Game 18: GMU (12-5 / 3-1) at Dayton (11-5/ 1-2) on Wednesday, January 15, at 7:00 PM.

[tblack33]

Main thing that concerns me here is their guard play. I’ve seen them really ratchet up the pressure against some of the top guards in the country. If Grant has half a brain and scouted us at all with a full week off coming off two losses we could be in for a long night. Not super concerned about Key or their big Frenchman on the offensive end but if they get out running on turnovers and really crash the glass against us hard this could be ugly. Hoping for everything to go right for us shooting and turnover wise and we squeak out a win, realistically thinking we keep it respectable and keep it within 10, but could see this one being a 20+ point loss if our guards don’t limit turnovers.

 

[GunstonsGhost]

Dayton has a -8.5 spread. I didn't watch the Dayton/UMass game, but I have to imagine their press defense gave Dayton enough trouble to give them the edge. We shouldn't have a problem matching the intensity with the Patriot Pressure. If we can frustrate them enough to remind them how they lost to UMass I think that could go a long way. Let KD run his mouth. I'd consider starting JB over Anderson for this one. We can't let them get hot early. Also, Brayden can't let Enoch Cheeks eat his lunch. No 100mph KD last minute passes to Gio that he's going to fumble. And generally just play with more patience, poise, and pride as Coach Skinn says and we could walk away with an upset.

 

[GMUgemini]

I don’t think starting Billups over Anderson is necessary. Anderson is the helper in the paint and is often the last line of defense and challenging shots at the rim. Woody will most likely be on Santos, who’s the one guy who has been a consistent threat for 3.

My guess is Cheeks will be on Maddox, Malachi will be in O’Connor. Malachi is also a menace in D and is quick as hell on offense. We can’t let him get his teammates easy looks.

 

[mkaufman1]

The good news is if KD trash talks or says things it most likely wont' be heard as well in the arena due to 13 thousand people being there. Lol.

Anyway, I like the role that Billups is in now. Being one of the first off the bench for defensive purposes is a good thing. Yeah, Anderson doesn't give you a ton of offense according to his stats, but he plays solid defense and helps on the rebounding side.

 

[NewPatriot]

Dayton has a -8.5 spread. I didn't watch the Dayton/UMass game, but I have to imagine their press defense gave Dayton enough trouble to give them the edge. We shouldn't have a problem matching the intensity with the Patriot Pressure. If we can frustrate them enough to remind them how they lost to UMass I think that could go a long way. Let KD run his mouth. I'd consider starting JB over Anderson for this one. We can't let them get hot early. Also, Brayden can't let Enoch Cheeks eat his lunch. No 100mph KD last minute passes to Gio that he's going to fumble. And generally just

Dayton's 3 pt defense has been horrific over the last 1 1/2 games...48.8%!

Their 2 point defense has sucked too..48%

 

[Verdad]

Dayton's 3 pt defense has been horrific over the last 1 1/2 games...48.8%!

Their 2 point defense has sucked too..48%

We typically defend ourselves though with our woeful 3pt shooting

 

[GunstonsGhost]

There's a noticeable shift in the intensity of the defense when Billups comes in. Maybe it doesn't make much of a difference whether he comes in at the first timeout or if he starts. I just want to induce the trauma of their loss to UMass lol

 

[MASONscott]

Jared consistently ranks in the top 3 for minutes per game according to Kenpom. Whether his name is called before tipoff or not doesn’t seem relevant he effectively is a 6th man starter.

Tough place to play.

As mentioned, our defense keeps us relevant. Turnovers seem to tell most of this season’s wins and losses. Let’s hope tonight we protect the ball.

 

[Verdad]

I'm going to really far out on a limb and predict we see another 15+ TO/poor 3 pt shooting performance, that ultimately prevents us from winning. Unfortunately, this is my expectation until proven otherwise

 

[GMU79]

Dayton's 3 pt defense has been horrific over the last 1 1/2 games...48.8%!

Their 2 point defense has sucked too..48%

Too bad nobody on our team can shoot 3s.

I'm going to really far out on a limb and predict we see another 15+ TO/poor 3 pt shooting performance, that ultimately prevents us from winning. Unfortunately, this is my expectation until proven otherwise

Sigh. Yes.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Sigh. Yes.

Put on some Mason gear, start drinking at 4:00PM and get your effing head on right.........

GO MASON Bitches,,,,,,,,

Mason 69
Dayton 67

 

[Yossarian]

In spite of the brave optimism shown by some here, I think this is a game where the team trainer should have lube at the ready.

 

[GMU79]

Put on some Mason gear, start drinking at 4:00PM and get your effing head on right.........

GO MASON Bitches,,,,,,,,

Mason 69
Dayton 67

Feel better?

 

[JimP]

Jared consistently ranks in the top 3 for minutes per game according to Kenpom. Whether his name is called before tipoff or not doesn’t seem relevant he effectively is a 6th man starter.

Tough place to play.

As mentioned, our defense keeps us relevant. Turnovers seem to tell most of this season’s wins and losses. Let’s hope tonight we protect the ball.

Didn't GMU win at Dayton 2-3 years ago? Under English? Tough place to get a W for sure...

 

[Patriotsince81]

Didn't GMU win at Dayton 2-3 years ago? Under English? Tough place to get a W for sure...

We beat them 74-69 on 2/25/23.

 

[MasonSAE4]

We beat them 74-69 on 2/25/23.

We've weirdly been their boogie team for a while now

 

[Pikapppatri8]

What more are you looking for....

 

[TweederGMU]

Thinking it will be a close game. Have to keep it to 3-4 points by halftime and not let them run away with it in the 2nd half. Need Darius to be on.

However, our TO's doom us here.

Goodguys 67
Red Wagons 71

 

[mkaufman1]

We beat them 74-69 on 2/25/23.

We've weirdly been their boogie team for a while now

Not only have we beaten Dayton in 23 in Dayton and 24 at home, but we also beat them in 22 at home. In 2020 we played them close at home but ultimately lost. In 2019 we beat them as well. English went 2-0 against Dayton, and Skinn is 1-0.

• Dayton is 36-8 (.818) vs. A-10 foes inside UD Arena since the 2018-19 campaign. George Mason holds two of those opponent victories (2019 and 2023)."

 

[NewPatriot]

We've weirdly been their boogie team for a while now

When you have a big like Josh Oduro playing at his best..you get chance to win against any A10 opponent.