Best Bets & Odds for George Mason Patriots vs. Duke Blue Devils College Basketball Prediction, December 17, 2024
In their most recent game, the George Mason Patriots secured a solid victory over Tulane, triumphing with a final score of 76-64. The Patriots shot 43.6% from the field, connecting on 24 of their 55 attempts, and were also proficient from beyond the arc, making 8 out of 20 three-point attempts. At the free-throw line, they were excellent, sinking 20 of 24 shots, good for an impressive 83.3%. When it came to rebounding, George Mason collected 35 total boards, with 9 coming on the offensive end. Additionally, they registered 12 assists, forced 7 turnovers, and recorded 5 steals in the game. Defensively, they limited Tulane to 41.1% shooting, as the Green Wave made 23 of their 56 attempts. Tulane also registered 12 assists, 4 steals, and managed 25 total rebounds, including 6 offensive boards. However, Tulane was unable to block any shots. At the free-throw line, they made 8 of their 10 attempts, which gave them an 80.0% conversion rate. From long distance, they made 10 of 27 three-point attempts. The Patriots finished the game with 12 fouls, while Tulane committed 21 fouls.
One standout performer in this contest was Brayden O’Connor, who played a pivotal role for George Mason. He finished the game with 17 points, shooting an efficient 7 for 10 from the field. O’Connor also contributed 4 rebounds and 4 assists in his 35 minutes of action, displaying an impressive 70.0% shooting accuracy.
Looking at the broader picture, George Mason has a 7-3 record for the season, averaging 78.7 points per game, which ranks them 120th in the country. They boast a field goal percentage of 48.4% and have been decent from three-point range, connecting on 33.8% of their attempts (72 out of 213). From the free-throw line, they convert 72.4% of their attempts. Rebounding is a strength for George Mason, as they average 39.2 boards per game. The team has recorded 137 assists so far this season, ranking 244th in the nation in that department. However, they struggle with turnovers, committing an average of 13.6 per game, and they also average 16.1 fouls per contest.
Defensively, the Patriots are a solid unit, forcing 12.6 turnovers per game and drawing 20.6 fouls on their opponents. They are particularly strong against the three-point shot, holding opponents to just 27.3% shooting from beyond the arc. George Mason is also 22nd in the country in terms of points allowed per game, giving up only 63.1 points on average. They limit their opponents to a field goal percentage of 35.4% and average 32.7 rebounds per game. On the defensive end, they have surrendered 109 assists so far this season, ranking 49th in the country in terms of limiting assists to their opponents.
In their most recent game, the Duke Blue Devils also emerged victorious, defeating Incarnate Word 72-46. Duke grabbed 27 defensive rebounds and 14 offensive boards, totaling 41 rebounds for the game. Despite committing 12 turnovers, they were able to generate 5 steals on defense. Incarnate Word was called for 19 personal fouls, leading to 21 free-throw attempts for Duke. The Blue Devils made 16 of their 21 attempts, giving them a free-throw shooting percentage of 76.2%. From beyond the arc, Duke made 8 of their 25 three-point attempts, a conversion rate of 32.0%. Overall, Duke shot 43.6% from the field, making 24 of 55 attempts. On the defensive end, the Blue Devils held Incarnate Word to just 17 successful field goals out of 53 attempts, resulting in a shooting percentage of 32.1%. Incarnate Word struggled from three-point range, hitting just 21.7% of their attempts (5 out of 23). At the free-throw line, they converted 7 out of 12 shots, good for 58.3%. Duke allowed Incarnate Word to grab 24 total rebounds, including 8 offensive boards.
Khaman Maluach was one of Duke’s key players in this matchup. He made 6 of his 7 field goal attempts, finishing with an impressive shooting percentage of 85.7%. Maluach also grabbed 7 rebounds and scored 17 points in just 22 minutes of play, though he did not record any assists.
Duke’s overall record for the season stands at 8-2. They average 79.7 points per game and are shooting 46.3% from the field, ranking 135th in the nation. The Blue Devils also average 40.2 rebounds per game and are ranked 64th in the country in assists, with 16.3 per contest. They are also solid at the free-throw line, converting 73.0% of their attempts. However, they do commit 16.7 fouls per game, which could be a point of concern.
On the defensive side, Duke is one of the best teams in the country, ranking 11th in points allowed per game with just 59.9. The Blue Devils force 13.8 turnovers per game and have limited their opponents to a shooting percentage of 36.2%, which ranks 5th in college basketball. They have also been effective at defending the three-point line, holding opponents to a shooting percentage of 29.3% (70 out of 239). At the free-throw line, Duke allows their opponents to convert 77.8% of their attempts. In terms of defensive rebounding, Duke averages 32.8 boards per game, ranking 104th in the nation. They also limit their opponents to just 11.9 assists per game, ranking 98th in that category.
With both teams showing impressive performances this season, tonight’s game is shaping up to be an exciting matchup. George Mason’s offense is potent, ranking 120th in the nation in scoring, while their defense has been strong against both the three-point shot and overall field goal percentage. Duke, on the other hand, has been one of the top defensive teams in college basketball, particularly when it comes to limiting opponent shooting percentages. Both teams have proven themselves capable of playing strong defense and capitalizing on their opportunities on offense. Given the Blue Devils’ strong defensive capabilities and George Mason’s ability to put up points, this game could be a close one, with Duke’s defense likely playing a significant role in the outcome.
For those betting on the game, it’s crucial to consider both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. While George Mason has been efficient from the field, Duke’s tough defense and ability to generate turnovers could give them the edge in this contest. It will be interesting to see how the Patriots’ offense fares against Duke’s stifling defense, and whether the Blue Devils’ offensive execution can keep up with George Mason’s scoring pace.
In conclusion, the matchup between George Mason and Duke promises to be a hard-fought battle, with each team having its own distinct advantages. Whether it will be George Mason’s offensive firepower or Duke’s defensive prowess that prevails remains to be seen, but fans can expect an exciting game filled with high stakes and competitive play.
