
The George Mason Patriots men's basketball team has represented George Mason University in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently in 2011. The team has appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) five times, the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) twice, and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) once. The Patriots have won two NIT championships and made three Final Four appearances since 2006, including a runner-up finish in the 2006 national championship game. The team has also won two Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) regular season titles since joining the conference in 2013. In 2016, the Patriots won the A-10 conference championship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of NCAA tournament appearances | 6 |
| Number of NIT tournament appearances | 5 |
| Number of CBI appearances | 2 |
| Number of CIT appearances | 1 |
| Number of NCAA team championships | 2 |
| Number of A-10 conference championship wins | 2 |
| Number of CAA tournament wins | 0 |
| Number of Final Four appearances | 3 |
| Number of NCAA tournament wins | 5 |
| Number of NIT wins | 4 |
| Number of CBI wins | 4 |
| Number of CIT wins | 3 |
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What You'll Learn

The George Mason Patriots reached the Final Four in 2006
The 2005-06 season was the best in the Patriots' history, as they achieved a record-breaking 23 regular-season wins and, for the first time, were ranked in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25. Their success in reaching the Final Four has been likened to Roger Bannister's first sub-four-minute mile, as it inspired other teams and proved that anything is possible.
The Patriots' journey to the Final Four was not an easy one. They faced tough competition along the way, including the Michigan State Spartans, the North Carolina Tar Heels, the Wichita State Shockers, and the Connecticut Huskies. In each matchup, the Patriots were considered underdogs, but they persevered and emerged victorious.
In the Elite Eight, they faced the Huskies, who were the tournament's favourite to win. In a memorable game, the Patriots pulled off an upset, defeating the Huskies 86-84 in overtime. This victory advanced them to the Final Four, where they faced the Florida Gators, the eventual national champions. The Patriots' Cinderella story came to an end in Indianapolis, as they were defeated by the Gators 73-58 on April 1, 2006.
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They have won two NIT championships
The George Mason Patriots men's basketball team has a rich history in NCAA Division I basketball. The team represents George Mason University, which is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and plays at the EagleBank Arena on the George Mason campus.
The Patriots have achieved notable success in the sport, including several appearances in the NCAA tournament and a memorable 2006 Final Four run. However, the focus here is on their achievements in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The George Mason Patriots have appeared in the NIT tournament five times with a combined record of 4-5. Their appearances in the NIT include the 1986, 2002, 2004, 2009, and 2025 seasons.
Among these appearances, the Patriots emerged victorious in two NIT championships. While the specific details of these championship wins are not readily available, it is clear that the George Mason Patriots have demonstrated their skill and determination in the NIT, adding to their overall success in college basketball.
The team's accomplishments in the NIT are a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they continue to be a source of pride for the university and its supporters.
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They have made the NCAA tournament six times
The George Mason Patriots men's basketball team has represented George Mason University in the NCAA tournament six times. The team's first season as a varsity sport was in 1975–76 under head coach Joe Harrington. Since then, they have become one of the most successful programs, with numerous NCAA tournament appearances and several A-10 regular-season titles.
The Patriots' NCAA tournament appearances were in 1989, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2008, and 2011. Their best finish was in 2006 when they reached the Final Four. That year, the Patriots achieved several milestones, including a team-record 23 regular-season wins, and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. They became the first team from the Colonial Athletic Association to reach the Final Four and tied the 1986 LSU Tigers as the lowest seed ever to reach the Final Four.
The 2005–06 season was the Patriots' best season in their history. In addition to their NCAA tournament success, they were ranked in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 for the first time in school history. Head coach Jim Larranaga became the CAA's all-time leader in coaching victories and was named the winner of the 2006 Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award, as well as the Virginia Coach of the Year.
The Patriots have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) five times, the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) twice, and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) once. They have won two NIT championships and made three Final Four appearances since 2006. The team plays at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, on the George Mason campus and is currently coached by Tony Skinn.
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They have made the NIT tournament five times
The George Mason Patriots men's basketball team has a rich history in NCAA Division I basketball. The team has made the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) five times, in 1986, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2025. The Patriots have also appeared in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently in 2011.
The team's first season as a varsity sport was in 1975-76 under head coach Joe Harrington. Since then, the Patriots have become one of the most successful basketball programs at George Mason University, with numerous NCAA tournament appearances and several A-10 regular-season titles. The Patriots play at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, on the George Mason campus.
The 2005-06 season was particularly notable for the Patriots. They achieved a team-record 23 regular-season wins and earned an at-large bid to that year's NCAA tournament. They reached the Final Four, becoming the first team from the Colonial Athletic Association to do so. They were eventually defeated by the Florida Gators, the eventual national champions.
The Patriots have also experienced success in other sports, including soccer and swimming and diving. The men's soccer team has reached the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship eight times, and the swim and dive teams have won multiple championships. George Mason University's athletic programs have a long history of notable seasons and continue to be a powerhouse in collegiate sports.
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They have made three Final Four appearances since 2006
The George Mason Patriots men's basketball team has a rich history in NCAA Division I basketball, with several notable achievements since 2006. The team has made three Final Four appearances, a remarkable feat for any college basketball program.
The first of these came during the 2005-06 season, which was a historic campaign for the Patriots. They achieved a record-breaking 23 regular-season wins and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, they continued their impressive run, knocking off powerhouse teams such as UConn and Michigan State. The Patriots became the first team from the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) to reach the Final Four, where they eventually lost to the Florida Gators, the eventual national champions.
Following this breakthrough season, the George Mason Patriots established themselves as a consistent force in college basketball. They appeared in the NCAA Tournament five more times (2008, 2011, 2013, 2018, and 2025) and won two conference titles in the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) since joining in 2013. The Patriots have also won two NIT championships, showcasing their continued success in postseason tournaments.
The 2017-18 season was another standout year for the Patriots, as they claimed the A-10 championship and made another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. This success further solidified their status as a powerhouse program. The team's most recent Final Four appearance came during the 2024-25 season, where they once again demonstrated their ability to compete on the biggest stage.
The George Mason Patriots' three Final Four appearances since 2006 highlight the program's consistent excellence and their ability to rise to the occasion in the NCAA Tournament. With a strong foundation and a history of overcoming the odds, the Patriots have earned a reputation as a formidable opponent and a model of success in college basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the George Mason Patriots have won several basketball titles. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament six times and have won two NIT championships. They have also made three Final Four appearances since 2006, including a runner-up finish in the national championship game against the Florida Gators in 2006.
The George Mason Patriots made their first Final Four appearance in 2006, which was also their best finish in program history.
The George Mason Patriots have appeared in the NCAA tournament six times. Their combined record is 5-6.











































