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Game 7-094: NCAA Round of 64, East Region 8/9
March 19, 2011 8:29 am ET by Kyle Whelliston

[9] Villanova Wildcats vs. [8] George Mason Patriots

March 18, 2011 2:10 pm
Cleveland, OH
BBState Stats/Recap


Getty Images > TMM360

Mason never wore white during the 2006 run. They also didn't awesome have glowing Kryptonite Nikes. They certainly weren't mercurial like this, didn't trade offense for defense like this. They didn't make a habit of tuning out Coach L when things aren't going well, or act vulnerable to the two-possession gut punch. But in the end, the Patriots rode a wave of late fury to a true Red Line Upset, if not a seed-line one. It's Rage against the Big East machine, with Doc Nix and the Green Machine providing the soundtrack. It's revenge for Puerto Rico 2009. It's another CAA takedown, complete with a pull-up Farokhmaneshesque #superhoop by Luke Hancock and a game-sealing #OMGNOVASUCKSDUNX.

Also: nobody wins in NCAA wireless roulette, the sound an Ohio State crowd makes when it can't figure out whether to be sad about Michigan winning or Bruce Pearl getting dumped, alternate uses for BLAPP, and I step up to the plate next to the immortal Gus Johnson. "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

@midmajority Game Tweets

13:43 No. 8 seed Mason warming up, in white. Another reminder these aren't the Kryptonite Kids, and this ain't 2006. http://plixi.com/p/84963322
13:48Game No. 7-094: [8] George Mason vs [9] Villanova. NCAA Round of 64 at Cleveland. The Machine is ready to rage! http://plixi.com/p/84964495
13:54 It may have been noted, but it's worth noting again. Villanova beat George Mason 69-68 in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off a season ago, on 11/19/09.
13:57 GMU led 8-2, and was up by 13 at one point. But Nova, then the No. 5 team in the country, came back, and Isaiah Armwood won it at the end.
13:59 That was the first made FG of Armwood's career, the one that beat Mason. He is No. 34 in blue in your program, now a 6-7 sophomore for Nova.
14:02 Anthem. http://plixi.com/p/84967544
14:02 RT @pntafter: @midmajority It's also his only three pointer made in his career at Nova so far.
14:09 George Mason: 26-6 (16-2 CAA). RPI of 24, lost to VCU 79-63 in the SF. Pretty much got the Rams in, who proved they belong the other night.
14:10 Comparisons with 06 run rampant, but that team didn't have a high-octane offense like this. Most efficient in the CAA, 1.09 points per trip.
14:12 George Mason scores on 43.9% of their possessions (a/k/a "floor percentage.") They are 15th in the nation in this statistic.
14:15 And the 06 team had a better mascot. http://plixi.com/p/84970471
14:18 Because somebody bitched about having to sit next to me, Bally has his own seat. So look for #orangepixels when Nova is on offense.
14:21 RT @chanford24: @midmajority Butler fan now wearing my GMU 06 Final Four shirt! Even then, I was an #AOUEOU kind of guy.
14:22 Cam Long opens scoring for Mason. 3-1 Pats. 3-time all-CAA, four-year contributor, has increased his #superhooping to 42% this season.
14:26 Isaiah Tate and Mike Morrison getting down low for #BUCKETS, Mason leads 7-6 at 14:40 1H.
14:27 Blame the research division. RT @HustleBelt: @midmajority During Akron-ND, the analyst said (twice) the Akron beat Iona in the MAC final.
14:29 Cute handdrawn dubl signs in Mason section, presumably a GF/BF: "I'll trade her for a Mason victory" vs. "I'll trade him for Long or Tate."
14:29 RT @midmajority360: Oakland 81 Texas 85 | OAK: R. Hamilton 25 - TEX: J. Brown 21 | http://tmm7.me/fyq
14:31 9-7 NOVA 14:20 1H. Wireless saturated here at the Q. One 21st Century columnist tradition is to bitch about the wireless at the NCAAT.
14:32 But the NCAA doesn't set up the internet. The local network is used, and it's expected to handle the bandwidth 100+ media people use.
14:34 But instead of increasing capacity, they try to stem the tide. A rule here: anyone using wifi on their phone will have it confiscated.
14:35 So, in short, nobody wins the wireless game at the NCAAT. Corey Stokes hits a 3 for Nova, and they lead 15-12 at 11:44 1H.
14:37 RT @Hirsch_in_Media: My tweet from last night. IT Asst. Worst job at a site -- EVER. RT @midmajority: So, in short, nobody wins the wireless game at the NCAAT.
14:38 If you want to know hell, volunteer to work the telecom desk at an NCAA pod. I usually want to give them hugs by the time a weekend's over.
14:41 End of the first quarter. Mason a little stunned, a pylon course for Nova's 3-point truck right now. But only down by 6.
14:44 Mason 5-for-14 from the floor to begin. Body language kinda sucky at the moment. A bit of concern within the Green Machine.
14:48 23-17 Nova, 7:59 1H. The two green and yellow Mason sections are locked in like a Tetris block underneath a lot of Ohio State red.
14:49 They announced the MICH-TENN score, and the 8000 Ohio State fans made a "BYAHHHOOO" sound. Couldn't figure out how to feel about it.
14:50 Tate's strong third-chance layup finally gives the GMU fans something to get halfway excited about. 23-19 Nova, 7:14 1H.
14:53 Coach L's whistle: still the loudest noise in the arena. Using it lots, pleading for his guys' attention. They're frustrated/inward-facing.
14:58 Nova 31-21 at 4:15 1H. After that hard foul, Coach L whistles. Nobody turns around. He puts his arms out. "Anybody?" Not good.
15:02 Nova paying rent in Mason's collective head now. Lots of long faces (no pun) despite 23 minutes remaining. Something good needs to happen.
15:06 Johnny Williams' nifty layup gets the crowd up. Nova empty, GMU to the line after this TO. One minute til HT, Mason slicing some lead.
15:10 Cam Long with two FT's. Slapaway, then a Nova foul that nets 1/2 Tate FT's. Nova lead 4. Mason confidence growing.
15:12 Halftime, Nova by 6. I've found Mason 11 to be a very moody team in general. Confidence grows exponentially, frustration increases likewise.
15:13 Three or four possessions can act as the bridge between the two sides. Complete mental turnaround during that late stretch in 1H.
15:16 Tempo-free HT is presented by your friends and mine: BLAPP. Villanova with 35 points in 29 possessions (1.20), George Mason 29 in 29 (1.00).
15:19 You know BLAPP can unblock drains or melt tile grout. But why? All that lager, fruit juice and grain alcohol belongs in your tummy. BLAPP.
15:20 Important disclaimer: BLAPP can be used to dissolve car door locks. No it can't. Yes it can. No it can't.
15:25 RT @nickwynne: @midmajority I had some green-dyed BLAPP last night to celebrate St. Patty's Day. It was delicious. Also, do you know a good bail-bondsman?
15:28 Ever had a moment when you say to yourself, "I honestly cannot believe I'm [doing whatever]." Just had one of the greatest of my life.
15:29 But I'm really uncomfortable about talking about it, because it involves a restroom. You'll probably guess what it was anyway.
15:31 Yeah, that was too easy. We are minutes away from a second half in this potentially exciting Round of 64 game.
15:33 Awesome: GMU players got in their "all in" huddle after warmups, then Coach L ran over, jumped in, and started yelling encouragement.
15:38 Can't claim any sort of #8vs5 in this game; Mason was 9/12 from the line in 1H, and would be DOA if they weren't driving the lane.
15:39 Mike Morrison just made a #OMGDUNX, and one (impressive primal scream). A sign goes up in the crowd: "GEORGE MASON CAN [#DUNX]". 37-31 Nova.
15:47 Nova winning the second half, but Mason winning the highlight reel. You know, for the kids. Long makes an oop, and #TheDiff is -6. 14:26.
15:53 Mason down by 4 with a Hancock FT coming. Good; 3. Most of the instances when this team has lost, it's been rapid back-alley heart surgery.
15:54 Very emotional team. Against NC State, Mason was drilled (55% shooting). Against Hofstra, they were Chucked (Jenkins, 32 pts).
15:55 In the semi against VCU, the Rams dropped a flash-flood run around the 6 minute mark of 1H, and Mason never got over it.
15:56 For now, emotions running high. Huddles much more animated than 1H. Feeding off a crowd that's been standing almost all of 2H.
15:58 At the 12 minute MTO, Doc Nix and the Green Machine break out "Livin On A Prayer." Ohio State fans do their spelling thing. They are louder.
15:58 RT @solidblue94: @midmajority You had to know Mason would make this a game with the Law of Gus Johnson in play. #AOUEOU #CAA
15:59 Bon Jovi and "OHIO" have been together before. Ohio State and GMU were in the same first-weekend pod in 2006: Dayton. I remember it well.
16:02 End of 3Q. Maurice Sutton with a Nova dunx, and Mason is Diffed by -3. 45-42.
16:05 Green Machine breaks out Rage at the NCAAT. More devastating live than on YouTube. I knew I was witnessing Truth when I first saw that.
16:07 RT @midmajority360: Akron 56 Notre Dame 69 | AKR: Q. Diggs 11 - ND: B. Hansbrough 15 | http://tmm7.me/fys
16:08 Yes! For anyone who hasn't seen GMU's band kill in the name. RT @HLNAdam: @midmajority http://bit.ly/fw6l35
16:11 Johnny Williams brings Mason to within one with 6:07 to go. Corey Fisher answers. On the other end, GMU enters the bonus and clunks a 1/1.
16:13 There's a tiny cluster of yellow in the upper, upper reaches of the Q's third deck. That reminds me of the Sweet 16 game in 06 in DC.
16:14 Key errors piling up for Mason, Nova by 6 at 3:53. Small bits of confetti float down to the floor from the ceiling, randomly.
16:19 Mason's #TheDiff is -4 after two Hancock FTs. 3:37 to go. Press, with lots of fouls to give. Corey Fisher another two, though.
16:21 Patriots extremely vulnerable to a gut punch (#DUNX, dagger, etc.) Severe emotional fragility. Three to go, down by six.
16:23 Two bad ballhandles, but Nova firing blanks. And then a Tate three cuts it to 54-51! 1:54 to go in reg.
16:25 Thanks, Antonio Pena! Two clunk FT, and Ryan Pearson the AND ONE! Chance to tie! Stokes' 4th! I bet Gus is going ballistic!
16:26 RT @snoopj123: @midmajority The Gus factor is in play. I repeat, the Gus factor is in play.
16:28 Tied up! Mason six fouls, can afford to be aggressive. There's the seventh. Yarou CLUNK.
16:29 RT @SethHunt105: I should be concentrating on this big finish in the Mason-Villanova game but I keep looking for @midmajority at one of the tables.
16:29 RT @jablo1312: @midmajority Oh. Em. Gee. DUNX.
16:29 RT @valpo2006: @midmajority EPIC #OMGDUNX!!!
16:30 I know there's no audible cheering on press row, but there's nothing in the rules about typing. CHOKE NOVA CHOKE
16:30 RT @gmoore21566: @midmajority Gus going off on Mason "Hustling. Fighting. Scratching.". I love Gus.
16:33 Fisher gets his three FT shots, gets his three FTMs. LUKE HANCOCK WITH THE FAROKHMANESH #SUPERHOOP
16:34 Pulled up, all BALLS. But this sets up extra time for Nova, which doesn't fold up. "The officials are reviewing a timing incident."
16:34 RT @jskarp: COLONIAL ATHLETIC ASSOCATION. ALL UP IN YOUR GRILL PIECE. @ediggitynodoubt @bvelaski @midmajority
16:35 DU N X D U N X D U N X OVERLOAD OVERLOAD OVERLOAD DUNX
16:37 Larranaga starts hugging people. Players, people with AA credentials, whomever gets in the way. See you Saturday, Patriots.
16:38 [RLU ALERT] George Mason 61, Villanova 57 | http://tmm7.me/fyt @RedLineUpsets
16:38 RT @SethHunt105: George Mason! CAA! The differences were @midmajority and the #diff
16:39 RT @Parth81: @midmajority Inquiring minds want to know: Did Gus Johnson's head explode? And remember, he started off Mason's run last year as well!
16:39 RT @solidblue94: AAAAOOOOOOOHHH!! HAHA!! WITH THE #CAA DAGGER!! @midmajority #AOUEOU #GeorgeMason
16:39 RT @midmajority360: Villanova 57 George Mason 61 | NOVA: C. Fisher 20 - GMU: L. Hancock 18 | http://tmm7.me/fyt
16:50 RT @jllanclos: Coach, how'd you win this game? "I have no idea!" @midmajority
16:50 RT @bubbaprog: I LOVE THIS: Jubilant Mason fans getting frisky http://30fram.es/1oj @midmajority
16:50 RT @rosslancaster: Just blocked a guy who said Mason over Villanova wasn't an upset. Felt good. @midmajority
17:09 RT @midmajority360: http://tmm7.me/fyu [PHOTO] #DUNX

Boxscore

GEORGE MASON 61, VILLANOVA 57
03/18/2011


VILLANOVA 21-12 (9-9) -- S. Lewis 7-16 0-0 18; C. Stokes 4-15 2-2 14; C. Fisher 7-17 4-4 20; M. Wayns 2-9 2-2 7; A. Pena 3-6 1-4 7; M. Yarou 2-3 2-3 6; M. Sutton 1-1 1-2 3; D. Cheek 0-1 0-0 0; I. Armwood 0-0 0-0 0; J. Bell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-52 12-17 57.
GEORGE MASON 27-6 (16-2) -- M. Morrison 5-6 0-3 10; C. Long 2-9 2-4 7; L. Hancock 5-10 6-8 18; I. Tate 3-7 3-4 10; R. Pearson 2-9 4-5 8; A. Cornelius 0-4 0-0 0; J. Williams 4-5 0-0 8; V. Vaughns 0-2 0-0 0; R. Whack 0-0 0-0 0; P. Bennett 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-52 15-24 61.

Three-point goals: NOVA 7-22 (C. Fisher 2-8; D. Cheek 0-1; C. Stokes 4-10; M. Wayns 1-3), GMU 4-14 (C. Long 1-4; I. Tate 1-3; A. Cornelius 0-1; R. Pearson 0-1; V. Vaughns 0-2; L. Hancock 2-3); Rebounds: NOVA 33 (M. Yarou 13), GMU 31 (M. Morrison 11); Assists: NOVA 10 (C. Fisher 6), GMU 12 (L. Hancock 5); Total Fouls -- NOVA 19, GMU 15; Fouled Out: NOVA-None; GMU-None.