Game 10: GMU (9-0) at Va Tech (7-2) on Saturday, December 6, at 3:00 PM.

[Patriotsince81]

Our schedule page does not show any TV coverage, just a link to listen.
The Tech schedule page says the game is on the ACC Network.
ESPN+ ??????

Preseason notes:
Va Tech is a member of the ACC.
The Hokies were picked to finish 12th out of the 18 teams in preseason polls.
Freshman Neoklis Avdalas received 1 vote for preseason ACC Rookie of the Year.

KenPom: Gives us a 43% chance of winning.
GMU - 59
Va Tech - 73
NET:
Mason - 44
Va Tech - 82

History:
We are 1-1 against Va Tech all-time.

Va Tech is currently 7-2 on the season. They are 4-0 at home, 1-0 on the road, and 2-2 at neutral sites.

They are 0-1against Quad 1 teams, 2-1 against Quad 2, 1-0 against Quad 3, and 4-0 against Quad 4 teams.

Schedule: https://hokiesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

Wins: Charleston Southern (98-67), Providence (107-101 OT), St, Joe’s (94-59), Charlotte (84-76), Bryant (78-61), Colorado St. (66-64), South Carolina (86-83 OT)
Losses: Saint Mary’s (77-66), vcu (86-68)

Probable Starters:
6’8” Amari Hansberry - 16.3 ppg & 8.1 reb - Junior
6’9” Neoklis Avdalas - 13.7 ppg - Freshman
6’8” Tobi Lawal - 12.8 ppg & 10.3 reb - Senior
6’4” Jailen Bedford - 10.1 ppg - Grad Student
6’5” Tyler Johnson - 8.7 ppg & 5.8 reb - Sophomore

Reserves averaging double figure minutes:
6’5” Jaden Schutt - 10.4 ppg - Junior
5’11” Ben Hammond - 9.2 ppg - Sophomore - Has 2 starts
6’10” Christian Gurdak - 4.1 ppg - Freshman

Roster: https://hokiesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster

Team Stats:

Va Tech averages 83.0 points per game while giving up 74.9.

The Hokies shoot 45.5% from the floor and 33.8% from 3.
Opponents are shooting 43.5% from the field and 29.7% from 3.

They shoot 70.6% from the free throw line.

The Hokies have out rebounded opponents by 1.4 boards per game and average 8.9 turnovers per contest.

Stats: https://stats.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/season/

Thoughts: It will be interesting to see how we handle an our first true road game. It’s a chance to go 10-0 which would be quite an accomplishment. We can't afford a slow start like we've had the past two games against JMU and Cornell. Go Mason!!!!!

Discuss.

 

[DRK331]

1. WATCH PARTY FOR THE VIRGINIA TECH ROAD GAME

Date: Saturday December 6th
Location: Banditos Tacos and Tequila Fairfax
Address: 10621 Braddock Rd Suite C, Fairfax, VA 22032
Time: The Watch Party starts at 2:30 pm, game starts at 3:00 pm

Learn more and RSVP here: https://mason360.gmu.edu/shopMason/rsvp_boot?id=2291284

This is FREE and Open to the public

2. Tony Skinn is 0-3 against Power 5 teams as GMU Head Coach:

Tennessee game in his first year: Lost 66-87
Marquette game in his second year: Lost 63-82 (should've won)
Duke game in his second year: Lost 47-68

Virginia Tech game in his third year: ???

3. Virginia Tech Head Coach Mike Young is known for having really good
offensive sets

George Mason Head coach Tony Skinn is known for his really good defense

Who gives in?

4. GMU lost the game in Blacksburg on Dec 4, 1991, 76-64, then won the game in Fairfax (54-53) on February 10, 1992.

 

[Portlandian]

I wish Gang Mean Green had played 1-2 true road games leading up to this one. I can see how it might be a liability.

A win would be epic. Wouldn’t be overly sad if they lost. As a fan seeing the team start 9-0 feels like we are playing with house money

 

[JimP]

I wonder if Lawal will be back for VT? He was out against SC today.

 

[DRK331]

Jaden Schutt played for Duke under Jon Scheyer and both Christian Gurdak and Ben Hammond went to PVI.

 

[NewPatriot]

Tech will move up big time in the NET with a Q2 win in South Carolina...it's Mason 1st Quad 1 opportunity.

win it and Mason will vault in the NET going into conference. Loss close..not too much damage to NET ranking. Get blown out...Mason's NET drops like a stone.

 

[GunstonsGhost]

1. WATCH PARTY FOR THE VIRGINIA TECH ROAD GAME
Learn more and RSVP here: https://mason360.gmu.edu/shopMason/rsvp_boot?id=2291284

I think that's a student link. Here's the link from the Alumni Association for non-students: https://patriotperks.gmu.edu/watch-party/

 

[psyclone]

I wonder if Lawal will be back for VT? He was out against SC today.

At the beginning of the VT-SC game, the announcers said that there was no timetable for Lawal to return from his foot injury.

 

[psyclone]

1. WATCH PARTY FOR THE VIRGINIA TECH ROAD GAME

Date: Saturday December 6th
Location: Banditos Tacos and Tequila Fairfax
Address: 10621 Braddock Rd Suite C, Fairfax, VA 22032
Time: The Watch Party starts at 2:30 pm, game starts at 3:00 pm

Learn more and RSVP here: https://mason360.gmu.edu/shopMason/rsvp_boot?id=2291284

This is FREE and Open to the public

2. Tony Skinn is 0-3 against Power 5 teams as GMU Head Coach:

Tennessee game in his first year: Lost 66-87
Marquette game in his second year: Lost 63-82 (should've won)
Duke game in his second year: Lost 47-68

Virginia Tech game in his third year: ???

3. Virginia Tech Head Coach Mike Young is known for having really good
offensive sets

George Mason Head coach Tony Skinn is known for his really good defense

Who gives in?

4. GMU lost the game in Blacksburg on Dec 4, 1991, 76-64, then won the game in Fairfax (54-53) on February 10, 1992.

Verizon's ACC network is #571 for me in Northern Va, but the program guide doesn't indicate the VT-Mason game is on at 3. How is Banditos going to get it for the watch party?

 

[GMU79]

Going into Tech at 9-0 makes the game all the more fun. 10-0 would be so cool! And if we lose, 9-1 feels a lot better than 8-2 on a two game losing streak.
I would love a win, but a close loss would be okay. A blowout loss would feel really crappy.

 

[GMUgemini]

Verizon's ACC network is #571 for me in Northern Va, but the program guide doesn't indicate the VT-Mason game is on at 3. How is Banditos going to get it for the watch party?

The ESPN+ indicates a 1:00 (MST) start time for me on the ACC Network.

 

[Stoolguy]

let’s gooo!! HUGE test, excited for my first true away game

 

[GMU1983]

It’s on ACCX not the ACC channel. ACCX is a digital platform should be able to watch if you have ESPN +

 

[psyclone]

It’s on ACCX not the ACC channel. ACCX is a digital platform should be able to watch if you have ESPN +

Thanks! Indeed, it does show up on ESPN+ at 3 EST on Saturday.

 

[TweederGMU]

I'm a big VT fan as some on here may know, I follow them very closely and are my 2nd favorite team.

Tobi Lawal will be out for the game. Sources are saying his foot injury will cause him to be out 4-6 weeks. First year player Center Antonio Dorn started tonight against SC in replace of Lawal, he's 7 foot but not very polished, has problems fouling as well. A Euro guy from Germany, mainly plays just around the rim, not very athletic.... seems to still be learning the pace and systems of the college game on both sides of the ball. Doesn't get many minutes, until he started tonight which was surprising to VT fans.

Neo is the "greek freak" they landed for 1 year as he is labeled a NBA guy after this year. He's 6'9 and they use him as their PG, then move him over if Ben Hammond is in playing alongside him. He can shoot, likes shooting from outside and mid-range but can also get to the hoop. However...Neo has been up and down, he has all the offensive tools but is still timid to really take over games as the stud he should/can be offensively. He can score at all levels and poses a challenge for any team to guard. He moves well offensively. However, Defensively he flat out sucks.... he gets lost a lot and doesn't move well in front of guards... guards can easily blow past him. This is where Tony needs to see this and tell his guards to attack him. Our guards quickness will need to be utilized. Mike Young needs to coach him up on defense big time if he expects to get to the NBA. This is a glaring weakness teams are starting to recognize.

Ben Hammond has been their most consistent player on both sides of the ball. 2nd year guy who has taken leaps and bounds from his rookie season, very smart and every thing is clicking for him. He can drain the 3 and get to the hoop at will and also has very crisp passing. He runs their offense very smoothly, better than Neo at the point IMO.

Hansberry is very good, their main power forward. He is gonna be a matchup problem with our bigs, he can shoot and is very good around the rim and has excellent post moves and can rebound the ball. He does like shooting the 3 but is inconsistent - one game he went 3-9 from 3 and one game he went 0-6. He usually makes 1 a game.

Bedford has been a surprise for them this year. He is a smart experienced veteran. He dropped 21 on Colorado State and then next game didn't score against vcu. He had 9 points tonight against SC. Defensively, this is their best defender. He is their lockdown guy on defense. If he is scoring points for them in the first half consistently then that's a bad sign as he is in for a good night, if he is off then they usually pull him and Schutt and Johnson get his minutes.

Jaden Schutt is their 6th man off the bench, sometimes he starts. Plays the 2 or 3 depending who is in. This is their main 3-point threat who primarily shoots from outside, he doesn't drive much. They screen for him a lot on the perimeter to get him his main opportunities from 3, he makes 2-4 3's a game in usually 6-8 attempts. Need to play out on him. Defensively, not that good of a defender, our guards can get past him.

Tyler Johnson is another main guard that is pretty consistent on both sides.... he is quick and fast and can shoot the 3 and also drive to the hoop and can make mid-range jumpers. Muscular guard. similar to Marquis Moore body type. Good defender and guards have a hard time driving in on him due to his body type...He can take contact and loves to drive to the lane as he often draws fouls. He usually is good for 10 points a game but has the ability to score 15 or more points a game if he is feeling it.

With Lawal being out, it's going to be interesting who they start. They have many options. The option they went with tonight against SC was Dorn at the 5 and Hansberry at the 4. Normally, Lawal is the 4 and Hansberry the 5. So.... they can do that option again with Dorn (7'0) and Hansberry (6'8).... that would put Tony in a an interesting position to see how we would counter. Dola would be eaten alive by Hansberry if that's the case. Riley on Dorn - would give the advantage to Riley on both sides. If this VT lineup holds... I would start Ellington and Riley and see how they match up on those 2. Kanga will be needed as I expect who is guarding Hansberry to accrue some fouls. Hansberry is a load.

Think it will come down to guard play. Mincy, Long, Troutman, Presley, etc. need to go right after them. If they can get to the hoop consistently and use their quickness and consistently make their layups and mid-range jumpers then we can beat them. Also comes down to what we do with Neo....he has the ablities to take over games but hasn't really flashed that killer instinct and of being their main give me the ball superstar scoring guy yet. He fouled out tonight against SC at the end so if we can consistently attack him that may get in his head and throw him off a bit.

VT does NOT turn the ball over much, average less than 9 turnovers a game for 9th best in the country. They are smart with the ball and protect the ball very well. All while swinging it and moving it around a lot, they love passing it around to find a mismatch or open man - they look to getting it down to Hansberry a lot.


Interesting set of teams with unique skill sets and good coaches. Should be a fun game.

 

[jkh1978]

I am not an alumni. Is it worth going to the pre-game reception at Lane Stadium https://securemason.gmu.edu/s/1564/GID2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1564&gid=2&pgid=9440&content_id=16445

 

[TweederGMU]

I am not an alumni. Is it worth going to the pre-game reception at Lane Stadium https://securemason.gmu.edu/s/1564/GID2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1564&gid=2&pgid=9440&content_id=16445

Yes, even to get a chance to be in Lane stadium. Very cool area and atmosphere.

Premium Seating

hokiesports.com

 

[undertherock]

It’s on ACCX not the ACC channel. ACCX is a digital platform should be able to watch if you have ESPN +

ACCX requires a paid TV subscription that is linked with the ESPN app. If you pay for ESPN+ Select which is enough to watch GMU games, there is no access to stream this game. There is a higher paid plan called ESPN+ Unlimited which will carry ACCX.

 

[GMUgemini]

ACCX requires a paid TV subscription that is linked with the ESPN app. If you pay for ESPN+ Select which is enough to watch GMU games, there is no access to stream this game. There is a higher paid plan called ESPN+ Unlimited which will carry ACCX.

This is also ridiculously expensive ($30 a month) unless you bundle it with Disney’s other streaming services (and then it’s just $30 a month for all of it — which is still ridiculous but slightly less worse?$

 

[BraddockBeach]

Does VT have a pretty decent crowd at the games? I'd expect at least the student section to be pretty packed for this. Going to be a real test in this one on the road!