Don’t compare this season’s George Mason Patriots to the 2006 Final Four team.
Team #59 deserves to stand on its own the way they did against VCU in the Atlantic 10 tournament finals.
The heartbreaking 68-63 loss to VCU showed everything Tony Skinn has instilled in this program.
This roster was full of imperfections that were made up of a dog-like work ethic. It overcame bad shooting and untimely fouls on one end and maybe a few missed foul calls on the other. Every time it looked like VCU was going to push the lead to 8-10 points. And, of course, a game-tying three-pointer that came in-and-out.
Skinn and his coaching staff showed how good they can be throughout the season. The scouts were on point. The adjustments were there. They knew how to navigate the three-headed primary ballhandler situation.
Fifth-year senior JD Johnson didn’t start. Defensive Player of the Year Jared Billups didn’t start.
Can you imagine what that would have done to a locker room if this was a toxic environment?
Does it mean everyone was happy all the time? Name a program where that exists.
More than ever, in today’s college basketball, you have to know who you are, and no one exhibits that more than Skinn.
What Skinn has done in two short years is establish an identity that works in Fairfax, VA.
The coaches work just as hard in practice as the players throughout the season.
The philosophy behind building the program is a long-term venture. If Skinn were to leave somewhere down the road, the program wouldn’t be a ship wandering aimlessly in the middle of the ocean.
Trust me, I’ve covered programs like that, which isn’t pretty.
You can see his values and the values he instills in the program. The hard work. The selflessness. Managing the good things and managing the bad things.
It’s what makes them who they are. It’s why this is a 26-win team that was one shot away from overtime and a chance to get into the NCAA tournament.
This team was never going to be a roster of Cadillacs. If you want that, look at the roster in Durham. But if you want a team that plays and is coached in what is considered an old-fashioned way, take a visit to Fairfax.
That team is perfectly imperfect.
