Dec. 2, 2006
For George Mason men's basketball players, coaches and fans, the Verizon Center is hallowed ground. It's the site of the greatest moment in the program's history, when the Patriots defeated Connecticut to advance to the 2006 NCAA Final Four.
On Sunday afternoon, Mason will play on that floor for the first time since March's overtime win over the Huskies as the Patriots take on Bucknell at 1:30 p.m. in the BB&T Classic. Later in the day, George Washington will take on Virginia Tech at 4 p.m. and Maryland will play Notre Dame at 6:30 p.m. The event, in its 12th year, benefits the Children's Charities Foundation.
Bucknell is coming off a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Bison downed No. 8 seed Arkansas before losing to No. 1 seed Memphis. However, Bucknell has not played as well this season as the Bison are 2-5 with losses to Albany, Penn State, St. Joseph's, Northern Iowa and Wake Forest. Bucknell has beaten Yale and St. Francis (Pa.).
The Bison are shooting just .427 from the field and less than 32 percent from 3-point range. They have outrebounded the opposition by nearly three rebounds per game but have a -2.0 turnover margin.
Bucknell has been led this season by Donald Brown who is averaging 8.4 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the field. Chris McNaughton leads the team in scoring with 9.6 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the field.
While Bucknell has six players averaging between 7.7 points and 9.6 points per game, they have no one averaging double figures. The Patriots have just three players scoring as many as 7.7 points per game but all three are averaging 13.8 points per game or better. John Vaughan is scoring 15.2 ppg while shooting .556 from the field, Folarin Campbell is pouring in 14.6 ppg with 3.4 assists per contest, and Will Thomas, who is scoring 13.8 ppg is leading the team in rebounding, with 7.0 per contest while shooting .675 from the field.
Tickets that were purchased through the Athletic Ticket Office will be available for pick up at the Verizon Center Will Call windows, located inside the lobby of the main entrance at 601 F Street between 6th and 7th Streets. The Will Call windows will open one hour prior to game time and fans must present a photo I.D. to pick up tickets. Tickets are still available in the upper level and cost $15.
The Patriot Club will be hosting a pre-game gathering inviting all Mason fans to get together at Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant beginning at Noon. The event is free with beverages and food the responsibility of each person. Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant is located at 808 7th St.
Comcast SportsNet will broadcast the contest with Steve Buckhantz, John Feinstein and Glenn Consor calling the game. Mason's official radio station, Triple X ESPN radio, will not be able to broadcast the game live because of a conflict with the Washington Redskins game at 1 p.m. The game will be aired on the radio on Sunday at 8 p.m. The game will be available online live using CSTV All-Access, which can be found on GoMason.com
