By Palmer Johnson
Your 4-1 George Mason Patriots will be going up against a 4-2 East Carolina Pirates team that is coming off a miracle win against Kennesaw State where they won on a buzzer-beating half-court heave.
The Pirates are coached by Mike Schwartz, who is in his second season as head coach after being at Tennessee for seven seasons, being their defensive coordinator for his last five years there.
I watched the first half of the Pirates’ game against Kennesaw State, here are my takeaways.
ECU Scouting Report (First Half vs. Kennesaw St.)
The Pirates’ 6’9 forward, Ezra Ausar, is a scrappy dude. He hustles for the loose balls and thrives off chaos.
East Carolina’s point guard, Kansas transfer Bobby Pettiford, holds the ball for a long time on some possessions and then gives a grenade to someone else. He hesitated on a three where nobody was within ten feet of him. It was his first make of the year. The former top 100 recruit could be a guy that Mason can sag off of and go under on screens.
Their other guard, RJ Felton, has been red hot, but was not during this game. He was not given anything easy, and ended up scoring 19 on 5-16 shooting, going 0-1 from three. Jared Billups and Darius Maddox should be able to contain him.
On the offensive end, the AAC member is very aggressive going for offensive boards. It seemed like someone was always there when they missed layups and had a decent chance to put it back in. On fast break opportunities, they liked to play it slow and controlled instead of gambling on a possible man-up advantage.
On the defensive end, the Pirates play a half-court defense. They are willing to go into a zone, but from what I saw, they had to get out of it fast since it did not work on back-to-back attempts. East Carolina kept losing shooters in transition. I’m not sure if Mason has enough shooters to take advantage of that, but it is worth noting.
Way too many guys for Kennesaw State were getting open for three despite there not being major ball movement or pressure on the defense. The defender would kind of slowly drift away from his guy to the point that he doesn’t even go for the contest when he gets it, just starts boxing out for a possible rebound.
Another thing I noticed was that Kennesaw State’s guards were getting past their guys on the perimeter very often, and there wasn’t major help for them. This could be the game that gets Ronny Polite going.
ECU by the Numbers
East Carolina is the 193rd ranked team, compared to Mason at 119, on KenPom, with their offense being ranked 102nd and their defense 294th.
The Pirates rebound offensively very well, getting 38% of them, which is 24th in the country.
The team from Greenville hits their twos, shooting 56.7% from inside the arc, which is 40th in the country. I think Mason’s interior defense will be able to stop that. They also shoot a lot of free throws, being 57th ranked in free throw amount percentage, but they only hit 68% of them, which is not very good.
On the defensive end, teams shoot a lot of threes against them, with 45% of their opponent’s field goals being from behind the arc, and with 35.9% of them going in. When opponents do shoot from two, they hit 55.2% of them, which ranks them in the bottom 50.
The Pirates are one of the smaller teams in the country, with their average being a full inch below the Division 1 average.
This is a super weird shot chart. ECU does really well from straight on but struggle from the sides.
Prediction
Mason wins 78-69.
The game isn’t really close but they never really pull away. Ronny Polite takes advantage of their meh defense and scores 20 for the first time this season. Keyshawn Hall will continue his hot streak, doesn’t score too much, but does everything else, including grabbing boards, and ends with another double-double.
Show up and show out, Mason Nation.
HGH: Human Growth Hormone – Benefits, Side Effects, and More
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a peptide hormone produced by
the anterior pituitary gland of the brain. It plays
a crucial role in human development, growth, and metabolism.
HGH is also known as somatotropin.
What is human growth hormone (HGH)?
HGH is a hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration. It works by promoting the production of insulin-like growth
factor 1 (IGF-1), which helps in maintaining healthy bone density, skin health,
and overall well-being.
What triggers human growth hormone (HGH)?
HGH secretion is triggered by a variety of factors, including:
– GABA (gamma-aminoxybutyric acid) in the brain.
– Sleep patterns.
– Exercise and physical activity.
– Certain nutrients like amino acids and arginine.
What is the function of human growth hormone (HGH)?
HGH is essential for cell proliferation, tissue repair, and maintenance of
lean body mass. It also helps in regulating metabolism and energy levels.
Low levels of HGH can lead to various health issues, while high levels may indicate conditions like acromegaly.
HGH and growth
HGH is critical for childhood growth spurts and bone development.
In adulthood, it continues to support overall health and vitality, though production typically declines with age.
HGH and metabolism
HGH influences metabolic processes, including fat oxidation and energy expenditure.
It helps maintain a healthy body composition by promoting
fat loss while retaining muscle mass.
Can HGH make you taller?
While HGH is essential for growth during childhood, excessive
levels or synthetic HGH supplements do not significantly increase height
in adults. Growth is primarily influenced by genetics and puberty timing.
What are normal levels of human growth hormone (HGH)?
Normal HGH levels vary with age:
– Children: 0.5-7 ng/mL.
– Adults: 0.1-10 ng/mL.
– Seniors: Levels may decrease with age.
What happens when human growth hormone (HGH) levels are too low?
HGH deficiency, or somatostatic hypopituitarism, can lead
to:
– Growth disorders in children.
– Muscle wasting and weakness in adults.
– Increased risk of fractures due to low bone density.
HGH deficiency in adults
Adults with HGH deficiency may experience symptoms like fatigue, depression, and
increased body fat. They may also have difficulty maintaining muscle mass and experiencing hair loss.
HGH deficiency in children
In children, HGH deficiency can result in short stature and delayed puberty.
Early diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and growth stimulation.
What happens when human growth hormone (HGH) levels are too high?
Excessively high HGH levels, often due to pituitary
tumors, can lead to:
– Acromegaly in adults, characterized by enlarged bones and organ enlargement.
– Gigantism in children, leading to excessive body size.
Acromegaly in adults
Acromegaly is marked by symptoms like facial swelling, thickened skin, and enlargement of the hands and feet.
It requires treatment to manage complications such as organ failure.
Acromegaly in children
Gigantism in children can cause immense growth, potentially
leading to health issues like heart problems and joint pain. Early intervention is necessary for proper management.
What test measures HGH levels?
HGH levels are typically measured through blood tests or somatometry (a specific type of x-ray exam) to assess growth hormone
status in children and adults.
How is HGH used as medication?
Synthetic HGH is used to treat conditions like HGH deficiency,
particularly in children with short stature due to their pituitary issues.
It can also be administered in specific cases of acromegaly or gigantism.
What are the side effects of synthetic HGH?
Side effects may include:
– Injection site reactions (redness, swelling).
– Flulike symptoms (fever, chills).
– Edema (swelling in tissues).
– Acromegaly or gigantism if dosage is too high.
When should I see my healthcare provider about my HGH levels?
If you experience symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, or unusual growth, consult a
doctor for testing and evaluation of your HGH levels. Early diagnosis can prevent complications related to
deficiency or excess.
Care at Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic offers comprehensive care for
endocrine disorders, including HGH-related conditions.
Their expert physicians provide personalized treatment plans for acromegaly, gigantism, and other pituitary issues.
References:
– National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
– American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE).
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