George Mason sent a reminder that they will be a team that will have a voice in who wins the Atlantic 10.
For the first time this season, Kim English had a healthy roster and it paid off big time in their 80-67 win over Georgia. The win was the Patriots second road win over a Power 5 school. Earlier in the season, George Mason won at Maryland.
What followed the big win was a loss at James Madison followed by 3 losses in South Dakota and then a home loss against ODU.
The five game losing streak had fans questioning whether what they saw in the first four games was just an illusion. But during that time, the Patriots were short on ball-handlers.
Xavier Johnson was out because of Covid-19 issues and Ronald Polite hadn’t played a minute. After a win against Navy, English finally had the roster he imagined.
The combination of Johnson, Polite, and Jamal Hartwell, George Mason only turned the ball over nine times.
The increase in quality possessions meant that George Mason’s offense was on full display. The floor opened up allowing the Patriots to shoot 11-26 from the three-point line. D’Shawn Schwartz scored 21 points and shot 5-10 from long distance. With the Georgia defense having to defend from sideline to sideline, it became easier to get the ball to Josh Oduro down the stretch.
Oduro would finish with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The Patriots defense was also much better. They forced the Dawgs into 34% shooting.
George Mason have one remaining out of conference game (American) before getting into the conference season. That will give English another chance to fortify his rotation before their December 30th game at VCU.
