Game Thread: Mason (11-2) vs. vcu (10-3), Sunday, January 5th, 12:00 PM

[By George.]

Anyone else going to Brions for brunch on Sunday? The GK team will be there, come chat Mason hoops!

 

[Patriotsince81]

Anyone else going to Brions for brunch on Sunday? The GK team will be there, come chat Mason hoops!

I will be there.

 

[sleeperpick]

I will be there.

We have a group going as well

 

[Patriotsince81]

We have a group going as well

Look for the mustache!

 

[GMUgemini]

I will be at Disney World with my kids on Sunday. I haven’t decided if this is unfortunate or merciful timing (I guess I will know when I have time to check the final score after they pass out).

 

[tblack33]

Look for the mustache!

I'll be the drunk one.

 

[mkaufman1]

We have a group going as well

Yell extra for me. I’ll be yelling from Queens.

 

[mkaufman1]

Time for a prediction

Time for Mason to put up or shut up. Many fans aren’t sold on the 11-2 start based on competition. Some are taking the wait and see approach but really enjoy seeing the younger talent flourish (I’m in that boat).

I have no clue what the line will be (probably 6-8 points). Unfortunately I think Mason is a bit young and vcu has 5 seniors. I think Mason may have an advantage with some of their length and athleticism on the glass, but as always it comes down to how to handle the press. I think Mason can do okay handling the press, but I have no clue if they’ll be confident in running the offense and be able to penetrate. They aren’t facing a lesser team but its not quite a Big12 or Maryland team.

I’m hoping at the very least Dave has them ready to go for a full 40 minutes, because the last thing any of us want is another 71-36 thrashing. I want to see them as confident as they were in Grand Cayman and not hanging their heads on the defensive end. They’ll need to get out on shooters which they did not do against TCU. If the press doesn’t work against vcu I hope they stop doing it because nobody wants to see one of vcu’s shooters get hot.

One thing of note, that it was garbage time and vcu didn’t score a field goal for a long time last night in the game against Fordham. I believe it was over 9 minutes if I saw correctly.

That said, I can’t see Mason winning this one as painful as it sounds. It’ll be respectable though.

vcu 74
Mason 66

 

[Walter]

Big, athletic teams usually beat us.

George Mason: 81
FecesU: 58

 

[jessej]

us 51
them 71

 

[GSII]

Roster is still mediocre. Yes there is always a chance but they are way more talented and bigger at every position.

Mason 55
Ghetto Art School 76

 

[PoorManProfit]

I don’t think Ram will play well, but they’ll have enough to get the win with the stronger roster.

Va Commonwealth 69
G Mas 65

 

[GMUgemini]

Roster is still mediocre. Yes there is always a chance but they are way more talented and bigger at every position.

Mason 55
Ghetto Art School 76

Actually, if we start XJ, Kier, Miller, AJ, Oduro we wouldn’t be smaller at every position, but then you are trusting XJ and Kier to break the press, which is a gamble.

 

[By George.]

We have a group going as well

Sleeper pick in the flesh?! See y’all there

 

[sleeperpick]

Sleeper pick in the flesh?! See y’all there

Haha at every game. I’ll be with mr mustache in the corner per usual

 

[GMUYoda]

I am waiting for Quentin to call all of you out for picking vcu to demolish us

 

[sleeperpick]

I am waiting for Quentin to call all of you out for picking vcu to demolish us

he hasn't watched a Mason game this year yet.. and is too busy preaching Jesus on the politics board. we are good

 

[psyclone]

From Kenpom, vcu is favored by 5. According to their data, the Rams are very good in Defensive Efficiency (32nd), 2nd in Turnover %, and first in Steal%.

The only edge we appear to have is that we've been good at Offensive Rebounding % (30th) while vcu is poor defending against Off Reb (269th).

 

[mkaufman1]

From Kenpom, vcu is favored by 5. According to their data, the Rams are very good in Defensive Efficiency (32nd), 2nd in Turnover %, and first in Steal%.

The only edge we appear to have is that we've been good at Offensive Rebounding % (30th) while vcu is poor defending against Off Reb (269th).

I had a feeling mason would have an advantage on the glass. Mason is going to have to control the pace of the game as well as the glass to have a chance.

Seems like a close line, I think vcu covers though.

 

[MudKat]

Woohoo! I'm ready for my warm welcome for my annual visit to the club and a bit of verbal GOO from that Chankenstank guy. vcu 72-GMU 57.