The top two teams in the Atlantic 10 will clash when George Mason visits VCU on Saturday in Richmond.
George Mason (21-5, 12-1) has been the surprise Atlantic 10 leader. The Patriots have won 11 in a row. George Mason will meet VCU on a week’s rest, after last playing on Feb. 15 during a 58-57 home victory over St. Joseph’s.
The Patriots trailed by 16 points with under three minutes remaining in the first half. Jalen Haynes, a 6-foot-8 senior, led the way with 22 points and eight rebounds. This continued a strong showing in close games by George Mason. Eight of the Patriots’ 12 Atlantic 10 wins have come by seven or fewer points, including three in overtime.
VCU (21-5, 11-2) has won five in a row following Wednesday’s 80-51 home victory over UMass. This game wasn’t difficult to analyze. VCU shot 14 for 29 from three-point range (.483) while UMass was 0 for 10.
VCU is now 13-0 at home. George Mason is 6-4 on the road.
George Mason at VCU Odds
VCU is a 10.5-point college basketball betting odds favorite on BetMGM with the Over/Under at 131.5.
The moneyline for VCU is -500 while it is +300 for George Mason.
George Mason at VCU On TV
The game between George Mason and VCU will be televised by CBS Sports Network.
Tipoff is expected shortly after 4 p.m. ET.
George Mason at VCU Prediction
It’s a big line, but I like VCU laying the points.
According to teamrankings.com, VCU is the best Atlantic 10 team against the spread with a 16-9 record. George Mason is 14-12 against the spread.
VCU leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring, averaging 78.5 points per game while George Mason leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring defense, allowing 62.1 points per contest. Entering the weekend, that ranked 9th nationally. VCU has also been strong defensively, allowing 62.8 points, which ranks second in the Atlantic 10 and 13th nationally.
While known for their defense, George Mason doesn’t have a sputtering offense. The Patriots average 71.7 points per game. George Mason’s leading scorer is 6-foot-5 senior Darius Maddox, who averages 13.6 points, while Haynes averages 12.8 points and 7.0 rebounds.
VCU’s two leading scorers are Joe Bamisile (15.9 PPG) and 6-foot-5 senior Max Shulga (15.2). Shulga is fifth in the Atlantic 10 in three-point percentage (.417). George Mason’s 6-foot-7 senior Zach Anderson is ninth (.400).
George Mason shoots .344 from three-point range, and more importantly is the Atlantic 10’s top defensive three-point shooting team, limiting opponents to .296, which is 17th nationally. VCU is similar, shooting .341 from deep and limiting teams to a .304 percentage, which is 37th nationally. The Rams shoot .734 from the foul line, while George Mason shoots .702.
VCU’s two Atlantic 10 losses are 77-75 at St. Bonaventure and 78-69 at St. Louis, and George Mason’s lone Atlantic 10 loss was 62-59 at Rhode Island.
One big difference is in the NCAA’s Net Ranking, a figure the selection committee relies on heavily. VCU is the top Atlantic 10 team with a NET ranking of 33 entering the weekend, while George Mason was at 63.
