A10 foes will collide when the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (12-14, 7-7 A10) square off with the George Mason Patriots (12-15, 6-8 A10) at Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 148 points with Saint Joseph’s opening as an 8-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 21, 2018.
George Mason Patriots vs. Saint Joseph’s Hawks Free Preview
The Patriots fell to the La Salle Explorers in their last contest, 69-62. With 19 points on 9-for-12 shooting, Justin Kier led George Mason in scoring. La Salle held the Patriots to an offensive rebounding percentage of 13.2 (below their season average of 28.3). George Mason, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 11.0 (better than their season average of 17.0).
In the Hawks’ last game, they beat the Duquesne Dukes, 82-75. With 26 points on 7-for-15 shooting, Shavar Newkirk was the top scorer from either team. The Hawks knocked down 21 of their 29 free throws (72.4 percent) and held the Dukes to an effective field goal percentage of 0.451 (below the 0.514 mark opponents have averaged against Saint Joseph’s this season).
Saint Joseph’s could put on a ball-control clinic in this showdown. Saint Joseph’s ranks first in the NCAA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.5 percent), while George Mason forces the 41st-fewest turnovers (16.4 percent).
Both of these teams have a tendency to go over the projected point total. Games featuring George Mason have finished over 56.5 percent of the time, while Saint Joseph’s games have gone over 58.3 percent of the time. Both teams have middling straight up (SU) records (12-15 for George Mason; 12-14 for Saint Joseph’s), but the Hawks have the edge against the spread (ATS). Saint Joseph’s is 12-12 ATS, while the Patriots are 11-12.
Both teams have had a player trending in the right direction over their last five games. For the Patriots, it’s been Otis Livingston II, who has averaged 22.2 points and 5.8 assists, while the Hawks have gotten great contributions from Newkirk (18.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists).
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined for 160 points, which was over the projected point total of 146. The Patriots won 81-79, covering as 4-point underdogs. The Patriots’ offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over the Hawks. George Mason had a rate of 24.2, while Saint Joseph’s posted a mark of 14.6. Livingston II was the game’s top overall scorer with 25 points.
George Mason Patriots vs. Saint Joseph’s Hawks ATS Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Saint Joseph’s, ATS Winner – George Mason, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
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The Hawks rank 135th in assists per game (13.9) while the Patriots rank 244th (11.6).
Saint Joseph’s ranks 144th in blocks per game (3.1) while George Mason ranks 188th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
On the road, George Mason is 7-5 ATS with 7 overs and 5 unders.
Saint Joseph’s is 6-3 ATS at home with 5 unders and 4 overs.
Saint Joseph’s averages 24.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 58th in the NCAA. George Mason ranks 249th in three pointers allowed per game (24.4).
The Patriots average 36.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 94th in the nation. The Hawks rank 283rd in rebounds allowed per game (39.2).
Saint Joseph’s ranks ninth in steals allowed per game (4.6) while George Mason ranks 129th (6.4).
Bettings Trends:
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Saint Joseph’s is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
Over their last five games, George Mason is 5-0 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
The Hawks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.6, up from 0.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Patriots have scored an average of 72.8 points per game (1.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.6 points per game (6.5 below their season average).
