The George Mason Patriots take on the VCU Rams in the Atlantic 10 Tournament final. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
VCU is favored by 7.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -340. The total is set at 126.5 points.
Here’s my George Mason vs. VCU predictions and college basketball picks for March 16, 2025.
George Mason Patriots vs VCU Rams Prediction, Picks
My Pick: VCU -7.5 (Play to -9)
My George Mason vs VCU best bet is on the Rams spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
George Mason vs VCU Odds, Line, Spread
[gamematchup league=”ncaab” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/ncaab/100/gmu.png” awayname=”George Mason” awayslug=”george-mason-patriots” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/ncaab/100/vcu.png” homename=”VCU” homeslug=”virginia-commonwealth-rams” date=”Sunday, March 16″ time=”1 p.m. ET” network=”CBS Sports Network” col1text=”Spread” col2text=”Total” col3text=”Moneyline” col1awaytext=”+7.5″ col1awayline=”-110″ col1hometext=”-7.5″ col1homeline= “-110″ col2awaytext=”127″ col2hometext=”127″ col2awayline=”-110o / -110u” col2homeline=”-110o / -110u” col3awaytext=”+280″ col3hometext=”-360″ col3awayline=”” col3homeline=”” bookname=”bet365″ bookthumbnaillogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/860991_Bet365ALT.png” bookreviewslug=”bet365″][/gamematchup]
- George Mason vs VCU spread: VCU -7.5, George Mason +7.5
- George Mason vs VCU over/under: 127
- George Mason vs VCU moneyline: VCU ML -360, George Mason ML +280
Spread
I’m taking the Rams on the spread up to -9.
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline because there’s no value.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
My Pick: VCU -7.5 (Play to -9)
_InlineAdBlock
[howtowatch gameid=”252738″ date=”20250316″][/howtowatch]
George Mason vs. VCU NCAAB Preview
It’s only fitting that the A-10’s two best teams will play for the conference tournament title.
George Mason scooted past both George Washington and Saint Joseph’s as small favorites.
Meanwhile, VCU got a real test from Loyola Chicago in the semifinals, but it locked down the Ramblers’ defense late.
The two teams met just once during the regular season, and VCU took home a 70-54 win. I feel like we’ll see a similar result here.
The Rams have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament either way, but nothing is for sure, so they can’t take their foot off the gas.
I don’t trust George Mason’s offense. The Patriots aren’t just a mediocre offense — they’re a truly bad offense, ranking 209th in KenPom’s offensive efficiency.
Turning the ball over at a 20% clip is a big problem that won’t work well against VCU’s defense, which is looking to pressure early and often. The Rams force turnovers at a 20% clip and will look to speed up the Patriots.
George Mason shot 50% from 2 and 3 in the semifinals, but turning the ball over 16 times allowed Saint Joe’s to get back into the game.
The difference in this matchup is that VCU won’t let George Mason off the hook for its errors.
Part of the turnover problems is the lack of a true point guard. UMass Lowell transfer Brayden O’Connor typically runs the point — or K.D. Johnson — but neither is your ideal lead guard. That leads to some head-scratching plays and turnovers.
How does VCU contain the All-League big Jalen Haynes? That’s the question I have, and the Rams hold teams to just 44% shooting from inside the arc. Haynes is very nimble and skilled, but facing longer and more athletic bigs like Luke Bamgboye and Christian Fermin is tough.
The Rams have to face a defense that ranks 23rd in KenPom’s defensive efficiency metric. Cracking that unit will be easier if Max Shulga plays well. He’s VCU’s best player, but he’s struggled in the past three games.
If Shulga is playing well, it calms down everything for a VCU offense that sits 14th in offensive efficiency since February 1.
VCU wants to rise and fire from deep, attempting 3s on 47% of its shots. Shulga isn’t the only guard scorer, though, as Ryan Odom has plenty to rely on for offensive pop.
The veterans — Joe Bamisile, Phillip Russell and Zeb Jackson — are strong scorers, and freshman Brandon Jennings is coming on lately.
The line sits at VCU -7.5, and I see it winning by double digits. If the Rams can force turnovers, I’m not sure how George Mason keeps it close.
[procard imageurl=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/194961_PROMarchSpecial_1500x844.png” cta=”Bracket Picks. Countless Edges.” firstupsell=”Sean Koerner’s bracket breakdown” secondupsell=”Instant expert pick alerts” thirdupsell=”Projections, edges, systems & more!” buttontext=”GET ACTION PRO NOW” buttonurl=”/pricing”][/procard]