Game 17: GMU (13-3 / 2-1) at Richmond (10-5 / 2-0) on Saturday, January 13, at 6:00 PM.

[Patriotsince81]

The game is on ESPN+ and MASN.

The Spiders were picked to finish 11th in A10 in preseason polls. Neal Quinn was selected to the preseason all-conference 3rd team.

KenPom: Gives us a 38% chance of winning.
GMU - 92
Richmond - 91
NET:
Mason - 57
Richmond - 93

We are 29-41 (.414) against Richmond all-time.

Richmond is currently 10-5 on the season and 2-0 in A10 play. They are 8-0 at home, 1-3 on the road, and 1-2 at neutral sites.

Wins: VMI (93-75), Sienna (90-48), UNLV (82-65), Queens (90-61), William & Mary (88-69), Charlotte (64-56), Buffalo (72-66), Lafayette (59-38), St. Bonaventure (65-54), Loyola Chicago (58-56)
Losses: Boston College (68-61), #18 Colorado (64-59), Wichita St. (80-88), Northern Iowa (78-73), Florida (87-76),

Schedule: https://richmondspiders.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
Roster: https://richmondspiders.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster
Stats: https://richmondspiders.com/documents/2023/11/6/Combined_Team_Stats.pdf

Richmond is led by 6’0” Jordan King (17.7 ppg), 7’0” Neal Quinn (13.5 ppg & 5.7 reb), and 6’7” Isaiah Bigelow (12.0 ppg & 6.3 reb). 6’0” Delonnie Hunt (9.3 ppg) has stated the last / games for the Spiders. 5’10” Mykkel Tyne (6.0 ppg), 6’5” Jason Roche (4.1 ppg), and 6’7” Aidan Noyes (3.2 ppg) have also started at various times. In all 10 Spiders average double figure minutes.

Richmond averages 74.3 points per game while giving up 64.9. The Spiders shoot 47.3% from the floor and 34.8% from 3. Opponents are shooting 39.2% from the field and 28.7% from 3. They shoot 69.3% from the free throw line. The Spiders are being out rebounded by their opponents by 3.1 boards per game. They average 8.2 turnovers per game.

My prediction: I expect this to be a low scoring affair. This is going to be a tough one. They shoot well, take care of the ball, and play good defense. A win here would be huge. But the Spiders win 72-66. Mason falls to 2-2. I hate making the prediction.

Discuss.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

I asked the magic 8 ball and didn't like the response.

I will ask my ouija board next for a better answer. Maybe the ghost of George Mason will have some pull and can get GMU a W.

 

[GMU79]

The game is on ESPN+ and MASN.

They play Loyola Chicago on 1/9/24 at 8:00P{M. I’ll update in the am.

The Spiders were picked to finish 11th in A10 in preseason polls. Neal Quinn was selected to the preseason all-conference 3rd team.

KenPom: Gives us a 40% chance of winning.
GMU - 88
Richmond - 94
NET:
Mason - 58
Richmond - 93

We are 29-41 (.414) against Richmond all-time.

Richmond is currently 9-5 on the season and 1-0 in A10 play. They are 8-0 at home, 0-3 on the road, and 1-2 at neutral site

Wins: VMI (93-75), Sienna (90-48), UNLV (82-65), Queens (90-61), William & Mary (88-69), Charlotte (64-56), Buffalo (72-66), Lafayette (59-38), St. Bonaventure (65-54)
Losses: Boston College (68-61), #18 Colorado (64-59), Wichita St. (80-88), Northern Iowa (78-73), Florida (87-76),

Schedule: https://richmondspiders.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
Roster: https://richmondspiders.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster
Stats: https://richmondspiders.com/documents/2023/11/6/Combined_Team_Stats.pdf

Richmond is led by 6’0” Jordan King (17.7 ppg), 7’0” Neal Quinn (13.5 ppg & 5.7 reb), and 6’7” Isaiah Bigelow (12.0 ppg & 6.3 reb). 6’0” Delonnie Hunt (9.3 ppg) has stated the last / games for the Spiders. 5’10” Mykkel Tyne (6.0 ppg), 6’5” Jason Roche (4.1 ppg), and 6’7” Aidan Noyes (3.2 ppg) have also started at various times. In all 10 Spiders average double figure minutes.

Richmond averages 74.3 points per game while giving up 64.9. The Spiders shoot 47.3% from the floor and 34.8% from 3. Opponents are shooting 39.2% from the field and 28.7% from 3. They shoot 69.3% from the free throw line. The Spiders are being out rebounded by their opponents by 3.1 boards per game. They average 8.2 turnovers per game.

My prediction: I expect this to be a low scoring affair. This is going to be a tough one. They shoot well, take care of the ball, and play good defense. A win here would be huge. But the Spiders win 72-66. Mason falls to 2-2. I hate making the prediction.

Discuss.

Yeah, but until we prove we can win against our two biggest rivals, I think, unfortunately, you may be right.
Hope you're wrong, though.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Need this one, bad. We haven't had a losing streak yet this season, let's not start now.

 

[masonhoops1984]

Need this one, bad. We haven't had a losing streak yet this season, let's not start now.

Think losing this one will be ok. 12-6 should get double bye and Postseason is off table outside the AQ. Double byes all that matter. No more NIT for non power 5’s so quality of wins really mean nothing. Just win enough for double bye. Win ones vs bottom teams like Loyola, Fordham etc and they will be fine.

 

[mkaufman1]

Yeah, but until we prove we can win against our two biggest rivals, I think, unfortunately, you may be right.
Hope you're wrong, though.

We do okay against Richmond, and beat them several times last year.

I am always concerned though because even in down years it’s always a tough game.

 

[FlPatriot]

Think we bounce back strong. Mason 80 Ticks 55… in regulation

 

[GMU79]

We do okay against Richmond, and beat them several times last year.

I am always concerned though because even in down years it’s always a tough game.

True. We have done better against UR.
I'm just mad and bummed.

 

[mkaufman1]

True. We have done better against UR.
I'm just mad and bummed.

We are all with you.

That said, long way to go and plenty of good opportunities for Mason to have an excellent overall year and add on to what has been a good year already.

 

[Jack Strop]

Defense travels.

 

[Verdad]

I think we bounce back and win 66-60

 

[NewPatriot]

From a purists perspective, that was a great game. Mason will be fine.

 

[GreenLantern]

Us 74
Them 69
OT

 

[Verdad]

From a purists perspective, that was a great game. Mason will be fine.

Agreed - will be really telling how team responds and if they let vcu beat them twice. I'm very impressed with the mental makeup of this team and do not expect them to sulk/hang their heads.

 

[dr. gunnie]

I predict we will hit at least one 3 point shot.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

There’s no reason to think that we will blow them out at their home. And that’s why we will.

Then all the bitch a** whiners will be right back on the bandwagon.

Mason 74
Richmond 54

 

[PDGL Hoops]

Keep shooting!

Mason 69
U of R 62

 

[masonhoops1984]

There’s no reason to think that we will blow them out at their home. And that’s why we will.

Then all the bitch a** whiners will be right back on the bandwagon.

Mason 74
Richmond 54

It's been a great year outside last nights nightmare. Get a double bye, win 3 or 4 in NY and go dancing or win 22-24 games and hopefully build towards getting back to March. The NIT is gone for schools like mason. The NCAA is corrupt as hell and it's not unique to mason. That's all that can be done. Develop players, win games, recruit better, build the brand and aim to win more and more every year.

Tony is off to a great start of doing that. Hopefully he sticks around long enough to see that through.

Feels like the days of dopes like Paulsen and Hewitt are gone. The sooner Mason gets back to the post season the better. Feel like it's coming in next few years.

 

[GMU79]

It's been a great year outside last nights nightmare. Get a double bye, win 3 or 4 in NY and go dancing or win 22-24 games and hopefully build towards getting back to March. The NIT is gone for schools like mason. The NCAA is corrupt as hell and it's not unique to mason. That's all that can be done. Develop players, win games, recruit better, build the brand and aim to win more and more every year.

Tony is off to a great start of doing that. Hopefully he sticks around long enough to see that through.

Feels like the days of dopes like Paulsen and Hewitt are gone. The sooner Mason gets back to the post season the better. Feel like it's coming in next few years.

Wow! That's a welcome change in tone!
And I would add, we will not always be losing to vcu. Tony is starting something special here.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Every year we play Richmond they have one guy who I swear is on his eighth year of eligibility. So my prediction is if we can hold Cline and Golden to under a combined 30, we'll be good.