Saturday, March 8th, 8:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Richmond Coliseum (11,200) -- Richmond, Virginia. Television: CN8. Home Record: Northeastern 7-3, GMU 13-1. Away Record: Northeastern 6-13, GMU 5-7. Neutral Record: Northeastern 1-0, GMU 2-2. Conference Record: Northeastern 9-9, GMU 12-6. Series Record: George Mason leads, 6-5.

GAME NOTES: The second-seeded George Mason Patriots will try to make a push for the Colonial Athletic Association title when they take on the sixth-seeded Northeastern Huskies this evening in quarterfinal play at the Richmond Coliseum. The Huskies had no trouble with James Madison in the first round of the tournament, as Northeastern grabbed a convincing, 73-55 victory over the Dukes. It was the second win in the row for the Huskies, who closed out their regular season with a 70-59 win over George Mason. As for the Patriots, they stumbled into the postseason, going just 4-4 in their final eight games. Despite the rough patch down the stretch, GMU finished with a strong 12-6 mark in league play. Last season the Patriots fell in the title game to VCU, but in their tenure in the CAA, the Patriots have won three conference titles. Even with the loss to Northeastern in the season-finale, the Patriots still hold a slim 6-5 edge in the all-time series.

The Huskies were impressive in their victory over JMU, as the team posted 73 points, while shooting a strong 52.2 percent from the floor. Northeastern also made 8-of-17 three-point attempts and connected on 17-of-23 shots from the foul line. It was a shocking performance for Northeastern, which is producing just 63.8 ppg on the year, while shooting a mere 41.9 percent from the floor. Matt Janning, who is leading the team with 16.3 ppg on the season, paced the team over JMU with 13 points. Manny Adako (10.6 ppg) added 12 points, while Chaisson Allen contributed 11 points and Eugene Spates and Baptiste Bataille chipped in 10 apiece off the bench.

The Patriots have done a tremendous job defensively this season, limiting the opposition to just 63.5 ppg, while holding teams to a 42.6 percent shooting effort from the floor. However, not to be overlooked is the team's play offensively, beginning with Will Thomas, who is averaging a double-double on the year with 16.0 ppg and 10.4 rpg. Folarin Campbell has been an impressive floor general for the Patriots, posting a team-best 101 assists, while contributing 15.7 ppg. John Vaughan rounds out the double-figure scorers for GMU, as the guard is chipping in 13.4 ppg, while also collecting a solid 4.2 rpg. As a team, the Patriots are producing a mediocre 70.7 ppg, while shooting 46.7 percent from the field.

Obviously defeating the Patriots in the season-finale will give the Huskies a boost of confidence. However, George Mason is well rested and has far too many offensive weapons to fall to the Huskies again.

Predicted Outcome

George Mason 74, Northeastern 59