The Richmond Spiders (11-9), the Atlantic 10’s top shooting team, will challenge the George Mason Patriots (7-14) at Robins Center. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The Spiders are hoping to rebound after their 84-68 loss to St. Bonaventure on Sunday. Khwan Fore played well for the Spiders, putting up 15 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. The Patriots are coming off a 76-70 loss to George Washington on Sunday. Shevon Thompson had a solid game for George Mason, recording eight points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks.
Marquise Moore has been hot for the Patriots, averaging 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 0.6 blocks over the past five games.
The Spiders should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. They rank 26th in the nation at avoiding errors (TO% of 15.8%). Meanwhile, George Mason forces the fewest turnovers in the nation (11.2%).
The Spiders are hoping to build on their records of 11-9 Straight Up (SU) and 7-9 Against The Spread (ATS). Richmond has the 19th-most assists in Division I, averaging 17.1 per game. Richmond is very careful and attentive with the ball, averaging the 35th-fewest turnovers per game at only 11.1.
In the other locker room, the Patriots have records of 8-10 ATS and 7-14 SU. The Patriots are a force on the boards, grabbing an average of 41.7 rebounds per game.
This is the first meeting of the season for Richmond and George Mason. The last time they played, George Mason came out on top, bumping its SU record to 3-1. The Patriots also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 3-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – Rich, ATS Winner – Rich
Notes
Richmond is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games.
Richmond is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Richmond’s last 6 games.
Richmond is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home.
Richmond is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing George Mason.
The Richmond Spiders and George Mason Patriots both hold losing records against teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Richmond sits at 3-5 in these matchups and George Mason has a 1-7 record.
The Richmond Spiders average 70.2 possessions and 1.133 points per possession in games this season. The George Mason Patriots average fewer possessions with 66.6, as well as fewer points per possession with .984.
The Richmond Spiders have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking 13th in the country with an eFG% of 56.2%. When their opponents record a similar or higher eFG%, the George Mason Patriots have a losing 1-2 record.
Ranked 19th in the nation, Richmond has an average of 17.1 assists per game. George Mason ranks lower at 337th with 10.5.
Ranked 13th in the nation, George Mason averages 41.7 rebounds per game. Richmond ranks lower at 314th with 32.9 RPG.
The George Mason Patriots rank 57th in offensive rebounds. The Richmond Spiders rank 255th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Richmond has forced an average turnover percentage of 18.0% this season. George Mason has a subpar 2-9 record when its TO% is 18.0% or higher.
