In the second installment of their New England road trip, George Mason (9-8, 3-1) takes on UMass (7-9, 0-3) on the road.
This game officially marks the 10th meeting between the two programs; the series is currently 6-3 in Mason’s favor. The Patriots played the Minutemen three times last year, most recently in the first round of the A10 tournament, where the Patriots won 80-75. Mason won all three of the previous contests but is currently 3-1 in Massachusetts.
UMass is currently looking to snap a four-game losing streak after falling to Saint Louis and Dayton. Mason is coming off of a blow-out win over URI, their first win over that squad since joining the Atlantic 10.
Breaking Down UMass
Luwane Pipkins leads Umass this year averaging 19.4 points per game which is currently second in the A10.
This season Umass has averaged the highest points per game (76.2) in the A10, however, the are 13th in the league when it comes to allowed points (74.5). That number has since dropped to 68.7 points per game since the start of conference play.
Jonathan Laurent is currently the A10’s top three-point shooter converting 50 percent of his shots from behind the arc.
This season UMass has three players averaging double digits in points, Pipkins (19.4), Laurent (11.1), and Pierre (10.6).
Breaking Down Mason
JORDAN MILLER. He scored 14 points and recorded 2 steals and 2 blocks in his first game as a freshman.
Justin Kier recorded his 6th double-double in the last seven games with 19 points and 10 rebounds in this one. He was awarded A10 Player of the Week and now currently leads the A10 in scoring with 19.5 points per game.
Javon Greene has been playing some great defense in these last couple games. Against URI, he recorded 15 points in this one going 4-8 from the field, 2-4 from three, and a perfect 5-5 from the charity stripe.
In my opinion, the URI was the best game of basketball the Patriots have played all year, they were finally consistent through both halves and shut down the Rams’ offense, holding URI to 12 percent (3-25) from three.
Prediction: This should be a blow-out. Please.
A George Mason “W”.
LET’S KICK SOME umASS
