The Process to the Promise

Since the school’s final four run back in 2006, the George Mason Patriot’s men’s basketball team has seen its fair ups and downs. None greater however, then the team’s last two seasons. While’s the team’s 8-22 season was under former head coach Paul Hewitt, their first season under Head Coach Dave Paulsen wasn’t much greater as they finished 11-21. While the record was nothing to smilie about, the team that took the floor night in and night out last year showed promise in a number of ways. With Hewitt out the door, coach Paulsen had to establish a new culture and dynamic for mason basketball. The unique thing about Coach Paulsen was that he instantly established a new mindset for mason basketball. Stressing the importance of passion, effort, discipline, and family, the 2015-16 Patriots showed signs of promise at different points throughout the year.

Truly expressing the importance of family, was a dynamic the Patriots had to get back too. When looking back at the 2006 final four run lead by Head Coach Jim Larranaga, that team had a unique atmosphere and level of family. A level where it wasn’t about the number on their chest or name on there back, rather it was more about the name on their chest and the brother next to them on court that they went to battle with night in and night out. That level wasn’t created over night however, for it was a process as well of truly understanding that team is far more important than oneself or any individual. This insurmountable dynamic the team had only intensified their play giving them more confidence, passion, energy and effort which led them on their surprising run that no one expected.

Understanding and remembering the run and rich history of this school truly helped lead Coach Paulsen to this university. The concept and importance of togetherness and family has always been in Paulsen’s DNA which too is a reason he has been so big on establishing an atmosphere and culture where Mason basketball truly returns to its roots. With Paulsen at the helm leading the charge, he has helped to create a gleamer of hope for mason nation. With wins against big time opponents such as Richmond twice, VCU, Davidson, Oklahoma State, and Ole miss, there was a lot of promise that was generated. Specifically looking at the wins against Oklahoma State and Ole miss last year, they were absolutely significant and caught the attention of so many because they were not only on a neutral site, but they came after the team opened the season 0-2 after losing to two mid-level schools. Beating two schools of this caliber and then following that up with an intense battle and fight against UVA showed so many including myself that this team was headed in the right direction and could compete against great schools, when they played together with extreme passion and effort. At the end of the day however, there were more lows than highs last year and even though that was the case this team is taking the right steps forward which is why the promise will be that much more gratifying after enduring this process.