Bradley Braves vs George Mason Patriots Prediction – 3/22/2025

The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) continues this Saturday as the Bradley Braves face off against the George Mason Patriots at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. Both teams enter the game with identical 27-8 records, setting the stage for a compelling contest.

Bradley Braves vs. George Mason Patriots Game Preview

Bradley advanced to this round after a 71-62 victory over North Alabama. In that game, the Braves shot 39.7% from the field and 29.6% from three-point range. Forward Darius Hannah led the team with 17 points and six rebounds. However, Hannah, along with guard Zek Montgomery, is unavailable for the remainder of the NIT due to undisclosed reasons, which could impact Bradley's performance.

Throughout the season, Bradley has averaged 76.7 points per game, shooting 48.1% from the field and 39.8% from beyond the arc. Defensively, they have allowed 68.6 points per game, holding opponents to a 40.4% shooting percentage.

George Mason enters the game following an 86-69 win over Samford. The Patriots shot 50% from the field and 37% from three-point range in that matchup. Guard K.D. Johnson was a standout performer, contributing 20 points and five assists. Forward Jalen Haynes, who averages 14.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, has been a consistent force for the Patriots.

On the season, George Mason has averaged 71.3 points per game, shooting 45.6% from the field. Their defense has been particularly strong, allowing just 63.5 points per game and limiting opponents to a 38% shooting percentage, ranking them first nationally in field goal percentage defense.

Betting Insights

As of the latest reports, George Mason is favored by 5.5 points, with an over/under set at 132.5 points. The moneyline odds are -250 for George Mason and +200 for Bradley. These odds suggest that bookmakers anticipate a competitive game, with George Mason holding a slight edge.

Recent trends indicate that Bradley has been strong against the spread (ATS), covering in four of their last six games. Additionally, the total has gone under in their last six games, suggesting a trend towards lower-scoring contests. George Mason has won four of their last five games, covering the spread in three of those matchups. The total has gone over in three of their last five games, indicating a tendency towards higher-scoring affairs.

Bradley Braves vs. George Mason Patriots Prediction

Considering the current form and statistical profiles of both teams, this game is expected to be closely contested. Bradley's offensive efficiency, particularly from three-point range, will be tested against George Mason's top-ranked field goal percentage defense. The absence of key players like Darius Hannah and Zek Montgomery for Bradley could further tilt the balance in favor of George Mason.

Given George Mason's defensive prowess and home-court advantage, they are likely to control the tempo and limit Bradley's scoring opportunities. While Bradley has been effective offensively, the loss of key contributors may hinder their ability to execute against a strong defensive unit.

Therefore, the prediction is that George Mason will cover the 5.5-point spread, securing a victory in a game that is expected to be moderately low-scoring, aligning with the under on the total points line.