It’s similar to preparing one’s stomach for the rigors of a climactic Thanksgiving feast with a regimen of increasing portion sizes and larger meals leading up to the holiday itself.
George Mason has built its first 3-0 start since the 1980-81 season on a steady diet of wins over teams from America East, Horizon League and Atlantic-10 conferences. Each victory was a bigger step toward the Patriots’ main meal tonight at the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, No. 18 Kansas State of the Big 12.
“In each game, we’ve increased our level of energy and effort,” said Patriots head coach Jim Larranaga. “Our main focus is on executing. If you get good shots, like we’ve been getting, eventually the ball will start dropping for us.”
The biggest and best course on the menu is Wildcats 6-foot-10 freshman Michael Beasley. The District native has averaged a mammoth 30.0 points and 20.0 rebounds through three games.
Compared with anyone else but Beasley, George Mason senior forward Will Thomas’ start to the year (17.3 ppg, 14.0 rpg) has been equally impressive.
“Will is possessed,” said Larranaga. “… He’s as fine a competitior as anyone I’ve ever been around.”
The Patriots have held opponents to 35.1 percent shooting and out-rebounded them by nearly 10 boards per game. But they are yet to hit their stride offensively, shooting only 35.8 percent, far below last year’s Colonial Athletic Association-best 46.3 percent average.
Folarin Campbell, who led the team with 13.9 points per game last season, finally got going last weekend with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting after going 4-for-23 from the field in the first two games.
“I wasn’t worried about shooting,” said Campbell. “I know it was going to come. It was just the fact that we’ve been playing good defense and winning games.”
