Loyola Ramblers Preview – https://loyolaramblers.com/news/2025/1/ ... -road.aspx

George Mason Stats and Intel - https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/sc ... /2025.html

Record: 15-5 (6-1, 1st in A-10 MBB)
Coach: Tony Skinn
PS/G: 73.7 (209th of 364)
PA/G: 62.6 (13th of 364)
SRS: 9.12 (82nd of 364)
SOS: -0.14 (153rd of 364)
ORtg: 109.0 (151st of 364)
DRtg: 92.7 (13th of 364)


Loyola Chicago Ramblers (12-7, 3-3) at George Mason Patriots (15-5, 6-1) – 6:00pm CST EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, VA

Mason fans chirping already? - https://www.masonhoops.com/threads/game ... 0-pm.2771/



Loyola Chicago takes its first game of the week on the road at George Mason Wednesday night. The Patriots are on a five-game win streak and at the top of the league (6-1 tie with VCU), while the Ramblers look to build off their home win over Fordham last week and get above .500.

George Mason is the new surprise team, having won 5 in a row, 13 of its past 15 games, and 10 straight at home. GM is anchored by its team defense that’s rated 13th best in the country – opponents averaging only 62.6 against them. George Mason is fourth nationally in FG defense (.366) while also ranking high in 2pt defense (3rd, .415) and effective FG defense (5th, .433). They have held opponents to under 40% shooting in 15 of 20 games this season.

Wednesday's game marks the fifth all-time matchup between the Patriots and Ramblers. Loyola won three of the four meetings between the schools and swept the season series last season winning both times 85-79 and 80-59.

Mason has blowout losses to Marquette and Duke this season, but since A-10 play began they have earned quality wins on the road over Dayton and St. Bonaventure. Their only conference loss came to Rhode Island.

Mason’s main rotation of 8 guys features 6 seniors. Darius Maddox leads them in scoring, averaging 14.3ppg. He's been a consistent scorer, putting up double-figures in all but three games. Maddox is currently on a six-game double-figure scoring streak that saw a 20-point performance vs. Dayton on Jan. 15. Next, 6-8 senior forward, Jalen Hayes is also an offensive contributor and secondary option who also averages 12.2 points per game. 6-4 guard Brayden O’Connor is third in scoring averaging 10.5ppg to go with 2.9 assists.

Notable --> Mason is an excellent rebounding squad and predictably I can envision them out-physicalling us and dominating the boards on us in this one - and getting putbacks and second chance points up quickly. They rank 17th in the nation in defensive rebounds (28.3) and total rebounds per game at just under 40 (39.1). Jalen Hayes leads them in this department with 7.2, followed by 6-5 senior guard Jared Billups who gets 6.5. 6-10 F Giovanni Emejuru gets 4.7 and 6-8 F Woody Newton gets 4.5. Each guy who plays minutes for them goes for 3 to 5 boards per game.

Mason’s will be running the same starting lineup of 11 games in 6-7 F Zach Anderson, 6-8 F Jalen Haynes, 6-5 G Darius Maddox, 6-8 F Woody Newton, and 6-4 Brayden O’Connor.

Loyola Probable Starters – Watson, Dawson, Edwards Jr., Quinn, Rubin

If we can rebound with them, get physical, not play stupidly and then lose mental focus, and not miss layups, I think we have a shot.

LAST 10 GAMES FOR BOTH SQUADS

Mason: 8-2, averaging 68.7 points, 35.8 rebounds, 13.0 assists, 6.2 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 62.2 points per game.

Ramblers: 4-6, averaging 71.2 points, 28.4 rebounds, 13.9 assists, 5.8 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents averaged 75.1 points.


Watch / Listen – Wednesday’s game can be streamed on ESPN+, and can be listened to Rambler Sports Network with our friends Sudikoff and CT.

Postgame Show - Tune in to Sudikoff on RSN, followed by TalkinBlers Spaces on the X: https://x.com/blerstalking?s=21


Odds: George Mason -8

great preview....big game....I agree we can get out physicalled this year

If we can rebound with them, get physical, not play stupidly and then lose mental focus, and not miss layups, I think we have a shot.

Only if
Let's get er done!

I have never heard of a verb "to physical" or one " to out-physical."

_________________
Let's go Braden!

JC64 you prove two things.
1. You are never too old to learn something new
2. Da english language is always evolving...aint that wright

Is da english language always evolving? Or is da english language degenerating?

_________________
Let's go Braden!

Worst offensive half since....?

7 points almost feels insurmountable.

Good that we came back to tie it. But let's learn how to win these OT games before the A10 tournament.

Few thoughts fresh after taking the L:

-Mason played horrid. They shot 3-20 from deep (15%) and 11-22 from the free throw line. That was a golden opportunity to beat a top team in conference on the road. But we played slightly worse and blew our chance. Hate it.

-Offense is a rudderless ship without Moore. No real identity. No inside game. Poor 3-point shooters. Basically if Sheldon isn't shooting well from deep (and he was 1-8 tonight), the offense doesn't know what to do.

-We need better from Dawson. I really thought this would be his year. He has the talent, but it just isn't coming together. He was 1-11 today (1-8 from deep). Missed some WIDE OPEN shots from deep.

-That final possession of regulation. Why not call a timeout? You have two left. Instead, we just run an iso play and launch a shot at the backboard. Had a chance to draw something up.

-Good game from Nwaokorie. DeLoach was solid too but too many dumb fouls.

-Careless, lazy turnovers REALLY hurt this team. The one where both Des & Shel were going for a ball...and no one got it. The one in OT where Miles decided to try to possess the ball with one hand for some reason. The inbound lazy dribbling leading to their big guy getting an easy layup. The lazy inside feed by Des. So many more I am forgetting. Not having a true PG contributes to the mess.

-This is a middle-of-the-pack team, at best. On any given night, they can lose to the worst team in conference or beat the best team. That evens out to a team that will probably finish right around .500. Couple tough home games ahead vs Joe's (need revenge) and Bonnie's (just crushed Dayton). Need to hold serve at home.