Oct. 14, 2004
2004-05 George Mason Men's Basketball Season Outlook
What can this team possibly do for an encore?
Last season's George Mason men's basketball team proved its mettle from start to finish, accomplishing feats that no other Patriot basketball team had ever done. Shy of reaching its ultimate goal of a Colonial Athletic Association championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, Mason's 2003-04 team set several gears in motion, both locally and nationally, as it continues to move to a point of sustained growth and excellence.
Slowly but surely, a legacy and tradition of excellence is steadily being built on this small campus in Northern Virginia - a tradition that includes three conference crowns, including two in the past six years, and four postseason appearances since 1999. As remarkable as things have been, they can still be better. And the first step begins with never being satisfied with what happened before, but to always want more.
As a program, there is still some work to do, but it's evident that things are moving in the right direction. And with each new season, there are different expectations and personnel, so comparisons from one year to the next, are seldom done. But, the goal is always the same: to win the Colonial Athletic Association tournament championship and earn a berth to "March Madness" and the NCAA tournament.
"We were very pleased and excited about the performance of the 2003-04 team," stated head coach Jim Larranaga, who owns a 123-84 overall record in seven campaigns at the Patriots' helm and is 321-253 in 20 collegiate seasons.
"They performed well throughout the year, made a great run in the CAA tournament and played hard into the postseason. But, this is a new season, and the one thing we don't want to do is make any comparisons from one year to the next. This is going to be an entirely different team in 2004-05, and we will work at being the very best we can be this year."
Indeed, Mason will be an entirely different team this campaign. Having graduated four seniors, Larranaga has the enviable task of attempting to duplicate - or even improve upon - the record-setting performance of the 2003-04 men's basketball team. Last year's 23-10 squad (12-6 CAA) produced the most wins in the program's 38-year history, the most wins at home since 1985, the best non-conference winning percentage since joining the CAA, two consecutive postseason wins for the first time and the most games played in a season.
In the past six seasons overall, the Patriots have had the best regular season record in the CAA at 72-30 and have amassed a spectacular 67-11 (.859 winning percentage) mark at the Patriot Center, including a record breaking 14-1 home roll last year.
Lofty numbers to be sure. However, with no seniors returning among seven letterwinners from the 2003-04 campaign, Larranaga and his staff must lead a young and talented group of individuals, that includes four newcomers, onto the court in the hopes that they can continue to build upon the success of past teams.
"We are a very young team," stated Larranaga. With no seniors, the responsibility of the leadership role falls on the shoulders of our three juniors. Since each of them has started in past seasons, we feel very confident that they know our philosophy, can execute our plan, and most importantly, demonstrate a certain way of playing that our younger student-athletes can follow.
"They have to maintain a positive attitude, demonstrate a strong work ethic and conduct themselves correctly, both on and off the court. It's this type of attitude that will allow us to succeed this year."
What will also help Mason succeed this year is defense, which has been a flourishing staple of Larranaga coached teams in the past.
"On the court, we will continue to stress defense," said Larranaga. "We want to be consistent with our defensive pressure, placing the emphasis on forcing an up-tempo game and creating turnovers. We believe we have the experience and personnel to generate opportunities for ourselves as long as we focus on playing great defense."
Larranaga's pressure defensive scheme, known as the "Scramble", begins out on the perimeter with solid backcourt play. The guard position will be a major focus of this season's team as the Patriots have the capability to rotate in eight players at the point and shooting guard positions, as well as a few athletes that could settle in at small forward.
"Each of our guards has the ability to play multiple positions," stated Larranaga. "And we try to recruit players who have that type of talent."
Among the returning guards are juniors Tony Skinn and Lamar Butler, who each played a key role in helping Mason advance far into the National Invitation Tournament.
Skinn, a mercurial 6-1 combo-guard (point and shooting) who started the final nine games of the season, posted 10 starts overall in 32 appearances. In his first season in a Patriot uniform, Skinn proved to be a threat from beyond the arc as well as the inside, averaging 8.2 points per game and grabbing 2.1 rebounds per contest. He scored a career-best 27 points in the semifinals of the CAA Tournament and averaged 19.3 points for the championships, earning CAA all-tournament honors. His 72.7 free throw percentage was also among the league's best.
A 6-2 shooting guard, Butler is an outstanding long-range and free throw shooter who was selected to the 2002 CAA All-Rookie team and was runner-up for Rookie of the Year honors that same season. Following a hip flexor injury that sidelined him for the 2002-03 campaign, Butler returned full-time to the lineup last year and ranked third in scoring at 10.5 points per game to go along with 2.5 caroms per outing. He started 15 of 30 games played and led the Patriots in 3-point field goals made (78), 3-point field goal percentage (37.7 percent) and free throw percentage (82.5 percent). Butler also finished third in assists with 54.
"Skinn and Butler will be given the responsibility of handling the backcourt because of their experience," Larranaga explained. "Lamar has great range on his shot and can be a `big time' scorer for us." Which he has been, having averaged roughly 10 points per game in two seasons on the court. "Tony is an outstanding and athletic guard who can defend players much bigger than him because of his great competitive spirit."
Also returning to the backcourt are sophomores Gabe Norwood, Tim Burns and Charles Makings, who walked on to the 2002-03 team as a freshman.
Norwood, who saw action in 29 games in 2003-04 with one start, averaged 1.0 point per contest. An unselfish, intelligent and resourceful 6-5 swingman capable of playing point or shooting guard as well as small forward, Norwood dished out a career-high nine assists at Towson and finished the season with 22. He should see an increased presence on the court in his second year in the system.
Burns walked on to the Patriot squad last season and made great inroads as a role player off the bench. Appearing in nine games, Burns, a 6-3 shooting guard, tallied 1.8 points per outing and shot 37.5 percent from 3-point range.
Makings saw action in 14 games in 2002-03, where he contributed five points and 10 rebounds. Familiar with Larranaga's system, Makings' adjustment back to Division I basketball should be swift, and he'll help provide more depth to the bench.
Three newcomers, John Vaughan, Jordan Carter and Folarin Campbell, will also have key roles in Larranaga's guard-oriented system.
Vaughan is a 6-3 multi-dimensional freshman guard who can shoot from the outside and take the ball to the basket. A two-time first-team all-county selection, Vaughan averaged 23.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.0 steals per game as a senior at Laurel High School in Maryland.
A 6-0 freshman point guard with exceptional quickness, Carter is an excellent on-the-ball defender with great anticipation. He had an outstanding varsity career at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory in Indianapolis, leading the Braves to the sectional title in 2004. Carter averaged 15.7 points, 6.9 assists, 3.0 steals and 4.0 rebounds as a senior.
Campbell is an outstanding 6-4 freshman swingman who can play at the point, shooting guard or small forward positions. He is a two-time Washington Post first-team all-Metropolitan selection out of Springbrook (Md.) High School where he set 13 school records and led the Blue Devils to the Maryland Class 4A state title game. Campbell averaged 28.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals as a senior.
"I do think that we are going to be a strong team at the guard position," stated Larranaga. "Gabe's [Norwood] versatility can really be an asset for us this year, so it's possible to see him playing at any of three positions. In addition, our three freshmen should all contribute. Carter will compete for time at point guard, while Campbell and Vaughan will each compete for playing time at the point, shooting, and small forward spots.
"One of our goals this year will be to lead the CAA in three-point field goals made and three-point field goal percentage. We hope to be in the top 10 in the country in those categories. When you have as many three-point shooters on the roster as we have right now, we want to take advantage of that strength."
"Skinn, Butler, Vaughan and Campbell are all excellent perimeter shooters," Larranaga continued. When you add Tim [Burns], a walk-on who has really carved out a niche on our team as another three-point shooter, we feel very confident that we will have two or three excellent shooters on the court at all times."
Mason's significant depth in the backcourt is in stark contrast to its depth in frontcourt. The departures of players Trent Wurtz and Kevin Mickens left the Patriots with considerable holes to fill along the baseline. However, still returning is first-team all-CAA selection Jai Lewis along with sophomores Jesus Urbina and Makan Konate.
"We are hurting a little in the frontcourt, but we still have Jai and we will try to help build our frontcourt around him," mentioned Larranaga.
Lewis, a 6-7 junior forward continues to impress after a breakout season in 2003-04. At 275 pounds, he is an imposing figure on the blocks. Lewis concluded last year with team-leading 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game averages, ranking sixth in the league in scoring and third in rebounding. A starter in 29 of 33 games, he also ranked first on the team, first in the conference and 10th nationally in field goal percentage (59.7 percent), and led the Patriots in blocked shots (30). He finished third on the squad in steals with 36.
"With Jai on the inside, we do have a go-to-guy down low," expressed Larranaga. "He will provide us with enough inside scoring, that teams will not be able to focus on our perimeter and expect to get away with it. Jai creates a real presence inside that will open up the outside for guys like Tony [Skinn] and Lamar [Butler], and in particular, freshmen Folarin Campbell and John Vaughan."
Urbina, who was born in Venezuela, is another 6-7 forward who is also versatile enough to play out on the wing. Expected to earn an increased presence in the lineup this season, he saw action in 29 contests last year, earning five starts, and averaged 2.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per outing, while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor.
"Jesus steps into much more of a major role for us this season," said Larranaga. "Last year, he earned most of his playing time off the bench and was in the starting lineup from time to time. This season, he's going to be expected to step up and play big minutes for us right from the opening tip."
Konate saw limited action last year, making six appearances. But, the 6-7 forward from Mali has excellent range from the perimeter and is projected to see some increased minutes this year.
"Makan, who played very sparingly as a freshman, will see more action, especially in the early going," explained Larranaga. "We are hoping that last year's experience will prove to be very beneficial for him as he continues to contribute at a Division I level."
Joining Lewis, Urbina and Konate in the frontcourt will be freshman newcomer Will Thomas, who is an outstanding back-to-the-basket player and solid rebounder. The 2004 Baltimore Sun Player of the Year and two-time first-team Baltimore all-City/County honoree guided Mount St. Joseph to consecutive Baltimore Catholic League regular season and tournament championships in 2003 and 2004. A 6-7 native of Baltimore, Thomas averaged 18.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.0 blocked shots and 3.0 steals per game for the Gaels as a senior.
"Thomas will be competing for a starting job and considerable playing time," stated Larranaga. "The coaching staff and I believe that he will truly be one of the outstanding freshmen in our league. He doesn't try to be spectacular, but he does all of the little things well."
Despite the lack of frontcourt depth, Larranaga is confident that his players - both the veterans and newcomers - will quickly come together as a unit, and overcome whatever deficiencies the team might have.
"We expect a great deal from Tony, Lamar and Jai, and then also from the players that contributed quite heavily last year as freshmen," said Larranaga. "Players like Gabe [Norwood] and Jesus [Urbina] will be asked to play a much more dominant role for us this season. We will also rely very heavily on our freshmen to help us."
Every available player will be needed in 2004-05 as George Mason is slated to play one of its toughest schedules in recent memory. Contests involving the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, the BB&T Classic, the ESPN Bracket Buster and the always competitive Colonial Athletic Association home-and-away series, dot the season landscape.
"Our philosophy has always been to play against the very best teams," stated Larranaga. "It is our belief that if you want to be the best, you have to not only compete against the best, but beat the best. We have annually played a very demanding non-conference schedule. This year may be the most challenging. With appearances in these events, we know that we will be facing some of the top programs in the country."
Although each season grows tougher for the Patriots, enthusiasm and support for Mason's men's basketball team has not as George Mason has been nearly unbeatable at the Patriot Center over the past six campaigns.
"The student bodies reaction and the support from our administration to the success of our program has been incredible," exclaimed Larranaga. "Our home court was tremendous for us last year. What helped us to host and advance in the NIT and have such a successful season was the great home court advantage we had with the excitement of our crowd and fans. We want that excitement to grow with more and more students living on campus. We think the Patriot Center will become, if it's not already, the most difficult place to play in the CAA."
The Patriots open on Nov. 11 and 13 with two contests involving the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, where victories would put the Patriots on the world's biggest stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Mason entertains Duquesne on Nov. 27 at the Patriot Center to begin its home slate and hosts Towson on Dec. 1 to open its CAA schedule.
Following the match versus Towson, Mason visits the nearby MCI Center on Dec. 4 and 5 as it participates in the BB&T Classic. The Classic features 2004 NCAA Tournament teams Maryland and Michigan State along with local foe George Washington. Mason gets a return date with Iona prior to exams in December and ends 2004 with three straight non-conference contests on the road during the Christmas holidays.
The Patriots continue their CAA slate in early January at home against defending CAA champion Virginia Commonwealth and wrap up the regular season on the road at Drexel and at Hofstra. Mason's ESPN Bracket Buster contest will be Saturday, Feb. 19 and the CAA Tournament is scheduled for Mar. 4-7 in Richmond, Va.
"Winning the conference regular season and CAA Tournament championship are always two of our most important goals," expressed Larranaga. "My coaching staff and I believe the CAA is going to be stronger than its ever been before. It will be a major challenge to accomplish these goals without any senior leadership. But, I'm confident this team will continue to make progress throughout the season and be prepared to compete against the best by the end of the year. This is going to be a big year for the CAA and hopefully a year when multiple teams, including Mason, get into the NCAA Tournament."
How's that for an encore.
