Game 34: Atlantic 10 Tournament FINAL - #2 GMU (26-7) vs #1 vcu (27-6) on Sunday, March 16, at 1:00 PM.

[GMU79]

I agree but I also think those two boneheaded early season loses killed us. If we had beaten CMU and ECU I bet we are a last 4 in team.

Agreed.

 

[gmutom]

I agree but I also think those two boneheaded early season loses killed us. If we had beaten CMU and ECU I bet we are a last 4 in team.

I completely agree. Sadly, close OOC losses like those are inevitable in the new portal world. Tony did a masterful job the last two years of overhauling the roster, but early games like the two you cited are going to happen when you are throwing a bunch of new guys on the court together and trying to teach them offensive and defensive schemes, figuring out rotations. and developing chemistry.

I'm not saying we shouldn't have won those two games based on talent alone. I just understand why and how it can happen. My guess is that the team we are now would blow them both out of the water if we played them today.

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

One thing I noticed right away… After Anderson missed and all the craziness ensued, Darius went right to him to pick him up… Total character move.

 

[DRK331]

Hopefully vcu loses their one and only game of the NCAA tournament

 

[Jack Strop]

I feel that I've been watching the same game for the last 22 years. Horribly inconsistent refs and no luck vs. vcu.

 

[DRK331]

Tony Skinn post game presser

https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1yNGaLybeBRKj

 

[Masonman]

I feel like that I've been watching the same game for the last 22 years. Horribly inconsistent refs and no luck vs. vcu.

Well, looks like their coach may leave. How many times are they going to be able to get a good coach before they land their dud? Maybe this is it!

 

[Jack Strop]

Well, looks like their coach may leave. How many times are they going to be able to get a good coach before they land their dud? Maybe this is it!

It's long about time for vcu to be made to suffer indefinitely. Where are the Basketball Gods now?!?!?

 

[DRK331]

Quick Tony Skinn presser (2 min version)

https://x.com/NBC4Sports/status/1901371298929840427

 

[DRK331]

Game highlights here

Game highlights here

 

[NewPatriot]

Not calling a timeout??? For that reason alone . Skinn should not be COY..

I went back and looked at the replay. We got a clean look in the basket and just rimmed in and out.

I take it back. Skinn is the COY.

 

[DRK331]

This makes sense now:

https://x.com/ContextFreeCBB/status/1901377728185810988

 

[illayin]

I’m not one to blame refs but the “physicality” allowance was extremely one sided. Also, no idea how Clark didn’t get a T when he shoved one of our guys from behind in that scrum.

same. some of those backcourt calls on our defenders vs. what vcu got away with was crazy (shulga grabbing jalen to stop him from cutting after the screen). also a few phantom calls where a vcu player tripped on their own (shulga slipping vs. billups on the baseline comes to mind) or didn't get fouled on a shot (the runner down the lane the vcu player just loses the ball and gets 2 ft's). and a couple blatant travels (esp. the double dribble that literally everyone but the refs saw). i mean we got a few gift calls/non-calls, but the balance was undeniably in vcu's favor.

i literally hate blaming the refs for a loss, but i feel like we would have won an evenly called game today. we had mistakes on our side which i won't call out individually because i loved the effort from our guys. unfortunately, you can't make ANY mistakes when you are going 5 v 8.

 

[GMUYoda]

vcpoo 11 seed vs 6 seed byu in Denver on Thursday FWIW

 

[Aldousflux]

It hurt to lose like that, but I had such a great experience being in Cap One these last 3 days. Also I survived an 11-21 season under Paulsen my sophomore year, I can live with an NIT bid.

 

[JPgmuswim]

Loved the environmental today. I think we were robbed, Tony was definitely frustrated in the post game presser. Not the outcome we wanted but it was fun to play a meaningful game in the a-10 tournament, the double-bye was also a nice feeling.

 

[jkh1978]

Let me say something nice towards vcu... they deserved a higher seed in NCAAT. I loved what Tony said in the presser. The A10 is not getting the respect it should. If Mason won, vcu probably would be out too.

 

[Bsutterl]

Let me say something nice towards vcu... they deserved a higher seed in NCAAT. I loved what Tony said in the presser. The A10 is not getting the respect it should. If Mason won, vcu probably would be out too.

I think I saw where if Mason won, vcu would have bumped UNC

 

[jkh1978]

I think I saw where if Mason won, vcu would have bumped UNC

I am skeptical that UNC would get the last minute bump when the chair of the NCAA tournament selection committee is Tar Heels athletic director Bubba Cunningham.

 

[psyclone]

Washington Post article on the game:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/16/george-mason-vcu-atlantic10-final/