GMU What?!?!

Saturday

George Mason (16-6, 9-3) at James Madison (15-9, 7-5)

Mason travels to Harrisonburg to meet their fake rivals the James Madison Dukes. No one at either JMU or Mason seems to know why exactly we are considered rivals. I know that for Mason students they are told at freshman orientation that JMU is our rivals because they have girlie colors or something. When it has come to an actual on the court rivalry, there has been none. Mason has beaten JMU 10 times in a row and never really been tested in those games. Last year, Mason G Dre Smith set an NCAA record when he went 10/10 from the three point line. Anyone who watches Mason knows the chances of Smith hitting 10 three pointers on 10 attempts was a once in a lifetime accomplishment that probably only JMU would have allowed him to have.

Despite the past and despite Mason's 71-57 drubbing of JMU earlier this season at the Patriot Center this could be a tough game for the Patriots. JMU is 7-5 in conference and within striking distance of a top 4 finish, which would guarantee them a first round bye in the CAA Conference Tournament. Four of their players average double figures with their leading scorer also being their leading rebounder, F Juwann James. The Dukes put up a lot of points, averaging 70 a game but their defense is slightly weak as they give up 67 points a game. Mason's defense had slipped with the absence of G John Vaughan but his presence was on display Tuesday in the blowout win against Hofstra. Hostra scored just 54 points and was held to 28.8 percent shooting. If Mason can play even half that type of defense on Saturday they should earn another victory over the Dukes. I think the atmosphere will be electric as Mason is targeted by every CAA team when they come to their building, plus JMU actually has a decent squad this year. However, at the end of the day Mason is better and will finally get a half decent road win.

Prediction: George Mason 75, James Madison 66