Mason capitalizes on Final Four run

It's funny how getting to the Final Four can quickly change things on the recruiting front. For Houston Lamar HS alumnus Andre Smith, the original plan was to take some trips and go through the process before choosing his next college destination. George Mason was definitely going to be one stop on the schedule, but as it turns out, it's going to be the only one that the quick 6-foot combo guard currently at Cochise College in Arizona is going to take.

"Andre is going to be visiting George Mason on the 6th, but he has gone ahead and verbally committed to them," said Cochise head coach Jerry Carillo. "He's totally sold on them, and they've recruited him all year. He's had so many schools try to come in on him, so he decided that he had a great relationship with (GMU) and they've liked him all along, so he decided to go ahead with them."

It's not often that players commit to a school without getting a first-hand look at the campus and program. But in George Mason's case, Smith figured that a commitment now would be the best move - especially considering how hot the Patriots are performing at the current moment. At the same time, the level of recruitment they've shown Smith all along certainly went a long ways as well.

"The visit is not as key as people think," Carillo said. "Obviously if he goes there and it stinks, then it's only a verbal commitment. But I think the way things worked out, it's going to be an excellent fit. According to what they've told us, he's going to step into the role that Tony Skinn has. Skinn is also a three-year guy after junior college, and they think that at the end of Andre's three years there he could be better than Skinn. He's already a better shooter, just not as good a ball-handler."