George Mason men’s basketball senior guard Brayden O’Connor has been named to the Preseason All-Atlantic 10 First Team, while the Patriots’ upcoming conference schedule features a program-record 10 nationally televised games, the league announced last week during its annual basketball media day in Pittsburgh.

O’Connor Joins Elite Patriot Company

O’Connor, an Ottawa, Ontario product, becomes just the third Patriot to earn a preseason first-team selection, joining Josh Oduro (2022–23) and Otis Livingston II (2018–19). He is joined on this year’s preseason first team by Javon Bennett (Dayton), Rafael Castro (George Washington), Miles Rubin (Loyola Chicago), Deuce Jones II (Saint Joseph’s), and Robbie Avila (Saint Louis).

The 6’1” senior point guard started all 36 games last season, averaging 28.1 minutes, 9.1 points, and a team-leading 3.0 assists per game. He shot 44.8 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from three-point range, and 80.4 percent from the line. O’Connor helped Mason post a school record-tying 27 wins, capture a share of the program’s first-ever A-10 regular season title, and reach the conference championship game for the first time since 2009.

A steady hand at the helm, O’Connor paced Mason in assists in 15 games. The Patriots went 14-2 when he notched four or more assists, and he hit double figures in scoring 16 times. Over three college seasons split between Mason and UMass Lowell, O’Connor’s teams are a combined 75-27 (37-12 in league play).

Patriots Picked Sixth in A-10 Poll

The Patriots, under 2025 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Tony Skinn (’06), were picked to finish sixth in the league’s preseason poll of coaches and media. That matches last year’s projection.

Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll Top 6:

1. VCU (342)
2. Saint Louis (341)
3. Dayton (321)
4. George Washington (296)
5. Loyola Chicago (286)
6. George Mason (254)

Record National TV Exposure

Mason’s 2025–26 schedule includes 10 nationally televised Atlantic 10 games across ESPN’s family of networks, CBS Sports Network, and USA Network — the most in program history. Highlights include:

• Jan. 10: A-10 title game rematch vs. VCU (ESPN/2/U)
• Jan. 19: Home matchup vs. George Washington (CBSSN, MLK Day)
• Jan. 28: Home contest vs. Davidson (CBSSN)
• Jan. 31: Road test at St. Bonaventure (USA)
• Feb. 13: Rivalry matchup at George Washington (CBSSN)
• Feb. 18: Home showdown vs. Dayton (CBSSN)
• Mar. 3: Return game at VCU (CBSSN)
• Mar. 7: Regular-season finale vs. Saint Louis (USA)

The Patriots open A-10 play at La Salle on Dec. 31 before hosting Rhode Island in their league home opener on Jan. 3 (USA Network).

Nonconference Slate and Outlook

Mason begins its 2025–26 campaign with an exhibition vs. Alfred on Oct. 25, followed by the season opener against Wofford on Nov. 3 at EagleBank Arena. The Patriots’ nonconference schedule also includes matchups with James Madison, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, and a Thanksgiving tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Nov. 24–25, CBSSN).

Led by O’Connor and bolstered by a nationally ranked transfer class, George Mason enters the season coming off its best year in A-10 history: 27 wins, a share of the regular season crown, its first NIT victory since 2004, and a runner-up finish in the conference tournament.

The 2026 Atlantic 10 Championship is set for March 11–15 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

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George Mason Men’s Basketball 2025–26 Schedule

Oct. 25 (Sat.) – vs. Alfred (exhibition)
Nov. 3 (Mon.) – vs. Wofford
Nov. 7 (Fri.) – vs. Winthrop
Nov. 11 (Tues.) – vs. Catawba
Nov. 15 (Sat.) – vs. New Hampshire
Nov. 18 (Tues.) – vs. Jacksonville
Nov. 24 (Mon.) – vs. Ohio (Daytona Beach, Fla.) (CBSSN)
Nov. 25 (Tues.) – vs. FAU/LMU (Daytona Beach, Fla.) (CBSSN)
Nov. 29 (Sat.) – James Madison
Dec. 2 (Tues.) – Cornell
Dec. 6 (Sat.) – at Virginia Tech
Dec. 13 (Sat.) – Old Dominion (USA)
Dec. 21 (Sun.) – Loyola (Md.)
Dec. 28 (Sun.) – Penn
Dec. 31 (Wed.) – at La Salle*
Jan. 3 (Sat.) – Rhode Island* (USA)
Jan. 7 (Wed.) – at Fordham*
Jan. 10 (Sat.) – VCU* (ESPN/2/U)
Jan. 13 (Tues.) – at Loyola Chicago* (CBSSN)
Jan. 19 (Mon.) – George Washington* (CBSSN)
Jan. 24 (Sat.) – at Rhode Island*
Jan. 28 (Wed.) – Davidson* (CBSSN)
Jan. 31 (Sat.) – at St. Bonaventure* (USA)
Feb. 4 (Wed.) – Duquesne*
Feb. 7 (Sat.) – Saint Joseph’s*
Feb. 10 (Tues.) – at Richmond*
Feb. 13 (Fri.) – at George Washington* (CBSSN)
Feb. 18 (Wed.) – Dayton* (CBSSN)
Feb. 25 (Wed.) – at Saint Joseph’s*
Feb. 28 (Sat.) – St. Bonaventure*
Mar. 3 (Tues.) – at VCU* (CBSSN)
Mar. 7 (Sat.) – Saint Louis* (USA)
Mar. 11–15 – Atlantic 10 Championship (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

* Atlantic 10 conference games.
Home games in bold. Non-TV games will air on ESPN+.