(republished from MTC Media substack account)
Ohhhh what a day to be playing 18 as the weather is beautiful just outside of our nation’s capital.
But I’m sure the game of golf is every happy that I’m here for the Revolutionary Rivalry between George Mason and George Washington.
It was also the return on Chris Caputo. The George Washington head coach was on Jim Larranaga’s staff when Mason went to the Final Four.
Both teams have shown that they could win anytime, anywhere in the Atlantic 10.
The Patriots came into today having the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week, Josh Oduro while Maximus Edwards grabbed the conference Rookie of the Week award.
To the game we go… Mason starts off MLK Day in a charitable mood by gifting George Washington four early turnovers as the Colonials jump out to an early 10-5 lead.
Quick question… what’s with the Blake Jones early sub? Come on Kim… you can’t disrespect a prestigious holiday with a move like that.
We’re at the under 12 (11:41) and George Washington has jumped out to a 19-9 lead.
James Bishop only has two shot attempts. Is he showing restraint today? Nah… I’m sure he’s just getting the cannon loaded for another game that involves the threat of 20 shot attempts.
Speaking of loaded, George Washington head coach, Chris Caputo, is showing off the guns in his t-shirt. Yes, he’s wearing a t-shirt today.
The “coaches in suits era” seems to be dead and, let me tell you, I’m happy about that. Hell, I’ll get a shovel to help make sure that it never rises again.
It looks like the Colonials are dealing with the quick turnaround better than Mason. The Fighting Foggy Bottoms are up 25-11 with 8:50 left.
By the way, “Hey Ref” guy is ready to go today. If you had the over, you’ll make up the money you lost betting on Kirk Cousins.
Victor Bailey traded in turning the ball over for making a three… Mason on a 9-0 run and they’ve fought to within two at 27-25.
We’ve finally completed 20 minutes of this ugliness. Both teams had 10 turnovers. Colonials up 30-25.
George Washington came out of the locker room looking like they want to win this one for their coach.
Maximus Edwards follows up a made three with a four-point play and the Colonials have pushed the lead up to 37-25.
Uh oh… George Mason coach, Kim English, is complaining that the score is incorrect. Am I at an AAU game?
The score is correct and Mason capitalizes with a three-pointer by Ronald Polite. Caputo looked down the bench at English and said that he just wanted the “side out”. Caputo said it with a smile but you could tell he wasn’t smiling inside.
Bishop just shot a wicked (no Boston accent) airball from the three-point line but he gets bailed out by an end of the shot clock made three by Brendan Adams.
This game has had it’s share of weird moments… that’s for sure.
Mason gives up some ground before the under 12.
George Washington went on spurt after some sloppy Patriots ball-handling and had the lead to nine before Bailey hit a three-pointer.
Score: George Washington leads 53-47
Which will be higher? George Mason turnovers or James Bishop shot attempts.
Well… Bishop took on the challenge. It’s tied at 16 with 6:36 left.
Give George Washington some credit. On Saturday, George Washington had a tough home loss to Saint Louis. 48 hours later, they are giving Mason everything it can handle.
You get the feeling that with under five minutes left and Mason down nine, the ol’ Green and Gold could be in some trouble.
Adams hits a three-pointer that puts the Colonials 10 with 2:58 left.
Hey Ref guy is losing his mind claiming there was a travel before the shot. He’s certainly hit the over.
DeVon Cooper’s two free throws pulls Mason to within 77-75.
Of course, Bishop follows that up with a step back three. How can the ball not touch Adams’ hands that possession?
It’s Mason’s ball with 46.1 seconds left.
Well… this has overtime potential.
Polite misses the game tying short-jumper and Adams misses the front end of a one-and-one.
Mason has the ball down 77-75 with 16.3 seconds left.
Justyn Fernandez misses a three-pointer followed by a missed Cooper short-jumper and Bishop has a chance to wrap this up with 5.5 seconds.
He makes the first and misses the second… Mason rushes down the floor (GW isn’t trying to foul)…. Cooper misses corner three and it’s over.
George Washington didn’t “revolutionize” any parts of this game but they walk away with a 78-75 win.
