Patriots to Play Ohio in ESPN Bracketbuster

By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett

Announced by ESPN last week, George Mason will travel to Athens, Ohio to play Ohio University in the sixth annual ESPN Bracketbuster at 1 p.m. on Feb. 23. The game will be televised on ESPN2. The Patriots (16-6, 8-3 CAA) hope that this match-up will propel them into NCAA Tournament talk much like their 2006 victory over Wichita State. However, they face a Mid-American Conference opponent, a conference that they have had problems with the past two years, including last year's Bracketbuster.

Ohio (15-6, 6-2 MAC) is currently tied for first in the Mid-American Conference with Kent State and Akron. Over 9,000 Patriot fans packed the Patriot Center against Kent State last year for Homecoming, but Kent State spoiled the fun with a 68-62 victory. Earlier this season, the Patriots traveled to Kent State on Dec. 8 in a rematch of the Bracketbuster and were run out of the M.A.C. Center 73-55.

More details to come about tip-off time and television network that will carry the contest.