Photo via gomason.cstv.com

We'll start The Sports Blog's survey of former CFCC athletes in the Division I ranks with a look at
Darryl Monroe, a two-year star at CFCC who is now entering his senior year at George Mason.

Monroe is the best player I've seen in a Patriot uniform in my three-plus years covering CFCC. He was a little heavy his freshman year, but his game was already significantly more accomplished than a juco freshman's had any right to be. He became dominant as a sophomore, dropping about 30 pounds and improving his explosiveness, and therefore his rebounding and ability to finish at the basket.

Anyone who's seen Monroe play for more than a few minutes will immediately notice one aspect of his game: his passing ability. The guy could see 360 degrees from the high post, it seemed, and always made the right decision, whether out of a double-team on the block or running a fast break. Monroe understood the game extremely well.

The only drawback to Monroe I saw in my time covering him was his attitude. He didn't have much patience for less-talented teammates, especially if they mishandled one of his trademark passes. He got into some minor disciplinary trouble, though was an overall good citizen as far as I know. I'd blame his issues on a normal juco preoccupation - he thought he was too good for juco basketball. He was a high school star and a D-I quality player, just like many of his peers who ended up taking the two-year route. That's what the juco level is for, and the system largely works, but guys as talented as Monroe often can't help but feel like they're slumming a little bit.

Monroe's first year at George Mason was kind of average. He started 19 of 33 games, averaging 21 minutes, but came on strong towards the end. He did shoot a fantastic 56 percent from the field, and that stat is a tribute as much to his shot selection as his shooting ability. Despite a decent perimeter touch, not one of his 158 field goal attempts was a 3-pointer. He wound up at 6.1 ppg. The other two stats were a bigger concern - he averaged just 3.9 rebounds per game, weak for a power forward, and had just 35 assists in 33 games. That doesn't mean he wasn't making the right play, because often the pass before the assist is just as integral as the assist itself. But I expected a higher number.

Monroe seemed to pick it up in the CAA tournament, though George Mason failed well short of its crazy Final Four run of the prior year. The team figures to be better this year, if they can overcome a couple of things. One being Monroe's recovery from toe surgery, a condition that's plagued him for awhile. Doesn't seem serious enough to keep him out for a long stretch; reports speculated about a month.

With a strong senior year, Monroe is a guy who could have a pro future in Europe. His game should appeal to those with old-school sensibilities, those who appreciate a smart backdoor pass and a well-placed pick.

Via the AP, here's a George Mason season preview: 

 FAIRFAX, Va. — Jim Larranaga should have been able to relax a little bit this offseason.
 The hype of over George Mason’s Final Four appearance in April 2006 had kept him going nonstop for nearly a year, so the coach could have used the break. All five of his starters were set to return, so there was going to be continuity in the program. This was the year that the Patriots were going to reload and make some noise again.
 So much for best-laid plans.
 ‘‘The summer,’’ Larranaga said, ‘‘was super-intense.’’
 Two assistant coaches departed for other colleges and the director of basketball operations left to coach in high school, so Larranaga had to launch a search to fill three important jobs. Backup power forward Jesus Urbina announced in early October that he was accepting an offer to play in a professional league in Spain. Sure enough, the very next day, Larranaga learned that starting power forward Darryl Monroe needed toe surgery.
 So, as the Patriots prepare to host Vermont in Friday’s season opener, Larranaga’s usual surefire positive sales pitch has a slightly downbeat tone.
 ‘‘We do have a veteran group,’’ Larranaga said. ‘‘But we do have some things there that have complicated things far beyond what I would have hoped for.’’
 Despite the setbacks, George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth are expected to be the class of the Colonial Athletic Association. They were picked to finish 1-2 in the conference’s preseason poll.
 The Patriots nearly upset the Rams in last season’s conference tournament final, a strong ending to an inconsistent campaign in which Larranaga’s team had more expectations then it could possibly handle. Not only was every opponent motivated by a chance to knock off a Final Four team, but George Mason also had to replace three starters.
 This season’s team is led by the two starters who remain from the magical NCAA run, center Will Thomas and guard Folarin Campbell. Larranaga said he might use a lineup consisting of four guards until Monroe returns, possibly next month.
 ‘‘When the games count, I’m going to try to put the guys with the most experience out there,’’ he said.
 Larranaga has the first recruiting fruits of the Final Four run, four freshmen who were no doubt influenced by the Patriots’ heightened national profile. The group includes Isaiah Tate, the coach’s first recruit from prestigious DeMatha High School.
 A master of motivational ploys, Larranaga said his theme for this season’s team is FOCUS, an acronym for friendship, organization, consistency, unity and sacrifice.
 Larranaga was asked how long it took for his players to memorize those words.
 ‘‘They’re on the back of their practice T-shirts,’’ he said.

Next time, The Sports Blog will profile Tennessee senior Alberta Auguste.