Richmond, VA – The George Mason Patriots (22-7, 10-6) head to the Siegel Center Tuesday night to face the VCU Rams (22-7, 13-3) in a crucial Atlantic 10 matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with national television coverage on CBS Sports Network, featuring commentary from Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, and Ashley Nicole Moss. For those unable to attend in person, the game will also be available via live audio stream on the GoMason Digital Network, beginning at 6:45 p.m. ET. This contest represents George Mason’s final road game of the regular season, and carries significant weight as both teams vie for positioning heading into the conference tournament.
The Rams currently hold a one-game lead over the Patriots in the A-10 standings. VCU was selected as the preseason favorite to win the conference, and has largely lived up to expectations, boasting a 13-3 record in league play and an overall record of 22-7. George Mason, despite a recent dip in form, remains a formidable opponent, having secured 22 wins this season and establishing themselves as a top contender in the conference. The Patriots have been one of the most consistent programs in the A-10 over the past two seasons, posting a 27-9 record in their last 36 conference games.
A Recent Resurgence for George Mason
After a four-game losing streak, George Mason rediscovered its offensive rhythm in a 71-58 victory over St. Bonaventure this past Saturday. The Patriots showcased their shooting prowess, connecting on a season-high 12 three-pointers while holding the Bonnies to just 37.5% shooting from the field. Riley Allenspach led the way with 21 points, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Allenspach has been a consistent scoring threat for the Patriots, currently ranking 11th in the A-10 in scoring during conference play with an average of 14.9 points per game.
Masai Troutman also contributed significantly to the win, posting a season-high 21 points and tying a career-best with four three-pointers. George Mason has demonstrated a strong correlation between Troutman’s scoring output and team success, holding an 11-1 record when he reaches double figures. Jahari Long orchestrated the offense effectively, dishing out a game-high seven assists without committing a single turnover. Long currently ranks sixth in the A-10 in assists per game (3.8) and boasts an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.18.
Series History and Championship Rematch
The all-time series between George Mason and VCU is heavily tilted in favor of the Rams, who lead 49-23. However, the Patriots secured a significant victory earlier this season, defeating VCU 86-80 in Fairfax on January 10th – their first win over the Rams since 2016. Despite a poor shooting performance from three-point range (3-of-14), George Mason dominated inside the arc, shooting 28-of-41 from the field and converting 21 of 24 free throw attempts. Fatt Hill led the scoring with 16 points, while Allenspach, Kory Mincy, Long, and Troutman all contributed at least 13 points.
Tuesday’s game also carries the added weight of being a rematch of the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship game, which VCU won 68-63 at Capital One Arena. A potential game-tying three-pointer from George Mason’s Zach Anderson rimmed out in the closing seconds, sealing the Rams’ victory. The teams shared the A-10 regular season title in 2024-25.
VCU’s Strengths and Key Players
VCU enters the contest riding a wave of momentum, having won 11 of their last 12 games, including an 82-63 victory over Fordham on Saturday. The Rams are known for their prolific three-point shooting, averaging 9.5 made three-pointers per game – the third-highest total in the A-10. They also excel at the free-throw line, making 19.7 free throws per contest, which ranks sixth nationally. Terrence Hill Jr. Leads VCU in scoring with 14.0 points per game, while Lazar Djokovic adds 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds. Jadrian Tracy also averages double figures for the Rams, contributing 10.1 points per game.
Head coach Tony Skinn, the 2025 A-10 Coach of the Year, has guided George Mason to a 69-28 overall record and a 34-18 mark in A-10 games over his first three seasons. He is the first coach in program history to lead the Patriots to 20+ wins in three consecutive seasons.
Fans can purchase tickets to the game here, and access detailed game notes here (PDF). Following Tuesday’s game, George Mason will conclude the regular season with a home matchup against Saint Louis on March 9th.
The outcome of Tuesday’s game will have significant implications for both teams’ seeding in the upcoming Atlantic 10 Tournament. A victory for George Mason would not only even the season series but also put them in a strong position to contend for the top seed. Fans can watch the game live on CBS Sports Network.
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