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Thoughts from the Final Four.

Article Excerpt
Byline: Lindsey Willhite

INDIANAPOLIS - A slaveholder who worked feverishly for abolition.

An author whose written ideas provided much of the framework for the Bill of Rights.

A dude who died 99 years before Naismith invented basketball.

There.

Now that we've established who George Mason was - did we mention he ruined a long friendship with neighbor George Washington because he wouldn't back the proposed Constitution without more protection for individuals' rights? -we can sort out whether the 34-year-old school that bears his name can win the NCAA championship.

Here's one potential answer, as uncovered in one of Mason's long-ago letters to confidant Thomas Jefferson:

My dearest Thomas:

In regards to our lads' forthcoming trip to the Indiana territory, my friend, I fear I find myself agreeing with the loquacious locutions of that round-headed Vitale fellow (does he remind you of Benjy Franklin at all?). To paraphrase the gentleman from Duke: Where exactly are our McDonald's All-Americans, baby?

Also, nothing against our fine Mr. Larranaga, but how do we locate this 'General Robert Montgomery Knight' and get him to lead our boys into battle against the Florida outfit?

Please say hello to Sally and everyone else at Monticello.

Virginia Reel and...

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