If you like nostalgia, today a piece of Mason basketball history was remembered with The Basketball Tournament's (TBT) Green Machine, a George Mason alumni team featuring multiple members of their 2006 Final Four team and 2008/2011 NCAA Tournament teams.
The TBT team practiced in the Patriots' Basketball practice facility, the first of three practice sessions this week, met with members of the media, and attended a luncheon with members of the current George Mason basketball team, Mason Athletics staff and several Patriot Club donors.
The Green Machine will be competing in TBT's Richmond Regional in Richmond, Va., at the Siegel Center from July 26-28. The region is hosted by Ram Nation (VCU alumni) and also features four-time defending champion Overseas Elite, Best Virginia (West Virginia alumni), Seven City Royalty (Old Dominion alumni), The Web (Richmond alumni), Hilltop Dawgs (UMBC alumni) and Washington Redskins cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's Team DRC.
Assistant VP/Director of Athletics
Brad Edwards and Head Coach
Dave Paulsen spoke at the luncheon held at EagleBank Arena.
"We welcome you back with open arms," said Edwards. "You will always be a part of our team and program and laid the foundation for future success. You have left a powerful legacy that we are all very proud of."
"Every coach and player helped establish excellence and left a legacy at George Mason that we can all be proud of," said Paulsen. "These players here today helped put Mason on the map and are great ambassadors and citizens to both our university and community."
Mason alum and power forward Mike Morrison (2008-12), who played with The Stickmen in the 2018 TBT, was the brainchild behind the George Mason team that was accepted into this year's tournament, the TBT's sixth annual.
"Mike Mo (Morrison) started it up," recalled guard Folarin Campbell (2004-08). "He called us all about putting the TBT team together. We thought it would be great. Will and I recommended Lamar Butler as the coach. He has been coaching at Paul VI. We reconnected with another Final Four guy."
Butler, the 2006 NCAA East Regional Most Outstanding Player, committed as the team's head coach.
"As far as competing again in the Green and Gold, I remember walking off the floor against Florida and thinking that I would never have the opportunity to compete with my brothers again," said Butler. "It's something I will never forget and will hold on to the rest of my life. Just to have that opportunity to be together again to me is just an amazing feeling. I want to have fun and compete, but I think just being able to be together in the locker room once more and wearing the Green and Gold is very special to me."
The Green Machine's Doc Nix attended the luncheon and announced that the university's pep band was honored by the team's selection of its name and plans to travel to Richmond to play like old times.
"That surprised me," said Campbell. "I'm even more excited about it now. Having the Green Machine play for us again will be special. It's going to bring back so many great memories."
The Green Machine is organized by general manager
Johnny Coleman, an employee of George Mason University. It's roster includes:
• Folarin Campbell (2004-08)
• Will Thomas (2004-08)
• Mike Morrison (2008-12)
• Ryan Pearson (2008-12)
• Isaiah Tate (2007-11)
• Bryon Allen (2010-14)
• Austin Freeman (Georgetown)
• Phil Scrubb (Carleton)
All Richmond Regional games can be seen on WatchESPN.
For tickets or more information on The Green Machine and TBT, visit
TheTournament.com.
SCHEDULE
Friday, July 26, 6:40 p.m. - vs. The Web (Richmond)
Saturday, July 27, 7 p.m. - vs. Ram Nation or DRC*
Sunday, July 28, Noon - Regional Final*
* Tournament is single elimination. These games are dependent on advancing victories
