George Mason coach Jim Larranaga will get a chance to give his youthful squad some more experience later this month when it plays in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. Mason will host a first-round game against an opponent to be determined on Tuesday, March 16, at the Patriot Center. The second annual event includes 16 teams from mid-major conferences.
“With 10 players in the freshman and sophomore class, it is important for our young team to gain the experience that only a postseason tournament can provide,” said Larranaga in a statement. “The CIT presents us with an excellent opportunity to give our players a taste of the postseason.”
This will be a program-record third straight postseason appearance for Mason (17-14), which got off to its best start ever in the Colonial Athletic Association (10-1), before losing seven of its last nine, including Saturday’s CAA Tournament quarterfinal loss to Virginia Commonwealth. Five different freshmen started games this year for the Patriots.
Larranaga hopes the CIT works out as well for his team as it did for inaugural CIT champion Old Dominion. With all five starters back, ODU upset Georgetown in December and won the CAA Tournament on Monday to earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
