As a traditionally strong mid-major program, George Mason doesn’t get many chances to take on in-state power-conference schools.
The Patriots, however, get a rare opportunity on Saturday afternoon when they take on Virginia Tech for the first meeting of the teams in 33 years in Blacksburg, Va.
While it is early in the season, the stakes are significant for George Mason (9-0) of the Atlantic 10 Conference, which can enhance its resume with a win over Virginia Tech (7-2) of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Playing in a one-bid league last year, the Patriots won 27 games but saw their NCAA Tournament hopes disappear with a loss to VCU in the A-10 championship game.
In Tony Skinn’s third year as coach, this will be just his fourth chance to play a team from a power conference. It’s also George Mason’s first true road game this season.
“It’s gonna be good to see how our guys respond in a different atmosphere. We’ve been in our comfort zone,” Skinn said. “We haven’t really seen that much adversity, so going down to Blacksburg is going to be very good for us.”
Skinn, who played for George Mason’s 2006 NCAA Final Four team, counts on Kory Mincy (19.2 points per game) and Jahari Long (12.7 ppg). Both are shooting better than 50% from 3-point range.
Virginia Tech comes in on a high after winning Tuesday at South Carolina, 86-83 in overtime. Ben Hammond scored 16 points and put up the game-winner on a driving layup with 13 seconds left.
Amani Hansberry added 22 points and 14 rebounds, his highs in both categories this year after transferring from West Virginia.
It was a key victory considering it was the first for the Hokies without Tobi Lawal, their top scorer and rebounder last year, who missed his third straight game.
On Tuesday, Hokies coach Mike Young was uncertain about the severity of Lawal’s injury, saying he could be out for as long as six weeks.
Until his return, Virginia Tech will depend on Hansberry (16.3 points, 8.1 rebounds per game), Neoklis Avdalas (13.7 ppg, 5.0 assists per game) and 3-point sniper Jaden Schutt (10.4 ppg).
“We’ve got the makings of a good team.,” Young said. “We’re not there yet. We’ll get there though.”
–Field Level Media
