Mid-major teams in mid-Atlantic are anything but ‘mid’ on court

The mid-major programs in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area (DMV) served notice to the rest of the college basketball landscape that they’re not to be slept on. Several programs overachieved in their respective leagues relative to the expectations placed on them prior to the season and made noise in their respective postseason tournaments.

After the season, several of the area coaches reflected on the state of their programs and how they can continue to build on the year that their team had.

American

Record: 22-13 (13-5 in Patriot League)

Preseason projected Patriot League finish: second

Actual Patriot League finish: tied for first

Conference tournament result: champion

Postseason result: reached First Four of the NCAA Tournament

Duane Simpkins reflecting on American’s season: Really proud of the season we had, a lot of firsts for this year. Obviously, first Patriot League championship in 11 years, as well as the first NCAA Tournament appearance [in 11 years]. Set the record for 3-point percentage, broke the record that we set last year for the most threes in a season. Most points in a season in school history, highest total attendance in school history.

And then obviously a number of individual accomplishments. For Matt Rogers, First Team [All-Patriot League] again, Eli Stephens Third Team [All-Patriot League], Greg Jones being on the All-Defensive Team. And most conference wins [for American] in Patriot League history. A lot of firsts.

We laid the foundation a year ago with where we wanted to take the program, and I really felt like we’ve built on it this year and establishing the culture and getting guys to buy in. Now that we have that, we have now a core group of guys who will be coming back in Geoff Sprouse, Greg Jones, Matt Mayock, that can help keep the young guys that are now coming into the program what the expectation is, the standard that’s now been set. And these guys can speak from experience and that’s going to pay huge dividends for our program moving forward.

George Mason

Record: 27-9 (15-3 in Atlantic 10)

Preseason projected A10 finish: sixth

Actual A10 finish: tied for first

Conference tournament: runner-up

Postseason result: NIT Second Round

Tony Skinn after losing in the A10 Tournament Championship game: 26-win season, 15-3 in conference, get to the final game, you’ve won 26 of your last 29 games, you know it’s tough, especially for my seniors that this is their last opportunity.

You always have to be flawless in this league to make it to the NCAA Tournament. I can’t remember the last time a team won 26 games, essentially won 17 conference games, and is not in the conversation. It’s unfortunate. These guys have competed all season long. I’m proud of them, and it came down to that last shot.

I wanted to separate their story from ours [2006 team]. All the time I get asked about the Final Four, It was a great thing we did, but it’s 19 years later, and I’ve got to be able to lead these guys but also separate that history because these guys did something special as well. Those are the memories I want them to be able to live with, want their families to be able to live with.

These guys deserve it. They stay committed to it, and I think they should be playing in the NCAA Tournament so they can write their own story because I think they can beat anybody in any place.

It’s going to be a challenge every single year because of the ebbs and flows of the portal. However, I think it’s safe to say that George Mason is in a good spot.

George Washington

Record: 21-13 (9-9 in A10)

Preseason projected A10 finish: 13th

Actual A10 finish: seventh

Conference tournament: quarterfinals

Postseason result: The Crown First Round

Chris Caputo: We’ve had a good year. We lost Garrett Johnson, who I think is one of the best players in the Atlantic 10 probably coming into the season, and I was concerned when you lose a great player to injury. But to go 21-12, win a game in the conference tournament, get into the postseason for the first time, all those things for the first time in nine years, we’re proud of that. This has been a build year.

I thought we were well on our way last year before the injuries, we were 14-3, with wins at VCU and beat [George] Mason by 15 points at home and felt like we were ascending with a young group. Then the injury bug hit us, and then I thought it hit us again this summer. I was concerned, but our group really came together. We competed. To have a good enough strong non-conference, and then a strong conference play, we were so competitive in almost every game. I think four of our nine losses, or five, might have been in the last possession. So great progress here, great commitment from GW to help us move this thing forward. And playing in The Crown, on national television, one of those big brands out there I think is a good step for us.

Mount St. Mary’s

Record: 23-13 (12-8 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference)

Preseason projected MAAC finish: 11th

Actual MAAC finish: fourth

Conference tournament: champion

Postseason result: won First Four NCAA Tournament game, lost in First Round

Donny Lind: This has been an unbelievable first year. To see the growth from a group of talented individuals to a connected team that was willing to sacrifice their individual agendas for the team goal was the most rewarding part of the journey. We have elevated the standard of Mount Basketball in the MAAC and now have the tall task of continuing to raise that standard. It will take a continued effort to retain and recruit high character, talented student-athletes, and that’s the next task we have at hand.