The St. Bonaventure Bonnies (19-12, 11-7 A10) go head-to-head against the George Mason Patriots (17-15, 6-13 A10) in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tourney at Barclays Center. The game will air on NBC Sports Network at 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 135 points with St. Bonaventure opening as a 3.5-point favorite at most NJ Sportsbooks.
George Mason Patriots vs. St. Bonaventure Bonnies ATS Prediction
The last time the Patriots played, they defeated the Saint Joseph’s Hawks, 77-70, as 2.5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (147) came in well over the O/U total of 124. The Patriots had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 40.0 (above their season average of 32.9), while the Hawks had a free throw rate of 0.127 (below their season average of 0.208). With 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting, AJ Wilson led George Mason in scoring.
The Bonnies were blown out by the Saint Louis Billikens in their last outing, 72-49. They were not able to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (121) were under the O/U total of 135. Saint Louis’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over St. Bonaventure. The Billikens had a rate of 30.6 (below their season average of 34.3), while the Bonnies posted a mark of 17.9 (below their season average of 31.2). St. Bonaventure’s Jaren English put together a good game, leading the team in scoring with 15 points on 3-for-7 shooting.
George Mason holds records of 17-15 straight up (SU) and 14-16-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Patriots games, with 16 overs compared to 15 unders.
Meanwhile, St. Bonaventure is 19-12 SU and 16-14 ATS. Of the Bonnies’ 30 games with betting action, 17 have finished over the projected point total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Jordan Miller (14 points,7.4 rebounds) has been fantastic for the Patriots while Jaren English (13 points,6.4 rebounds) has made solid contributions to the Bonnies.
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams battle. St. Bonaventure currently ranks 311th in possessions per game (66.2) and George Mason is 295th (66.7).
George Mason vs. St. Bonaventure Odds Pick
Free Pick: ATS Winner – St. Bonaventure, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
St. Bonaventure ranks 97th in assists per game (13.8) while George Mason ranks 257th (10.9).
The Patriots rank 153rd in three pointers allowed per game (21.6) while the Bonnies rank 281st (25.1).
St. Bonaventure ranks 43rd in steals allowed per game (5.5) while George Mason ranks 140th (6.5).
The Patriots rank 25th in blocks per game (4.7) while the Bonnies rank 99th (3.4).
George Mason ranks 79th in rebounds per game (37.2) while St. Bonaventure ranks 83rd in rebounds allowed per game (33.3).
In its last five games, George Mason is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
St. Bonaventure is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Patriots’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.2, up from 0.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bonnies have scored an average of 71.0 points per game (1.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 74.0 points per game (7.1 above their season average).