The George Mason Patriots are among the hottest teams in the nation, having won 11 straight Colonial Athletic Association games. Tonight, however, they face their toughest test in the stretch, as they travel to the Siegel Center in Richmond to take on Virginia Commonwealth. The Rams have NCAA aspirations of their own, as they are 12-3 in the CAA and 20-7 overall.
This is by far the most difficult game George Mason has faced. The team's 11 straight wins include five road victories, but only two (Drexel and James Madison) came against teams with winning records in the CAA. The Patriots have failed their previous two road tests against the teams at the top of the CAA, losing consecutive games to Hofstra and Old Dominion in early January. Now, the Patriots will need to beat VCU to solidify their spot atop the CAA.
A win would also go a long way toward locking up the top spot in the CAA. If the Patriots win, they will take a two-game lead on VCU and Old Dominion, even if the Monarchs win their next one. If the Patriots lose, however, they will fall to second place in the conference and the Rams will take over the top spot.
The game will be broadcast on ESPNU at 7 p.m.