FACTS & STATS: Site: Pepsi Center (19,309) -- Denver, Colorado. Television: CBS. NCAA Tournament Record: George Mason 4-4, Notre Dame 29-32. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The fifth-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the 12th-seeded George Mason Patriots will collide this evening in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of this contest will move on to the second round in the East Region against either fourth-seeded Washington State or 13th-seeded Winthrop. George Mason has made four previous trips to the NCAA Tournament, and while the first three bids resulted in first-round exits, the 2006 run is considered one of the most unlikely in the history of the storied event. The little-known Patriots knocked off Michigan State, North Carolina, Wichita State and UConn before finally falling to eventual National Champion Florida in the Final Four. This year's George Mason squad is 23-10 overall and is coming off a win in the CAA Tournament championship game. Notre Dame won 11 of its final 13 regular season games to finish with 24 victories, the most regular season triumphs for the program since 1973-74. The Fighting Irish, who are 12-0 all-time against teams from the Colonial Athletic Association, are making their fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last eight years under Mike Brey. Last season, Notre Dame was upset in the first round by Winthrop, and there is a chance that the two teams could meet in the second round as mentioned. This game marks the first-ever meeting between Notre Dame and George Mason on the hardwood.

The key to the success of the Patriots this season has been their play at the defensive end, as they are limiting opponents to 62.3 ppg on 41.9 percent shooting from the field. George Mason isn't explosive at the offensive end, but there are some capable scorers in the lineup. Folarin Campbell and Will Thomas have started all 33 games this season, and they are averaging 15.9 ppg and 15.8 ppg, respectively. Campbell has dished out 110 assists to go along with 38 steals, while Thomas is ripping down 10.5 rpg while shooting a stellar 63.9 percent from the floor. The third and final double-digit scorer for the Patriots is John Vaughan with 12.6 ppg. In the victory over William & Mary in the CAA Tournament title game, Campbell tallied 20 points, while Thomas added 18 points and 13 rebounds.

There is certainly no shortage of talent on the Notre Dame roster, and it all starts with Big East Player of the Year Luke Harangody. A big-time power forward, Harangody is scoring 20.8 ppg to go along with 10.2 rpg. He is a 51.5 percent shooter from the floor and has been a dominant force in many of the team's games. He gets plenty of help from sharp-shooter Kyle McAlarney, who is scoring 15.2 ppg on the strength of his 44.8 percent shooting from behind the arc. Rob Kurz is contributing 12.8 ppg, and he is ripping down 7.5 rpg to go along with 43 blocks. The Fighting Irish are generating 80.6 ppg while limiting the opposition to 70.5 ppg. Only once this season has a player other than McAlarney, Harangody and Kurz led the team in scoring, and it is imperative that all three stay out of foul trouble against the Patriots.

Expect Notre Dame to take care of business and advance, but don't be surprised if George Mason keeps things close. Thomas and Campbell were a part of the 2006 Final Four squad, so they certainly have experience to draw on.

Predicted Outcome

Notre Dame 79, George Mason 73