History of George Mason basketball

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George Mason Patriots
2018–19 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team
UniversityGeorge Mason University
First season1966–67
All-time record789–763 (.508)
Head coachTony Skinn (1st season)
ConferenceAtlantic 10
LocationFairfax, Virginia
ArenaEagleBank Arena
(Capacity: 10,000)
NicknamePatriots
Student sectionPatriot Platoon
ColorsGreen and gold[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament Final Four
2006
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
2006
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
2006
NCAA tournament round of 32
2006, 2011
NCAA tournament appearances
1989, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2011
Conference tournament champions
1989, 1999, 2001, 2008
Conference regular season champions
1999, 2000, 2006, 2011
George Mason Patriots
2018–19 George Mason Patriots women's basketball team
UniversityGeorge Mason University
Head coachNyla Milleson (6th season)
ConferenceAtlantic 10
LocationFairfax, Virginia
ArenaEagleBank Arena
(Capacity: 10,000)
NicknamePatriots
Student sectionPatriot Platoon
ColorsGreen and gold[2]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


George Mason Patriots men's basketball program dates to 1966.[3] Basketball and athletics as a whole have contributed significantly to George Mason's popularity and success. The Patriots are the mascot and logo of George Mason University. The Patriots home court for both the men and women is at the EagleBank Arena, which is in Fairfax Virginia. The Patriots compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Until 2012–13, they competed in the Colonial Athletic Association, better known as the CAA. Both conferences are part of NCAA Division I sports. The men's team is coached by Tony Skinn. The women's team is coached by Nyla Milleson.

History[edit]

The Patriots made a transition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics NAIA to the National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division II, and subsequently into the NCAA Division I rank in the 1978–79 season. According to the history of George Mason basketball,[4] both the men's and women's basketball programs have been fixtures of campus life, and have all been enjoyed by students, parents, faculty, staff, other alumni. Although many of the school's athletic programs are enjoyed by George Mason Patriots and have had many of their own memorable moments, the men's basketball program remains the key sport at the University. The men's basketball team has played at the Patriot Center since 1985, and in prior years played at the PE Building on the west side of the Fairfax Campus.[4] George Mason has sent 3 players to the NBA since 1979. Those being Rob Rose, Ricky Wilson, and Jason Miskiri. George Mason has had numerous basketball players pursue post-college basketball careers overseas over the years, with many George Mason basketball alums still currently continuing their basketball careers overseas.

NCAA Tournament appearances[edit]

Men's

The Patriots have advanced to the NCAA tournament six times (1989, 1999, 2001, 2006,2008, and 2011) and the NIT tournament (National Invitation tournament) three times (1986, 2002 and 2004).[4] The basketball team is best known for its 2006 NCAA Final Four appearance where Mason beat North Carolina, Connecticut, Michigan State, and Wichita State. The Patriots lost to the eventual champion Florida in the Final Four. After the Patriots run in the 2005–2006 season, and their successful finish in the 2007–2008 season, George Mason Head Coach Jim Larranaga was offered to leave Mason for a 5-year, $4.25 million offer from Providence College. Coach Larranaga announced his decision in April 2008 by declining the offer from Providence, and extending his current contract with Mason to 2015.[5]

Final Four[edit]

George Mason celebrated the 2005–2006 basketball campaign, when they set a school-record by winning 27 games, going 27–8 on the year. That season the patriots were ranked top 25 in the USA Today and ESPN polls for the very first time. George Mason was ranked #8 in the final NCAA Basketball polls that year, making that Mason's highest ever ranking in men's basketball. George Mason was nominated for 2 ESPY awards by ESPN. The Patriots were nominated for an ESPY in the category of "Best Moment," for making the Final Four after downing three highly favored opponents. The run to the Final Four, which ESPN says is "considered by most the greatest in NCAA Tournament history", culminated with the Patriots beating top-seeded Connecticut 86–84 in overtime on March 26 to advance to the school, and the CAA conference's first-ever Final Four. George Mason also defeated Michigan State, North Carolina, and Wichita State in the NCAA Tournament while defeating the University of Connecticut in the Elite 8 to earn a trip to the Final Four in Indianapolis. George Mason would later fall to the eventual National Champion, University of Florida, in the Final Four game. While the Patriots were nominated for their virtuoso performance, the man who helped conduct the orchestra was also nominated for an ESPY as George Mason head men's basketball coach Jim Larranaga was nominated in the "Best Coach/Manager" category.

After the 2005–2006 season Head coach Jim Larranaga was named Virginia Coach of the Year on June 26, 2006.[6] George Mason was one of only three teams since 1982 without a tournament win in its school history to still enter the final four. Georgia did it in 1983, and Virginia did it in 1981. During the 2005–2006 season the final four had a bigger following than the Super Bowl and the NBA Playoffs that year. The main following came from office pools and parties in houses, dorms, and bars.[7]

George Mason women's basketball[edit]

In 2008, news broke out that women's basketball coach Debbie Taneyhill decided to resign to pursue other opportunities. Coach Taneyhill spent 11 seasons as Mason's women's basketball head coach and had much success with the ladies. During Taneyhill's tenure as coach, she helped the lady Patriots to four-straight winning campaigns, from the 2000 to the 2004 season. She also led them to two post-season appearances in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, WNIT in 2001 and 2004, and was named 2001 Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year. She was the sixth coach in George Mason's 33-year history and was the only head coach to have 10 or more wins in each of her first eight seasons. She led the Patriots to the 2004 CAA Championship title game for just the third time in school history. Taneyhill ranks second all-time among Mason coaches in both wins and games coached. During the 2005–2006 season George Mason University was selected to host the Colonial Athletic Association Women's Basketball Championship, to be played at the Patriot Center. It was the first time that George Mason served as host to the women's championship. In 2003 Mason Guard Jen Derevjanik advanced to the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association). Derevjanik is one of few players ever in Mason's history to play in the WNBA. Jen wrapped up her second season with the WNBA's Connecticut Sun in 2005, where the Sun's competed in the WNBA finals for the second straight season. Derevjanik is the first Mason player to be part of a team that has advanced to the WNBA Finals.[8]

All-time head coaches[edit]

Main article: List of George Mason Patriots men's basketball head coaches

Players[edit]

Notable player accomplishments[edit]

CAA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

CAA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

  • 1980 – Andy Bolden
  • 1982 – Carlos Yates
  • 1986 – Kenny Sanders
  • 1994 – Curtis McCants
  • 1995 – Nate Langley
  • 1998 – George Evans

ALL-CAA (ECAC South Conf., 1980–85)

  • 1980 – Andre Gaddy
  • 1982 – Carlos Yates
  • 1983 – Carlos Yates
  • 1984 – Carlos Yates, Ricky Wilson
  • 1985 – Carlos Yates, Rob Rose (2nd), Ricky Wilson (2nd)
  • 1986 – Rob Rose, Ricky Wilson (2nd)
  • 1987 – Kenny Sanders
  • 1988 – Kenny Sanders, Amp Davos (2nd)
  • 1989 – Kenny Sanders
  • 1990 – Robert Dykes, Mike Hargett (2nd), Steve Smith (2nd)
  • 1991 – Robert Dykes, Byron Tucker (2nd)
  • 1995 – Nate Langley (2nd)
  • 1996 – Curtis McCants
  • 1997 – Nate Langley
  • 1998 – George Evans (2nd), Jason Miskiri (2nd)
  • 1999 – George Evans, Jason Miskiri
  • 2000 – George Evans, Erik Herring (2nd)
  • 2001 – George Evans, Erik Herring
  • 2002 – Jesse Young
  • 2003 – Mark Davis (2nd)
  • 2004 – Jai Lewis, Mark Davis (2nd)
  • 2005 – Jai Lewis (2nd), Lamar Butler (2nd), Tony Skinn (3rd)
  • 2006 – Jai Lewis, Tony Skinn (2nd)
  • 2007 – Will Thomas (2nd), Folarin Campbell (3rd)
  • 2008 – Will Thomas, Folarin Campbell (2nd)
  • 2009 – John Vaughan (2nd), Darryl Monroe (2nd), Cam Long (3rd)
  • 2010 – Cam Long (2nd)
  • 2011 – Cam Long (1st), Ryan Pearson (2nd), Luke Hancock (3rd)[10]

Statistics[edit]

All-time leaders[edit]

Points[edit]

Rank Player Years Games PPG Avg. Total Points
1 Carlos Yates 1981–1985 109 22.2 2420
2 Kenny Sanders 1985–1989 107 20.3 2177
3 George Evans 1997–2001 116 16.8 1953
4 Robert Dykes 1987–1991 122 13.4 1642
5 Andre Gaddy 1977–1982 98 16.0 1568
6 Rob Rose 1982–1986 113 13.8 1565
7 Will Thomas 2004–2008 131 11.9 1564
8 Folarin Campbell 2004–2008 130 11.9 1545
9 Rudolph Jones 1971–1973 59 25.8 1525
10 Jai Lewis 2002–2006 125 12.2 1519

Rebounds[edit]

Rank Player Years Games Reb. Avg. Total Rebounds
1 Jim Nowers 1972–1976 112 9.4 1048
2 Kenny Sanders 1985–1989 107 9.6 1026
3 Will Thomas 2004–2008 131 7.6 993
4 George Evans 1997–2001 116 8.2 953
5 Robert Dykes 1987–1991 122 7.5 925
6 Andre Gaddy 1977–1982 98 9.3 916
7 Jai Lewis 2002–2006 125 7.2 895
8 Rob Rose 1982–1986 113 7.1 805
9 Herb Estes 1973–1976 80 9.2 734
10 Jesse Young 1999–2003 115 6.2 708

Assists[edit]

Rank Player Years Games Ast. Avg. Total Assists
1 Curtis McCants 1993–1996 81 7.3 598
2 Myron Contee 1974–1979 101 4.0 411
3 Ricky Wilson 1982–1986 116 3.4 405
4 Folarin Campbell 2004–2008 130 3.0 392
5 John Niehoff 1980–1984 108 3.0 331
6 Steve Smith 1986–1990 114 2.8 329
7 Mike Hargett 1988–1991 93 3.3 312
8 Tremaine Price 1997–2001 110 2.8 308
9 Raoul Heinen 2000–2004 109 2.7 290
10 Jamel Perkins 1989–1993 97 2.9 283

Men's All-time standings[edit]

Statistics overview
Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
  (Independent) (1966–1979)
1966–1967 Arnold Siegfried 6–12
1967–1968 Raymond Spuhler 5–17
1968–1969 Raymond Spuhler 2–20
1969–1970 Raymond Spuhler 4–23
1970–1971 John Linn 9–17
1971–1972 John Linn 12–18
1972–1973 John Linn 15–16
1973–1974 John Linn 19–10
1974–1975 John Linn 19–8
1975–1976 John Linn 16–13
1976–1977 John Linn 9–18
1977–1978 John Linn 5–21
1978–1979 John Linn 17–8 Inaugural Division I season
George Mason (Eastern College Athletic Conference) (1979–1985)
1979–1980 John Linn 5–21
1980–1981 Joe Harrington 10–16
1981–1982 Joe Harrington 13–14
1982–1983 Joe Harrington 15–12 3–6 4th
1983–1984 Joe Harrington 21–7 5–5 T-4th
1984–1985 Joe Harrington 18–11 10–4 3rd
George Mason (Colonial Athletic Association) (1985–2013)
1985–1986 Joe Harrington 20–12 10–4 3rd NIT 2nd Round
1986–1987 Joe Harrington 15–13 7–7 5th
1987–1988 Rick Barnes 20–10 10–5 2nd
1988–1989 Ernie Nestor 20–11 11–4 2nd NCAA 1st Round
1989–1990 Ernie Nestor 20–12 11–5 4th
1990–1991 Ernie Nestor 14–16 10–7 4th
1991–1992 Ernie Nestor 7–21 3–11 8th
1992–1993 Ernie Nestor 7–21 2–11 8th
1993–1994 Paul Westhead 10–17 5–9 6th
1994–1995 Paul Westhead 7–20 2–12 8th
1995–1996 Paul Westhead 11–16 6–10 T-6th
1996–1997 Jim Larranaga 10–17 4–12 9th
1997–1998 Jim Larranaga 9–18 6–10 T-5th
1998–1999 Jim Larranaga 19–11 13–3 1st NCAA 1st Round
1999–2000 Jim Larranaga 19–11 12–4 T-1st
2000–2001 Jim Larranaga 18–12 11–5 T-2nd NCAA 1st Round
2001–2002 Jim Larranaga 19–10 13–5 2nd NIT Opening Round
2002–2003 Jim Larranaga 16–12 11–7 4th
2003–2004 Jim Larranaga 23–10 12–6 3rd NIT 2nd Round
2004–2005 Jim Larranaga 16–13 10–8 6th
2005–2006 Jim Larranaga 27–8 15–3 T-1st NCAA Final Four
2006–2007 Jim Larranaga 18–15 9–9 T-5th
2007–2008 Jim Larranaga 23–11 12–6 3rd NCAA 1st Round
2008–2009 Jim Larranaga 22–11 13–5 2nd NIT 1st Round
2009–2010 Jim Larranaga 17–15 12–6 4th CIT 1st Round
2010–2011 Jim Larranaga 27–7 16–2 1st NCAA 3rd Round
2011–2012 Paul Hewitt 24–9 14–4 3rd
2012–2013 Paul Hewitt 21–14 10–8 5th CBI Runner Up
George Mason (Atlantic 10 Conference) (2013–Present)
2013–2014 Paul Hewitt 11–20 4–12 11th
2014–2015 Paul Hewitt 9–22 4–10 13th
2015–2016 Dave Paulsen 11–21 5–13 12th
2016–2017 Dave Paulsen 20–14 9–9 7th CBI 1st Round
2017–2018 Dave Paulsen 16–17 9–9 T-5th
2018–2019 Dave Paulsen 18–15 11–7 5th
Total: 789–763

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Color". George Mason University Office of Communications and Marketing. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "Color". George Mason University Office of Communications and Marketing. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  3. ^ Quick Facts About George Mason Basketball Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. George Mason University
  4. ^ a b c d "George Mason Patriots". Levineps. March 27, 2006.
  5. ^ " Larranaga Rejects Big East's Providence College" Archived 2008-07-01 at the Wayback Machine. Metsala, C: . April 2, 2008.
  6. ^ " Larranaga Receives Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award" Archived 2011-07-08 at the Wayback Machine.Gomason.com: . March 30, 2006.
  7. ^ March to Madness".Zullo, A: Introduction. 2007.
  8. ^ " Derevjanik Signs With Phoenix Mercury" Archived 2008-08-29 at the Wayback Machine.Gomason.com: . June 6, 2006.
  9. ^ "Mason's Pearson Honored as CAA Men's Basketball Player of the Year".
  10. ^ Patriots Basketball"George Mason Patriots men's basketball". Wikisgmu. August 7, 2007.
  11. ^ "2018–19 Record Book" (PDF). George Mason University. 2018. pp. 44–52. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
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