From the Credit-Where-Credit-Is-Due Dept.

In the most improbable sports story of this or any other recent year, the men's basketball team of George Mason University, a large university serving the commuting students of the Northern Virginia from the decidedly unpowerful Colonial Athletic Association, beat the number one ranked team in the nation, University of Connecticut, in the NCAA basketball tournament. GMU was a controversial choice to be invited to the 65-team NCAA tournament, and was ranked 11th in its tournament region.

Against all odds, however, George Mason prevailed against a final four team from last year's tournament (Michigan State), last year's national champion (North Carolina), and this year's number one team and consensus championship favorite (UConn). By beating UConn, George Mason is headed to Indiannapolis as one of the final four teams remaining in the tournament, a staggering accomplishment for such an unheralded team (one that lost this year to Hofstra -- twice). GMU's tournament run does not yet rank with Villanova's championship over Georgetown in 1985, but it is close, and will be a feat that will be recalled as long as there are beat writers on deadline and talking heads with airtime to fill. GMU's victory also destroyed approximately 98% of the tournament brackets filled out in offices and dorm rooms across the country. However, I get the sense that most people enjoyed seeing UConn get a whuppin' from such an unexpected and joyous foe.

While unheralded, George Mason has not been entirely unnoticed. I noted them myself, not long ago, when one of George Mason's key players was suspended for the first game of the tournament for punching an opponent in the ... well, you know. Of course, GMU is also the university that conferred a Ph.D. upon old roomie Chris, and now employs him as an Assistant Professor. I can only hope his Patriots meet my Bruins in the final game (UCLA's presence at the Final Four, while a source of satisfaction around here, is not quite as much of a surprise).

This is what can be great about college athletics; I give you the picture on the home page of the normally staid, digified website of George Mason University:



And if you want to taste a little of the "I can't believe this is happening to us" joy, try this video of the GMU student section at the Verizon Center (sorry about the Bon Jovi soundtrack). They might have been closer to the court if they had stayed in Fairfax, but the enthusiasm for their non-powerhouse but giant-killing team is pure.