EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, VA
Saturday, February 11, 2023
2:00PM
Media
TV: N/A
Online: ESPN +
Radio: Tune In Radio
App: Varsity Network
Previews
George Mason Fan Forum
After back-to-back road losses, Rhody ends a three-game road trip by taking on George Mason this Saturday at 2:00. Earlier this year Rhody opened a three game homestand against the Patriots & now they are closing out a three-game road trip against them. The last time these teams squared off in Kingston last month, Josh Oduro had a field day. Although he played only 26 minutes because of some foul trouble, he went for 24 & 14 and basically did whatever he wanted on the block. Throw in Devon Cooper who went for 20 & hit 5 threes, it was not a good day for Rhody.
Second year coach Kim English’s Patriots were picked to finish 5th in the A10 preseason poll & have struggled a bit this season. They are losers of 4 of their last 5 & come in just a half game above Rhody in the A10 standings at 5-7. You know things are going bad if you are that close in the standings to Rhody this season. Hell, they lost at Loyola by 8 last week. Even with their struggles this season, Josh Oduro has been a beast averaging roughly 15 & 8. In their last game at Duquesne, he went for 13 & 13. The only flaw in his game was free throw shooting where he was shooting it just 60% after the last game they played. In the 5 games since then he is shooting it at a 76% clip. The Patriots have 3 other double-digit scorers on the team, all guards, in Victor Bailey Jr (11.8), DeVon Cooper (10.6), & Ronald Polite III (10.4). George Mason could be without Victor Bailey Jr as he did not play in their last game after hurting his hand last week against Loyola. That is a big loss for Mason as the Tennessee transfer is a deadly three-point shooter, shooting it at 47%.
As I touched upon in the writeup the last time these teams played, size wise, both teams are comparable. Shooting stats wise is where things divulge. George Mason shoots the ball 5% better from the field and 6% from three better than Rhody. From the charity stripe is where Rhode Island has a big advantage as they shoot it 9% better than George Mason.
If Rhody plays like they did the last game against Saint Louis, they have a chance to pull out the road victory. Conversely, if they play like they did the game before at Saint Joseph’s, they get rolled by double-digits. Honestly, either scenario is in play & I wouldn’t be surprised in the least. There is potential for a decent sized Rhody contingent in the crowd as Ish, Bray, Hutch, & Samb are all from the DMV area. I am guessing George Mason will be favored by about 7.5 points. Which team snaps their 2 game losing streak? Can Rhody get the upset win? Probably not. My prediction George Mason 67 – URI 61. Go Rhody!!
Opponent
Record:
13-12, 5-7 in the A10
14-16, 7-9 in the A10 (Last Season)
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 144 (228)
RPI: 158 (239)
KenPom: 148 (216)
BPI: 137 (211)
Sagarin: 146 (195)
Barttovik: 171 (212)
Leaders:
Points – Josh Oduro 14.9 (Sr., F)
Rebounds – Josh Oduro 8.2 (Sr., F)
Assists – Ronald Polite III 3.6 (Jr., G) (2.3 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 7-5
H: 4-4, A: 3-1, N: 0-0
Most Recent Matchup: 1/21/23 79-72 L at URI
Most Recent Win Streak: 1 – George Mason
Match-up Predictor: 19.6% Chance of URI Winning