George Mason (2-2) Vs. Indiana (2-2)
GAME NOTES: The George Mason Patriots and the Indiana Hoosiers will square off this morning on the final day of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
George Mason opened the season with back-to-back victories over non-conference opponents at home, but the team hasn't enjoyed any success thus far in Puerto Rico. After falling to national powerhouse Villanova by just one point on Thursday, the Patriot fell to another ranked foe, Georgia Tech, on Friday by a 70-62 final. While the setbacks were disappointing, the fact that George Mason was able to hang tough with elite competition will serve as a source of confidence when Colonial Athletic Association play begins.
Tom Crean's Indiana team opened the season with back-to-back home wins, just like George Mason. Unfortunately, the club was blown out by Ole Miss in its first game in Puerto Rico, and then fell to Boston University on Friday in a 71-67 final. Crean is trying to rebuild a storied program that was destroyed by the previous regime, and fans have to understand that it may take some time to accomplish that goal.
Indiana won its only previous meeting with George Mason back in 1989.
Through four games, George Mason is scoring 66.5 ppg while shooting a lackluster 39.7 percent from the floor. Defensively, the team is limiting opponents to 63.8 ppg on 40.1 percent field goal efficiency. The Patriots have three double-digit scorers in the fold, and Ryan Pearson leads the pack with 12.5 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Andre Cornelius provides 10.3 ppg, and Luke Hancock rounds out the trio with 10.0 ppg. Kevin Foster posted 15 points and nine rebounds for George Mason in Friday's loss to Georgia Tech, and Cornelius added 11 points. Pearson was held to five points and one rebound, as foul trouble limited him to 18 minutes of action. The Patriots shot only 35.8 percent from the field, including 7-of-24 from three-point range.
Indiana is a young and inexperienced team that is averaging 72.5 ppg while allowing 70.2 ppg to the opposition. Maurice Creek leads the Hoosiers with 16.5 ppg, and Verdell Jones III provides 13.3 ppg. The third and final double- digit scorer on the roster is Christian Watford with his 11.3 ppg, and he is pulling down 7.8 rpg as well. Creek scored 17 points for Indiana against Boston University on Friday, but it obviously wasn't enough to help the team avoid defeat. Jones posted 14 points and six assists, and Jeremiah Rivers contributed 13 points. Indiana suffered a 52-32 rebounding disadvantage in that contest, including a 19-5 edge on the offensive boards. Also disappointing was a 29-14 disadvantage in points from the foul line. Those two negatives overshadowed a strong defensive effort.
Expect a close game from start to finish today, and give a narrow edge to George Mason. The Hoosiers are far removed from being a national powerhouse. Now, they are barely respectable.
Predicted OutcomeGeorge Mason 70, Indiana 63Copyright 2009 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
