by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Feb 06, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Robins Center, Richmond, VA
Where to watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Richmond -8
BetMGM: Richmond -7.5
Caesars: Richmond -8
Season record
George Mason: 11-9 (4-3 Atlantic 10)
Richmond: 15-8 (6-4 Atlantic 10)
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George Mason - Richmond preview, analysis and prediction
I like the Richmond spiders to defeat the George Mason Patriots on Monday to keep the good run of winning going for Richmond.
The Spiders have won five of their last six games and are coming off a 10 point victory on Friday against the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies. This will actually be a home-and-home series between George Mason and Richmond. The teams will play on Wednesday at George Mason.
It was a career night for Richmond forward Tyler Burton, who scored a career-high 36 points on 13 made shots while missing only 7, and Richmond was able to get by despite only making six of 23 from 3 point range.
It's the second straight game that Burton has led the team in scoring. It's also the highest a Richmond player has scored this season surpassing Jacob Gilyard’s 31 points on January 18th against Fordham.
There tends to always be a Richmond player this time of year that tends to break out and be a force come March. Burton, who averages 17 points and seven rebounds per game this season, could be that guy as the spiders look to get back to the NCAA tournament via the Atlantic 10 conference.
There tends to always be a Richmond player this time of year that tends to break out and be a force come March. Burton, who averages 17 points and seven rebounds per game this season, could be that guy as the spiders look to get back to the NCAA tournament via the Atlantic 10 conference.
Statistically, both teams are about even in this matchup. Richmond has the edge offensively by a hair, and gives up just one more point. Richmond has also handled business on the books in the last 6, covering five of those games. The under has also cashed in Richmond’s last five games.
George Mason is coming off a five-point loss to the La Salle Explorers for its second straight loss. D’Shawn Schwartz had 17 points but took 15 attempts to get there, and GMU’s defense took a hit after allowing 53.8 percent shooting to a 7-win La Salle team.
Defense has been an issue altogether for George Mason as of late, and with how Richmond can score at will, I like Richmond to keep the momentum going. Richmond by 12
Betting trends
The over is 18-7 in George Mason's last 25 road games.
George Mason is 6-1 ATS as an underdog this season.
George Mason is 40-21 ATS in its last 61 after allowing 75 points or more in consecutive games.
Richmond is 30-19 ATS off three straight unders in its last 49 instances.
The under is 34-16 off a Richmond win over the past three season and 22-9 off consecutive wins.
Richmond is 45-13 straight up as a favorite over the past three seasons and 27-8 outright as a home favorite or pick.
Projected starting lineup
George Mason:
PG: Xavier Johnson
SG: De'Von Cooper
SF: Davonte Gaines
PF: D'Shawn Schwartz
C: Josh Oduro
SF: Davonte Gaines
PF: D'Shawn Schwartz
C: Josh Oduro
Richmond:
PG: Jacob Gilyard
SG: Andre Gustavson
SF: Tyler Burton
PF: Nathan Cayo
C: Grant Golden
SF: Tyler Burton
PF: Nathan Cayo
C: Grant Golden
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
