#MUBB Hosts George Mason Friday At Al McGuire Center

The No. 18/17 Marquette University men's basketball team (1-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) continues play in the season-opening Marquette Challenge when the squad hosts George Mason (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic 10) on Friday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. in the Al McGuire Center. Peacock will feature the network's first-ever BIG EAST Conference broadcast, with Justin Kutcher (play-by-play) and Nick Bahe (analyst) calling the action.

Following Friday's action, the Golden Eagles will host Central Michigan at Fiserv Forum on Monday, Nov. 11 to conclude play in the season-opening Marquette Challenge.

Marquette Stays On Campus To Face GMU

Friday's matchup will be a rare home contest for the Golden Eagles on campus at the Al McGuire Center.

While "the Al" serves as the primary home for the men's and women's basketball teams for practice, sports medicine and sports performance services, nearly all of the program's home games have come at Fiserv Forum since it opened in 2018-19.

The outing in the 3,700-seat Al McGuire Center is a "students only" game, the first on campus since the Golden Eagles hosted Central Michigan on Nov. 10, 2022, a 97-73 victory. Friday night's festivities include a pregame block party in front of the Al and a "whiteout" in the stands, with free T-shirts for all in attendance.

Marquette made a run to the quarterfinals of the 2018 National Invitation Tournament, playing three games at the Al against Harvard, Oregon and Penn State.

Marquette Reaches Century Mark In Lidlifter

The Golden Eagles opened the campaign with a 102-62 win over Stony Brook on Monday night at Fiserv Forum, allowing the team to reach the century mark for the 48th time dating back to the 1952-53 season.

Marquette most recently scored at least 100 points in a 105-71 win over DePaul at home on Feb. 21, 2024. MU's record point total at Fiserv Forum is 106, collected against Central Arkansas on Dec. 28, 2019 (106-54).

Kam Jones Picks Up Where He Left Off

National and BIG EAST player of the year candidate Kam Jones put on a show in the season opener, illustrating why he is considered one of the top players in the country.

The Memphis native finished with 32 points on 14-of-16 shooting from the floor, including a 4-of-6 effort from behind the 3-point line. He also chipped in three assists, a rebound and one steal in just 26 minutes of action.

Jones' 30-point game was the fifth of his career (previous four in 2023-24) and his eighth game of 25-or-more points.

Ross Opens 2024-25 With Career Night

Junior guard Chase Ross was up to the task of an increased role on this year's team, finishing with a personal-best 23 points against Stony Brook.

He finished 9-of-11 from the floor to set a personal best in field goals made and also matched career highs with eight rebounds and four assists in just 25 minutes of action in his 11th-career start.

Ross' previous career-high in points was 13 against DePaul on Feb. 21, 2024.

Marquette Meeting George Mason For First Time

While Marquette and George Mason are meeting for the first time on the court, head coach Shaka Smart is familiar with the Patriots program from his days at VCU when both team were in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Smart is 7-3 all-time in matchups against George Mason, including a 79-76 win over GMU in the semifinals of the CAA tournament in 2011 en route to the program's run to the Final Four.