Game 19: GMU (11-7 / 3-2) vs GW (8-9 / 2-2) on Monday, January 16, at 4:00 PM.

[KAOriginal]

Couldn't really watch the game in transit....but thank you Jet Blue for getting me onboard early to see the last 2 minutes of that grand finish....

Glad to see coach call out some players. We shall see what he can do from here....

 

[TweederGMU]

YESSSS Coach..... YESSS. Glad to see he is fired up. Wish all of our players had his heart and passion. No BS today.... our players are just not playing where they should be, especially the older guys.

 

[GSII]

.... our players are just not playing where they should be, especially the older guys.

It's his job to maximize players potential. He shouldn't throw players under the bus. After all, he recruited them.

 

[jessej]

Nice piece during the halftime of the telecast on Chase Tucker, Mason preferred walk-on, celebrating his late grandfather who was the first black scholar-athlete at Stanford:

https://www.cleveland19.com/2023/01/16/breaking-color-barrier-tucker-family-featured-cbs-sports-report/

i am a Stanford grad - classes of 86 and 88
there was an African-American on the football/rugby team when the University opened in 1895 or 96

could Chase's grandfather have been the first A-A on the Basketball team?

Yes, a careful look at the screen shows a newspaper clipping of him as the first A-A Basketball player.

 

[Earl the Squirrel]

"Old guys ain't got it"

How offended is Gmu79?? I kid...

".....especially, the older transfers"

Anybody wanna guess who he is talking about??

We know who he's talking about in that we know who the older transfers are, but is he alluding to 1-2 players in particular? Who knows?

KE said at the end of last season the team "had too many nice guys and not enough dogs." So he went out and brought in what we were led to believe were a couple of mentally tough players in VB, Singleton, and Ojiako. He didn't kick Coop and Ticket to the curb; he brought them back. It was strongly suggested: THESE ARE MY GUYS! Presumably, he liked their attitudes and moxy. It's a little disengenous to now turn around after a tough loss and complain, "the older transfer ain't got IT." I'm sure it's just a motivational play and he hopes they respond, but still...

He made another comment about the manner in which we were boxing out. He said there's only ONE way to do it and that's by facing the basket, but this is not how we were boxing out earlier in the season. We were doing it with our backs to the basket. A lot of us commented on how weird the scheme was.

That coach is frustrated is clear. I get it. He can cast blame on the "older transfers," but I suspect he's dealing with his own cognitive dissonance. After all, Sports Illustrated annointed him as the NEXT BIG THING in college hoops not too long ago https://www.si.com/college/2021/09/10/kim-english-george-mason-basketball

He's got to be wondering what is going on here, exactly. 18 months ago, I was the hottest up-and-coming coach in the country and now I'm 1.5 years in, piloting a slightly better than .500 team in front of a half-empty arena in Fairfax. He's searching for answers and it would only be human nature to second-guess yourself.

To which I say, "Coach, you're not in Knoxville anymore." Instead of blaming a handful of players it's time for you to take ownership. If I were KE, with my professional future hanging in the balance, I'd be a bit more humble. Rather than calling out a few guys, I'd ask the whole team for input into what we can do better as a collective unit. What are the things we're good at? What schemes are we not very good at executing? How can I put you in a position to be successful? (Caveat: KE may already be doing this in spades.)

But that's just me.

Ultimately, I believe in KE and this team. We're in a better position now than at any time since Larranaga left. We have more talent and depth on the roster than we did last year (I do admit really missing Schwartz, though).

These are just the growing pains every new program goes through. If we all take accountability and come together I still like the upside. Lots of games to still play....

 

[gmujim92]

We know who he's talking about in that we know who the older transfers are, but is he alluding to 1-2 players in particular? Who knows?

KE said at the end of last season the team "had too many nice guys and not enough dogs." So he went out and brought in what we were led to believe were a couple of mentally tough players in VB, Singleton, and Ojiako. He didn't kick Coop and Ticket to the curb; he brought them back. It was strongly suggested: THESE ARE MY GUYS! Presumably, he liked their attitudes and moxy. It's a little disengenous to now turn around after a tough loss and complain, "the older transfer ain't got IT." I'm sure it's just a motivational play and he hopes they respond, but still...

He made another comment about the manner in which we were boxing out. He said there's only ONE way to do it and that's by facing the basket, but this is not how we were boxing out earlier in the season. We were doing it with our backs to the basket. A lot of us commented on how weird the scheme was.

That coach is frustrated is clear. I get it. He can cast blame on the "older transfers," but I suspect he's dealing with his own cognitive dissonance. After all, Sports Illustrated annointed him as the NEXT BIG THING in college hoops not too long ago https://www.si.com/college/2021/09/10/kim-english-george-mason-basketball

He's got to be wondering what is going on here, exactly. 18 months ago, I was the hottest up-and-coming coach in the country and now I'm 1.5 years in, piloting a slightly better than .500 team in front of a half-empty arena in Fairfax. He's searching for answers and it would only be human nature to second-guess yourself.

To which I say, "Coach, you're not in Knoxville anymore." Instead of blaming a handful of players it's time for you to take ownership. If I were KE, with my professional future hanging in the balance, I'd be a bit more humble. Rather than calling out a few guys, I'd ask the whole team for input into what we can do better as a collective unit. What are the things we're good at? What schemes are we not very good at executing? How can I put you in a position to be successful? (Caveat: KE may already be doing this in spades.)

But that's just me.

Ultimately, I believe in KE and this team. We're in a better position now than at any time since Larranaga left. We have more talent and depth on the roster than we did last year (I do admit really missing Schwartz, though).

These are just the growing pains every new program goes through. If we all take accountability and come together I still like the upside. Lots of games to still play....

No offense but this is a terrible post. It’s WAY past time for Kim to publicly throw down the gauntlet and say what we’re all thinking. The turnovers ARE ridiculous and the older guys don’t play with the necessary discipline, sense of urgency and swagger.

There’s no sense sugar-coating it at this point. If guys don’t want to get called out by the coach, they need to play up to the program standards. Period.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Time to bench the vets and play the freshmen? Starting lineup of Dinkins, Fernandez, Nnaji, Jones, and Henry. We can't start off any worse with them than we have with the regular starters last two games out. By no means am I suggesting we throw away the season but if we lose at Rhode Island and then lose at vcu were sitting at 5 losses. Any thought of top 4 goes out the window at that point. Play the kids that are going to play hard.

 

[sleeperpick]

No offense but this is a terrible post. It’s WAY past time for Kim to publicly throw down the gauntlet and say what we’re all thinking. The turnovers ARE ridiculous and the older guys don’t play with the necessary discipline, sense of urgency and swagger.

There’s no sense sugar-coating it at this point. If guys don’t want to get called out by the coach, they need to play up to the program standards. Period.

Sheesh in the last 5 days I’ve seen the two worst posts on this board. Can’t wait for what’s next

 

[gmujim92]

Time to bench the vets and play the freshmen? Starting lineup of Dinkins, Fernandez, Nnaji, Jones, and Henry. We can't start off any worse with them than we have with the regular starters last two games out. By no means am I suggesting we throw away the season but if we lose at Rhode Island and then lose at vcu were sitting at 5 losses. Any thought of top 4 goes out the window at that point. Play the kids that are going to play hard.

I would start Malik, but with Josh. Malik brings energy and physicality that complements Josh’s skill. My other 3 would be Polite, Dinkins and JF. Maybe a taste of the bench motivates the veteran guards to play better, maybe they check out entirely … whatever, don’t really care.

No offense to Elvis and Blake, but starting them at this point would basically be waving the white flag on the season. They’re clearly not ready.

 

[GSII]

No offense but this is a terrible post. It’s WAY past time for Kim to publicly throw down the gauntlet and say what we’re all thinking. The turnovers ARE ridiculous and the older guys don’t play with the necessary discipline, sense of urgency and swagger.

There’s no sense sugar-coating it at this point. If guys don’t want to get called out by the coach, they need to play up to the program standards. Period.

Turnovers are embarrassing. And when we had 4 in a row in first half, thats when he should of benched the starting 5 for the entire first half. Send a message. Also, Cooper getting 30 mins for 8pts is criminal. Worst defender on the team. Makes shots in blow out garbage time, not when we need him to. Screwed the pooch on that put back yesterday while having 11 seconds to reset. I dunno whats going on with him.

As for playing with swagger and urgency, Im not sure that's all on the players. Maybe they are over thinking. Maybe our scheme is casuing them pause. Is this what giving freedom to players means? That they slow down b/c they can't jack 3's all game? We play slow as it is, but Kim has said he wants more pace. Nothing is making sense. We hear one thing, and see the opposite. Kim can talk the talk. His walk has a limp.

 

[GMU79]

We know who he's talking about in that we know who the older transfers are, but is he alluding to 1-2 players in particular? Who knows?

KE said at the end of last season the team "had too many nice guys and not enough dogs." So he went out and brought in what we were led to believe were a couple of mentally tough players in VB, Singleton, and Ojiako. He didn't kick Coop and Ticket to the curb; he brought them back. It was strongly suggested: THESE ARE MY GUYS! Presumably, he liked their attitudes and moxy. It's a little disengenous to now turn around after a tough loss and complain, "the older transfer ain't got IT." I'm sure it's just a motivational play and he hopes they respond, but still...

He made another comment about the manner in which we were boxing out. He said there's only ONE way to do it and that's by facing the basket, but this is not how we were boxing out earlier in the season. We were doing it with our backs to the basket. A lot of us commented on how weird the scheme was.

That coach is frustrated is clear. I get it. He can cast blame on the "older transfers," but I suspect he's dealing with his own cognitive dissonance. After all, Sports Illustrated annointed him as the NEXT BIG THING in college hoops not too long ago https://www.si.com/college/2021/09/10/kim-english-george-mason-basketball

He's got to be wondering what is going on here, exactly. 18 months ago, I was the hottest up-and-coming coach in the country and now I'm 1.5 years in, piloting a slightly better than .500 team in front of a half-empty arena in Fairfax. He's searching for answers and it would only be human nature to second-guess yourself.

To which I say, "Coach, you're not in Knoxville anymore." Instead of blaming a handful of players it's time for you to take ownership. If I were KE, with my professional future hanging in the balance, I'd be a bit more humble. Rather than calling out a few guys, I'd ask the whole team for input into what we can do better as a collective unit. What are the things we're good at? What schemes are we not very good at executing? How can I put you in a position to be successful? (Caveat: KE may already be doing this in spades.)

But that's just me.

Ultimately, I believe in KE and this team. We're in a better position now than at any time since Larranaga left. We have more talent and depth on the roster than we did last year (I do admit really missing Schwartz, though).

These are just the growing pains every new program goes through. If we all take accountability and come together I still like the upside. Lots of games to still play....

You have said a lot of good things here, and I find myself divided. On the one hand, calling out guys might be the best thing he could have done. After all, some of us have wondered if KE wasn't being too much of a buddy. Like JO calling him Kim. Really!!?? Not in my day!!!
On the other hand, yes, he did recruit them and it is his job to maximize them. But a year and a half in, maybe he's still learning how to do it. But yeah, this is his career, and he has to be feeling some pressure.
And you are spot on with the box out quote. That was weird!! We all saw it. Then he said they were doing it wrong. Hmm.
All in all, though, I liked Kim's fire last night. Let's hope it turns into results in the W-L column.
Now, if I can just find my cane, hearing aids and teeth.....

 

[MasonSAE4]

We know who he's talking about in that we know who the older transfers are, but is he alluding to 1-2 players in particular? Who knows?

KE said at the end of last season the team "had too many nice guys and not enough dogs." So he went out and brought in what we were led to believe were a couple of mentally tough players in VB, Singleton, and Ojiako. He didn't kick Coop and Ticket to the curb; he brought them back. It was strongly suggested: THESE ARE MY GUYS! Presumably, he liked their attitudes and moxy. It's a little disengenous to now turn around after a tough loss and complain, "the older transfer ain't got IT." I'm sure it's just a motivational play and he hopes they respond, but still...

He made another comment about the manner in which we were boxing out. He said there's only ONE way to do it and that's by facing the basket, but this is not how we were boxing out earlier in the season. We were doing it with our backs to the basket. A lot of us commented on how weird the scheme was.

That coach is frustrated is clear. I get it. He can cast blame on the "older transfers," but I suspect he's dealing with his own cognitive dissonance. After all, Sports Illustrated annointed him as the NEXT BIG THING in college hoops not too long ago https://www.si.com/college/2021/09/10/kim-english-george-mason-basketball

He's got to be wondering what is going on here, exactly. 18 months ago, I was the hottest up-and-coming coach in the country and now I'm 1.5 years in, piloting a slightly better than .500 team in front of a half-empty arena in Fairfax. He's searching for answers and it would only be human nature to second-guess yourself.

To which I say, "Coach, you're not in Knoxville anymore." Instead of blaming a handful of players it's time for you to take ownership. If I were KE, with my professional future hanging in the balance, I'd be a bit more humble. Rather than calling out a few guys, I'd ask the whole team for input into what we can do better as a collective unit. What are the things we're good at? What schemes are we not very good at executing? How can I put you in a position to be successful? (Caveat: KE may already be doing this in spades.)

But that's just me.

Ultimately, I believe in KE and this team. We're in a better position now than at any time since Larranaga left. We have more talent and depth on the roster than we did last year (I do admit really missing Schwartz, though).

These are just the growing pains every new program goes through. If we all take accountability and come together I still like the upside. Lots of games to still play....

Eh???

I have a few small complaints with specific things with the staff (I think KE has too long a leash with the team before taking a timeout, for example) but this teams struggles are all things outside of their control. I have nothing new to add to what others have already said, but I'm sure the staff is ripping their hair out over the terrible passing that results in turnovers, as well as the free throw issue.

I do agree the rebounding comment was odd though. The entire team was facing their man when boxing out at the start of the year so I have a hard time believing that wasn't by design.

 

[dr. gunnie]

I actually agree with some of Earl's post. I will say though, Kim has taken ownership in a lot of the shortcomings in the past, he just didn't yesterday. I think he's trying to do anything he can to get these guys playing better. Next on the list was calling them out publicly, which again, I don't have a problem with... but it's a move that can also backfire too. The red flag for me is how many different ways we have been able to lose games. One game it's from the free throw line, the next it's defense, the next it's turnovers... I think I would feel better about things if it was just one thing each game, but because it's been a variety of reasons, I'm starting to think we just aren't that good... and I think we should be, at least better than we have been.

And just because he calls out some of the older guys, I'm just not as convinced that he will win here long term like tblack mentioned. I hope he will and I like the fire, but I'm just not convinced of it. I'm also extremely down after yesterday and starting to wonder if we will ever be a top 4 in the A10, so I'm sure I'm overreacting a bit.

 

[EXpatriot13]

I know it's been said before, but this team lacks an identity. What do they hang their hat on?

It's not uptempo.
It's not lockdown defense.
It's not owning the paint.
It's not being fundamentally sound.
It's not bullying their opponent.

I think blame can be equally shared with coaching staff and players. Has CKE done a good enough job selling what the foundation of our program is? Have the players bought in enough? A lot of these games look like they're playing to hope to win, instead of playing to dominate/win. There's no killer instinct, and a lot of just going through the motions.

 

[GMU79]

I actually agree with some of Earl's post. I will say though, Kim has taken ownership in a lot of the shortcomings in the past, he just didn't yesterday. I think he's trying to do anything he can to get these guys playing better. Next on the list is calling them out publicly, which again, I don't have a problem with... but it's a move that can also backfire too. The red flag for me is how many different ways we have been able to lose games. One game it's from the free throw line, the next it's defense, the next it's turnovers... I think I would feel better about things if it was just one thing each game, but because it's been a variety of reasons, I'm starting to think we just aren't that good... and I think we should be, at least better than we have been.

And just because he calls out some of the older guys, I'm just not as convinced that he will win here long term like tblack mentioned. I hope he will and I like the fire, but I'm just not convinced of it. I'm also extremely down after yesterday and starting to wonder if we will ever be a top 4 in the A10, so I'm sure I'm overreacting a bit.

Yes, Kim has taken ownership in the past.
Sort of to the effect of "if they don't perform we didn't teach them." But maybe you can't teach players to do things they are not capable of doing. On the other hand, maybe it is Kim and the staff.
This is incredibly frustrating. Is it Kim? The players? Aarrgghh!!!

 

[tblack33]

Yes, Kim has taken ownership in the past.
Sort of to the effect of "if they don't perform we didn't teach them." But maybe you can't teach players to do things they are not capable of doing. On the other hand, maybe it is Kim and the staff.
This is incredibly frustrating. Is it Kim? The players? Aarrgghh!!!

Why can't it be both? I think Kim would be the first person to tell you he takes ownership over what the team does and fails to do. However -- he isn't on the court for them. If he is telling them to push the pace, and the guards aren't doing it -- then some of the onus absolutely falls on the players for not executing what the staff is expecting of them.

 

[BBride]

I'm also extremely down after yesterday and starting to wonder if we will ever be a top 4 in the A10, so I'm sure I'm overreacting a bit.

My son didn't watch the game but looked at the stat sheet and saw two things that stood out - Points from Turnovers (GW 17, Mason 11) and Points from Fast Breaks (GW 17, Mason 6). He said he didn't have to look at anything else to know how this game went. Very disappointing loss for sure.

We are finding out this current team is not a top 4 team in the A10. I do think CKE can get Mason there.

Maybe these guys go on a roll like Richmond did last year and win the tournament. Right now though I'd just settle for back to back conference wins and a couple conference road wins.

 

[GMU79]

Why can't it be both? I think Kim would be the first person to tell you he takes ownership over what the team does and fails to do. However -- he isn't on the court for them. If he is telling them to push the pace, and the guards aren't doing it -- then some of the onus absolutely falls on the players for not executing what the staff is expecting of them.

It can. I should have included that.

 

[hoops10]

its understandable that KE is very frustrated, just as we fans are. He talks about the process, especially with older guys not doing what is needed to succeed. Not being a coach or an insider I wander how you teach players not to throw lousy passes, how do you teach players not to miss free throws ( I guess they take hundreds of practice shots) , how do you teach players to make shots, especially in the last two minutes of games. Maybe I am way off here, but I believe it comes down to recruiting the right players. I don't think you can teach how to pass, how to hit shots, how to make free throws. You can certainly practice, but If a player doesn't already have those inane abilities, how much can you accomplish. My point is the coach can only do so much. So maybe the focus is back on recruiting the right players. That in itself is another difficult assignment. trying to get premium players, with all those abilities, I guess is hard to do, especially at a mid level school like Mason. The big dogs get it done, and everyone can guess how that happens.
one last thought, I believe Mason is greatly missing a leader on the floor who can gain the respect of the other players. someone who can push the players on their level. I beleive Oduro should be that guy, but he is a very laid back individual, maybe just not for him. That is not a criticism of Josh, he is one of the best players we have ever had. The two guards/players from GW, Bishop and Adams were tough dudes who took over the last five minutes. I don't think you can teach what they bring.

 

[Jack Strop]

Yes, Kim has taken ownership in the past.
Sort of to the effect of "if they don't perform we didn't teach them." But maybe you can't teach players to do things they are not capable of doing. On the other hand, maybe it is Kim and the staff.
This is incredibly frustrating. Is it Kim? The players? Aarrgghh!!!

I don't believe it's the coaching. I look back one or two games ago when CKE stated how he loves Henry's coachability, that he does everything the coaches ask him to do, is humble, and plays with immense energy. That was the first call out to the rest of the team—"Play like Malik!"

It appears to me at this point that the coaches have been telling the players to do certain things over and over and over again and it's just not sinking in. The same mistakes continue to occur over and over and over again.

It's not a unique problem in coaching. I recall a Coach L team which had similar problems and execution woes. I recall near the advent of the "Green" and "Gold" teams when the Green team started and played the first 4+ minutes of a game. Then, after a 10-point deficit was amassed, the starters came in. I believe Mason won that game.

One can only coach so much. The rest is on the players. I think that's where we're at right now.