On Monday afternoon the George Mason men’s basketball team announced their non-conference schedule for the 2018-19 season. The new year will feature a strong docket of teams as the Patriots look to have the best season in Dave Paulsen’s tenure with the team.
Below is the full non-conference schedule for the Patriots:
Nov. 6 (Tue.) vs. Penn
Nov. 9 (Fri.) vs. American
Nov. 13 (Tue.) @ Georgia Southern
Nov. 17 (Sat.) vs. Southern
Nov. 20 (Tue.) vs. North Carolina Central
Nov. 23 (Fri.) vs. Cincinnati at Emerald Coast Classic
Nov. 24 (Sat.) vs. Baylor/ Ole Miss at Emerald Coast Classic
Nov. 28 (Wed.) vs. Morgan State
Dec. 1 (Sat.) @ William & Mary
Dec. 3 (Mon.) vs. Vermont
Dec. 7 (Fri.) vs. James Madison
Dec. 21 (Fri.) vs. Navy
Dec. 29 (Sat.) @ Kansas State
There are quite a few things that jump off of the bat right away.
First, the home opener on a Tuesday?? If you are finding that extremely odd, that is because it is. The NCAA announced back in January that the start of the season was bumped up to the first Tuesday of November rather than the second Friday. It allows a better spacing of games for the season, which is evident on the schedule. To start the year, last season George Mason played six games in 12 days. This year there is no such stretch. The most in that span is four games.
Additionally, George Mason will have started 10 straight seasons at home in the Patriot Center/ EagleBank Arena. Their last open to a season that was out of Fairfax was in November 2008 against the Vermont Catamounts.
Speaking of those Catamounts, we found one of the two mystery matchups on the schedule. Up until the release there were rumors on every single opponent except them and Morgan State, whom Mason played a year ago.
The Catamounts are an interesting add, especially at home because they are a quality mid-major that will bolster any resume. A year ago they were the overwhelming favorites to win the America East and it took a buzzer beater from a little program at UMBC to steal their NCAA Tournament bid. This upcoming season should be no different for the Catamounts. They will be projected to win the America East and perhaps be in the bubble conversation if they play their cards right.
Bottom line, at home versus Vermont will be a must-win game in December if the Patriots to have any NCAA Tournament hopes.
Speaking of the NCAA Tournament, there are three Power 5 opponents on the schedule: Cincinnati (neutral site), Baylor/ Ole Miss (neutral), and at Kansas State. Two guaranteed high quality (Quadrant 1) opponents, potentially three if Mason plays Baylor. If Mason were play Ole Miss, that is likely a must-win game for tournament hopes as well.
One win is against those teams is necessary for George Mason to make the big dance. Petey went as far to say they need two on Twitter. It don’t want to be that guy, but frankly it all depends how the games shake out.
Also we know that Mason will inexplicably lose a random game against William & Mary, James Madison, or Navy.
In total eight games will be at home, which will help a team that has raised expectations. Every home game though is vital for the Patriots if they want to dance into March. Any home losses in the non-conference stretch would likely doom any NCAA hopes, perhaps even NIT.
This is a real balanced schedule though that has potential and risk. Four teams made the NCAA Tournament last year with another not being too far off. Foreseeing an 11-2 start to the year is not an impossibility. There Mason is in a good position, with a top-three finish in the Atlantic 10, to be in consideration for an NCAA Tournament bid. At the same time, 8-5 is possible too, which would likely not be good enough for even the NIT. As I said on Twitter, this is a great opportunity with arguably the best schedule since Mason left the CAA.
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