Mason Baby
Mason, with a weighty accomplishment.
Three local teams will be playing for NCAA bids within 100 or so miles of D.C. this week. All three were favored to win tournament berths. Who said the locas were down this year?
The first game arrived tonight, when George Mason defeated William & Mary and its incorrectly named coach (Shaver? with a mustache like that?). At the end, after everyone had rushed the court, Mason Coach Jim Larranaga whistled a lot, the players cut down the first net, all the fans left the court, the support staff cut down the second net, and we were all left to consider just how many local programs will get bids while Maryland plays in the NIT. Current estimate: Georgetown, Morgan State, UMBC, American, George Mason, and maybe Mount St. Mary's and/or Virginia Tech.
And with Larranaga's son beaming, and the band playing Livin' on a Prayer, and former star Lamar Butler's dad handing out hugs and doing TV interviews, and players reciting quotes their coach had given them before the game, it did feel an awful lot like 2006.
The crowd was late-arriving and filled with Tribe bandwagoners who had, by reports, been absent from the first three games. Much more so than Mason, the Tribe kiddies pandered to the ESPN cameras, with all manner of four-letter slogans. "Cinderella Story Happens Now," was one. "Tribe Scalps Pats Tonight" was another. I can see why they want to keep their feathers.
This guy claimed not to be wearing any underwear. He was rooting for W&M.
"So this is what it feels like to be on ESPN," read one sign which got a particularly nice run. Not sure whether the sign praising Erin Andrews made it on TV, but she's really made it when people bring signs to games she's not working. I also liked the one that said "Duke Sucks," which seemed both out of place and appropriate. Many of the signs were left behind. I took three home with me.
The Mason fans were mostly content to call and respond with GEORGE, MASON, GEORGE, MASON. The William & Mary, fans, on the other hand, trotted out the "George Who?" signs, and the "MASON SUCKS," chants. Seven minutes before tip-off, they began their first culturally squishy Tomahawk chop chant. Seriously, everyone, it's 2008. Feel free to stop pretending you're in a Western any time now.
The students were confined in these little holding cells behind both baskets, the better to provide pleasing images of crazed fans running onto the court from one end or the other. And as Mason took its double-digit lead and played the sort of Saran Wrap defense that could make things a bit tricky for some four seed, the security people began gathering around Mason's end, preparing for the running of the students.
Har.
Among the runners were three large-ish shirtless chest-painted chaps, who began this affront to society at the beginning of the CAA tourney.
"Well do it in the NCAAs too," promised Ben Lewis.
"Why have a six pack when you can have a keg?" pointed out Sean Gagnon.
"Exactly," Lewis agreed.
I asked whether they had gotten a lot of lady friends by going shirtless.
"Not quite," Ryan Gleich said. "A couple of winks and a couple of grimaces, I guess."
"A couple of 'Ewwwws,' " Gagnon added.
Across the court there were shirtless William & Mary fans wearing kilts.
"You don't have to wear underwear under this thing, either," said Matt Vancura, one of the kilted ones. "Got to go all the way."
Meanwhile, Doc Nix and his Green Machine were wiping the floor with the overmatched tooters from William & Mary. The Green Machine played Daft Punk and Kanye; William & Mary countered with the theme from Rocky. The Green Machine played the White Stripes; William & Mary countered with "Eye of the Tiger." This was a 16 seed against a one, and the 16 never made a run.
I took this sign home with me.
There were, of course, more fans in costume. A William & Mary supporter dressed as a bear; "we just won it as a prize one time, we thought it would draw attention," said John Ellison, who proved correct with that assessment. On Mason's side I saw a super hero wearing underwear, a Burger King King and a man dressed in furry camouflage.
"I'm an ambush," he said. Cool.
Last time I wrote about fans, I was asked to add a little about the game. We had others who filled that role, but here's a little about the game: Laimis Kisielius scored 22 points for William & Mary, John Vaughan played demonic defense for George Mason, the Tribe shot 38 percent, and George Mason won. Then everyone ran out onto the court, although no one really seemed to get trampled too badly.
Just in case anyone's looking for a Facebook friend.
By Dan Steinberg |
March 10, 2008; 10:59 PM ET
| Category:
College Basketball
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Posted by: JFoster4 | March 10, 2008 11:44 PM
Oh, he's going to get so many unnecessary application invites...
Posted by: B.A. | March 10, 2008 11:58 PM
So if American beats Colgate this Friday, what are the chances the team could avoid a 16 seed in the Big Dance?
Holy Cross was 13 last year, so why couldn't AU luck out and not have to face Memphis or some other powerhouse?
Posted by: JT | March 11, 2008 12:43 AM
steinz, give the w&m kids a break. this was uncharted territory for them. this was the first caa championship game in 315 years for the green and gold. promise we'll do better next time.
although the mason band will still wipe the floor with our pale pretenders.
Posted by: rob | March 11, 2008 9:38 AM
Now that we're in we need a good seed in the 10-12 range. It may not be 2006 all over again, but it sure would be nice to get a win or two.
Way to go Mason!
Posted by: PowerBoater | March 11, 2008 9:59 AM
I have the Burger King man in my video of the floor storming, so if I ever get YouTube to go ahead and upload the durn thing, I'll share.
Posted by: Eric Angevine | March 11, 2008 10:12 AM
Wait, W&M has bandwagon fans? Why?
Note to Mason fans, if UConn gets the DC pod for the first weekend I want all of you to show up in your finest 2006 gear. It is only fair
Posted by: 1234 | March 11, 2008 10:37 AM
Two W&M away messages from yesterday:
"Getting a ticket to the game. Seriously, there's a chance that William and Mary will be in the NCAA tournament? Do I have to develop some sort of pride in my school's athletics now?"
"Pretending to have school spirit at the basketball game in Richmond. Go Tribe?"
Posted by: sitruc | March 11, 2008 10:45 AM
As a proud William & Mary alum I watched my beloved Tribe at the bar last night in defeat. If there are any bandwagon fans it's the George Mason fans. Honestly, "The Mason Nation??" What is that? How can you be proud of a school that was founded 10 years after Lincoln Tech? And how dare you call me a bandwagon fan, I've been following the Tribe ever since their game on Friday!!
Posted by: www.nedsyoungerbrother.blogspot.com | March 11, 2008 12:02 PM
Whilst the "Green Machine" might be good at reproducing hit songs, and tired 80's songs too, by the time you play one thing for three minutes...you haven't done the job of a pep band. I would take some Rocky theme and Eye of the Tiger to get a crowd to rally around a team than the White Stripes any day. Come on...the White Stripes at a basketball game makes about as much sense as the uber-white Mason dance team thugging out for halftime.
Posted by: Tribe Fan | March 11, 2008 12:28 PM
As a proud Mason alum - I am proud of Mason. Please don't say you have no bandwagon fans at W&M - please. It was obvious.
Posted by: Patri8Pike | March 11, 2008 12:55 PM
I would admit that Mason has its share of bandwagon fans, but really can any school say that they don't have bandwagon fans. I find that hard to believe.
Posted by: Masonfan05 | March 11, 2008 1:16 PM
William and Mary students were scattered around the country until they returned Sunday night from Spring Break.
And about bandwagon fans... wins bring more fans. It's a fact. It's just how it is. All of the diehard fans wish those ppl would show up when the team isn't so good as well, but it's just the way it is.
Posted by: soccerguy315 | March 11, 2008 6:46 PM
I just want to say thank you to Dan Steinberg for writing a great article and making it awesome by putting our picture in it. I almost died laughing at the "affront to society" line. You really hit the nail on the head.
Secondly, to the W&M students we hung out with while waiting in line outside the Coliseum: talking with you was a refreshing diversion from the usual smack talk and mean-spirited put-downs everyone faces from an opposing team's fans. Your team played a great game and I look forward to seeing you and them again next year.
Posted by: One of the Gentlemen in the Top Photo | March 11, 2008 9:10 PM
I don't know about Mason but as far as students go, we've had record attendance at William and Mary Hall this year and it was our spring break during the first few games. The students didn't bandwagon, we've been with the Tribe all season.
Posted by: David | March 11, 2008 10:46 PM
I apologize for WM not having thousands of long term, die hard fans to fill the arena Monday.
I'm sure it's easy for a school of 5,400 that has never played in the NCAA tourney to fill a 13,000 person stadium with no bandwagoners.
The 100 or so die hard fans of WM wish that there was more long term support of the program. But no program is built in a year... well aside from George Mason.
I'm sure plenty of Juniors and Seniors at Mason have fond memories of holding up ESPN themed signs and now are great supporters.
All in all, I don't see how you make fun of WM for making a run and trying to do something with their hoops program while simultaneously referencing the cinderella story of GMU in the final four.
Posted by: Doesn't Matter | March 12, 2008 1:08 AM
just so you know, sadly thats really not cody morris. the joke is on you guys since its his buddies playing a prank on him because he is whipped by his girlfriend. luckily thats just the short story
Posted by: WM Guy | March 12, 2008 2:33 AM
Thank you for the great article and the wonderful picture of the mason fans, yes I claim the guy in the middle with the M on his chest, I am proud of him and the team at Mason. Go Patriots
Posted by: proud mom | March 13, 2008 2:37 PM
As someone who grew up in Fairfax City but goes to W and M, I find it a bit hypocritical that there's criticism of WM "bandwagon" fans. Before GMU's final four cinderella run a couple years ago, George Mason was the team whose games people went to after they couldn't get tickets to the Redskins, Terps, Hoyas, Wizards, and Caps (and barely bit out of the Mystics). I don't know about the students but the Patriots were definitely not a key DC area sports team in my experience prior to their run. The entire metropolitan area (including Fairfax City) jumped on their bandwagon in the wake of their amazing run.
Anyways, good job Patriots. Make the CAA and Northern Virginia proud.
Oh yeah, Go Wizards!
Posted by: ruyehara88 | March 13, 2008 4:48 PM
Speaking of bands, VCU's brought on its dark-suit-clad coaches to the strains of the Blues Brothers theme.
And who could miss UNCW's "sock puppet lady" who held up a Sammy Seahawk head on each hand when Wilmington went to the charity stripe. If the Seahawk made his shot(s), she would spin around in glee before taking her seat.
Posted by: gibgroup | March 14, 2008 10:24 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Great pics! And thanks for the fan break down Steinberg.