Mason Looks To Get Back on Track Vs. Coppin St.

Your George Mason Patriots are looking to get back to .500 against the 0-6 Coppin State Eagles. Mason is favored by 25 on KenPom.

The Eagles, out of the MEAC, are coached by Larry Stewart, who’s in his second season as their head coach, with a record of 2-33 and a conference record of 1-13.

Ryan Archey, a guy who was taking lots of shots, did not play in their last three games, so I am not sure if he will be playing against Mason.

Derrius Ward missed their most recent game against Miami, so he may also be missing. He was getting 60% of their minutes and starting so that might make this even more of a problem for Coppin.

Coppin State by the Numbers

Coppin State is the 363^rd ranked team, with the 364^th ranked offense, and 293^rd defense. There are 364 teams in D1 this season, which means they have the worst offense in the country. Not only are they last in offense, their adjusted offensive rating is 1.3 worse than second to last, and 5.5 worse than third to last. For comparison, Mason’s offense is ranked 136^th, and 1.3 and 5.5 worse would be 158^th and 241^st.

If I don’t mention a stat, just assume they are sub-300 in it. I can’t mention everything.

I just learned that KenPom does decimal for win probabilities below 1%. I think the cutoff is .5%, otherwise they just say 1%.

For being so lowly ranked on so many things, Coppin State does a relatively good job of not having unforced turnovers, with an 8.5% non-steal turnover rating, 215^th in the country.

There’s nothing to say. You see the chart.

Their strongest points are forcing turnovers and grabbing defensive rebounds, along with opponents missing free throws.

The team out of Baltimore forces a turnover 17.6% of the time, which is 186^th. They only allow a 28.1% offensive rebound rate, which is 136^th in the country. With that, the Eagles get a steal 9.7% of the time, 188^th, and have a non-steal turnover 8% of the time, 166^th.

On the defensive boards, teams only grab 28.1% of offensive rebounds against them, which is 136^th. The shots are going in pretty often, but when they miss, Coppin St. is pretty good at finishing the possession.

I don’t know how useful this is, but teams are only shooting 65.6% from the line against them, which is 73^rd. Maybe they’re just fouling every big man in the paint.

It’s not as bad as offense, but man.

For the first five games of the season, Peter Oduro, yes, that Peter Oduro, started at center. Unfortunately, he did not start in their last game against Miami, but still played 23 minutes. I’m glad Peter has found himself a place in D1 basketball where he can play significant minutes.

In regard to shooting, Derrius Ward (30%), Khalil Horton (25%), Toby Nnadozie (42.1%), and Camaran Sparrow (8.3%), are the only ones who shoot threes with any volume.

Coppin State Scouting Report (First 10 Minutes vs. High Point)

High Point was their second game, but they’re pretty close to Mason in terms of KenPom ranking.

Former Patriot Peter Oduro can now take long mid-ranges. I did not expect that.

The Eagles like to take threes the moment they can.

Ryan Archey is kind of shifty, but cannot shoot too well. I am not sure if he is playing against Mason.

Coppin is kind of lazy inbounding the ball, which is something you cannot afford to do when you are the last ranked offense in the country.

The MEAC opponent struggles to really get anything open.

On defense, Peter was sealed off pretty easily in the paint. He does come out to the perimeter, making him a bit versatile.

Coppin St. went into a full court zone press, which was broken instantly, and they gave up an open three. If the opponent gets through the press, which is often, they will get an open shot.

The Eagles like to collapse inside and let up open threes. It kind of makes sense, since they can just hope the other team has an awful shooting game.

Coppin does switch very easily.

What Does This Mean For Mason?

If Mason doesn’t dominate this team, then there should be nobody left on the “This is fine” train.

I think the Patriots win 80-50.