Massachusetts Isn’t Perfect Any Longer

When the empire that No. 1 Massachusetts built over 26 games broke apart Saturday, it did not crumble bit by bit. The Minutemen met their nemesis, George Washington, and in fewer than 10 minutes, collapsed. With 10:31 left in the half, Massachusetts Coach John Calipari had been ejected and his team trailed, 29-11. Already, it became clear that the Colonials had exerted their strange hold over the Minutemen once again.

“I wish we could find a way to play that way against everybody,” George Washington Coach Mike Jarvis said after his team never faltered in an 86-76 victory before 9,493 at Mullins Center. “Maybe I’m doing a lousy job.”

The team that lost to 5-19 La Salle last Sunday dominated both ends of the court. The Colonials have won four in a row over Massachusetts (26-1, 14-1 Atlantic 10) and two in a row at Mullins Center. George Washington (18-5, 11-2) is 2-1 at the 3-year-old arena. The rest of college basketball is 0-37.

Massachusetts lost its chance to become the first undefeated national champion since Indiana in 1976. Since 1979, only Nevada Las Vegas in 1991 was been able to make it as far as the NCAA tournament without a loss.

“We really have some work to do,” said Calipari, who watched the last 30 minutes from his locker room. “We got soft. Publicity and notoriety are like poison. As long as you don’t swallow it, you’re OK.”

Every George Washington starter scored in double figures. Vaughn Jones led with 21 points. Forward J.J. Brade shot seven for seven and scored 16. Freshman point guard Shawnta Rogers, all 5 feet 3 of him, had 15 points and eight assists.

Colonial center Alexander Koul, a 7-1, 296-pound sophomore from Belarus, used his height and bulk to disrupt the catlike moves of Marcus Camby. Fouls limited Koul to 21 minutes. In that time, however, he had 14 points, six rebounds and two very big blocks.

Massachusetts controlled the tip. Camby came down and put the ball up. Koul stuffed it back into his hands. Camby laid the ball in. Not only would that be the Minutemen’s last lead of the game, but Camby spent the next five minutes looking for revenge.

Camby, who had 18 points, eight rebounds and five turnovers, began losing the ball and the Colonials pulled out to a 16-5 lead that became 47-30 at the half.

Calipari, a ref-baiter from way back, had never been ejected in his eight years as coach. Calipari received his first technical with 11:38 left in the half. Official Gene Monje cited Calipari for leaving the coaching box. Massachusetts guard Carmelo Travieso got his first foul 1:07 later and Calipari jumped up and confronted official Larry Lembo.

Jarvis questioned whether Calipari got himself ejected to spur his team. Calipari said that was not the case. Intentional or not, it didn’t work.

“The officials did not play a part in the game,” Calipari said. “GW beat our brains in.”