On empty stomach, Pearson fills stat sheet
Has George Mason coach Jim Larranaga accidentally discovered the perfect pre-game meal?
After a mid-week bout with the flu, George Mason freshman Ryan Pearson could stomach only a piece of toast Saturday morning before the Patriots’ game with visiting James Madison. But the 6-foot-6 forward scored 13 points in the first half to help the Patriots get a lead they never relinquished in a 71-57 victory.
“Toast, no butter, no jam,” said Larranaga. “I’m thinking to myself he has little or no chance of having any energy to really be effective. How do you understand teenagers, what their mind-set it, what their physical capability is on any given day?”
Without a go-to scorer, Larranaga is never sure what to expect from his Patriots, but he’s done a nice mix and match. Despite not having a scorer in the Colonial Athletic Association top 20, balanced Mason (14-3, 7-0) is off to its best start in program history.
Part of the reason, admits Larranaga, a fortuitous schedule.
“We played Dec. 6 at Drexel, but since that time we’ve only had one plane trip – that was to Dayton,” said the 12-year coach. “Everything else has been at home or close by. Our team has been well prepared and well rested.”
That changes, however, as the Patriots embark on their most challenging week of the regular season. GMU travels to Northeastern (11-6, 5-1) Wednesday and VCU (13-5, 6-1) Saturday.
Northeastern has impressive wins at Providence and at Indiana and was unbeaten in the league before Saturday’s loss to Hofstra. The Huskies are long and athletic. Mason will counter with skill and defense.
“Their balance is something you have to contend with. You can’t go in and just focus on one player,” said Northeastern coach Bill Coen. “They do a tremendous job on the backboards and they play with tremendous energy.”
Even when they’ve only had toast.
