The University of Delaware announced its Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball arrival by blasting George Mason by 27 points in its CAA debut at the Patriot Center seven years ago.
But the Blue Hens have not won in Fairfax, Va., since -- a drought they will be anxious to end in tonight's annual return.
The Blue Hens are 9-12 overall and a disappointing 3-6 heading into the second half of the CAA schedule, with a difficult week looming.
George Mason is 14-5, 7-2 after back-to-back losses at Northeastern and Virginia Commonwealth, now the CAA co-leaders. After tonight's game, Delaware sets its sights on Saturday's encounter with Northeastern in Boston.
None of Delaware's six losses at George Mason since that one win have been by single digits, and tonight's game represents another challenge for the Hens.
"They're cream of the crop in the league along with VCU and Northeastern," Delaware sophomore guard Jawan Carter said.
"They're going to be tough as any team should be at home. We just have to come in and do what we do, and I think we can put ourselves in position to control our own destiny."
Delaware has lost five of seven since its upset win over VCU, but is coming off a 60-48 triumph over Georgia State on Saturday at home.
Mason, last year's CAA Tournament champion, has sustained its success despite losing first-team, All-CAA forward Will Thomas and second-team swing guard Folarin Campbell, who had both played key roles on the 2006 NCAA Tournament Final Four squad.
Coach Jim Larranaga attributed that to the play of Darryl Monroe, averaging 10.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, and Cam Long, whose 12.3 points per game lead the team.
Monroe, a 6-foot-7 senior who missed last season with a toe injury, has stepped in for Thomas while Long, a 6-4 sophomore, replaced Campbell.
"Darryl is second in the league in rebounds, he's [third] in the league in field-goal percentage," said Larranaga, who has watched Monroe make 57.7 of his shots in CAA games "He's really enjoying a great all-around senior year.
"Fortunately for us, Cam Long has contributed in all the areas that Folarin did. What made Folarin so successful is he impacted us in a lot of areas.
"He was our primary ball handler, an excellent 3-point shooter, he led our team in assists, he could rebound the basketball and he could defend a variety of players. He could defend some big guys and perimeter players. Cam has been able to do the same thing."
George Mason remains the CAA's highest rated team in the national RPI at No. 58.
The Patriots will play without senior guard John Vaughan, who suffered a concussion last week at Northeastern. He shoots 41.3 percent from the 3-point line and averages 11.6 points per game.
"Although they lost some key components, they have guys who are well-schooled in what a successful program is about and that's what it takes," Delaware coach Monte Ross said of George Mason's ability to keep winning.
Delaware, aiming to avoid a fifth straight losing seasons, is hoping to build some momentum for a second-half run.
But the Blue Hens have not won in Fairfax, Va., since -- a drought they will be anxious to end in tonight's annual return.
The Blue Hens are 9-12 overall and a disappointing 3-6 heading into the second half of the CAA schedule, with a difficult week looming.
George Mason is 14-5, 7-2 after back-to-back losses at Northeastern and Virginia Commonwealth, now the CAA co-leaders. After tonight's game, Delaware sets its sights on Saturday's encounter with Northeastern in Boston.
None of Delaware's six losses at George Mason since that one win have been by single digits, and tonight's game represents another challenge for the Hens.
"They're cream of the crop in the league along with VCU and Northeastern," Delaware sophomore guard Jawan Carter said.
"They're going to be tough as any team should be at home. We just have to come in and do what we do, and I think we can put ourselves in position to control our own destiny."
Delaware has lost five of seven since its upset win over VCU, but is coming off a 60-48 triumph over Georgia State on Saturday at home.
Mason, last year's CAA Tournament champion, has sustained its success despite losing first-team, All-CAA forward Will Thomas and second-team swing guard Folarin Campbell, who had both played key roles on the 2006 NCAA Tournament Final Four squad.
Coach Jim Larranaga attributed that to the play of Darryl Monroe, averaging 10.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, and Cam Long, whose 12.3 points per game lead the team.
Monroe, a 6-foot-7 senior who missed last season with a toe injury, has stepped in for Thomas while Long, a 6-4 sophomore, replaced Campbell.
"Darryl is second in the league in rebounds, he's [third] in the league in field-goal percentage," said Larranaga, who has watched Monroe make 57.7 of his shots in CAA games "He's really enjoying a great all-around senior year.
"Fortunately for us, Cam Long has contributed in all the areas that Folarin did. What made Folarin so successful is he impacted us in a lot of areas.
"He was our primary ball handler, an excellent 3-point shooter, he led our team in assists, he could rebound the basketball and he could defend a variety of players. He could defend some big guys and perimeter players. Cam has been able to do the same thing."
George Mason remains the CAA's highest rated team in the national RPI at No. 58.
The Patriots will play without senior guard John Vaughan, who suffered a concussion last week at Northeastern. He shoots 41.3 percent from the 3-point line and averages 11.6 points per game.
"Although they lost some key components, they have guys who are well-schooled in what a successful program is about and that's what it takes," Delaware coach Monte Ross said of George Mason's ability to keep winning.
Delaware, aiming to avoid a fifth straight losing seasons, is hoping to build some momentum for a second-half run.
