VCU/Mason preview
Adam Stern
Assistant Sports Editor
Game info:
- Tuesday, Feb. 9
- Patriot Center, Fairfax, Va.
- Tipoff: 7 p.m.
- Television: ESPNU
VCU all time record vs. Mason:
- 27-15
- Home: 15-4 (Stuart C. Siegel Center 8-2)
- Away: 8-10
- Neutral: 4-1
Last time out:
VCU trounced George Mason in the CAA Championship game behind Larry Sander’s 18 points, 20 rebounds and seven blocks–the latter two of which were CAA Championship game records. Eric Maynor dropped 24 while scoring or assisting on 24 of VCU’s opening 30 points in his last collegiate game in the city of Richmond.
George Mason:
- Tied for second in the CAA with a record of 10-3, (15-9 overall)
- 6-0 at home in the CAA, 10-1 at home overall
- Coach: Jim Larranaga, 13th season, (Record of 222-140)
Season highlight:
- 71-55 home win over ODU
Season lowlight:
- 71-46 loss at Northeastern
Probable starting lineup:
- Mike Morrison (f)
- Ryan Pearson (f)
- Isaiah Tate (g)
- Cam Long (g)
- Andre Cornelius (g)
VCU
- Fourth in the CAA with a record of 9-4, (17-5 overall)
- 3-3 away in the CAA, 5-4 away overall.
- Coach: Shaka Smart, first season, (Record of 17-5)
- Season highlight:
- 82-69 home win over then #17 Oklahoma
- Season lowlight:
- 57-62 loss to Northeastern–the only home loss of the season
Probable starting lineup:
- Larry Sanders (f) 6’11”
- Jamie Skeen (f)
- Joey Rodriguez (g)
- Bradford Burgess (g)
- Brandon Rozzell (g)
Notes:
- George Mason’s loss to Drexel coupled with VCU’s win over Old Dominion leaves the Rams just one game out of second place.
- VCU has won 7 out of the last 10 contests between the teams overall dating back to January 2005.
- George Mason has won 17 straight CAA games at home, which ties a school record.
- VCU has had four four-game winning streaks this season including one going into the GMU game, but has had the streak halted all prior three times (twice to Northeastern).
- After winning seven CAA games in row, the Patriots have now dropped two straight.
