A10 Title Game Preview: George Mason vs VCU Odds, Picks & Predictions

• The VCU Rams are 8.5-point favorites over the George Mason Patriots in the A10 Conference Tournament Championship
• The Rams beat the Patriots in their only regular season meeting
• See theGeorge Mason vs VCU odds, player props, and predictions for March 16

It’s one of the final automatic NCAA Tournament bids to be handed out, when the VCU Rams (27-6, 15-3 A10) meet the George Mason Patriots (26-7, 15-3 A10) this afternoon in the A10 Conference Tournament final. Both teams finished with identical 15-3 records at the top of the Atlantic 10, and were separated only by a VCU win in the regular season. Action tips off at 1pm ET from Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, with CBS providing the broadcast coverage.

Check below for the George Mason vs VCU odds and player props, plus my prediction for the A10 title game.

George Mason vs VCU Odds

The Patriots enter as as 8.5-point underdogs in the college basketball odds, including a distant +320 on the moneyline. The Rams are a short -410 favorite on the moneyline, and the total comes in at 127.5 points.

Odds as of March 16 at DraftKings. See the full list of DraftKings legal states.

George Mason’s trip to the championship final included an 80-65 win over George Washington, before dumping St Joseph’s 74-64 in the semifinal.

They were led in both games by All-Conference First Team star Jalen Haynes, who led the team in scoring both games. He dropped 22 points, with seven rebounds and six assists against SJU to set up the final against VCU.

The Rams’ path to the winner-take-all finale started with a 76-59 win over St Bonaventure, before dispatching Loyola Chicago 62-55 in the semis.

A10 Player of the Year Max Shulga bounced back from a 1-for-9 shooting game against the Bonnies to lead the team with 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals over the Ramblers.

George Mason vs VCU Prediction

Defense has been the calling card of both teams, ranking inside KenPom’s Top 25 in defensive efficiency.

VCU was the conference’s top scoring defense, holding teams to 62.6 points per game, limiting teams to 39.3% shooting from the field (second) and 30.3% from 3-point range — tops in the A10.

Their D was on full display in the penultimate game against the Ramblers, holding them to 29.4% shooting from the field, including a rough 5-for-25 night from 3-point range, a 20% clip.

George Mason is right behind VCU in scoring defense, allowing 63.1 points and a conference best 38% field goal shooting percentage allowed.

What’s really helped out though in the A10 Tournament, though, is an offense that’s punching above it’s regular season output.

The Patriots ranked 12th in the conference in scoring, putting up just 71.1 points per game, and they entered the tournament failing to top 70 points in five of their last six regular season games.

One of those losses was to these very Rams, a 70-54 drubbing on Feb 22, where they were held to 35.4% from the field and connected on just five of 19 from distance (23%).

VCU wasn’t that great in that contest, held to 38.9% shooting from the field, but they went +15 from 3-point range, going 10-for-33 from beyond the arc. They also won the turnover battle (+5) and earned more shots winning on the offensive glass (+2).

The Rams have won five straight against the Patriots, and eight of the last 10 overall, covering three in a row, but the Patriots have hung tough in the cover game, going 4-6-0 against the spread.

I like Haynes’ ability to get buckets at the moment, and all those points coming their way. While I think VCU still advances as the cream of the A10 crop, the Patriots make them earn it.

• George Mason vs VCU Pick: George Mason +8.5 (-110)

GMU vs VCU Player Props

George Mason vs VCU player props from bet365 on Mar 16. Claim the current bet365 bonus code to get a bonus for Sunday’s NCAAM slate.

Haynes has the top scoring prop for either team at 15.5 points, and he’s delivered of late, scoring at least 22 points in five of his last seven outings, including both A10 tournament games. One of the few games he’s been held in check was against VCU, when he had 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting.

Darrius Maddox is the only other Patriots with a double-figure scoring prop at 12.5 points. He’s cleared that bar three times in his last four games.

Max Shulga has the highest scoring total for the Rams at 14.5, but he’s hit the Under in both tournament games after scoring 15 or more points in five of six to close out the regular season.

He’s also tied with Jack Clark for the rebound high with 6.5, a figure he has topped in three of his last five games.

The A10 Title Game is set to be an exciting matchup between George Mason and VCU. Both teams have had successful seasons and are looking to come out on top in this highly anticipated game.

George Mason comes into the game with a record of 20-9, while VCU boasts a record of 22-6. Both teams have shown their ability to compete at a high level throughout the season, making this game a must-watch for college basketball fans.

In terms of odds, VCU is currently favored to win the game by a slim margin. The Rams have been playing well as of late and have a strong roster that includes standout players like Nah’Shon Hyland and Vince Williams. However, George Mason should not be counted out, as they have proven themselves to be a tough opponent throughout the season.

When it comes to picks and predictions, this game could truly go either way. Both teams have the talent and skill to come out on top, so it will likely come down to who can execute their game plan the best on the day of the game. Fans can expect a close and competitive matchup that could come down to the wire.

Overall, the A10 Title Game between George Mason and VCU is shaping up to be an exciting showdown between two talented teams. College basketball fans should be sure to tune in to see who will come out on top and secure the conference title.