The Colonials will take on opponents from across the country, including last year’s NIT champion Dayton, Temple and Oregon State, in the 2010-11 season, which tips off Nov. 15.
The men’s basketball 2010-11 non-conference schedule, released today, includes the NIT Season Tip-Off (participating teams include Villanova and Boston University) as well as home contests against East Carolina, Harvard, UNC Wilmington and a New Year’s Eve date with Holy Cross. GW will announce its entire schedule in September.
Season tickets for the Colonials’ 14 home games are on sale starting today through late October. Season ticket packages start at $55, and there are special discounts for alumni, faculty, staff and season ticket holders who renew.
For the second straight season, GW will face Navy in the 16th Annual BB&T Classic as part of a one-day tripleheader at the Verizon Center on Dec. 5. GW and Maryland annually co-host the event, which benefits the Children’s Charities Foundation of Washington. Other match-ups in the BB&T Classic include Florida vs. American and Temple vs. Maryland.
Road game highlights include GW’s first-ever visits to Oregon State and University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as the Colonials’ first game at George Mason since 1997.
The Colonials will play at least four games against league opponents that qualified for the 2010 NCAA Tournament when they face Richmond (twice), Temple and Xavier. Other opponents include 2010 NIT champion Dayton and NIT participant Rhode Island.
The post-season begins March 8 with the 2011 A-10 Men’s Basketball Championship. The top 12 conference teams at the conclusion of the regular season advance to the championship.
The Colonials, who had a record of 16-15 last season, return four starters: senior center Joseph Katuka, junior guards Tony Taylor and Aaron Ware, and sophomore guard Lasan Kromah. They will be joined by seven other returning players and the 2010 recruiting class.
The men’s basketball team will be led by head coach Karl Hobbs, who is in 10th season at GW. NBA veteran Donyell Marshall also joins the coaching staff this year.
The Colonials will play in the newly renovated Charles E. Smith Center, which includes an all-new exterior, updated concessions, concourses and a refurbished box office. In the arena, a new, larger scoreboard will display high-resolution replays and live game stats.