George Mason (19-5) started Atlantic 10 play 10-1 and has now avenged its lone loss of the conference season with an 82-67 dismantling of Rhode Island (15-8), a team that has totally collapsed since the start of the new year.
This season, George Mason is an at-large bid contender due to its defense, allowing just 61.8 points per game. Unsurprisingly, the Patriots’ defense ranks No. 1 in the A-10 and ninth in the nation. However, that elite defense hasn’t turned into an elite or even decent offense. The Patriots average 72.1 points per game. It’s a bottom-four offense in the A-10, and they have only scored 80 or more four times this season. Coming into their game against Rhode Island, it had been four games since the Patriots last scored 80 points, and in that game, it took two overtimes to get there. Maybe it was the motivation of Homecoming or because it was head coach Tony Skinn’s birthday, or maybe the Patriots were out for vengeance. Regardless, the Patriots scored the most points since they played UPENN (6-14) before Christmas.
George Mason generated this offense via a career day for fifth-year Darius Maddox, who scored 24 points thanks to his lights-out shooting from deep. Maddox knocked down four of his six 3-pointers and matched his career high. Ironically, the first time Maddox scored 24 was also against Rhode Island. As a team, the Patriots shot over 50% from deep. In the first half alone, George Mason made eight 3s on just 12 attempts. Overall, George Mason shot 58.2% from the field. It was the most efficient game the Patriots have played since A-10 play started and the sixth most efficient game in team history. On the season, George Mason is now 14-1 in home games.
For Rhode Island, they have allowed 80 or more points in six of their last seven games. That stat is even more ridiculous when you realize the Rams only allowed 80 or more points once in their first 16 games. That missing defense could be due to the Rams’ injuries during their trip to Loyola Chicago. Before the game, first-year Tyonne Farrell, the Rams’ best point-of-attack defender, went down with an ankle injury during the morning shootaround. Then during the game, fourth-year Quentin Diboundje and third-year Jamarques Lawrence suffered ankle injuries. Unfortunately for the Rams, that injury luck isn’t going anywhere, and thus their rotation has completely changed. It was recently announced that Farrell is dealing with personal matters and will step away from the team for a time.
“As we move forward with our group, I think all hands-on deck continues to be the theme,” Rhode Island head coach Archie Miller said following the announcement of Farrell’s departure. “I think at the end of the day what’s best for him right now is to take a deep breath.”
Without Farrell, the Rams lack a true wing in an era of basketball where the wing has become the dominant archetype. The only other player on the roster who even sort of fits into that wing category is fourth-year Quentin Diboundje, who didn’t make the trip to Fairfax, Virginia, and his status is still in question for Rhode Island’s upcoming game against St. Bonaventure (17-8).
“Q wasn’t available last week in the wing spot, and he brings us a great rebounder and motor and we’re playing a lot smaller on the perimeter right now,” Rhode Island Head Coach Archie Miller said. “I think he’s going to make his first come back with us in about five days. We’ll see how things go over the next two days… We need him, he plays a big role in these next few weeks in terms of versatility in lineups, size, rebounding, capable scorer, shooter, would love to see the best of Q here down these next few weeks.”
Diboundje didn’t play the entire month of December, not because of injury but because of lineup decisions. He made a big splash in his first few games back in the rotation before an untimely roll of the ankle on that cursed trip to Loyola Chicago. Since then, Diboundje has only played four of the Rams’ six games. He is averaging 13 minutes per game, two points per game, three rebounds per game, and is shooting 18.2% from the field. Diboundje has shown the ability to be the player that Miller needs him to be, but only in flashes. If the Rams were to turn this season somehow around, Diboundje must be the player he showed he could be against Richmond or George Washington.
Rhode Island’s next game is against their neighbor in the standings, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. This season the Bonnies are 5-7 in A-10 play and 5-4 on the road, while Rhode Island is 11-2 in the Ryan Center. Entering conference play, both teams had one loss and were perceived as contenders for the A-10 title. However, after a rough first half of A-10 play, both teams now find their conference records below .500, and both are owners of the longest losing streak in the conference (2). Even after these awful starts, due to the complete mess of the A-10, they’re both just two games away from a top-four seed and, in turn, the double-bye.
In terms of statistical similarities, both teams are in the bottom three in the A-10 in assists. Rhode Island averages 11.36 assists per game while the Bonnies averages 10.42. These teams have allowed very similar field goal percentages, the Rams allowing 45.0% and the Bonnies allowing 45.8%. The biggest difference in team stats is how these teams shoot and defend the three-ball. Since the start of A-10 play, the Rams have a top-three defense against the 3, holding opponents to 29.8%. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go both ways for the Rams as they shoot just 31.3% from deep and have the least made 3s of anyone in the A-10. As for St. Bonaventure, they have the worst 3-point defense in the A-10, allowing 36.8%, but they’ve shot 33.6% from deep, good for sixth in the A-10.
This game provides both programs one last chance to right their respective ships, and a loss would likely sink the season, especially in the case of the Rams. The 76th edition of Rams-Bonnies holds a ton of weight on both teams’ shoulders. Who will crumble under pressure? You can find out at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday on ESPN+.
