George Mason ‘Stepping up’ to challenges of A10 play

George Mason has faced its fair share of adversity early in 2025-26.

After a 27-9 campaign and winning a Co-A10 Regular Season Championship in 2024-25, head coach Tony Skinn lost the majority of his roster to the portal and graduation. That left him and his staff to rebuild this past offseason by bringing an almost entirely new group of transfer talent to Fairfax, Va.

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The lone returner who saw more than 4.7 minutes per game, Preseason All-Conference First Team selection Brayden O’Connor, went down with a foot injury on day one of the season and hasn’t played since.

Both Jermahri “Fatt” Hill, a Ball State transfer, and Northeastern newcomer Masai Troutman, missed multiple games with leg and ankle injuries early this season.

Amid staggering roster changes, tedious injuries and lineup fluctuation, the Patriots haven’t blinked.

Opening the season at 9-0 marked the best start in program history with wins over Winthrop, Ohio, Florida Atlantic, James Madison, and Cornell. Though Virginia Tech eventually put an end to that run, defeating George Mason 73-62 on Dec. 6, the Patriots are 4-0 since, including a comeback road win over La Salle to start Atlantic 10 play.

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“We’ve shown so much resilience all season long with different things we’ve had to battle,” Skinn told Mid-Major Madness following the 80-75 comeback win at Glaser Arena. “Different injuries and guys [have had] to step up. And when we have the opportunity to go on the road, a true road game in conference, trailing for 34-35 minutes, and then to find a way. I’m really proud of these guys.”

Particularly with O’Connor missing so much time, players stepping up feels like something of an understatement.

It starts with Presbyterian transfer Kory Mincy, who was on the bench that first game of the season but has quickly worked his way into the starting lineup ever since O’Connor’s injury. Not only has he become the A10’s leading scorer, averaging 18.1 PPG, but he’s one of…

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Publish date : 2026-01-02 12:00:00

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