Written by Mark LaFrance - Mason Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
Day 9 - Return
Well, our phenomenal trip has finally come to an end.
On Wednesday morning, we departed the Majestic Hotel at 8:30 a.m. to begin our journey back to Fairfax.
It’s hard to put into words how much this trip has meant to every person on this team and in this travel party.
Our Spanish tour guide, Maria, was simply incredible. She put in so much extra effort than what was required of her assigned duties. She got to know our players individually and learned so much about our school and our competition. She brought energy and enthusiasm each and every day on our tours, and gave our guys the perfect amount of information - not too little and not too much. She also was one of our loudest supporters at every game, standing and cheering on our guys loudly while sharing that enthusiasm on social media.
She certainly made an impression on everyone. I saw Ian Boyd give her a big hug and smile yesterday while he told her how much he’s appreciated all she did. It was tough to say goodbye, but we are also so grateful for all she did for us.
Our Basketball Travelers representative, Dave, also was just fantastic. He helped our staff plan each and every activity perfectly and there were almost no hiccups over the course of the nine days. He gave travel tips, ideas of things we could do in our free time and was there almost every second ensuring we had a great and unforgettable experience. His efforts and his positive demeanor definitely made our trip the best it could be.
Our loyal Patriot Club supporters traveled with us throughout our trip, cheered our guys on through thick and thin and helped create a wonderful family atmosphere . We appreciate all you contribute to our basketball program and your fellowship means so much to us.
Thanks also are in order for our managers and graduate managers. Co-head undergraduate managers Khi McCray and Will Boland made sure guys had everything they needed to see all of Spain while performing at their best in games. This was their first official trip leading the manager group and they knocked it out of the park.
Graduate managers Tyler Joins and Ryan Frazier also performed their usual assigned duties, while also taking on additional tasks that were necessary for our trip to run efficiently. They both bring smiles, positivity and so much energy each day, and I know our staff, players and everyone on this trip appreciates them very much.
And our director of basketball ops, Ted Rawlings, does not like to be thanked publicly, but I’m going to do it anyway. He manages and plans almost everything we do, and that task is often a thankless job. But buses are never late, meals are always good and on time and we are always where we need to be, often earlier than is required. He is the man, and we love you Ted!
Finally, we must thank our University president, Dr. Ángel Cabrera, for affording us the opportunity to take this trip and for all of his insight and guidance before we left. And to athletic director Brad Edwards and everyone in the department who made this trip possible - THANK YOU. That includes basketball administrator/Deputy AD Kevin McNamee, Megan McVey and our entire fiscal staff, and countless others,
When I studied abroad in college, a wise person advised me, “Don’t be a tourist, be a traveler.”
A tourist walks around and just sees the sites without really gaining much from the overall experience. They’re just going through the motions.
Travelers immerse themselves in the culture, learn from the locals and grow as individuals from what they experience.
After nine days in Spain, I truly feel like our guys have been travelers, not tourists. They handled, what was for most, their first international trip exceptionally. They tried new and at times intimidating foods. They strolled neighborhoods and interacted with citizens. They went out and saw the cities when they had free time and didn’t simply stay in their rooms and watch TV. They understood from the start the opportunity they were given with this trip and they did not put that to waste.
We went 2-1 in games on this foreign tour, but honestly that is the least important aspect of the entire trip. The educational piece is what has stuck with our guys and our staff. We learned so much about Spanish culture. Players picked up aspects of the language and improved as the week went on. They matured as a group and grew closer as a unit.
It was so much fun watching relationships develop as well as strengthen. It’s been said a lot in this blog, but these guys truly care for each other. You can tell in games, when traveling, at meals and in so many other scenarios.
This trip has been the perfect way to kick off our 2018-19 season and official practice can’t start soon enough.
Did I mention that official start is less than a month away?
Get excited, #MasonNation. This year is going to be a lot of fun.
Always and forever - #VamosMason!
Day 8 - Barcelona & Game #3
Well, it’s finally here.
Our last full day in Spain :(
Guys are certainly looking forward to getting back to their own beds, but you can tell they also wouldn’t mind extending this incredible experience as long as they possibly can.
We saved arguably the most stunning sightseeing portion of our trip for last.
On Tuesday morning, our entire team visited the world famous cathedral, La Sagrada Familia. It is the pinnacle work of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and it is as famous for its sheer magnitude and quirky ornateness as it is for its history.
Started in 1882, the cathedral is STILL not finished. Part of that is due to funding and part is because when Gaudi died in 1926, only he knew the ridiculously complex method needed to finish its construction. It would take decades for architects to fully understand his methods, interpret his drawings and continue Gaudi's life's work. As of now, there is a rough target completion date of 2026 (which would be the 100 year anniversary of Gaudi's death).
We started with a tour of the exterior and our guys mouths dropped to the ground when they examined the walls of the cathedral. There are so many intricate details in the design and we all agreed you would see something new if you came back to the cathedral every day.
Much of the front exterior tells the story of Jesus’ birth and adolescence through carved stone depictions. There are some whimsical additions, like a large tree in the center of the front, as well as a number of abstract portions.
Jarred Reuter remarked that you could take as many pictures as you wanted of the interior and exterior, but they just don’t do it justice. La Sagrada Familia is just something you need to see in person to fully recognize and understand its brilliance.
Once inside, we noticed there are plenty of traditional cathedral areas, such as the altar and stained glass windows. But there also are incredible portions of glass where light shines through in a rainbow of colors. There also are beams that cross in wild patterns and so much detail in every corner. Like Jarred said, though, a photo or description just won’t compare to the real thing.
From there, we had a couple hours of free time, where guys went out to buy souvenirs for loved ones or just rest before pregame meal. Our meal was the traditional regular season mix of salad, chicken and pasta, but everything was even more delicious here in Spain.
We then headed out to the game on the outskirts of Barcelona, and with the arena perched on top of a hill, we enjoyed striking views of the city below us as we reached our destination.
Now I’ll kick it to Bill for a recap of the game! I’ll be back tomorrow to share some final thoughts as we head to the airport for our flight back home to the DMV!
Rohland’s Recap #3 - Mason 96, Mataro All Stars 92
After losing a double digit halftime lead in the third quarter, the George Mason men’s basketball team turned to their youth and experience to rally for a 96-92 victory over the Mataro All-Stars Tuesday.
Otis Livingston II scored nine of his game high 17 points in the final 10 minutes and freshman Jason Douglas-Stanley scored seven of his 12 in the stanza to help the Patriots rally after seeing their 12 point halftime lead disappear in the third quarter.
Mason started out sluggish, committing nine fouls and seven turnovers in the first 10 minutes of action, but still managed to hold a slim lead over Mataro after one quarter. The second quarter was more to the Patriots style as they started to get more comfortable and dropped 30 points over the next 10 minutes to grab a 49-37 lead at halftime.
Playing in another hot-box of a gym and dealing with only having two referees on the floor (there are three in NCAA games) the Patriots seem to lose the hop in their step as Mataro took advantage of Mason’s sloppy play and opened up the second half on a 14-0 run to take the lead at 51-49. The All-Stars would push the lead to as many as eight in the quarter, but Mason began to find their groove on offense and cut the Mataro lead to just two entering the fourth quarter, trailing 67-65.
That’s when Livingston II took over. Scoring on drives and pull up jumpers he and Douglas-Stanley helped push the Patriots early in the fourth quarter and regained control of the game. Despite the language barrier issues with the refs, the condensation on the floor and a slick basketball that needed to be wiped down numerous times late in the game, Mason was able to hold off Mataro despite their prowess from long range. Junior Ian Boyd sealed the deal with a defensive rebound and then hit the game clinching free throw with just 1.6 seconds left for the final 96-92 tally.
Day 7 - Barcelona
Our second day in Barcelona was absolutely jam packed with activity!
This is my second time in Barca. When I studied abroad in London in 2006 (woof, getting old!), I ventured to the Catalonian capital for a weekend and fell in love with the city.
To those who haven’t been, I often say it’s a lot like the Magic Kingdom, which leads to a lot of raised eyebrows and puzzled looks from the other person in the conversation. It’s less about the theme park idea and more about the city's makeup.
Barcelona almost feels like five or six distinct lands within one city.
There’s the bustling downtown where our hotel is. There are cobble stoned, narrow streets and the Gothic Quarter. There’s Montjuic, which features series of museums, incredible views, and the Olympic Village on a mountain on the edge of the city. And there’s the beach, which is its own charming area in La Barceloneta.
We experienced two of those lands in the morning. We started with a bus tour of the city, and headed up Montjuic for a stop near the Palau Nacional, which offers stunning views of the city below. The Palau Nacional was built for Barcelona’s 1929 International Fair and is now home to the National Museum of Catalonian Art.
Coach Paulsen purchased a large Spanish flag for our trip, and the view from Montjuic provided a perfect photo opportunity for the team to hold the flag with the city behind them. Viva España!
As we climbed Montjuic, the view continued to get better and better. We passed plenty of museums (including one dedicated to the famed Spanish artist Joan Miró), before arriving at the Olympic Stadium area, where the 1992 Summer Games were held.
Unlike some cities where the facilities are abandoned post-Olympics, Barcelona has continued to put contemporary use to its athletic stadia and the Montjuic area is a thriving ode to that magical summer in 1992.
We made a stop at the Olympic Stadium where the opening ceremonies and track & field took place. We also saw the basketball arena where the U.S. 1992 Dream Team won its gold medal. That team is widely considered the best group of basketball players ever assembled on one team.
Coach Paulsen challenged the guys to name every member of that team. And AJ Wilson, with an assist from Jarred Reuter on one name (Patrick Ewing), correctly answered the call. He even got Christian Laettner (the team was required to have one college player), which most people usually miss when naming the roster.
Our tour concluded with a trip down to La Barceloneta, a neighborhood with a beach town vibe. It includes a number of beautiful beaches, as well as narrow streets where there are plenty of delicious seafood restaurants.
After the tour, the team gathered in the lobby for what has become a tradition on Dave Paulsen coached teams. Our great guide Dave (we have two great Daves!) from Basketball Travelers put together his own Barcelona version of CBS’ Amazing Race for the guys to complete.
The team broke up into three competition groups. There was Team Vamos (Nick, Zach, Otis, AJ and Javon), Team George (Goanar, Justin, Jamal, Jaire and Jason) and Team Mason (Jarred, Jack, Greg, Jordan and Ian).
Each team then set out on foot to find clues and take photos in places we had toured the day before. Our support staff enjoyed seeing the teams race through the streets of Barcelona in an effort to finish first.
Although the winning team stirred some controversy by using cabs instead of walking on foot for much of the activity, it was Team George which ultimately came out on top and claimed the trophy back at the hotel.
Guys had free time in the middle of the day as well, and a group ventured out to Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona! That travel party was led by co-head student manager (and soccer nut) Will Boland.
That’s all for now! On Tuesday, we will be touring the incredible Sagrada Familia in the morning, before playing our final game at 8 p.m. (2 p.m. ET) vs. the Mataro All Stars.
Stay tuned! #VamosMason
Day 6 - Barcelona
Valencia was a blast! From the jet skiing to the delicious seafood, our players had the time of their lives while learning a lot about Valencian culture along the way.
But on Sunday morning, it was time to depart for Barcelona, where we will be spending the last portion of our trip (saying that is already making me depressed!).
We left Valencia around 10 a.m. to make the trek north up the East coast of Spain en route to the Catalonian capital. The journey would mark the longest bus ride of our trip, as we covered around 220 miles in 3.5 hours of trip time.
Along the way, guys were treated to countless photo opportunities while we passed beautiful coastal cities, striking hills and magnificent scenery.
We then stopped an hour from Barcelona for a quick bite so the bus driver could get his 45 minutes of break time. When we first entered the rest stop, I admit I was a little suspicious that the food could actually be good.
However, surprisingly, it was quite tasty. There were plates of ribs, pork shoulder, burgers, salads and more. You could think of it as a upscale version of Wawa or Sheetz, although I would still take a Wawa hoagie over everything!
Upon arrival in Barcelona, we quickly checked into our hotel before hitting the ground running on a walking tour. Our hotel - the Majestic - is celebrating its centennial year, having opened in 1918. It’s beautiful while still holding on to a distinct European feel.
Our Madrid hotel was about as European as you could get, while our Valencia Westin was more of a traditional American style hotel. This one is perfectly in the middle, and the views from the roof offer spectacular birds eye photo opportunities of the city.
On our walking tour, we split into two groups and covered two of the most prominent thoroughfares in the city - the Passeig De Gracia and Las Ramblas. Passeig De Garcia features Fifth Avenue-level shopping opportunities, with Gucci and Hermes lining the street. The apartments are ornate and elegant. Most were built in the era of 1880-1930 and no one facade is the same. The street also contains the famous Casa Mila and Casa Batllo by the famous Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926). Gaudi's architecture is just breathtaking - it's whimsical, at times macabre and at times joyous. It's truly a sight to behold and our guys (especially AJ Wilson) have enjoyed seeing all of his different work in this city.
Las Ramblas, meanwhile, is a bustling boulevard that starts at the Christopher Columbus statue in La Barceloneta and goes all the way up and past our hotel. Walking past, guys were treated to street performers and could stop and sample goods from street vendors. Off Las Ramblas is La Boqueria, a massive open air market where you can buy fresh fruit, seafood, saffron, a full lunch or anything else your heart desires.
On Sunday, our guys also toured the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, where Roman and Medieval walls date back to the middle ages (!). When we passed that area, guys were in awe of the history. There are few structures in America which are older than the early 1700s, so to see elements nearly 500 years older than those was certainly a highlight for the group. For example, Barcelona Cathedral dates back to 1339 (!).
Also, considering it was about 700 degrees outside, our group did a great job of staying alert and taking in what our tour guides were explaining about the city.
After a team dinner around 7 p.m., the guys were free to explore the city for the rest of the night on their own.
As I write this, we’re about to embark on a morning tour of Montjuic, the Olympic stadia and the La Barcelonta area. Should be incredible!
Will have another report tomorrow. #VamosMason!
Day 5 - Valencia
The Patriots turned their Saturday in Valencia into a good ol’ fashioned beach day.
Except instead of the Atlantic waters of Ocean City, Rehoboth or the Outer Banks, Mason’s 15 student-athletes took their first dip into the Mediterranean Sea.
Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain with a population of around 800,000. The team stayed downtown at the Westin, and from there, Caybanal Beach was about a 10-minute drive.
On the way to the beach, we stopped at the cultural center of the city. Our tour guide, Maria, explained to us that Valencia is known throughout Spain as the City of Arts and Sciences, and the area where we stopped bears that specific name. The breathtaking plaza included the Paula de les Arts Reina Sofia (opera house), which looks like a giant fish and sits atop a pool of azure-colored water. The area also featured the L’Oceanografic (aquarium) and The Museu de les Ciencies Principe Felipe.
We learned that the famous architect Santiago Calatrava designed the opera house and the entire City of Arts and Sciences complex. He also is known in the U.S. for his wotk with the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Oculus in New York City (near One World Trade Center).
After we stopped for photos and more information at the plaza, we headed to the beach. Unlike the dense urban center where the hotel was located, the Caybanal Beach area had a distinct beach town vibe. Restaurants and bars filled the promenade along the beach, with al fresco tables offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
Our guys strolled that street, stopping to take photos of giant sandcastles and a giant Spanish flag which stood the top of the street. The team posed with some new Mason fans along the way, before we arrived at the spot where the team would have arguably its most fun of the trip thus far.
Very few of our guys had ever been jet skiing, and you could see on their faces how pumped they were to give it a try. During his childhood, Jarred Reuter won multiple BMX world titles in the youth division. But other than Jarred, there wasn’t a lot of extreme sports experience amongst the squad.
The first group – which included Jason Douglas-Stanley, Jaire Grayer and Ian Boyd – left the dock around 1 p.m. and began their trip alongside a pair of guides. Once on the water, players had to stay at a low cruising speed until they reached the open water.
At that point, a guide would take off going 40-50 kilometers per hour, and at that point, guys were free to hit high speeds as long as they stayed within the group line. Players zigzagged across the water, hit max speed on straightaways, and just had a dang good time overall. A number of guys decided to go again because they had so much fun.
While some groups were going, others hit the beach for some swimming and lounging. The ocean water approached bath-level temperatures and our travel party took advantage of that with some extended swimming time.
Around 4 p.m., we made our way back to the hotel, and for the most part, sunburns were at a minimum.
We would head back to the beach for dinner, where the team was in for a treat. Our guide Dave put together an outstanding Spanish meal at a restaurant overlooking the water.
Our first course consisted of delicious crab and ham croquettes. The next course featured mussels and calamari fresh from the ocean.
But the star of the show was the paella – a cuisine synonymous with the region. Two waiters brought out a pan of the finished product that was roughly the size of a small house. If one entire platter is going to feed a travel party of 46 people, you’d figure it has to take up a pretty sizable area.
They broke the pan down into small dinner portions for our guys. Paella is a simple dish: saffron rice with some beans, vegetable and a protein (seafood or chicken tonight). But the beauty in the dish is how something so simple can be executed so perfectly. There is a big difference between average and amazing paella, and the paella at our meal definitely skewed to the amazing side.
The rice is baked into the bottom of the pan, meaning almost every grain was crispy, flavorful and delicious. Rock lobsters, prawns and calamari topped the rice, along with beans and some other items. It was dynamite.
Throughout the beach day, myself and the support staff took notice of a great sign for our team heading into the 2018-19 season.
Chemistry and team dynamics are such a critical part of team success. Often times in college basketball, the teams that rely on raw talent fail to reach the highest levels of success. It’s those which play together as a unit, get along off the court and set goals as a group which often find themselves earning wins and lifting trophies.
This team is certainly close. We’ll have a two-hour meal and guys will glance at their phones far less than you would expect. There’s lively dialogue, a lot of laughs and great conversations.
What’s more, when you’d see groups passing on the beach during the day, they would not be confined to just the juniors or sophomores. Groups would include one freshman, a junior and a senior, or two sophomores and a senior. This is not a team of cliques, and that certainly bodes well for the upcoming season.
As I write this, we’re en route to Barcelona for the last city stop of our trip. There is a lot to look forward to as we get ready for the last three days or so of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Day 4 - Madrid/La Roda/Valencia & Game #2
When you boil it down, Friday for the George Mason men's basketball team served as a travel day with some basketball mixed in. By the end of the day, our travel party had traversed more than 250 miles of Spanish highway over the course of 4+ hours.
First, the team checked out of the hotel around 11 a.m. and boarded the bus for a trip Southeast to the town of La Roda, where our second game of the trip would be played at 6 p.m. We stopped in a small village about halfway to the gym to grab a small lunch that consisted of a pasta first course, either chicken or fish, and a little dessert (there was even some watermelon for #NationalWatermelonDay (!)
The game was...interesting.
I'll let Bill Rohland break down that loaded statement further in his recap below, but let's just say it was an adventure and a great experience for our guys. Here's Bill!
Rohland's Recap - Baloncesto CP La Roda 76, Mason 75
Junior Justin Kier scored a game high 20 points, including a pair of free throws with less than 10 seconds to go, but La Roda hit a scramble 3-pointer off a missed free throw with 1.5 seconds to go to edge George Mason 76-75 in game two of their three game tour of Spain.
Kier’s two free throws came after freshman Jamal Hartwell II had given the Patriots a four point lead with a jumper just inside the arc. La Roda came down the floor and hit one of their 11 3-pointers in the game to cut the Mason lead to 1 with 16.2 seconds to go.
After a series of fouls to put the Patriots in the bonus Kier knocked down his clutch free throws. Mason called a time out to set up their strategy to foul up by three rather than risking La Roda forcing overtime with a triple. But La Roda made the first free throw and then wA able to tip the missed second free throw to the corner. A mad dash by both teams saw La Roda come up with the loose ball and hit the game winning three from the corner.
Mason came out slow in the opening quarter as they were fighting fatigue from playing back to back days and also were trying to loosen up the legs after spending nearly four hours on the bus ride from Madrid.
Also making things difficult was a slippery floor and a game time temperature of 108 outside at tip off. Mid way through the first half, the home team opened up the doors on one end of the court to help cool things off inside. At that point it was still 100+ degrees outside.
The Patriots were also dealing with a home town crowd--unlike game one when the majority of fans were those traveling with the Green and Gold. La Roda supporters filled their gym and were loud from the opening tip. Every La Roda three was met with cheers and whistles, but the local fans were also appreciative of the Patriots efforts as well, giving both teams a standing ovation at the end of the game.
Mason trailed by seven at halftime 36-29 as they struggled to find their shooting touch from long range, hitting just 1-8 from distance. Junior Jared Reuter had 10 points and five rebounds at halftime on 5-7 from the field, but despite taking some hard blows he never found his way to the free throw line in the contest. He finished with 14 points and six rebounds.
In the end, the Patriots had their chances, but came up short on grabbing the last key rebound in the contest. As head coach Dave Paulsen commented after the game “We told our guys ‘you gotta be seven or eight points better or more internationally to come out with a win’ and we weren’t”.
Otis Livingston II and Hartwell II also chipped in 10 points each for the Patriots.
The loss to La Roda has the Patriots 1-1 on the three game tour of Spain with one game remaining in Barcelona.
Trip to Valencia and Preview of Tomorrow
We had pizza after the game (the BBQ pizza was not quite the American version, but still quite tasty), and made our way for about two hours from the inland town to the Eastern coast of Spain where we checked in to the Westin Valencia around 11 p.m.
This hotel is far more of a familiar American hotel than the Hotel Emperador in Madrid. In Madrid, our rooms were about the size of Harry Potter's cupboard under the stairs, the beds were twin size and the TV was tiny. The hallways were narrow and overall the hotel certainly reflected a more traditional European vibe. This hotel has much larger rooms, hallways and beds. Both hotels have been tremendous, and I think it's a good experience for our guys to stay in such different types of accomodations.
Anyway, it's off to bed for this guy! Big day tomorrow - we hit the beach around 11 a.m and then its time for a team jet ski! The guys are pumped for it - and hopefully we have a few GoPro tricks up our sleeve to give you a birds eye view of the experience.
Until then - #VamosMason!
Day 3 - Toledo & Game #1
Toledo
On Thursday morning, our team had its first official breakfast in Madrid. European breakfasts are certainly set up differently than what we’re used to in America. There were so many diverse items available. Traditional options included yogurt, cereal, pastries and eggs. But guys also enjoyed the opportunity to try less familiar items, like vegetable gazpacho, prosciutto, brie and cured salami, and potato/egg cakes. A full salad bar also was available.
We boarded the bus at 10 a.m. for the quick 50-minute trip from Madrid to Toledo. Much like the Chicagoland area in the U.S., the area immediately after we departed the city was filled with industry, factories and large warehouses. But soon after, beautiful countryside appeared. We quickly made our way to the outskirts of Toledo, and the scenery began to change.
Rolling hills and historic houses perched on ledges wowed our guys as we approached the ancient city.
Toledo is often referred to as “The Soul of Spain” due to its central location within the country as well as its important place in the nation’s history. It served as Spain’s capital for a time, before Madrid took the mantle in the 1560s. Much of the city looks now like it did during the 16th century. That essential snapshot in time, coupled with its place on the hill, makes the drive in and journey through Toledo a breathtaking experience.
Our tour guide Maria joked that unlike tricky English vowels where multiple sounds are associated with each one, Spanish vowels have limited pronunciation options. As such, our guys correctly have called the city Toe-LAY-do for the rest of the day.
The afternoon began with a stunning stop at a lookout perch which provided panoramic views of the city. Our guys loved that portion of the day and spent a lot of time posing for individual and group pictures and comparing snapshots with each other.
From there, the team stopped at a small cottage where the art of swordmaking has been crafted for generations. Our players were in awe as a tradesman demonstrated the art of heating the metal, hammering into a malleable state, and ensuring it has the proper amount of give.
Our guide then explained the process of crafting gold jewelry and other items, before leading us into the main shop where the players enjoyed the opportunity to observe (and at times demo) some of the finished products. Ian Boyd (who has been like a kid in a candy store this entire trip) and Jarred Reuter had a particularly well choreographed sword standoff while other guys purchased souvenirs to take home.
After the swordsmith demonstration, our travel party split up into two groups, and toured the bustling hub of the city. They learned about the nearly 300-year period it took to construct the iconic Cathedral of St. Mary of Toledo while gazing up at its mammoth steeple. Guys also toured the Jewish Quarter, which serves as a window to the past. It served as the center of Toledo’s vibrant Jewish population until the expulsion of the Jewish people from the city in 1492.
Sometimes, the amount of historical tidbits our group receives can be simply overwhelming. But our players have done a remarkable job absorbing all of the information, and it’s easy to see how locked in they are during these city tours.
We wrapped up our half day in Toledo around 1:40 p.m. and boarded the bus back to Madrid. Pre-game meal was served buffet style in the city, complete with paella and a number of other Spanish delicacies.
The team left around 5 for game No. 1 of the trip against Club Balencestos Alcobendas. It would be played at Pabellon Amaya Valdemoro, about 30 minutes from our hotel.
Game #1 Recap: Mason 73, Club Baloncesto Alcobendas 62 - By Bill Rohland
Junior Justin Kier scored 10 of his game high 12 points in the second half and redshirt junior Jarred Reuter had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds as the George Mason men’s basketball team posted a solid 73-62 victory over Club Baloncesto Alcobendas in game one of their three game tour of Spain.
Playing under FIBA rules (with a FIBA ball) and fighting jet lag, the Patriots started slowly before picking things up in the first quarter. Junior Ian Boyd scored all eight of his points in the first half, including five in the opening quarter as Mason led 19-11 after the first 10 minutes.
Freshman Jason Douglas-Stanley wasted no time in making an impact as he sparked a second quarter run by the Patriots to open up a double digit lead, forcing a time out from Club BA. Douglas-Stanley hit two 3-pointers in the quarter, part of his 10 points on the night.
Up 40-28 at the break, the Patriots starting to show the fatigue of a long flight and a day of site seeing as they saw their lead shrink to just six in the third quarter. Kier and Reuter stemmed the tide, combining for 11 of Mason’s 16 points in the quarter and the Patriots went to the fourth up eight - 56-48.
The Patriots were threatened briefly in the fourth quarter as once again Club BA hit enough from the outside to keep things close. Kier and Reuter once again carried the load on offense, scoring nine of Mason’s 17 points in the quarter. Douglas-Stanley chipped in four in the stanza and the Patriots closed out a 73-62 win.
Freshman Jamal Hartwell II was solid in running the point behind senior Otis Livingston II, dishing out four assists with no turnovers in the game. Sophomore Goanar Mar added eight points and seven rebounds and sophomore Javon Greene chipped in 11 points.
Next game up for the Patriots is set for Friday at 6 p.m. (Noon ET). Mason will face off with Club Deportivo Baloncesto CP La Roda in the town of the club’s namesake.
Day 2 - Arrival & Madrid
After nearly eight hours in the air during the wee hours of Wednesday morning, our Mason travel party landed safely at Madrid–Barajas Airport around 7 a.m. local time.
The guys were a little groggy as they pulled their belongings out of the overhead compartment and began the trek to baggage claim. It had been nearly a half day of travel, and another full day awaited before a full night’s rest was on the horizon.
Our coaching staff warned the players about trying to sleep during the day Wednesday and reminded everyone that powering through a sleepy day Wednesday and going to bed at a normal time in the evening would allow the biological clock to reset heading into our first game Thursday.
Easier said than done, but our guys managed the day well.
Upon getting our bags, we boarded the bus and met our Basketball Travelers representatives, Dave and Maria. Throughout the day, our dynamic duo helped director of operations Ted Rawlings provide an outstanding tour of the city of Madrid, complete with history, culinary tips and cultural descriptions.
Our first stop once we reached the city was the Palacio Real, the official palace of the King of Spain. It was commissioned by Philip V in the 18th century and is still just as beautiful to this day. Our guys toured the vast grounds of the palace and also visited the Plaza Mayor, one of Madrid’s largest and most popular squares.
Throughout the walking tour, players had their cell phones out snapping as many photos as they could. Our guys are in Europe for the first time, and they certainly are not taking the experience for granted. They’re taking in as much historical information as possible and enjoying the journey.
Lunch provided our team with an opportunity to sample a number of vendors at the city’s famed Mercato San Miguel. Guys walked throughout the expansive market and purchased croquettes filled with ham, fruit smoothies, Spanish rice dishes and more.
After a few more stops on the tour, we finished our panoramic viewing of the city with a few more squares which offered historical tidbits while providing breathtaking views of Spanish architecture.
We then checked into our rooms at the Hotel Emperador. The elegant hotel is located in the heart of Madrid’s Gran Via, which - coupled with the Paseo de la Castellano, is the city’s most famous thoroughfare. Everywhere you look, there are street vendors, marquees reminiscent of Times Square and beautiful buildings that showcase the city’s ornate and vibrant architecture.
Simply put, it's a stunning blend of old and new.
The players had the afternoon to themselves and spent it in a variety of ways. Some got much needed down time in their rooms. Others explored the squares and alleys surrounding the Gran Via. And other guys enjoyed the salt water pool on the roof of the hotel, which offers stunning 360 vistas of the city below.
Everyone gathered again at 6:30 p.m. for dinner downtown at La Cabana Argentina. The hearty and delicious menu was shared by our team, coaches and support staff, as well as the wonderful group which makes our #MasonFamily so special.
A great contingent of Patriot Club supporters is on hand to explore the nation of Spain with us and provide some encouragement during our games. In addition, family members and friends of the program also are here, making this truly a wonderful group which is a lot of fun to be around.
It was early to bed for most of the squad this evening. As I sit here finishing up this entry, I’m having trouble keeping my eyes open (and that’s with a couple naps mixed in today). International travel is certainly an exhausting experience at the start, but a good night’s rest should have everyone refreshed for a big day tomorrow.
We start with a tour of Toledo in the morning.
And then it’s off to our first game of the trip! We’ll be playing Club Baloncesto Alcobendas at 7 p.m. local time (1 p.m. ET).
Be sure to follow @MasonMBB on both Twitter and Instagram for live updates from the game.
As always, thanks to our manager staff for all their tireless work throughout the first two days. And a big thanks also goes out to the Voice of the Patriots Bill Rohland, who is here helping take photos and telling our story on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Look for more content from Bill as our games get going this week.
Until tomorrow - #VamosMason!
Day 1 - Introduction & Departure
Hola, #MasonNation!
Welcome to our official foreign tour blog! For the next nine days, I’ll be your guide as the Patriots journey through the dynamic nation of Spain.
For our 15 student-athletes, this trip will provide memories which will last an entire lifetime.
It’s a trip which provides the type of holistic learning that makes the collegiate experience so much more enriching.
Our guys will be immersed in a culture much different than our own. They’ll learn about the history of Spain’s world class cities while traversing busy squares and bustling markets. They’ll visit remarkable monuments, buildings, churches and stadiums.
But just as importantly, they’ll grow as a group. They’ll share experiences which will make an already close team even closer.
And they’ll have the opportunity to showcase their skills and play the game they love on an international level most players never have the opportunity to reach.
For most college basketball fans, mid to late summer is a time when the often speedy news ticker slows to a crawl. Schedules are released, but games will not be played for nearly 100 days.
The season seems so far away, and yet, this time of year is often just as important as practices and games in March.
During summer sessions, freshmen join the roster and begin to adjust to the college game. The team gathers throughout the week for pick up sessions and individual work with the coaching staff. They meet for meals and spend significant time together.
There are few outside distractions - just basketball, summer classes, and more basketball.
It’s the time of year where players make sizable jumps in skill development and grow stronger in the weight room. Decisions made in July can make critical differences in February.
Leading up to our foreign tour, the team has been afforded the opportunity to work together as a group in a more organized format than usual. The NCAA allows two official weeks of practice as part of a team’s foreign tour that otherwise would not be allowed. It prepares the team for the games they will play abroad, but also serves great benefit for the program’s regular season goals.
Practice over these past few weeks has been lively, focused and intense.
It’s been publicized a lot - but the Patriots are the only team in the nation bringing 100 percent of their scoring output back from last season. Our guys have experienced great highs together and they’ve overcome lows and adversity as a unit. That has not only allowed for advanced work not often implemented this early, but it’s also created a great environment for our three freshmen to learn and develop.
Practice has been great, but what our guys have really been looking forward to is finally here.
Prior to the Cancun Challenge this past November, most of our team had never left the country. Now, they’re experiencing their second foreign trip in a year, and it’s not something they take for granted.
In conversations I’ve had with guys over the past few weeks, players like Javon Greene, AJ Wilson and Jack Tempchin have been in awe at the places the game of basketball can take them. They’re humbled and grateful for the opportunity to learn and compete on a different continent. And they’re thankful to all those who helped make this trip possible.
At 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Mason bus departed from EagleBank Arena to Dulles International Airport. It took just a simple pump of the gas pedal to make that happen. But planning for this trip has been a much more intricate and extraordinary task.
Mason’s operations staff has been planning this nine-day, five-city itinerary for months. Everything from flight and transportation logistics, to meal planning has been organized down to the minute. Our director of basketball operations, Ted Rawlings, and his staff of both graduate and undergraduate managers must be commended for the job they’ve done putting this journey together. The start of the trip has been seamless, and I know the rest of it will be, too.
We arrived at Dulles in plenty of time for our flight, made it through the sizable security line and arrived at the gate for our 5:45 p.m. (ET) departure.
Right now, we’re four hours into the flight, and it’s fun seeing how guys are keeping themselves entertained through an eight-hour trip. There are plenty of movies and a few naps, too. Some guys can just pass out right away, while others, like Javon, are going with the full blanket over the face tactic.
Either way, sleep is valuable on this flight, because when we land at 7:45 a.m. in Madrid, we’ll all need to stay awake to avoid the dreaded jet lag sluggishness that would be sure to follow with an ill-advised nap or slumber.
There’s so much to look forward to over these next nine days, and I’m happy you’re here to experience the adventure with us. We’ll be posting photos, video, interviews and more from our games, sightseeing tours and everything else in between.
Be sure to follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (both @masonmbb) to stay up on all the action as it happens.
Go Patriots!