Elon Phoenix vs George Washington Revolutionaries Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Week 2

George Washington has allowed 100 points in two games. Elon has scored 158 and won twice on merit. The Revolutionaries lay 14.5 at the Smith Center on Tuesday night.

The Matchup

Elon visits George Washington on Tuesday night at the Charles E. Smith Center in Washington, on ESPN+, with George Washington a 14.5-point favorite, a total of 148.5, and the Revolutionaries priced at -1,350 on the moneyline against Elon at +800. Both teams are 2-0.

George Washington has won with defense. The Revolutionaries beat Navy 91-39 and Hampton 75-61, scoring 83.0 points a game and allowing 50.0. Jean Aranguren leads George Washington at 13.0 points a game and 4.5 assists a game, and Andrija Vukovic leads the team on the glass at 8.0 rebounds a game. Aranguren and Vukovic are both active with no injury designations.

Elon has beaten two respectable opponents. The Phoenix won 84-71 at Columbia and beat UNC Greensboro 74-65, scoring 79.0 points a game and allowing 68.0. Josh Dalton leads Elon at 17.5 points a game, Raul Villar hands out 6.0 assists a game, and Hunter Harding pulls down 7.0 rebounds a game.

Last season George Washington was clearly better. The Revolutionaries went 19-16, scoring 81.4 points a game and allowing 74.2, while Elon went 14-18, scoring 78.1 and allowing 77.9. The gap in this game is about the present, though.

George Washington's defensive numbers came against Navy and Hampton, two teams that do not stress a defense, while Elon has already won a road game at Columbia and beaten a UNC Greensboro team that defends. Elon's offense is the first real test the Revolutionaries have faced, and 14.5 points is a big ask against a team that can score.

Key Factors

Dalton is the player George Washington has not seen yet. He is averaging 17.5 points a game, Villar keeps Elon organized at 6.0 assists a game, and the Phoenix have scored 84 and 74 against real defenses. The Revolutionaries allowed 50.0 a game against Navy and Hampton. Elon's guards will push that number up, and every Elon basket makes a 14.5-point cover harder, because George Washington's own scoring is spread thin: Aranguren leads the team at 13.0 a game, with no single finisher to lean on.

The glass is where George Washington can still take over. Vukovic at 8.0 rebounds a game against Harding at 7.0 gives the Revolutionaries a slight edge inside, and if they turn Elon misses into runouts, a home favorite can build margin quickly. Elon's counter is pace discipline: the Phoenix allowed 68.0 a game in their two wins, and a slower game shrinks the number of possessions George Washington gets to pull away.

The honest counterpoint is that George Washington might simply be this good defensively. Holding any two Division I teams to 39 and 61 points is real work, the Revolutionaries went 19-16 last season, and Elon steps up in class on the road here. If the Smith Center defense travels from the Navy game into this one, Elon could spend the night in the 60s and lose big. The bet is that Elon's guards and early-season form keep this well inside a two-touchdown spread.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.