The day has come for Mason fans. Today, George Mason (15-12, 4-10) takes on #4 Dayton (25-2, 14-0). (Hello, Blackburn Review listeners!)
This contest marks the 11th time these two programs have played, and while the series is currently in the Flyers favor 7-3, Mason has won the last two Atlantic 10 contests. Additionally, Mason is only 2-3 at EBA against the Flyers, with the Patriots’ most recent win over Dayton coming in the 2019 season on Jan. 23 by a score of 67-63.
The Flyers are literally insane. They are undefeated in the A-10 this season and it doesn’t look like anyone is stopping them. They went right through VCU, St. Bonaventure, SLU, URI. I think Dayton will annihilate in the A-10 Tournament and go far in the NCAAT. But we’ll see.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are sitting on their 4 wins in conference play, and are currently still in the bottom four of the conference along with La Salle, Fordham and St. Joe’s. It doesn’t seem like Mason will get out of the bottom four of the standings so be set for prep and landing for Wednesday in Brooklyn.
Breaking Down Dayton
We can do that too! https://t.co/i31kAREERC pic.twitter.com/PH1tlnY9WW
— By George. (@ByGeorgeGMU) February 24, 2020
UD has won 16 in a row, tied with New Mexico State for the best in D-I after Saturday’s 80-70 Duquesne win.
Dayton’s No. 4 ranking is its highest since the Flyers were ranked third in the last four polls of the 1955-56 season. UD has been ranked in the Top 20 for 12 consecutive weeks this year.
UD is first nationally in FG% (.521, 789-1515) and is second in assists (17.9).
Keep your eye on Obi Toppin and Jaylen Crutcher who had 28 and 17 points respectively the last time out.
I don’t really know what to say in order to stop them. Dayton is incredibly versatile and can do almost anything. Literally anything. The Flyers are unstoppable. Send help. SOS. WEE WOO WEE WOO.
Breaking Down George Mason
Mason has not won a game against a top-5 opponent since their Cinderella run back in 2006. They are 1-3 all time against top-5 opponents, with the victory coming against UConn in the 2006 Elite Eight.
Javon Greene led Mason with 20 points and eight rebounds vs. the Hawks. He made 6-of-8 field goals and 4-of-5 3-point attempts in the second half.
Over the last five games of conference play, Mason has averaged 17.8 turnovers/game. Mason averaged 12.2 turnovers through the first nine games of A-10 play.
Mason has four regular season games remaining. AJ Wilson will look to become the first A-10 player since Hassan Martin (URI) in 2014-15 to record 100 blocks in a season. Only 11 A-10 players have accomplished the feat since 1980-81. That would be quite the accomplishment.
The Patriots come into this game still with nagging injuries; AJ Wilson has injured his ankle after falling on Goanar Mar’s foot in the GW game, Ian Boyd is still out for the season, Justin Kier is probably out for the season (even though it’s not official), and who knows what else. AJ needs to be healthy, he is pivotal to this team’s success.
Mason is 3-8 since senior star Justin Kier re-injured his foot (fracture) on Jan. 14.
Mason’s defense is struggling everywhere. They adjusted to St. Joe’s three-point shooting in the last game, but they’ll need some type of magical protector around the rim to prevent Dayton from scoring. They could also go with the Patrick Ewing approach and just goaltend everything, but that’s not as effective because that involves Mason scoring consistently. And we all know that no one is expecting Mason to score well against the Flyers.
EagleBank Arena will probably look like ground zero after an Obi Toppin nuclear explosion. I’m just hoping it’s not more than a 30 point loss. (Now that I say that, it probably will be)
My Prediction: This contest will be decided by more than 20 points. A George Mason “L”.
Dayton please don’t hurt us.
George Mason playing Dayton today pic.twitter.com/2zrFP2P9Oy
— Domenic Allegra (@DomenicAllegra) February 25, 2020
