The nation’s top team will be on the road when the George Mason Patriots (2-3) head to Draddy Gymnasium to challenge the Manhattan Jaspers (0-2). The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
The Jaspers fell to Bucknell 80-67 on Saturday. Shane Richards finished with 28 points to lead the game. The Patriots are coming off an 83-66 loss to Virginia on Sunday. Jaire Grayer had a team-high 16 points.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is 139 points. The Jaspers come into this game winless with a 0-2 record Straight Up (SU) and 0-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Jaspers have really locked down opponents on the defensive end, ranking first in the country with a .505 opponent field-goal percentage.
In the other locker room, the Patriots have 2-3 SU and 3-1 ATS records. The George Mason defense has been a problem for competitors, allowing only .434 shooting from the field to its opponents. The Patriots are in for a physical game against Manhattan. The Jaspers are not afraid to send opponents to the free throw line, averaging 25.0 fouls per game.
Manhattan and George Mason meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. George Mason won the last game in the matchup, bringing its SU record to 4-0. With a 3-0-1 record, the Patriots also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – GMason, ATS Winner – GMason, O/U – Over
Notes
Manhattan is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games.
Manhattan is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games at home.
The Manhattan Jaspers have the nation’s top defense, with a defensive rating of 121.7. The George Mason Patriots have an offensive rating of 96.3 (ranked 293rd).
The Manhattan Jaspers average a field goal percentage of 35.8% this season. The George Mason Patriots have a losing record of 1-3 when opponents have a FG% of 35.8% or greater.
The Manhattan Jaspers rank lower for their field goal percentage (339th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (321st), but the George Mason Patriots have a better FG% ranking (236th) than eFG% ranking (243rd).
George Mason, the 63rd-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 5.0 per game. Manhattan does worse, ranked 323rd with 1.5.
Though Manhattan is one of the best in the country in forcing turnovers with opponents averaging a TO% of 21.1% (ranked first), George Mason is undefeated (1-0) when its TO% is 21.1% or greater.
