It only seems fitting that the teams that tied for the regular season Atlantic 10 championship will meet for the tournament championship when top-seeded VCU takes on George Mason on Sunday at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
VCU (27-6) earned the top seed by virtue of its 70-54 home win over George Mason, the only game between the two this season. The Rams have advanced to their ninth Atlantic 10 championship game since joining the league in 2012-2013.
In Saturday’s first semifinal, VCU defeated No. 4 Loyola Chicago, 62-55, to advance to the title game for the third year in a row. Max Shulga, a 6-foot-5 senior who was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the semifinal win. Shulga and 6-foot-4 graduate student Joe Bamisile are both averaging a team-high 15 points.
VCU’s defense was the key.
The Rams shot 22 of 51 (.431) from the field and held Loyola to 20 of 68 (.294).
George Mason (26-7) advanced with a 74-64 win over No. 6 St. Joseph’s. The Patriots are playing for their first NCAA tournament berth in 14 years. Senior Jalen Haynes, a 6-foot-8 bull of a forward, contributed 22 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high six assists in the semifinal win. He was a first-team all-conference selection. Darius Maddox, a 6-foot-5 senior, contributed 19 points, shooting 7 of 12 from the field and 3 of 6 from deep, while 6-foot senior K.D. Johnson scored 12 points and 6-foot-9 senior Woody Newton added 11 points.
Jared Billups, a 6-foot-4 senior, who was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, contributed six rebounds and three steals for George Mason, who have won four in a row.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
George Mason vs. VCU Odds
VCU is an 8.5-point college basketball betting favorite on BetMGM with the Over/Under at 127.5 points.
The moneyline for VCU is -400 while it is +310 for George Mason.
George Mason vs. VCU On TV
The game between VCU and George Mason will be on CBS.
Tipoff is expected shortly after 1 p.m. ET.
George Mason vs. VCU Prediction
I like VCU laying the points.
Even though George Mason shot 9 for 17 from three against St. Joseph’s, it is a different story against VCU. The Rams shoot .334 from three-point range while holding opponents to a .299 clip. In the earlier loss against VCU, George Mason was held to 5 for 19 from beyond the arc (.263). For the season, George Mason shoots .352 from deep and holds opponents to a .301 clip. VCU was 10 for 33 (.303) from deep in the earlier win over George Mason.
So, both teams could have trouble shooting from distance.
VCU averages 77.3 points while allowing 62.3. George Mason averages 71.1 PPG, while allowing 63.1.
This suggests a low-scoring game, with points off turnovers being a key. In the earlier win, VCU outscored George Mason 20-9 in points off turnovers. George Mason committee 14 turnovers to nine for VCU.
Many believe that VCU will earn an NCAA berth regardless of the outcome, but nothing is assured, so the Rams will be playing as if their NCAA life depends on winning.
For George Mason, the Patriots almost certainly must win to earn a tournament berth.
