal.)
Anyway, this has been the best tournament in a long, long time. Not the best-played, for certain, but the most exciting by a wide margin.
posted by Jeff at
11:44 AM
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