2024-2025 Schedule Thread

[MasonFanatic]

From talking to several recent acquaintances - George Mason is still a known brand among generic college basketball fans who haven't close paid attention to us or the A10 recently. I always get positive responses about their perception of us. They don't realize the Final 4 was 18 years ago or that we haven't made the tournament in a while.

If everyone here invited a friend, our attendance problem might go away.

I assume that the unique venue options will be tested first for one of my favorite sports (i.e., wrestling) - https://gomason.com/news/2024/11/24/wrestling-defeats-siue-to-improve-to-6-0.aspx

"UP NEXT: The Patriots return home to host MAC Buffalo on Dec. 6 at 5 pm. The dual will be held at a new unique venue on campus, the Johnson Center.

'I'm excited about hosting the match at the Johnson Center to showcase our program to new people on campus,' said Coach Frank Beasley. 'It has the potential for a great atmosphere. If we can pack it, it will be electric!'"

I might have to go check this out, just for the spectacle factor. And Frank Beasley really has that program on a trajectory toward sustained national success.

FWIW I actually talked to the AD about this a few weeks ago. It sounded like they are considering some unique options for other sports to test the logistics on things like this, if yall really want to see it for basketball I’d recommend people reach out and express interest because things like this are being discussed.

The logistics of basketball games at the RAC were horrible. I like the theoretical concept of playing our D3 game in a smaller venue, I just don't think the RAC is adequate.

 

[GMUgemini]

Looks like it’s going to be even harder to schedule P5 teams going forward. Jeff Goodman intimating the Power conference teams are forcing the MTEs to split their field (4 high major in one bracket, 4 mid-majors in the second). This is what happened in Orlando this year and why they renamed half of it the NIT Season Tip-Off. sounds like Charleston Classic and Myrtle Beach Invitstional next on the chopping block.

 

[jessej]

Looks like it’s going to be even harder to schedule P5 teams going forward. Jeff Goodman intimating the Power conference teams are forcing the MTEs to split their field (4 high major in one bracket, 4 mid-majors in the second). This is what happened in Orlando this year and why they renamed half of it the NIT Season Tip-Off. sounds like Charleston Classic and Myrtle Beach Invitstional next on the chopping block.

I am in Vegas at the NIL Tournament and that is what has happened here
Mid-Majors play in the afternoon
P4 at night

afternoon games - San Diego State, Creighton, Oregon, Texas A&M
evening games - Houston, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Alabama

 

[GMU1983]

Good grief Dayton takin it to NC 51- 33 at the half

 

[AtBo]

From talking to several recent acquaintances - George Mason is still a known brand among generic college basketball fans who haven't close paid attention to us or the A10 recently. I always get positive responses about their perception of us. They don't realize the Final 4 was 18 years ago or that we haven't made the tournament in a while.

If everyone here invited a friend, our attendance problem might go away.


I might have to go check this out, just for the spectacle factor. And Frank Beasley really has that program on a trajectory toward sustained national success.


The logistics of basketball games at the RAC were horrible. I like the theoretical concept of playing our D3 game in a smaller venue, I just don't think the RAC is adequate.

Speaking to the bringing people to the game statement. I have been bringing anywhere from 1 to 6 people with me to the games for the last three years but its always hard to get friends excited about our team and committing to coming out, even the ones that are students w/ free tickets, ONCE let alone returning for the next home game...smh

I understand the sentiment of get excited for the team and not who they play and being there for the greatest season and not after but its an uphill battle getting people with less than a passing interest to come out when we are heavily middle of the pack and unexciting.

To most I'm an overenthusiastic fan for a team that lets me down too many times so they discount any real chance of connecting over Mason Basketball.

Anyways, end rant.

 

[Patriot8]

Speaking to the bringing people to the game statement. I have been bringing anywhere from 1 to 6 people with me to the games for the last three years but its always hard to get friends excited about our team and committing to coming out, even the ones that are students w/ free tickets, ONCE let alone returning for the next home game...smh

I understand the sentiment of get excited for the team and not who they play and being there for the greatest season and not after but its an uphill battle getting people with less than a passing interest to come out when we are heavily middle of the pack and unexciting.

To most I'm an overenthusiastic fan for a team that lets me down too many times so they discount any real chance of connecting over Mason Basketball.

Anyways, end rant.

Just Win Baby

 

[Patriotsince81]

We should host an early season or Thanksgiving tourney and include ODU, JMU, and William & Mary. It might stir up some interest since they used to be CAA rivals. A Virginia version of the Big 5 so to speak. We're close enough that their fans would travel. No need to include Richmond or vcu since we play them during the A10 part of the schedule. Or do a local tourney with Towson, American, Howard, etc. In the meantime I'll keep going to every game.

 

[mkaufman1]

We should host an early season or Thanksgiving tourney and include ODU, JMU, and William & Mary. It might stir up some interest since they used to be CAA rivals. A Virginia version of the Big 5 so to speak. We're close enough that their fans would travel. No need to include Richmond or vcu since we play them during the A10 part of the schedule. Or do a local tourney with Towson, American, Howard, etc. In the meantime I'll keep going to every game.

I will say I'm glad JMU is on the schedule for a h/h, and it would be nice to see one of the schools mentioned (W&M, Towson, American, Howard) on our buy game list. Other than Howard we have hosted the 3 others in buy games previously in recent years.

 

[Patriot8]

I want to keep an in state H&H on the schedule with JMU or ODU. I enjoy the H&Hs we have with AAC teams. I would like to see a H&H with a top half MVC program.

 

[GMUgemini]

I want to keep an in state H&H on the schedule with JMU or ODU. I enjoy the H&Hs we have with AAC teams. I would like to see a H&H with a top half MVC program.

I wouldn’t mind Drexel, Hofstra, or UNCW either as old CAA members. They have been pretty solid programs since we’ve left. Right now they’re all hovering near the top 100 (122, 112, and 118 respectively). I’m pretty sure that would make them all Q2 road games.

 

[mkaufman1]

I wouldn’t mind Drexel, Hofstra, or UNCW either as old CAA members. They have been pretty solid programs since we’ve left. Right now they’re all hovering near the top 100 (122, 112, and 118 respectively). I’m pretty sure that would make them all Q2 road games.

Other than like CofC and Hofstra, you sorta have to be careful with CAA schools because they have some real drains in that conference that could impact ratings.

That said, those ratings are probably around the same as playing some AAC schools. I don’t think Tulane is much different numbers wise if I had to guess. I’d like mason to stick with conferences in the top 10 if possible for h/h, and I’m not sure where the CAA falls. They might be outside.

 

[GMUgemini]

Other than like CofC and Hofstra, you sorta have to be careful with CAA schools because they have some real drains in that conference that could impact ratings.

That said, those ratings are probably around the same as playing some AAC schools. I don’t think Tulane is much different numbers wise if I had to guess. I’d like mason to stick with conferences in the top 10 if possible for h/h, and I’m not sure where the CAA falls. They might be outside.

They are way outside the top 10 right now.

But those schools, in addition to Charleston, are usually near the top. Going back to 2021 only one school had a truly bad season (finishing outside the top 200), and that was Wilmington at 249 in 2021, but it was also the weird COVID year. They only played 16 games, 7 conference. Obviously wouldn’t want to go in the road and play a team like that.

We need to find a way to get mor Q1 and Q2 and fewer Q4 games on our schedule and unfortunately it means going on the road most often since there’s more range of teams you can include there (up to 135 for Q2 on the road).

 

[Mason2006Patriot]

If you want attendance to rise, tell all your friends and family, local youth basketball teams, coworkers, highschool/AAU teams etc about George Mason basketball.

It literally takes 2 seconds to send out a text to your family/friends group chat about GMU basketball

Post on Instagram about GMU basketball, get the word out etc


Mason fans gotta do their part to help get the word out about GMU basketball, can't only rely on the team's social media to do it

 

[MasonFanatic]

ODU basketball is dead right now. There's no way we should schedule them until they get their act together.

 

[Old Man]

ODU basketball is dead right now. There's no way we should schedule them until they get their act together.

I'll let you know for sure after Monday. I'll be at their game that night against Bill & Mary.

 

[GMUgemini]

First official NET numbers came out and we come in at 79, which is a pretty good start given our two losses (particularly that CMU home loss).

A10 is the 6th ranked conference right now, ahead of MWC and AAC.

 

[mkaufman1]

I know its the first day of NET rankings and there will be a ton of movement. But just some interesting ones considering the names we've thrown around on who we want on Mason's schedule

ODU- 361
Towson-171
American -253
Princeton-137
Penn-346 (still have a game with them)

ECU - 117
Tulane-258
Central Michigan-113
Stony Brook-342
JMU-131

I have to say that MTE that Mason was in, getting a game with Marquette and Central Michigan was great. 2/3 games being good is more than what I expected. AAC still seems like the conference to target for home/home opportunities. Have to be careful if you pick a game from the CAA/Ivy. JMU game looks like a solid get as well. ODU is not a candidate for any home and home until they drastically improve.

 

[GMU79]

I know its the first day of NET rankings and there will be a ton of movement. But just some interesting ones considering the names we've thrown around on who we want on Mason's schedule

ODU- 361
Towson-171
American -253
Princeton-137
Penn-346 (still have a game with them)

ECU - 117
Tulane-258
Central Michigan-113
Stony Brook-342
JMU-131

I have to say that MTE that Mason was in, getting a game with Marquette and Central Michigan was great. 2/3 games being good is more than what I expected. AAC still seems like the conference to target for home/home opportunities. Have to be careful if you pick a game from the CAA/Ivy. JMU game looks like a solid get as well. ODU is not a candidate for any home and home until they drastically improve.

Wow! ODU has really fallen off a cliff! I had no idea.

 

[Old Man]

Wow! ODU has really fallen off a cliff! I had no idea.

Yes they have. I'll be at the ODU/W&M game tonight. I'll get a first-hand view.

 

[Sport31]

Has anyone heard back from Mason on waiting list for Duke game? Is anyone planning on going and where did you get your tickets?