History of George Mason basketball

George Mason Patriots
2016–17 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team
University George Mason University
Head coach Dave Paulsen (2nd season)
Conference Atlantic 10
Location Fairfax, Virginia
Arena EagleBank Arena
(Capacity: 10,000)
Nickname Patriots
Student section Patriot Platoon
Colors Green and Gold[1]
         
Uniforms
Home
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
2016–17 George Mason Patriots women's basketball team
University George Mason University
Head coach Nyla Milleson (4th season)
Conference Atlantic 10
Location Fairfax, Virginia
Arena EagleBank Arena
(Capacity: 10,000)
Nickname Patriots
Student section Patriot Platoon
Colors Green and Gold[2]
         
Uniforms
Home
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 Dave Paulsen. The women's team is coached by Nyla Milleson.

History

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 program 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

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 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

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

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

CoachYearsWin-LossWin %Conference
Titles		NCAA Tourn.
Appearances		NCAA Titles
Arnold Siegfried1966–19676–12.3330--
Hap Spuhler1967–197011–60.1550--
John Linn1970–1980130–147.4690--
Joe Harrington1980–1987112–85.5690--
Rick Barnes1987–198820–10.6670--
Ernie Nestor1988–199368–81.45611-
Paul Westhead1993–199738–70.3520--
Jim Larranaga1997–2011207–131.61234-
Paul Hewitt2011–201558–49.54200-
Dave Paulsen2015-Present31–35.47000-

Players

Notable player accomplishments

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

All-time leaders

Points

RankPlayerYearsGamesPPG Avg.Total Points
1Carlos Yates1981–198510922.22420
2Kenny Sanders1985–198910720.32177
3George Evans1997–200111616.81953
4Robert Dykes1987–199112213.41642
5Andre Gaddy1977–19829816.01568
6Rob Rose1982–198611313.81565
7Will Thomas2004–200813111.91564
8Folarin Campbell2004–200813011.91545
9Rudolph Jones1971–19735925.81525
10Jai Lewis2002–200612512.21519

Rebounds

RankPlayerYearsGamesReb. Avg.Total Rebounds
1Jim Nowers1972–19761129.41048
2Kenny Sanders1985–19891079.61026
3Will Thomas2004–20081317.6993
4George Evans1997–20011168.2953
5Robert Dykes1987–19911227.5925
6Andre Gaddy1977–1982989.3916
7Jai Lewis2002–20061257.2895
8Rob Rose1982–19861137.1805
9Herb Estes1973–1976809.2734
10Jesse Young1999–20031156.2708

Assists

RankPlayerYearsGamesAst. Avg.Total Assists
1Curtis McCants1993–1996817.3598
2Myron Contee1974–19791014.0411
3Ricky Wilson1982–19861163.4405
4Folarin Campbell2004–20081303.0392
5John Niehoff1980–19841083.0331
6Steve Smith1986–19901142.8329
7Mike Hargett1988–1991933.3312
8Tremaine Price1997–20011102.8308
9Raoul Heinen2000–20041092.7290
10Jamel Perkins1989–1993972.9283

All-time standings

Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
1966–1967 George Mason 6–12
George Mason (1966–1982)
1967–1968 George Mason 5–17
1968–1969 George Mason 2–20
1969–1970 George Mason 4–23
1970–1971 George Mason 9–17
1971–1972 George Mason 12–18
1972–1973 George Mason 15–16
1973–1974 George Mason 19–10
1974–1975 George Mason 19–8
1975–1976 George Mason 16–13
1976–1977 George Mason 9–18
1977–1978 George Mason 5–21
1978–1979 George Mason 17–8
1979–1980 George Mason 5–21
1980–1981 George Mason 10–16
1981–1982 George Mason 13–14
George Mason (Eastern College Athletic Conference) (1982–1985)
1982–1983 George Mason 15–123–64th
1983–1984 George Mason 21–75–5T-4th
1984–1985 George Mason 18–1110–43rd
George Mason (Colonial Athletic Association) (1985–2013)
1985–1986 George Mason 20–1210–43rdNIT 2nd Round
1986–1987 George Mason 15–137–75th
1987–1988 George Mason 20–1010–52nd
1988–1989 George Mason 20–1111–42ndNCAA 1st Round
1989–1990 George Mason 20–1211–54th
1990–1991 George Mason 14–1610–74th
1991–1992 George Mason 7–213–118th
1992–1993 George Mason 7–212–118th
1993–1994 George Mason 10–175–96th
1994–1995 George Mason 7–202–128th
1995–1996 George Mason 11–166–10T-6th
1996–1997 George Mason 10–174–129th
1997–1998 George Mason 9–186–10T-5th
1998–1999 George Mason 19–1113–31stNCAA 1st Round
1999–2000 George Mason 19–1112–4T-1st
2000–2001 George Mason 18–1211–5T-2ndNCAA 1st Round
2001–2002 George Mason 19–1013–52ndNIT Opening Round
2002–2003 George Mason 16–1211–74th
2003–2004 George Mason 23–1012–63rdNIT 2nd Round
2004–2005 George Mason 16–1310–86th
2005–2006 George Mason 27–815–3T-1stNCAA Final Four
2006–2007 George Mason 18–159–9T-5th
2007–2008 George Mason 23–1112–63rdNCAA 1st Round
2008–2009 George Mason 22–1113–52ndNIT 1st Round
2009–2010 George Mason 17–1512–64thCIT 1st Round
2010–2011 George Mason 27–716–21stNCAA 3rd Round
2011–2012 George Mason 24–914–43rd
2012–2013 George Mason 21–1410–85thCBI Runner Up
George Mason (Atlantic 10 Conference) (2013–Present)
2013–2014 George Mason 11–204–1211th
2014–2015 George Mason 9–224–1013th
2015–2016 George Mason 11–215–1312th
2016–2017 George Mason 20-149-97th
Total:674–540

      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

[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Color | The George Mason University Brand Profile". Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Color | The George Mason University Brand Profile". Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  3. ↑ Quick Facts About George Mason Basketball. George Mason University
  4. 1 2 3 4 "George Mason Patriots". Levineps. March 27, 2006.
  5. ↑ " Larranaga Rejects Big East's Providence College". 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".Gomason.com: . June 6, 2006.
  9. ↑ "Mason's Pearson Honored as CAA Men's Basketball Player of the Year".
  10. 1 2 Patriots Basketball"George Mason Patriots men's basketball". Wikisgmu. August 7, 2007.
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