June 15, 2004
2003-04 George Mason University
Men's Basketball Season in Review
For George Mason's men's basketball team, 2003-04 was unlike any other year in program history. It was a season of firsts and record-breaking performances. The Patriots rode a wave of optimism heading into the campaign, earning the top selection in preseason coaches and media polls and making a postseason tournament in three of the previous five years. But, not many expected the type of success achieved on the court at season's end.
Mason concluded 2003-04 with a school record 23-10 overall record - providing the most wins in a season in the program's 38-year history - and a 12-6 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association. Under the guidance of head coach Jim Larranaga, who completed his seventh season as the Patriots mentor, George Mason won 15 or more games for the sixth consecutive year and advanced to the finals of the 2004 CAA Tournament for the fourth time in six seasons. The Patriots earned a bid to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), where they won two consecutive postseason contests for the first time in school history.
Over the past six seasons, the Patriots have had the best regular-season record in the CAA at 72-30, won 114 games overall during that span and earned an imposing 67-11 mark at the Patriot Center, including a 14-1 mark in 2003-04, setting a school record for wins at home.
Larranaga, who has a record of 124-84 at the helm of the program, earned his 300th career victory in the Patriots' third game of the season - a win at Iona in late November - and now owns a 321-253 record in 20 years as a collegiate head coach. Larranaga's 23-win campaign was his first 20-plus win season at Mason, and marked the most wins for him in a season as a head coach.
Returning three starters and seven letterwinners from the 2002-03 squad, George Mason began the season on a tear, winning seven of its nine non-conference contests for a school record 77.7 non-conference winning percentage (since joining the CAA for the 1985-86 season). The Patriots opened their CAA slate with a home win versus Towson, but dropped its only home loss of the year in the following contest against Old Dominion. At 8-3, Mason had to quickly regroup as it hit the road, playing seven of its next 10 contests on the opponent's home court. The schedule started well with the Patriots winning four of five matches, including a 64-62 overtime win at UNC Wilmington - the first victory for the Patriots in Wilmington since the 1997-98 season.
Mason was 12-4 overall and 5-2 in the CAA heading into the second half of the grueling road swing - a slate of four road contests with only one at home. Back-to-back losses at Drexel and Delaware were followed by two wins versus William & Mary and at Towson. The Patriots wrapped up the schedule with an overtime defeat at James Madison, leaving Mason at 7-5 in the conference race and 14-7 on the year.
Heading into its final six contests of the regular season (four of which would be at home), George Mason had to face four teams it had lost to previously in the year. Taking care of business, the Patriots won five of their last six contests, including a home overtime win against Drexel and a 70-66 victory at Old Dominion to close out the regular season. In the process, Mason avenged all four of its previous league defeats.
George Mason finished the regular season with a 12-6 CAA record and a 19-8 overall mark, earning the No. 3 seed in the CAA Tournament. Three wins in the conference tournament would not only give the Patriots the championship and an automatic NCAA berth, it would also lift Mason to a program best 22 wins, eclipsing the old mark of 21 set in 1983-84. The Patriots advanced to the tournament final after dispatching Delaware in overtime and UNC Wilmington in the semifinal. Mason played a spirited game in the final, coming back from a 10-point halftime deficit against VCU to tie the game at 54-all with nine seconds remaining, before dropping a one-point loss, 55-54, leaving the 2003-04 team tied for the school record in wins and denying the Patriots an NCAA bid.
Good news was on the horizon, however, as a 21-9 overall Mason team was rewarded with a postseason home game in the NIT against Southeastern Conference member Tennessee. The Patriots earned their record-setting 22nd win after defeating the Volunteers, 58-55, and extended the season following a 66-60 Patriot Center victory over Austin Peay in the second round of the NIT. George Mason was sent out West to face Oregon in its next postseason contest, but the Ducks ended the Patriots dream season by a score of 68-54.
As a team, the Patriot scoring offense ranked fourth in the CAA at 71.6 points per game, while the team's scoring defense listed third, allowing only 68.0 points per contest. Mason finished sixth overall in rebounding margin and led the conference in steals per game at 8.52 per outing. Three players averaged double figures in scoring on the year, led by sophomore forward Jai Lewis at 14.5 points per game. Joining Lewis was senior guard Mark Davis (12.9) and sophomore guard Lamar Butler (10.5).
Lewis, who was one of only two players selected CAA Player of the Week three times in 2003-04, was named to the All-CAA first team. He not only led the Patriots in scoring, but also in rebounding, averaging 7.5 boards per outing, and in field goal percentage at 59.7 percent, which also ranked first in the league as well as 10th nationally. Lewis, a starter in 29 of 33 games, led the team in blocked shots (30) and finished with 38 assists as well as 36 steals.
Davis concluded his senior season leading George Mason in steals with 53 and ranked second in scoring. His steals average was fifth best in the league and he ranked 13th in points per game. Davis, who earned second-team All-CAA honors and was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches District 4 second team, started 25 of 31 contests and shot 44.4 percent from the floor. He averaged 3.6 rebounds per outing and finished with 41 assists and 13 blocked shots.
Butler started 15 of 30 games and led the Patriots in three-point field goal and free throw percentages at 37.7 and 82.5, respectively. His 3-point field goal percentage was fifth best in the league, and his 78 made three-pointers was the fourth best single-season total in school history. He averaged 2.60 three-pointers per game, ranking second overall in the conference. Butler connected on 38.1 percent of his total field goals and ranked third on the squad in assists with 54. He contributed 2.5 rebounds per contest and added 23 steals.
Senior guard Raoul Heinen was a steady presence in the Patriot lineup, starting 32 of 33 contests. Used primarily as a defensive stopper, he concluded the season averaging 6.8 points per game, was second in rebounding at 3.7 per outing and listed second in assists with 61. Heinen added 29 steals and shot 80.9 percent from the charity stripe and 40.5 percent from the floor.
Junior guard Terry Reynolds was the team's starting point guard in 23 of 31 games. He led Mason with 158 assists, concluding the season listed sixth all-time in Mason history, and ranked third in the CAA in assists per game (5.10). Reynolds, who averaged 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, also finished second on the squad in steals with 45. He connected on 72.1 percent of his free throws and 31.6 percent of his field goal attempts.
Sophomore guard Tony Skinn contributed 8.2 points and 2.1 boards per outing to go along with 28 steals and 39 assists. A starter in the last nine games and 10 of 32 overall, Skinn made 39.1 percent of his field goals and 72.7 percent of his free throws. Junior forward Kevin Mickens was a solid contributor to the George Mason frontcourt as he averaged 4.7 points along with 2.8 rebounds per game and started 11 of 33 contests. Mickens connected on 50.8 percent of his field goal attempts and was second on the squad in blocked shots with 23.
Sophomore forward Trent Wurtz made his presence felt every time he stepped onto the court, scoring 3.5 points and grabbing 3.5 rebounds per game. He made 31 appearances with four starts, shooting 43.2 percent from the floor. Freshman Jesus Urbina showed great promise throughout the season, appearing in 29 contests with five starts, and averaged 2.3 points and 2.2 boards per game. His 53.8 percent field goal percentage was among the team's best. Senior guard/forward Richard Tynes also played a role in the Patriots' success. He started seven of 21 games played and recorded 2.1 points along with 2.0 caroms per contest.
Freshman guard/forward Gabe Norwood showed flashes of brilliance throughout the campaign, appearing in 29 games with one start. Also making solid contributions were senior center/forward Deon Cooper, freshman forward/guard Makan Konate and freshman guard Tim Burns.
