A week ago, George Mason seemed like it had stolen a bid to the NCAAs. The Patriots (25-7) grabbed an at-large berth despite losing to snubbed Hofstra (26-4) twice in a 10-day span, including a 58-49 defeat in the Colonial Athletic Association semifinals.

Perhaps all the Patriots needed was another chance to prove themselves – and, in the process, their conference.

“I think it’s great,” Hofstra coach Tom Pecora said of George Mason, which will meet Wichita State (26-9) in the Sweet 16 Friday after registering two NCAA wins in three days. “It speaks to how good our league really is. If you look at the NCAA and the NIT, we’re really well represented.” CAA teams are 4-1 in postseason play.