Keith's Keys to the Game: GMU vs. UNCW

Mason (7-8) comes into today's match-up riding a 5 game losing streak, including dropping 3 straight conference games. UNCW (8-7) is also trying to rebound, as they have also dropped 2 of their last 3 conference games. The Patriots will have to work hard in order to reverse their fortunes on the road, as they have only won 2 of 7 games away from the Patriot Center this season. Both have fallen to 1-3 in CAA play.

What to Watch for:


UNCW appears to be a much deeper in terms of scoring potential then Mason is as they have 7 players overall averaging over 5 points per contest, and three of those  players  average over 9 ppg. It will be Mason's duty to apply equal pressure to the starters as they do the reserves for the full 40 minutes of play.

Mason's bench players need to step up. Against Northeastern, they only contributed 2 points in 38 minutes of playing time. On the other hand, their opponent was able to get 28 points off their bench, mostly by one player solely. Mason needs a spark off their bench, and the player that has shown that spark is Christine Weithman. Mason is in a critical point of their season and they need a skilled player like Weithman to really start to step up her game, and be an impact off the bench with her 3 point shooting ability. If  Mason cannot get this bench production, UNCW has no reason to respect any bench player and will go ahead and play defense conservatively when those reserves players see court time.

Mason needs to show some balance in their game plan, they cannot rely solely on Taleia Moton dropping 20 to 30 points a game. After having a 16 point lead and scoring 36 in the first half against Northeastern, the Patriots only scored 18 in the second half and lost the game by 4. Mason needs to learn to play a full 40 minutes against an opponents starters and reserves, or they will blow leads as they have in the past.

I would tell you a player for Mason to key in on, but I honestly cannot. UNCW is as balanced as they come, or as unpredictable. In their last 5 games alone, they have had 6 different players tie/lead them in scoring.The key to this game is to mark every player like they are the star, because you do not know which one is going to go off for 18 points.

Tip-off is set for 2pm at Trask Coliseum in Wilmington, North Carolina. UNCW won the last meeting in February 2011 by a score of 74-56 in Wilmington.