February 14, 2025
FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men’s basketball team (20-5, 11-1) returns to Fairfax for a nationally-televised matchup against Saint Joseph’s (15-9, 6-5) on Saturday afternoon.
Tip-off between the Patriots and Hawks is set for 12:30 p.m. Saturday’s game will be broadcast nationally on USA Network, featuring commentary from Geoff Arnold and Tim McCormick. In addition, Voice of the Patriots Bill Rohland will call the game on the GoMason Digital Network, with streaming coverage beginning at 12:15 p.m. (ET).
PATRIOT POINTS
• The Patriots currently own the nation’s third-longest win streak. GM has won 10 in a row and 18 of its past 20 games. It’s just the fourth time in school history the Patriots have sported a 10+ game win streak.
• The Green & Gold are in sole possession of first place in the A-10 and are four games ahead of third in the league ledger.
• GM is off to the best conference start in the program’s 59-year history (11-1). GM’s 20-5 record marks the Patriots’ best overall start since 2010-11. That team began 26-5 and won 16 games in a row en route to an NCAA Tournament berth.
• Mason is coming off a 76-74 overtime win at Saint Louis on Wednesday. The Patriots went 15-of-33 (.455) from deep, marking just the sixth time in school history GM made 15+ 3-pointers.
• Senior Woody Newton was a huge part of that effort while pouring in a career-best 27 points (8-12 3pt). His eight triples are tied for the second-most in GM single-game history.
• Darius Maddox notched 10 points (3-6 3pt FG), including a huge 3 in overtime. Hes’ shooting 52.2 percent (12-23) from 3 over the past four games and is 39.3 percent (24-61) from deep over 12 A-10 contests.
• George Mason ranks third in the nation in FG defense (.372) while also ranking high in effective FG defense (2nd, .438), 2pt defense (8th, .439) and 3pt defense (10th, .290). The Patriots are ninth in scoring defense (61.8 ppg allowed) and 13th in overall defensive efficiency (0.951 points/possession).
• The Patriots are the only team in the nation to rank in the top-10 in overall FG defense, effective FG defense, 2pt defense, 3pt defense and scoring defense.
• The Patriots are 5-0 in their last five contests decided by five points or less and 3-0 in their last three overtime games.
• GM held a +9 turnover margin Wednesday, improving the Patriots to 9-0 when they win the turnover battle this season.
• The Patriots are 17-1 when shooting 30 percent or better from from 3pt range on the season. GM has made 44.3 percent (39-88) of its triples over the past four games and is averaging 13.0 makes from deep over the last two contests.
• GM is 14-1 at home this season and has won its first six A-10 home games for the first time since the Patriots joined the league in 2013-14. GM is 28-4 at home under head coach Tony Skinn (’06).
• George Mason is receiving votes in this week’s AP top-25 poll. The Patriots are ranked 64th nationally in the Feb. 13 NET. GM also is 66th in the Ken Pomeroy rankings. It marks the Patriots’ highest spot in the KenPom ledger since December 2011.
HISTORY vs. SAINT JOSEPH’S
Saturday’s matchup marks the 19th all-time meeting between Mason and Saint Joseph’s. Mason leads the series, 10-8, and holds a 4-3 edge in Fairfax. GM won 10 of 11 matchups from 2017-22, but the Hawks have stormed back to win each of the past four meetings. SJU swept both games last year, including a 75-73 win in Philly on Jan. 31, 2024, and a 64-57 triumph in the A-10 second round on March 13 in Brooklyn. Darius Maddox averaged 12.5 points and shot 57.1 percent from 3pt range in the two matchups last season.
A LOOK AT THE HAWKS (15-9, 6-5 A-10; NET #86, KenPom #85)
Saint Joseph’s was picked to finish third in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll and currently is tied for fifth. The Hawks went 9-3 in non-conference play, highlighted by a neutral court win over No. 12/12 Texas Tech. SJU is 6-5 in league play and coming off a 75-63 home win over Big 5 rival La Salle. The Hawks take 27.0 3-pointers/game (46th nationally) and rank 54th nationally in defensive efficiency (1.002 points/possession allowed). Erik Reynolds and Xzayvier Brown each led the team in scoring (16.5 ppg), while Brown also ranks third in the A-10 in assists/game (4.8). Rasheer Fleming chips in 15.0 points/game and is second in the conference with eight double-doubles, while Justice Ajogbor is 22nd nationally in blocks/game (2.08). The Hawks, as a team, are 10th in the country in blocks/contest (5.5).
UP NEXT
George Mason has a bye during the week and will return to action with a much-anticipated Saturday (Feb. 22) contest at VCU. Tip-off between the Patriots and Rams in Richmond is set for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network.
