Tip off: 7 PM EST
Spread: VIR -10
o/u: 117.5
m/l: VA -600, GM +475
Odds taken from Bookmaker
VIRGINIA
In a word, “mediocre” would adequately describe the Cavaliers season last year. They finished with a 16-15 record and a 7-9 ACC record, while losing to Miami in over time of the ACC first round. They failed to qualify for any other post season tournaments.
At times their offense was anemic. They averaged only 0.96 points per possession last season in conference play, despite the fact that they are a good three point shooting team. They finished first in the ACC in three point percentage. Of their 8 man rotation last year, 5 of them were threats from deep.
This season their best player has been the 6’8″ senior Mike Scott. The forward is aveargign a double double, with 15.9 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game. He scored 20 in the victory over Longwood, but more impressively managed 18 on 6 of 11 shooting in the 12 point blowout win over #15 ranked Michigan.
Joe Harris is the only other Cav player averaging double figures, with 12.6 points per contest. Impressively, he is shooting 93.5% from the line (29 of 31) and has built on a great freshman season last year when he averaged 10.4 pionts per game and 4.4 boards in 29.4 minutes per night. If his minutes increase further, expect Harris’ production to increase exponentially. He has the potential to be one of the best players in the ACC if he shoots the ball like he did last year, when he shot 41.7% from deep.
The Cavs have weapons, but their offense hasn’t beeh that impressive, despite their 7-1 record. I guess what I am saying is the bottom line is that this Virginia team can play even better, and will have to if they want to contend with in conference opponents Duke and North Carolina…at some point.
GEORGE MASON
In many ways, last season would have to be considered a success for the Patriots. They went 27-7 and 16-2 in the Colonial conference, but lost in the opening round of the NCAA tournament to Ohio State, and they got crushed. The Patriots lost by 32 points to a much better team. So it goes.
They are off to a hot start, though, and have won their last four games, over Brown, Albany, Bucknell, and Towson…not exactly top shelf opponents, but this game against Virginia represents their first true challenge. And we see what NCAA basketball oddsmakers think of that.
The Patriots are paced by the talented Ryan Pearson, a 6’6″ senior guard swingman from Rockaway, NY. He is putting up 19.8 points per game while ripping down 8.4 boards per night. He has increased his production every season at GMU, and is averaging 5.6 more than his already impressive 14.2 per game last season. In the opener, against Rhode Island, Pearson put up 28 points while hoisting 22 field goal attempts (hitting 11), not to mention his 11 boards. In the last three games, he has managed double figure rebounding, with 12, 10, 12. If he keeps that up, who knows what is possible for this team.
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