Sept. 29, 2008

2008-09 Men's Basketball Schedule

The George Mason men's basketball team will open the 2008-09 campaign with three of its first four contests on the road as the Patriots play seven games in the season's first 17 days. The Patriots will open the season at Vermont on Nov. 15 before starting the home portion of their schedule on Nov. 17 against Brown. Mason will also host a 2008 NCAA Tournament Participant and face five non-conference opponents that won 18 or more games last season.

The Patriots will play six times in November including home games against Mount St. Mary's and Ohio There's also a two-game road trip to Hampton and East Carolina. In December, Mason will play five times including its first Colonial Athletic Association game, a Dec. 6 trip to Drexel. The Patriots will also host Radford and Tulane in December.

In January, Mason will host three of its biggest rivals with games against UNC Wilmington, Old Dominion and James Madison. All three of those contests will be on Saturdays. The Patriots will also host Georgia State and Delaware in mid-week contests. Road games in January include Towson, Northeastern, Old Dominion and Mason's only regular-season meetings with William & Mary and VCU.

The Patriots will play their Homecoming Game in February and Mason will also continue its long-time participation in the ESPN BracketBusters. On Feb. 14, the Patriots will host Northeastern as part of Homecoming Weekend. On Feb. 21, the Patriots will travel to their BracketBuster opponent which will be announced earlier that month. Also in February is Senior Night, with Mason closing out the regular-season at home against Towson on Feb. 28. Other home games in February include Drexel and Hofstra while Mason will face James Madison, Delaware and UNC Wilmington on the road.

The CAA Tournament will once again be held at the Richmond Coliseum from March 6-9. Game times and television will be announced in the future. The Patriots have one exhibition game scheduled as they will host Randolph-Macon on Nov. 5 at Patriot Center at 7 p.m.

The Patriots, who lead the CAA in wins, conference wins and postseason wins over the past decade, will host Mason Madness on Oct. 17, the first official day practice is allowed. Doors at Patriot Center open at 9 p.m.