George Mason Patriots | |||
---|---|---|---|
| |||
University | George Mason University | ||
First season | 1966–67 | ||
All-time record | 789–763 (.508) | ||
Head coach | Tony Skinn (1st season) | ||
Conference | Atlantic 10 | ||
Location | Fairfax, Virginia | ||
Arena | EagleBank Arena (capacity: 10,000) | ||
Nickname | Patriots | ||
Student section | Patriot Platoon | ||
Colors | Green and gold [1] | ||
Uniforms | |||
| |||
NCAA tournament Final Four | |||
2006 | |||
NCAA tournament Elite Eight | |||
2006 | |||
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen | |||
2006 | |||
NCAA tournament round of 32 | |||
2006, 2011 | |||
NCAA tournament appearances | |||
1989, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2011 | |||
Conference tournament champions | |||
1989, 1999, 2001, 2008 | |||
Conference regular season champions | |||
1999, 2000, 2006, 2011 |
George Mason Patriots | |||
---|---|---|---|
| |||
University | George Mason University | ||
Head coach | Nyla Milleson (6th season) | ||
Conference | Atlantic 10 | ||
Location | Fairfax, Virginia | ||
Arena | EagleBank Arena (capacity: 10,000) | ||
Nickname | Patriots | ||
Student section | Patriot Platoon | ||
Colors | Green and gold [2] | ||
Uniforms | |||
|
George Mason Patriots men's basketball program dates to 1966. [3] Basketball and athletics as a whole have contributed significantly to George Mason's popularity and success. The Patriots are the mascot and logo of George Mason University. The Patriots home court for both the men and women is at the EagleBank Arena, which is in Fairfax Virginia. The Patriots compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Until 2012–13, they competed in the Colonial Athletic Association, better known as the CAA. Both conferences are part of NCAA Division I sports. The men's team is coached by Tony Skinn. The women's team is coached by Nyla Milleson.
The Patriots made a transition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics NAIA to the National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division II, and subsequently into the NCAA Division I rank in the 1978–79 season. According to the history of George Mason basketball, [4] both the men's and women's basketball programs have been fixtures of campus life, and have all been enjoyed by students, parents, faculty, staff, other alumni. Although many of the school's athletic programs are enjoyed by George Mason Patriots and have had many of their own memorable moments, the men's basketball program remains the key sport at the University. The men's basketball team has played at the Patriot Center since 1985, and in prior years played at the PE Building on the west side of the Fairfax Campus. [4] George Mason has sent 3 players to the NBA since 1979. Those being Rob Rose, Ricky Wilson, and Jason Miskiri. George Mason has had numerous basketball players pursue post-college basketball careers overseas over the years, with many George Mason basketball alums still currently continuing their basketball careers overseas.
Men's
The Patriots have advanced to the NCAA tournament six times (1989, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2008, and 2011) and the NIT tournament (National Invitation tournament) three times (1986, 2002 and 2004). [4] The basketball team is best known for its 2006 NCAA Final Four appearance where Mason beat North Carolina, Connecticut, Michigan State, and Wichita State. The Patriots lost to the eventual champion Florida in the Final Four. After the Patriots run in the 2005–2006 season, and their successful finish in the 2007–2008 season, George Mason Head Coach Jim Larranaga was offered to leave Mason for a 5-year, $4.25 million offer from Providence College. Coach Larranaga announced his decision in April 2008 by declining the offer from Providence, and extending his current contract with Mason to 2015. [5]
George Mason celebrated the 2005–2006 basketball campaign, when they set a school-record by winning 27 games, going 27–8 on the year. That season the patriots were ranked top 25 in the USA Today and ESPN polls for the very first time. George Mason was ranked #8 in the final NCAA Basketball polls that year, making that Mason's highest ever ranking in men's basketball. George Mason was nominated for 2 ESPY awards by ESPN. The Patriots were nominated for an ESPY in the category of "Best Moment," for making the Final Four after downing three highly favored opponents. The run to the Final Four, which ESPN says is "considered by most the greatest in NCAA Tournament history", culminated with the Patriots beating top-seeded Connecticut 86–84 in overtime on March 26 to advance to the school, and the CAA conference's first-ever Final Four. George Mason also defeated Michigan State, North Carolina, and Wichita State in the NCAA Tournament while defeating the University of Connecticut in the Elite 8 to earn a trip to the Final Four in Indianapolis. George Mason would later fall to the eventual National Champion, University of Florida, in the Final Four game. While the Patriots were nominated for their virtuoso performance, the man who helped conduct the orchestra was also nominated for an ESPY as George Mason head men's basketball coach Jim Larranaga was nominated in the "Best Coach/Manager" category.
After the 2005–2006 season Head coach Jim Larranaga was named Virginia Coach of the Year on June 26, 2006. [6] George Mason was one of only three teams since 1982 without a tournament win in its school history to still enter the final four. Georgia did it in 1983, and Virginia did it in 1981. During the 2005–2006 season the final four had a bigger following than the Super Bowl and the NBA Playoffs that year. The main following came from office pools and parties in houses, dorms, and bars. [7]
In 2008, news broke out that women's basketball coach Debbie Taneyhill decided to resign to pursue other opportunities. Coach Taneyhill spent 11 seasons as Mason's women's basketball head coach and had much success with the ladies. During Taneyhill's tenure as coach, she helped the lady Patriots to four-straight winning campaigns, from the 2000 to the 2004 season. She also led them to two post-season appearances in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, WNIT in 2001 and 2004, and was named 2001 Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year. She was the sixth coach in George Mason's 33-year history and was the only head coach to have 10 or more wins in each of her first eight seasons. She led the Patriots to the 2004 CAA Championship title game for just the third time in school history. Taneyhill ranks second all-time among Mason coaches in both wins and games coached. During the 2005–2006 season George Mason University was selected to host the Colonial Athletic Association Women's Basketball Championship, to be played at the Patriot Center. It was the first time that George Mason served as host to the women's championship. In 2003 Mason Guard Jen Derevjanik advanced to the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association). Derevjanik is one of few players ever in Mason's history to play in the WNBA. Jen wrapped up her second season with the WNBA's Connecticut Sun in 2005, where the Sun's competed in the WNBA finals for the second straight season. Derevjanik is the first Mason player to be part of a team that has advanced to the WNBA Finals. [8]
CAA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
ALL-CAA (ECAC South Conf., 1980–85)
Rank | Player | Years | Games | PPG Avg. | Total Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carlos Yates | 1981–1985 | 109 | 22.2 | 2420 |
2 | Kenny Sanders | 1985–1989 | 107 | 20.3 | 2177 |
3 | George Evans | 1997–2001 | 116 | 16.8 | 1953 |
4 | Robert Dykes | 1987–1991 | 122 | 13.4 | 1642 |
5 | Andre Gaddy | 1977–1982 | 98 | 16.0 | 1568 |
6 | Rob Rose | 1982–1986 | 113 | 13.8 | 1565 |
7 | Will Thomas | 2004–2008 | 131 | 11.9 | 1564 |
8 | Folarin Campbell | 2004–2008 | 130 | 11.9 | 1545 |
9 | Rudolph Jones | 1971–1973 | 59 | 25.8 | 1525 |
10 | Jai Lewis | 2002–2006 | 125 | 12.2 | 1519 |
Rank | Player | Years | Games | Reb. Avg. | Total Rebounds |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jim Nowers | 1972–1976 | 112 | 9.4 | 1048 |
2 | Kenny Sanders | 1985–1989 | 107 | 9.6 | 1026 |
3 | Will Thomas | 2004–2008 | 131 | 7.6 | 993 |
4 | George Evans | 1997–2001 | 116 | 8.2 | 953 |
5 | Robert Dykes | 1987–1991 | 122 | 7.5 | 925 |
6 | Andre Gaddy | 1977–1982 | 98 | 9.3 | 916 |
7 | Jai Lewis | 2002–2006 | 125 | 7.2 | 895 |
8 | Rob Rose | 1982–1986 | 113 | 7.1 | 805 |
9 | Herb Estes | 1973–1976 | 80 | 9.2 | 734 |
10 | Jesse Young | 1999–2003 | 115 | 6.2 | 708 |
Rank | Player | Years | Games | Ast. Avg. | Total Assists |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Curtis McCants | 1993–1996 | 81 | 7.3 | 598 |
2 | Myron Contee | 1974–1979 | 101 | 4.0 | 411 |
3 | Ricky Wilson | 1982–1986 | 116 | 3.4 | 405 |
4 | Folarin Campbell | 2004–2008 | 130 | 3.0 | 392 |
5 | John Niehoff | 1980–1984 | 108 | 3.0 | 331 |
6 | Steve Smith | 1986–1990 | 114 | 2.8 | 329 |
7 | Mike Hargett | 1988–1991 | 93 | 3.3 | 312 |
8 | Tremaine Price | 1997–2001 | 110 | 2.8 | 308 |
9 | Raoul Heinen | 2000–2004 | 109 | 2.7 | 290 |
10 | Jamel Perkins | 1989–1993 | 97 | 2.9 | 283 |
Season | Coach | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Independent)(1966–1979) | |||||||||
1966–1967 | Arnold Siegfried | 6–12 | |||||||
1967–1968 | Raymond Spuhler | 5–17 | |||||||
1968–1969 | Raymond Spuhler | 2–20 | |||||||
1969–1970 | Raymond Spuhler | 4–23 | |||||||
1970–1971 | John Linn | 9–17 | |||||||
1971–1972 | John Linn | 12–18 | |||||||
1972–1973 | John Linn | 15–16 | |||||||
1973–1974 | John Linn | 19–10 | |||||||
1974–1975 | John Linn | 19–8 | |||||||
1975–1976 | John Linn | 16–13 | |||||||
1976–1977 | John Linn | 9–18 | |||||||
1977–1978 | John Linn | 5–21 | |||||||
1978–1979 | John Linn | 17–8 | Inaugural Division I season | ||||||
George Mason (Eastern College Athletic Conference)(1979–1985) | |||||||||
1979–1980 | John Linn | 5–21 | |||||||
1980–1981 | Joe Harrington | 10–16 | |||||||
1981–1982 | Joe Harrington | 13–14 | |||||||
1982–1983 | Joe Harrington | 15–12 | 3–6 | 4th | |||||
1983–1984 | Joe Harrington | 21–7 | 5–5 | T-4th | |||||
1984–1985 | Joe Harrington | 18–11 | 10–4 | 3rd | |||||
George Mason (Colonial Athletic Association)(1985–2013) | |||||||||
1985–1986 | Joe Harrington | 20–12 | 10–4 | 3rd | NIT 2nd Round | ||||
1986–1987 | Joe Harrington | 15–13 | 7–7 | 5th | |||||
1987–1988 | Rick Barnes | 20–10 | 10–5 | 2nd | |||||
1988–1989 | Ernie Nestor | 20–11 | 11–4 | 2nd | NCAA 1st Round | ||||
1989–1990 | Ernie Nestor | 20–12 | 11–5 | 4th | |||||
1990–1991 | Ernie Nestor | 14–16 | 10–7 | 4th | |||||
1991–1992 | Ernie Nestor | 7–21 | 3–11 | 8th | |||||
1992–1993 | Ernie Nestor | 7–21 | 2–11 | 8th | |||||
1993–1994 | Paul Westhead | 10–17 | 5–9 | 6th | |||||
1994–1995 | Paul Westhead | 7–20 | 2–12 | 8th | |||||
1995–1996 | Paul Westhead | 11–16 | 6–10 | T-6th | |||||
1996–1997 | Jim Larranaga | 10–17 | 4–12 | 9th | |||||
1997–1998 | Jim Larranaga | 9–18 | 6–10 | T-5th | |||||
1998–1999 | Jim Larranaga | 19–11 | 13–3 | 1st | NCAA 1st Round | ||||
1999–2000 | Jim Larranaga | 19–11 | 12–4 | T-1st | |||||
2000–2001 | Jim Larranaga | 18–12 | 11–5 | T-2nd | NCAA 1st Round | ||||
2001–2002 | Jim Larranaga | 19–10 | 13–5 | 2nd | NIT Opening Round | ||||
2002–2003 | Jim Larranaga | 16–12 | 11–7 | 4th | |||||
2003–2004 | Jim Larranaga | 23–10 | 12–6 | 3rd | NIT 2nd Round | ||||
2004–2005 | Jim Larranaga | 16–13 | 10–8 | 6th | |||||
2005–2006 | Jim Larranaga | 27–8 | 15–3 | T-1st | NCAA Final Four | ||||
2006–2007 | Jim Larranaga | 18–15 | 9–9 | T-5th | |||||
2007–2008 | Jim Larranaga | 23–11 | 12–6 | 3rd | NCAA 1st Round | ||||
2008–2009 | Jim Larranaga | 22–11 | 13–5 | 2nd | NIT 1st Round | ||||
2009–2010 | Jim Larranaga | 17–15 | 12–6 | 4th | CIT 1st Round | ||||
2010–2011 | Jim Larranaga | 27–7 | 16–2 | 1st | NCAA 3rd Round | ||||
2011–2012 | Paul Hewitt | 24–9 | 14–4 | 3rd | |||||
2012–2013 | Paul Hewitt | 21–14 | 10–8 | 5th | CBI Runner Up | ||||
George Mason (Atlantic 10 Conference)(2013–Present) | |||||||||
2013–2014 | Paul Hewitt | 11–20 | 4–12 | 11th | |||||
2014–2015 | Paul Hewitt | 9–22 | 4–10 | 13th | |||||
2015–2016 | Dave Paulsen | 11–21 | 5–13 | 12th | |||||
2016–2017 | Dave Paulsen | 20–14 | 9–9 | 7th | CBI 1st Round | ||||
2017–2018 | Dave Paulsen | 16–17 | 9–9 | T-5th | |||||
2018–2019 | Dave Paulsen | 18–15 | 11–7 | 5th | |||||
Total: | 789–763 | ||||||||
National champion Postseason invitational champion |
Paul Harrington Hewitt is an American college basketball coach and the former head coach at Georgia Institute of Technology and George Mason University. He grew up in Westbury, New York. In 2021, he was named the head coach of the San Diego Clippers, the NBA G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers.
EagleBank Arena is a 10,000-seat arena in the eastern United States, on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb southwest of Washington, D.C.
Paul William Westhead is an American former basketball coach. He was the head coach for three National Basketball Association (NBA) teams and an assistant for four others, and also coached in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), American Basketball Association (ABA), and Japan Basketball League (JBL). In his first year as an NBA head coach, he led a rookie Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers to the 1980 NBA Finals, which they won in six games for the team's first title in eight years. Westhead won titles in both the NBA and WNBA, and he is also remembered as the coach of the Loyola Marymount University (LMU) men's basketball team. Westhead is known for an unorthodox, run-and-gun style called "The System." He was nicknamed "The Professor" due to his former career as an English teacher prior to coaching and his tendency to quote Shakespeare and other literary sources while coaching. He attended Saint Joseph's University.
The George Mason Patriots are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing George Mason University (GMU), located in Fairfax, Virginia. The Patriots compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference for most sports.
James Joseph Larrañaga is a college basketball coach and the head coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team since 2011.
Tony Oludewa Jeffrey Skinn is a Nigerian–American basketball coach and former player. He played guard for the George Mason Patriots from 2003 to 2006, later playing professionally for six years. Skinn is currently the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, George Mason University. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Skinn migrated with his family to the United States at the age of two.
Loren Stokes is an American professional basketball player from Buffalo, New York. He was a combo guard at Hofstra University from the 2003–04 season to 2006–07. He is 6'3" and weighs 175 lbs. Stokes is one of six players in Hofstra Pride history to score at least 2,000 points, amassing 2,148 points over his four-year career. A three time first team CAA player, 2004-05 all defensive CAA player, and 2006-07 CAA player of the year, Stokes was eligible for the 2007 NBA draft, he went undrafted. He was offered an invitation to play for the Orlando Magic in the NBA's summer league. Stokes was playing basketball in Cyprus for APOEL, for whom he was averaging 14.4 points per game. He has also played in Belgium and Ukraine. In early 2011, Stokes signed with the Bay Hawks and in 2012 he was traded to the Canton Charge for Keith McLeod, but was later waived due to personal issues. Loren Stokes is also the brother of Leonard Stokes who played basketball for the University of Cincinnati.
The George Mason Patriots men's basketball team represents George Mason University. The Patriots play at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, on the George Mason campus.
The 2007–08 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team began their 42nd season of collegiate play on November 9, 2007 at the Patriot Center versus Vermont. George Mason won the 2008 CAA tournament and advanced to the 2008 NCAA tournament. The Patriots were awarded a #12 seed, but lost in the first round to Notre Dame.
The VCU Rams men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball team that represents Virginia Commonwealth University. The Rams joined the Atlantic 10 Conference in the 2012–13 season after previously competing in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). In 2017, VCU was ranked the 40th most valuable men's basketball program in the country by The Wall Street Journal. With a valuation of $56.9 million, VCU ranked second in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and second in the A-10 Conference. The team is coached by Ryan Odom.
The 2005–06 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team represented George Mason University in the 2005–2006 NCAA Basketball season. The team achieved several milestones, including a team-record 23 regular season wins, and earned an at-large bid to that year's NCAA tournament.
The 2008 CAA men's basketball tournament was an NCAA Division 1 College Basketball Conference tournament that was held at the Richmond Coliseum on March 7–10, 2008, to decide the Colonial Athletic Association conference champion. The winner advanced to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament, a 64-team tournament to decide a national champion of college basketball.
Kenny Sanders is an American former college basketball player for George Mason University. Sanders came to George Mason from McKinley Technical High School in Washington, D.C. He was the Colonial Athletic Association's (CAA) Rookie of the Year in 1986 and its Player of the Year in 1988. As a senior, he led the Patriots to their first ever NCAA men's basketball tournament in 1989 after being selected to his third straight All-CAA First Team.
The 2004–05 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team began their 39th season of collegiate play on November 11, 2004, versus Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne at the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic tournament in Memphis, TN. The Patriots won that game, and finished the season with a record of 16 wins and 13 losses.
The 2009–10 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team represented George Mason University during the 2009–10 college basketball season. The Patriots, led by head coach Jim Larranaga, are members of the Colonial Athletic Association and played their home games at the Patriot Center. They finished the season 17–15, 12–6 in CAA play and lost in the quarterfinals of the 2010 CAA men's basketball tournament to VCU. They were invited to play in the 2010 CollegeInsider.com Tournament where they lost in the first round to Fairfield.
The 2010–11 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team represented George Mason University during the 2010–11 college basketball season. This was the 45th season for the program. Led by fourteenth-year head coach Jim Larranaga, the Patriots were members of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and played home games on campus at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
Michael Anthony Huger is an American college basketball coach who is an assistant coach for Temple. Prior to Temple, he was the head coach for his alma mater Bowling Green Falcons team. Huger is a native of New York City.
The 1999–2000 George Mason Patriots Men's basketball team represents George Mason University during the 1999–2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. This was the 34th season for the program, the third under head coach Jim Larrañaga. The Patriots played their home games at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
The 1997–98 George Mason Patriots Men's basketball team represented George Mason University during the 1997–98 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. This was the 32nd season for the program, the first under head coach Jim Larrañaga. The Patriots played their home games at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
Chris Caputo is an American basketball coach who is the current head coach of the George Washington Revolutionaries men's basketball team.