There is only one Atlantic 10 women’s basketball game on this Saturday, and it is right here in Fairfax, as George Mason (7-12, 1-5) welcomes VCU (10-8, 5-0) to EagleBank Arena on Girl Scout Day.
Playing the Top of the Conference
Today marks Mason’s seventh conference game, one game short of the midway point of conference play. Of the top four teams in the A-10 (combined record of 20-1), the Patriots have faced three of them, and after today, VCU will make it 4/4. Of Mason’s six total conference games thus far, their opponents have a combined 20-13 (.606 winning percentage).
The injury/sickness bug has bitten George Mason badly as well, seeing almost 2/3 of the roster having missed at least one game at some point of the season. Freshman Tamia Lawhorne missed the Patriots’ home game against Fordham, but returned with a bang, dropping 21 points at Duquesne on Wednesday.
The is some relief coming though. Not that any games in the Atlantic 10 are ever going to be easy, but the schedule does at least lighten a little after today, with GMU’s final nine opponents having a combined 19-25 record (.432 percentage). Of those games, George Mason still has to play La Salle twice (1-5 record), Saint Louis (2-4), GW again (1-4), Richmond (1-4) and Saint Joseph’s (2-4). The only team with a winning record left on the schedule after today will be a rematch with VCU in Richmond in February.
That said, Mason has some issues still to work out. They have lost five in a row after their A-10 opening win over George Washington, and they have struggled mightily putting four quarters together. The lack of consistency and offensive performance is this team’s biggest weakness, and something they need to find soon to put an end to their free-fall through the A-10 standings.
Breaking Down VCU
The Rams have been the biggest mystery to me of any A-10 team this year. Despite being the preseason #1 team in the A-10 coaches’ poll, they had a truly lackluster showing in non-conference play, posting a 5-8 record. Their best win was Old Dominion, but they had some truly befuddling losses, such as Southern Miss. What gives me hope for today is they have struggled offensively just as much, if not more, that George Mason has. Of 348 NCAA Division I women’s basketball teams, VCU ranks #313 at 57.4 points per game (second lowest in the A-10 just ahead of GW at #323). For comparison, despite their own struggles, Mason ranks #233 at 62.4 points per game.
In addition, VCU only has two players averaging in double-figures in scoring: Tera Reed (14.9) and Danielle Hammond (10.2).
Another stat that makes me optimistic is VCU’s three-point shooting. The Rams have played 18 games and have only made 61 threes (for comparison, Mason has made 106), which ranks #333 of Division I women’s teams. In addition, they are #336 in threes made per game at just 3.4 treys.
Free throws have also been a trouble spot for the Rams, shooting just 67% from the line as a team, with only one player on the roster, Nyra Williams, shooting better than 80%, at 83%.
Rebounding as well has been a weakness, as the Rams have been out-rebounded 624-578 by their opponents this year, for an average margin of -2.6 per game. VCU also averages 17.2 turnovers per game.
This is a game that George Mason should at the very least keep close. A win would be a tremendous boost, especially in the standings. This is a much weaker VCU team than we saw a year ago, and the Patriots need to seize the moment. If Tamia Lawhorne can replicate her performance from Wednesday and if Nicole Cardaño-Hillary can have a big game, this may just swing in the Patriots’ favor.
Tipoff from EBA is 2:00 and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
