Basketball
No more results on this page
George Mason University Patriots at EagleBank Arena
The Patriots men's basketball team has played since 1985 at EagleBank Arena, located on George Mason's Fairfax, Virginia, campus. The first game was played there against Maryland on Nov. 26, 1985. The multipurpose arena has a capacity of 7,860, and the 2006-07 team broke the single-season attendance record previously set by the inaugural 1985-86 season. Sections 108, 109, 123 and 124 are reserved for George Mason's student seating.
George Mason Patriots Men's Basketball History
The Patriots men's basketball team has been active since 1966. The program became a Division I team in the 1978-1979 season, which was spent as an independent before joining the Eastern College Athletic Conference from 1979 to 1985, the Colonial Athletic Association from 1985 to 2013 and the Atlantic 10 Conference from 2013 to the present.
Head coach Dave Paulsen took over at George Mason in 2016. Before that, the program's all-time winningest coach was Jim Larrañaga, who posted a 273-164 record across 437 games in 14 years. Larrañaga led the Patriots to five NCAA tournament appearances, including a 27-8 overall campaign in 2005-06 that ended with a 73-58 loss to Florida in the Final Four.
A notable former player is the late Carlos Yates, who played at George Mason from 1981 to 1985. Yates was the Patriots' all-time leading scorer as well as the owner of the highest single-season scoring average at 26.8 points per game as a sophomore in 1982-83. He scored 2,420 points, all before the three-point line was implemented in college basketball.
George Mason's two most heated rivalries are with the George Washington Colonials (the Revolutionary Rivalry) and the VCU Rams, located just under five hours away in Richmond, Virginia. VCU moved from the CAA to the A-10 one year before George Mason made the switch. George Washington has been in the A-10 since before the conference adopted its current name in 1982.
The Patriots were originally called the Marauders from 1966 to around 1969. It's still unclear why the mascot was switched.
parking was easy, entry was easy, got a free bobblehead, seats were good, music was good, the game was great, getting out was crazy with all the cars - would have been better with bikes
Great seats. Great comeback win. Band was entertaining as always!!! Brought a first time GMU game person. She loved and definitely would go back again.
First time seeing a game live. Exciting game. Only wish Mason had won. Go Green Machine!
I was able to secure really great tickets to the VCU-Mason BB game in Fairfax. Enjoyed the fans and the game.
The game was good but the band was way too loud. The percussion and brass instruments were so loud you couldn’t even hear softer instruments, like the violins. Band needs better sound mixing and reduced decibels. My ears were ringing the next day. As they say of musicians, if they aren’t good, they can at least be loud. I only went because Dayton was highly rated. If Dayton plays there again, I may go if I can get a seat as far away from the band as possible. Ticketmaster did a great job getting tickets to us electronically for printing at home.
The Patriots’ Homecoming game was great, and they won. Even better — the Green Machine, George Mason’s pep band! They played throughout the evening, so much talent, fun, and ENERGY. Conductor Doc Nix is the best — no one comes close. And on this night, after the game, senator Tim Kaine jammed with the band on his harmonica. What a fantastic moment. Thanks, Green Machine!
Game was exciting, some seats covered up with GMU bunting, I assume to help the arena look full but well attended crowd regardless.
Fantastic time at Eagle Bank Arena watching George Mason play UMBC. I took my son and his friend and we had a blast. Very entertaining from the moment we entered the arena. Staff was friendly, Doc Nix and the Green Machine were fantastic keeping everyone entertained and the basketball team did not disappoint, winning 69-53. Everyone was happy. Great times, great atmosphere. Check the Patriots out for sure!
Fans were great! Band was great. George Mason team played well. Lots of fun!
Plenty of parking, and free. Handicap parking was filled up but they have more than any college basketball arena that I've attended. Facility could use some updating but it's a public college. Plenty of concession options, one of the best for college sporting events. Half time shows need improvement. Plenty of seats. Little bit of steepness in steps. Fair amount of accessible seating. Staff professional.
For about the price of going to the movies, we saw a division I college basketball game. It was exciting and loads of fun. Better bang for your buck AND it supports the local college!!!
Very clean venue, easy to park and the event staff is always friendly
had a great time at this event. plenty of great parking and had great seats.
Good family fun! The pep band is amazing! Great home opener.
Game was fun. Great win. Enjoyed the band as always!!!
My husband had never seen GMU play. He's a Georgetown alum and we've been to the Verizon Ctr many times over the years to see the Hoyas play. He had to admit the Patriots put on a better show on the court and in the stands. The "pep" band was amazingly fun as always and the game was thrilling to the end. And, of course, I can't omit that we were upgraded in the "Interstate Move of the Game" from "nose-bleed" to the front row, which totally enhanced our enjoyment! Thanks again GMU Patriots!
The seats were good. The pep band is amazing. The game itself was very exciting although Mason unfortunately lost. The extra entertainment was fun. We were a group of 8 and had a fantastic time and would go again. We've recommended it to others! Easy to get in and out, too which is nice.
GMU offered a ticket deal that included a hat, four tickets, and four vouchers for Chik-Fil-A meals. GMU failed to disclose that the vouchers may only be used at one Fairfax location. I live in Maryland. This should have been disclosed at the time of purchase.
The GMU vs VCU game was great! The seating was good and the game was exciting! The only thing was the process to obtain the Chick Fil-A coupons could have gone better. At first, we did not know where to obtain the coupons and went to Chick Fil-A within the Eagle Bank Center, where they told us that they were not accepted there. We had to ask some of the personnel where to redeem the deal, and they provided us coupons that could only be redeemed at the Chick Fil-A Fairfax location. We wish they could have been more explanatory in letting us know where to redeem the deal. Other than that, no other issues.
We had a great time at the game. Seats were great would sit there again!
