June 4, 2010

The George Mason and University of Virginia men's basketball teams have not faced since 1997 but they will renew their rival in 2011 and 2012 as the teams will play a home-and-home series. In the 2011-12 season, Mason will travel to John Paul Jones Arena and the Cavaliers will return the favor by visiting Patriot Center during the 2012-2013 season.

"I have great respect for Tony Bennett and the energy he and his staff bring to the Virginia basketball program," said Jim Larranaga, head coach of the George Mason men's basketball team. "I also have great respect for the University of Virginia and very fond memories of the seven years I was able to coach there under Terry Holland. I am very excited about the opportunity for our two in-state programs to be able to battle each other on a home-and-home basis. We have not had an ACC team come to the Patriot Center in my 13 previous years at Mason so to have a prestigious program like Virginia coming to Patriot Center should be a great experience for our players and fans."

Mason and Virginia have faced six times with the Cavaliers winning all six of those contests. The last meeting was November 22, 1997, in head coach Jim Larranaga's first season. The Cavaliers won that contest, 60-45. Virginia last visited Patriot Center on November 30, 1996, a 106-93 Virginia win. The teams also met in January of 1995, December of 1986, November of 1983 and November of 1981.