A New Rivalry Takes Shape
George Mason University and High Point University will launch a home-and-home men's basketball series beginning in the 2026-27 season, marking the first ever meeting between the two programs on the hardwood.
The arrangement was confirmed by both athletic departments and will see the Patriots host the Panthers in Fairfax before the teams reconvene in North Carolina the following year.
First Battle in High Point
The opening contest is slated for Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at the Qubein Center in High Point, North Carolina, where the Panthers will enjoy the comforts of their home court.
High Point's Recent Surge
Over the past three seasons the Panthers have compiled 87 victories, captured back-to-back Big South tournament titles and earned NCAA Tournament berths in 2025 and 2026. Their most recent campaign featured a school-record 31 wins and a dramatic one-point victory over fifth-seeded Wisconsin in the Round of 64.
Mason's Ascending Program
Under the guidance of 2025 A-10 Coach of the Year Tony Skinn, George Mason has posted 70 wins in the same three-year span, maintained a top-100 NET ranking each season and secured consecutive postseason appearances for the first time since 2007-09. The roster features 2025-26 Preseason All-A-10 first-team selection Brayden O'Connor, standouts Emmanuel Kanga and Malik Presley, and a transfer class highlighted by Baraka Okojie. Freshman forward Shane Pendergrass, a highly touted recruit from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, joins the program with considerable expectations.
The series will conclude with a return trip to Fairfax, where High Point will visit EagleBank Arena during the 2027-28 campaign, offering both schools a chance to test their progress on neutral ground.