FAIRFAX, Va. - On March 19, 2025, George Mason's men's basketball team will face off against Samford in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) at 7 p.m. in EagleBank Arena. This marks a historic moment as it is the first-ever meeting between these two teams.
Entering the game, George Mason is seeded second with an impressive record of 26-8, while Samford comes in as the seventh seed with a record of 22-10. This year has been a significant one for George Mason, as they host their first NIT game since 2004, following a remarkable run that included reaching the A-10 Final for the first time in program history.
George Mason boasts a formidable home record of 17-1 this season and has been on a roll, going 24-5 over their last 29 games. The Patriots have also set a school record for home wins this season, which highlights their strong performance at home during this campaign. With several noteworthy individual accolades, including Jared Billups, who was named A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, the team enters the NIT at a peak moment.
If George Mason secures a victory against Samford, they will advance to the NIT Second Round, facing the winner of the Bradley versus North Alabama matchup, scheduled for either March 22 or March 23.
In terms of statistics, the game will showcase the nation's 12th-ranked scoring offense (Samford, averaging 83.3 points per game) against George Mason's highly regarded defense, ranked 12th in points allowed (63.3 per game). This creates an intriguing match-up of styles, with George Mason being second in the nation in field goal defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 37.9% from the field.
For Samford, this year marks their first appearance in the NIT. The Bulldogs ended their season on a challenging note, suffering a 95-78 defeat against Furman in the Southern Conference Tournament. Josh Holloway led Samford in scoring during that game, putting up 21 points. Holloway also claimed the title of Sixth Man of the Year in the SoCon, underlining his significant contributions to the team.
The Bulldogs are renowned for their high-powered offensive capabilities this season, averaging 83.3 points per game and making 10.8 three-pointers per contest, ranking them ninth nationally. They feature a balanced scoring approach, with Trey Fort leading the way at 14.9 points per game, followed closely by Jaden Brownell with 13.6 points per game.
On the other side, George Mason has also excelled in individual awards. Head coach Tony Skinn was named the A-10 Coach of the Year, guiding the team to unprecedented achievements this season, including earning a share of the A-10 regular season title for the first time. Player performances have been pivotal, with Jalen Haynes earning All-A-10 First Team honors and demonstrating exceptional play, averaging over 21 points and 6.7 rebounds in the A-10 Tournament.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, featuring commentary from Anish Shroff and Brandon Johnson. Fans can also tune in to the GoMason Digital Network for live coverage, with streaming starting at 6:45 p.m.
As both teams prepare for this significant encounter, the tension is palpable. For George Mason, a win would not only solidify their exceptional season but also propel them deeper into the NIT, matching their all-time record for victories in a season. The Patriots are eager to leverage their home-court advantage and continue their pursuit of postseason glory. Meanwhile, the Samford Bulldogs aim to make their mark in the tournament and upset the second-seeded Patriots.
This matchup promises to deliver plenty of excitement and unpredictability as both teams vie for progress in the NIT. With such stakes on the line, basketball fans are in for a thrilling evening at EagleBank Arena.
