The George Mason University men’s basketball team will face Liberty University in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on March 16 at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. tip-off and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
This matchup marks George Mason’s sixth appearance in the NIT and its second consecutive postseason berth, a feat the program last achieved between 2007 and 2009. The Patriots finished the season with a record of 23-9, while Liberty enters with a 25-7 mark after winning the Conference USA regular season title.
Head coach Tony Skinn, who was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year for 2025, has led George Mason to three straight seasons with at least 20 wins. “Skinn is the first George Mason head coach in school history to win 20+ games in three consecutive seasons,” according to information provided by the university. Under Skinn’s leadership, the Patriots have set new records for home victories and overall win percentage.
Last season, George Mason secured its first NIT win since 2004 by defeating Samford before falling to Bradley in the second round. The team’s current roster features standout performances from juniors Kory Mincy and Riley Allenspach, both of whom earned All-Atlantic 10 Second Team honors this year.
Liberty brings one of the nation’s most efficient offenses into Tuesday’s contest, ranking fourth nationally in both field goal percentage and three-point shooting. Brett Decker leads Liberty with an average of 16.8 points per game and ranks second nationally in three-point percentage.
If George Mason advances past Liberty, it will play either Nevada or Murray State in the second round later that week. The location of that game will depend on which team emerges victorious from their respective matchup.
