It will be a battle between A10 opponents when the George Mason Patriots (9-12, 3-5 A10) welcome the St. Bonaventure Bonnies (14-6, 4-4 A10) to EagleBank Arena. The game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 147.5 points with St. Bonaventure opening as a 7.5-point favorite.
St. Bonaventure Bonnies at George Mason Patriots ATS Prediction
The Bonnies come in on a high note after blowing out the George Washington Colonials in their last matchup, 70-52. St. Bonaventure’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over George Washington. The Bonnies had a rate of 13.9 (better than their season average of 14.6), while the Colonials posted a mark of 21.2 (above their season average of 16.9). St. Bonaventure was lifted by Matt Mobley, who was the game’s high scorer with 24 points on 9-for-17 shooting.
In the Patriots’ last matchup, they lost to the VCU Rams, 84-76. VCU out-rebounded George Mason. The Rams had more offensive rebounds (22 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (28 vs. 20) and total rebounds (50 vs. 27). With 14 points and 13 rebounds, George Mason’s Jaire Grayer had a good game.
The offense of George Mason (263rd in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 101.6) will square off against the elite defense of St. Bonaventure (85th in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 98.8). The Bonnies figure to have the advantage on that side of the ball. Ball security should be an advantage for the Bonnies. They rank 54th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.8 percent). Conversely, the Patriots force the 36th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 16.5 percent).
St. Bonaventure heads into the game with records of 14-6 straight up (SU) and 8-9 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Bonnies games, with 9 overs compared to 8 unders.
Meanwhile, George Mason is 9-12 SU and 6-11 ATS. Of the Patriots’ 17 games with betting action, 10 have finished over the projected point total.
Grayer has averaged 16.4 points and 8.0 rebounds over the last five games for George Mason.
After the Bonnies won the only game against the Patriots last season, 82-72, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Bonnies had a much better turnover percentage (9.4 vs. 18.5) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (37.5 vs. 31.4).
St. Bonaventure Bonnies at George Mason Patriots Odds Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – St. Bonaventure, ATS Winner – St. Bonaventure, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, St. Bonaventure is 4-6 ATS with 5 overs and 5 unders.
At home, George Mason is 2-6 ATS with 4 overs and 4 unders.
St. Bonaventure ranks 125th in assists per game (14.0) while George Mason ranks 235th (11.5).
The Bonnies rank 47th in steals per game (7.5) while the Patriots rank 138th (6.0).
George Mason ranks 170th in three pointers attempted per game (21.3) while St. Bonaventure ranks 259th (17.9).
The Bonnies rank 116th in blocks per game (3.4) while the Patriots rank 169th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
St. Bonaventure averages 36.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 135th in the NCAA. George Mason ranks 171st in rebounds allowed per game (35.8).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, St. Bonaventure is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
George Mason is 2-3 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Bonnies’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.6, down from 6.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Patriots have scored an average of 80.0 points per game (9.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 83.8 points per game (7.6 above their season average).
