These Fab Four of sophomores are known more so for their chemistry togther than being top tier recruits. Coach Donovan talk about how these kids came together:
"To be a true team and a true family you have to accept one another for all their faults," Donovan said. "Once you can do that and you can look past it, that's when the chemistry and the bond grows."
Just like UNC's Hansbrough, Joakim Noah is so much enjoying the college experinece:
"I'm having the time of my life," Noah said. "Right now, I'm loving this. This is what it's all about. I know that people dream about going to the NBA, but it's a little different for me because I'm not one of those people who didn't have food on the table (growing up)."
The talk from the college coaches is the new NBA age requirement will have little impact on the college game. The youth movement shown by teams such as Florida or UNC could be a long lasting trend:
"I think it does nothing. It's window dressing," LSU coach John Brady said Wednesday. "You either come to college for a year or you go to a prep school. How many high school kids got drafted anyway? A handful? So I don't think it does anything to help." Where as, there are those that believe this youth movement where mid major teams like a George Mason could make a run in the NCAA tournamount could be coming to an end.
This run by the mid major causes major heat in the other programs :
"That's the funny part: In trying to copy the success of Gonzaga and George Mason, most schools take the opposite approach of Gonzaga and George Mason. They shuffle coaches, demand immediate success and often hire the "hot young coach" who will leave at the first chance. That's like building a house and starting with the roof. "
It will be interesting to see if this is a one year wonder for George Mason or if they can maintain the success of a Gonzaga who goes dancing year in and year out.
"This exposure is tremendous," Larranaga said. "And we'll feel the effects in the immediate future, and I think far greater if we can continue to make the NCAA Tournament -- and have kids believe that we're the Gonzaga of the East."