CBB: George Mason at Virginia Commonwealth (4:00 PM ET, ESPN2)

The mid-majors get a call-out from the ESPN family of networks on Saturday when the deuce brings you a showdown between Colonial Athletic Association frontrunners George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth at 4:00 PM ET. You should be well familiar with these

2009-01-23

The mid-majors get a call-out from the ESPN family of networks on Saturday when the deuce brings you a showdown between Colonial Athletic Association frontrunners George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth at 4:00 PM ET. You should be well familiar with these schools’ names, as they’ve been regular participants in the Big Dance each March. However, being mid-majors, the only assurances these teams get of receiving a bid each year comes with a conference crown. That is what makes games like Saturday’s so important.

There is a three-way tie atop the CAA and that will change with two of the teams meeting head to head. George Mason (14-4, 9-3-1 ATS) lost in conference for the first time Wednesday at Northeastern (who is the other team tied for first place) and has another strenuous road tilt at Virginia Commonwealth (14-5, 8-8-1 ATS). The Patriots were the darling of college basketball a few seasons ago and are one of the better defensive teams in the country again, holding opponents to 59.4 points a game on 39.8 percent shooting. George Mason has a well balanced attack and receives contributions from a variety of players and has covered last four games against teams with winning records.

The Rams have a full head of steam, winning six in a row since losing to Delaware in the first game of 2009. They have won by an average of 17.5 points per game, though the competition leaves a little to be desired. Watch for guard Eric Maynor, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. He is a complete player, being able score, dish and play defense. VCU was the favorite to win the Colonial coming into the year and 6’9 Larry Sanders has added a huge presence in the lane. The Rams are just 4-9 ATS at home vs. a team with a winning road record.

The home team is 9-3 ATS in this series.

StatFox Power Line – VCU by 6

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