@SidekicksPicks CBB Play of the Day - 2/12

The VCU Rams travel to Fairfax, Virginia to face off against the George Mason Patriots for a 4:00 pm tip. This will be their first time facing off this season. The Rams are having a great season and hold an overall record of 15-7, 6-1 on the road. VCU ranks 3rd in the A10 with an 8-3 record. George Mason is also having a decent season with an overall record of 12-10, 9-2 at home. The Patriots rank 7th in the A10 with a 5-4 conference record.

VCU is currently on a 2 game winning streak and have won 5 of their last 6 games. In recent away games, the Rams have won 2 straight. They hold quality wins over Dayton and Davidson. VCU prides themselves on the defensive end and rank 15th in points allowed per game (60.3), 17th in defensive fg% (38.7), and rank 5th in defending the 3 (27.3%).

George Mason won their last outing against Richmond and are 1-3 in their last 4. The Patriots have a quality win over Dayton and played St. Louis tight at home. George Mason is the polar opposite of VCU and rely on their offense to win games. They average 72.9 points per game and shoot the 3 extremely well. They rank 23rd in the country in 3 pointer shooting percentage (37.9). One thing they do extremely well on the defensive end is rebound. They rank 35th in defensive rebounds per game (28).

• Rams are 9-1 ats in their last 10 road games
• Rams are 8-1 ats in their last 9 games as an underdog
• Rams are 8-1 ats in their last 9 games vs a team with a home winning record
• Rams are 7-1 ats as a road underdog
• Patriots are 4-0 ats in their last 4 homes games vs a team with a winning road record over .600
• Patriots are 7-1 ats vs a team with a winning record over .600
• The road team in this matchup is 4-1 ats in their last 5 head to head games

In order for VCU to win this game, they will have to play suffocating defense and limit George Mason’s 3 pointers. Luckily, good defense travels on the road, which is why VCU is such a tough road opponent. In this matchup, the road team has won the last 5 times. VCU has won 3 of the last 5 times in this matchup, 3 of them on the road.

I think VCU has more to play for as they are sitting towards the top of the standings in the A10. They have been extremely consistent. George Mason is not an easy opponent, but I think VCU is the better team and is getting +2.5 points. Personally, I always buy the hook and am playing this at +3, but I think they win outright and cover.