BY DOMENIC ALLEGRA SPORTS EDITOR
Last week, Mason defeated La Salle 89-54, marking the fourth straight win for the Patriots.
“I really liked the way we shared the ball … [our guys were] turning down good shots to try to find their teammate,” head coach Dave Paulsen said. “There’s a lot of love that this team has among itself, you know they like playing with each other … it’s an unselfish group.”
Here are three takeaways from the Patriots’ wins:
MOMENTUM, MOMENTUM, MOMENTUM
The Patriots finished this season with a four-game winning streak, the largest since the 2010-2011 season when head coach Jim Larrañaga led the Patriots to the NCAA Tournament.
With the Atlantic 10 Tournament being moved up a week, this will allow the Patriots to go straight to playing in Richmond.
While Mason has the longest winning streak in the conference right now, St. Bonaventure is currently on a three-game winning streak and could tie on Monday.
The Patriots will need to continue to band together to make it to the semifinals next weekend.
MANY SEEDING OPPORTUNITIES
With VCU’s loss today against Davidson today, Mason’s chances of securing the four seed were squashed. However, Mason still has a shot at the five seed if Richmond and SLU lose on Monday.
If either Richmond or SLU win on Monday, then the Patriots will secure the six seed. If both Richmond and SLU win on Monday, Mason will secure the seven seed.
Just four games ago, many of Mason Nation were mulling over the possibility that the Patriots would finish in 10th.
Now, if either Richmond or SLU win on Monday, Mason would play the winner of La Salle vs. Fordham. The Patriots have beaten both of these teams by convincing margins. If Mason wants the easiest route to the quarterfinals, this is it.
RECORD-SETTING MARGINS OF VICTORY
Mason has defeated La Salle and Fordham by a combined total of 100 points. These are the program’s largest margins of victory in A-10 play. The Patriots defeated La Salle the first time by 33 points and the second by 35. Mason also defeated Fordham by 32 points.
Prior to this season, the largest margin of victory was 28 points on Feb. 28, 2015, against SLU.
The Patriots will play Thursday of the A-10 Tournament with their opponent to be determined.
