The Week That Was

George Mason is one win away from a second straight CAA Championship and their third NCAA Tournament berth in four years. Mason had to fight hard for both of their wins over James Madison and Towson. In each game Mason looked to be in trouble before showing their championship spirit at the end of the games to come away with victories. In the win over JMU the story was Cam Long making crucial shots and Mike Morrison dominating on the defensive end. Last night against Towson it was once again Long hitting huge shots at the end of the game to keep Mason's NCAA Tournament dreams alive.

Tonight Mason will meet a familiar foe for the CAA Championship, the Virginia Commonwealth Rams. This will be the third time in six years that these two will meet for the championship. The last two championship meetings have resulted in heartbreaking losses for Mason. There was the Jai Lewis air ball at the buzzer in 2004, then in 2007 it was Eric Maynor stealing the ball from Gabe Norwood and scoring that put away the Patriots. Hopefully the third time can be the charm for Mason. Mason will need a great defensive effort from their guards at all times if they are to keep Maynor in check. Daryl Monroe and Mike Morrison will have to avoid foul trouble and limit Larry Sanders opportunities on the boards and scoring wise. Mason will have to play a fantastic game in order to win tonight. Plus, with the tournament being in Richmond it will almost be like a road game for Mason, something that has not been kind to Mason all year. In my CAA Tournament preview I predicted these two would meet and I predicted a VCU win. I really hope I am wrong.

The North Carolina Tar Heels completed a season sweep of the Duke Blue Devils, with a 79-71 win on Senior Day. It was an emotional day in Carolina as they said goodbye to Tyler Hansbrough. Hansbrough responded with 17 points, including two three pointers, which was a career high for him. However, the goal all year has been to win the NCAA Tournament, Carolina, no matter how they fare in the ACC Tournament is likely assured of a #1 seed. Hopefully this year they can take care of business. A good sign yesterday was their defensive effort against Duke. Carolina made Duke take some bad shots in the second half and that proved to be the difference in the game. They have to bring that defensive effort on a consistent basis the rest of the season.

The big news in the NFL was first the release of WR Terrell Owens by the Dallas Cowboys late Wednesday night, and the signing of him to a 1 year, 6.5 million dollar deal by the Buffalo Bills on Saturday afternoon. I understand why the Cowboys cut Owens loose, poor team chemistry definitely had a role in the Cowboys collapse last season. However, I really like this pick up by the Bills. The Bills haven't made the playoffs since 1999, they have nothing to lose in this deal. If it goes badly, they just miss the playoffs again like they have been doing for the last decade. If Owens is a model citizen and puts up numbers the Bills have a great shot at making the playoffs. The Bills already had one capable WR in Lee Evans, but he has been inconsistent, mostly because the Bills haven't had a legitimate second receiver, they now have that. Also, QB Trent Edwards showed flashes last year, with a guy like Owens to throw to he could make a huge ascension. I really believe TO understands that he is on a thin line and he will behave well.

I will be back on Wednesday with a preview and predictions for the ACC Tournament.