History of George Mason basketball

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George Mason Patriots Men's Basketball
George Mason Patriots Men's Basketball athletic logo
University George Mason University
Conference CAA
Location Fairfax, Virginia
Head Coach Jim Larranaga (10th year)
Arena Patriot Center
(Capacity: 10,000)
Nickname Patriots
Student Section Patriot Platoon
Colors Green and Gold

             
Uniforms
 
Home jersey
Home jersey
  
Home shorts
Home
 
Away jersey
Away jersey
  
Away shorts
Away
NCAA Tournament Final Four
2006
Conference Tournament Champions
1989, 1999, 2001, 2008
Conference Regular Season Champions
1999, 2000, 2006
George Mason Patriots Women's Basketball
George Mason Patriots Women's Basketball athletic logo
University George Mason University
Conference CAA
Location Fairfax, Virginia
Head Coach Debbie Taneyhill (resigned) ( year)
Arena Patriot Center
(Capacity: 10,000)
Nickname Patriots
Student Section Patriot Platoon
Colors Green and Gold

             
Uniforms
 
Home jersey
Home jersey
  
Home shorts
Home
 
Away jersey
Away jersey
  
Away shorts
Away

George Mason Patriots men's basketball program has a long history. Since Masons founding in 1949[1], 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 Patriot Center, which is in Fairfax Virginia. The Patriots compete in the Colonial Athletic Association, better known as the CAA. The CAA is a part of NCAA Division I sports. The men's team is coached by Jim Larranaga. The women's team was coached by Debbie Taneyhill, until she resigned in 2008.[2]

Contents

[edit] 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[3], 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]

[edit] NCAA Tournament Appearances

Men's

[edit] Colonial Athletic Association Titles

The Patriots have advanced to the NCAA tournament five times (1989, 1999, 2001, 2006, and 2008) and the NIT tournament (National Invitation tournament) three times (1986, 2002 and 2004).[6] 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 Florida in the final four, who then eventually became the 2006 National Champion. 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 dollar 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.[7]

[edit] Final Four

George Mason celebrated the 2005-2006, when they set a school-record by winning 23 games. That season the patriots were ranked top 25 in the USA Today and ESPN for the very first time. After the 2005-2006 season Head coach Jim Larranaga was named Virginia Coach of the Year on June 26, 2006.[8] 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.[9] 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. [10]

[edit] The Patriot Center

The Patriot Center is a venue in the Northern Virginia area, seating over 10,000 people in its arena.The Patriot Center is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and is the home of the George Mason Patriots. The Patriot Center is on the campus of George Mason University, which currently has over 30,000 students and has engrossed over 7.7 million people to over 2400 events. www.Pollstar.com has ranked The Patriot Center as number 51 in ticket sales (2005). That is a large number considering most arena's have over 20,000 seating availability. A memorable moment at The Patriot Center occurred during the opening on October 4th, 1985, when the New York Knicks played the Washington Bullets in a pre-season game. The patriot center is also the host of many concerts. The Patriot Center is the first university venue to be managed by a private company. Currently the Patriot Center is being managed by Washington Sports and Entertainment, who also manages the Washington Wizards and the Verizon Center. The Patriot Center hosted the first men’s CAA Tournament, and hosted it’s first women’s CAA Tournament in 2005.[11]

[edit] Criticism

Many teams, including George Mason, have been criticized on the "evils" of commercialism in college sport, and the hypocrisy of payments to athletes from alumni and other sources outside the university. Over time, this has caused a financial hardship on Mason's Basketball Program, because revenue for other sources had to be used to maintain the basketball program at the university. While teams have been criticized for "money-laundering" schemes, there is almost no attention paid to the professionalism surrounded by the basketball program, and around the university. [12]

[edit] 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.[13]

[edit] All-Time Head Coaches

Coach Years Win-Loss Win % Conference
Titles		 NCAA Tourn.
Appearances		 NCAA Titles
Arnold Siegfried 1966-1967 6-12 .333 0 - -
Raymond Spuhler 1967-1970 11-60 .155 0 - -
John Linn 1970-1980 130-147 .469 0 - -
Joe Harrington 1980-1987 112-85 .569 0 - -
Rick Barnes 1987-1988 20-10 .667 0 - -
Ernie Nestor 1988-1993 68-81 .456 1 1 -
Paul Westhead 1993-1997 38-70 .352 0 - -
Jim Larranaga 1997-Present 207-130 .613 3 4 -

[edit] Players

[edit] George Mason Men's Basketball Current Roster

George Mason Men's Basketball
Current Roster
Head Coach: Jim Larranaga
F 33 Louis Birdsong Sophomore 6-6, 235 lbs. (Baltimore, MD)
G 42 Folarin Campbell Senior 6-4, 205 lbs. (Silver Spring, MD)
G 2 Jordan Carter Senior 6-0, 175 lbs. (Indianapolis, IN)
F 40 Chris Fleming Junior 6-7, 240 lbs. (Manassas, VA)
G 20 Cameron Long Freshman 6-4, 177 lbs. (Woodbridge, VA)
F 41 Vlad Moldoveanu Freshman 6-10, 206 lbs. (Bucharest, Romania)
F 32 Darryl Monroe Senior 6-7, 235 lbs. (Virginia Beach, VA)
G 1 Dre Smith Junior 6-0, 185 lbs. (Houston, TX)
G 25 Isaiah Tate Freshman 6-3, 200 lbs. (Upper Marlboro, MD)
F 34 Will Thomas Senior 6-7, 230 lbs. (Baltimore, MD)
G 23 John Vaughan Junior (RS) 6-3, 185 lbs. (Laurel, MD)

[edit] Notable Player Accomplishments

CAA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

  • 1983 - Carlos Yates (Co-Player)
  • 1988 - Kenny Sanders
  • 1999 - George Evans
  • 2000 - George Evans
  • 2001 - George Evans

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)

[14]

[edit] Statistics

[edit] All-Time Leaders

[edit] Points

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

[edit] Rebounds

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

[edit] Assists

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

[edit] All-Time Standings

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
George Mason (1966 — 1982)
1966–1967 George Mason 6-12
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 15-12 3-6 4th
1983–1984 George Mason 21-7 5-5 T-4th
1984–1985 George Mason 18-11 10-4 3rd
George Mason (Colonial Athletic Association) (1985 — Present)
1985–1986 George Mason 20-12 10-4 3rd NIT 2nd Round
1986–1987 George Mason 15-13 7-7 5th
1987–1988 George Mason 20-10 10-5 2nd
1988–1989 George Mason 20-11 11-4 2nd NCAA 1st Round
1989–1990 George Mason 20-12 11-5 4th
1990–1991 George Mason 14-16 10-7 4th
1991–1992 George Mason 7-21 3-11 8th
1992–1993 George Mason 7-21 2-11 8th
1993–1994 George Mason 10-17 5-9 6th
1994–1995 George Mason 7-20 2-12 8th
1995–1996 George Mason 11-16 6-10 T-6th
1996–1997 George Mason 10-17 4-12 9th
1997–1998 George Mason 9-18 6-10 T-5th
1998–1999 George Mason 19-11 13-3 1st NCAA 1st Round
1999–2000 George Mason 19-11 12-4 T-1st
2000–2001 George Mason 18-12 11-5 T-2nd NCAA 1st Round
2001–2002 George Mason 19-10 13-5 2nd NIT Opening Round
2002–2003 George Mason 16-12 11-7 4th
2003–2004 George Mason 23-10 12-6 3rd NIT 2nd Round
2004–2005 George Mason 16-13 10-8 6th
2005–2006 George Mason 27-8 15-3 T-1st NCAA Final Four
2006–2007 George Mason 18-15 9-9 T-5th
2007–2008 George Mason 23-11 12-6 3rd NCAA 1st Round
Total: 592-596

      National Champion         Conference Champion         Conference Tournament Champion

[15]

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.gmu.edu/library/specialcollections/gmdcs_timeline.html"CHRONOLOGICAL GUIDE TO GMU'S HISTORY"].GMU Documentary History. October 30, 2002
  2. ^ http://gomason.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/gema-w-baskbl-body.html "Women's Basketball Coach Debbie Taneyhill Resigns"]. GoMason.com. March 24, 2008.
  3. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mason_Patriots "George Mason Patriots"]. Levineps. March 27, 2006.
  4. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mason_Patriots "George Mason Patriots"]. Levineps. March 27, 2006.
  5. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mason_Patriots "George Mason Patriots"]. Levineps. March 27, 2006.
  6. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mason_Patriots "George Mason Patriots"]. Levineps. March 27, 2006.
  7. ^ http://www.caazone.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16889&Itemid=226" Larranaga Rejects Big East's Providence College"]. Metsala, C: . April 2, 2008.
  8. ^ http://gomason.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/033006aab.html" Larranaga Receives Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award"].Gomason.com: . March 30, 2006.
  9. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_four" Final Four"].Timneu22: . December 10, 2006.
  10. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=8Y70WBdH6tQC&pg=RA2-PA223&dq=george+mason+final+four&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&sig=tEc-G3NHkLfNr8Hqjf4dCe62nts March to Madness"].Zullo, A: Intorduction. 2007.
  11. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Center" Patriot Center"]. July 30, 2005.
  12. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=1k8E3s2d_KQC&pg=PA138&dq=basketball+evolution&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&sig=pNGY6jCV9jBB6HB6_Z3koIe8ZaU#PPP1,M1" College Athletes for Hire: The Evolution and Legacy"].Sack,A & Staurowsky, E: Page 138. 1998.
  13. ^ http://gomason.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/060606aaa.html" Derevjanik Signs With Phoenix Mercury"].Gomason.com: . June 6, 2006.
  14. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mason_Patriots_men%27s_basketball Patriots Basketball"George Mason Patriots men's basketball"]. Wikisgmu. August 7, 2007.
  15. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mason_Patriots_men%27s_basketball Patriots Basketball"George Mason Patriots men's basketball"]. Wikisgmu. August 7, 2007.