In the final game of their five-game homestand, George Mason (4-0) is ready to take on the Greyhounds of Loyola (Md.) (2-2) for their FIFTH win of the season. This comes after Mason’s strong win over the James Madison Dukes on Saturday by a score of 83-70.
The most recent win is a painful one for most Mason fans, this is because it came back in 2017 in the CBI. The Patriots hold a 7-6 series lead against the Greyhounds, losing most recently by a score of 73-58 in the first round of the CBI.
The Patriots have the potential to go 5-0 on Tuesday. If Mason were to win, it would mark the best start in program history, as no other Mason team has ever gone 5-0 to start a season.
Breaking Down Loyola (Md.)
The Greyhounds were picked to finish fourth in the 2019-20 Patriot League preseason poll and currently have a record of 1-2 on the road.
One player to keep your eye is Andrew Kostecka. He has scored in double-figures for the 20th-straight games, most recently scoring 31 points against Fairfield. when he scored 31 on Sunday versus Fairfield.
Kostecka was the only player in Division I to average 21 points or more and 2.5 steals or more per game last year. He was in great company too, as he was one of four: Duke’s Zion Williamson, St. John’s Shamorie Ponds and Louisiana Monroe’s Daishon Smith.
Kostecka should be the focal point of Mason’s defense, if they want to go 5-0.
Breaking Down Mason
This will be the opening round of the Cayman Island Classic before the Patriots head to No. 6 Maryland on Friday. The Patriots will head to Grand Cayman for the tournament portion. The Patriots begin with Old Dominion on Monday and could play either Washington State or Nebraska on Tuesday.
Jordan Miller has added 12 points (6-11 FG) and averaged 18.5 ppg over two contests last week. If he can stay out of foul trouble, he could really excel.
The Patriots also are excelling in the second half in these games. Through four games this season, Mason holds a +9 (123-114) combined scoring edge in first halves and a +21 (168-147) advantage in second halves.
Furthermore, when comparing second halves to first halves, Mason is significantly better from the floor (.547 vs. .380), three-point shooting (.432 vs. .171) and free throw shooting (.750 vs. .581).
Final home game before Thanksgiving break, be there.
