In what will probably be one of their most interesting games of conference play, George Mason (14-10, 8-3) will take on UMass (9-15, 2-9) at home for the second time this season.
This contest will mark the 11th time these two programs have battled, with Mason currently leading the series 7-3. This will be the second matchup against UMass this season, with Mason defeating the Minutemen 68-63 last time in Massachusetts.
In that game, Justin Kier had recorded his 7th double-double in the last 8 games, dropping 22 points. The Patriots have now won the last 6 games against UMass.
Compared to the last time the Patriots played UMass, where the Minutemen were coming off a 4-game losing streak, UMass is now coming off the best victory in the Atlantic 10 out of any game in conference play. They just beat Davidson.
Davidson.
Yes, THAT Davidson.
Breaking Down UMass
Mason will have to see to whom UMass adjusts their defense. This is because while Kier has was hot at the time, Javon Greene and Jarred Reuter have really shot up compared to the last time out.
Ok. Let’s check up to see if anything’s changed since my last UMass preview.
- Luwane Pipkins still leads the Minutemen in points per game *checks box*
- He’s now dropped to 16.8 ppg, compared to the 19.4 ppg in January.
- UMass still leads the A10 in ppg *Nope*
- They have dropped to the middle of the pack (6th) with 70.6 ppg.
- Jonathan Laurent is still the A10’s top three-pointer shooter *checks box*
- Even though he went down 5 percent, he remains at 45.3 percent from behind the arc.
- UMass has three players averaging double-digit points *nope*
- While Pipkins and Pierre are still averaging 16.8 and 10.7 respectively, Laurent has dropped to 8.5ppg and Rashaan Holloway taking the three spot with 9.4 ppg.
Breaking Down George Mason
Having lost to only VCU, Davidson, Richmond, and K-State, Mason has won 11 of the last 15 games in A10 play.
Javon Greene led the team in the last game out against La Salle with 21 points, 3-6 from behind the arc and was perfect from the charity stripe going 6-6.
Jarred Reuter finished the night with 16 points and 5 rebounds, while I do appreciate the number of points he contributes, he needs to rebound more. I’m asking for at least 10 rebounds per game.
Otis Livingston II and Justin Kier also recorded double-digit points in this one scoring 14 points and 13 points respectively. Otis also tallied his 100th assist of the season in this game, making him the first player in Mason history to record 100 assists in every season of play.
Jordan Miller is developing into a great player as only a freshman, with a lethal left hand, keep an eye on him under the basket, he might do things like this:
Fresh to Frosh pic.twitter.com/qqZPznui7P
— By George. (@ByGeorgeGMU) February 10, 2019
With 7 games remaining in this conference schedule, I say the Patriots have a good chance to win five of those, putting them at a record of 13-5. If Mason were to win just two more games, they would surpass their A10 Conference win record, a great accomplishment.
My Prediction: I think it’ll be tough, but I say a “W.”
