Game 32: Atlantic 10 Tournament - #5 GMU vs #13 St. Bonaventure game on Thursday, March 12 at 2:00PM.

[GMU79]

Take it easy guys on the topic, this can go down the wrong road.

Let’s focus our complaints on today’s loss.

Not me this time!
Ban 'em, ban 'em, I say!

 

[DRK331]

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Post game presser here

Tony Skinn's part is at 24:27

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

The good and the bad of the current world Mason is in...What you did 2 months ago means nothing. Everyone starts fresh every year. When you have a sh*tty end to a season like we did, you flush it because most of the players are gone anyway.

 

[nchocola]

As long as we have Tony, we will always have a chance. He’s not the best in game coach, but he is young still. He has room to grow.

Just really bad turnovers in the second half. No Fatt Hill hurt because Troutman had a very poor game.

Back to the portal.

I think Tony needs to try and schedule a few quad 1/2 games away in non-conference play next year. They need to try and position themselves to at least have a chance at large. I’d rather lose some of those games than go 13-0 against mainly quad 3/4.

 

[Portlandian]

Mason did play a distractingly large amount of out of conference road games. That VA Tech road loss used to feel like such a millstone.

 

[TweederGMU]

Here's my analysis on the formula for an A10 team to have a shot at an at-large, based off the past 3-4 years.

In conference - Can't lose more than 3 games and preferably none at home to mid-bottom to far bottom tier teams (no upsets). 4 loses (MAY be acceptable in some years) but we really need to keep it at 3 and under losses. 15-3, or better, is where we need to be.

OOC - We HAVE to schedule better. Put us in an opportunity to get good wins at a neutral or away site, don't be scared to schedule tough. Also, we need to destroy (consistent 15+ point wins) the lesser quad 3 and 4 teams and pick up wins against good competition - in Quad 1 and 2 ranges.

vcu is predicted to be in the tourney now.... and their best OOC win this year is VT and/or South Florida. Other than that.... they went 15-3 in conference and tested themselves in a MTE tournament. They lost to solid teams in Utah State (lost by 3), NC State, #22 Vandy, New Mexico (lost by 3). They only lost to a ranked St. Louis twice and us in conference.... they took care of business in their conference slate which means a ton.

I think the NCAA committee evaluators always value consistency in a team's conference - a big factor I've heard conference chairs state acceptance on a team is that they were consistent (meaning good) throughout the year and especially in their conference.

Here's the freaking annual blueprint.

Love,

Tweeder

 

[jruby]

Here's my analysis on the formula for an A10 team to have a shot at an at-large, based off the past 3-4 years.

In conference - Can't lose more than 3 games and preferably none at home to mid-bottom to far bottom tier teams (no upsets). 4 loses (MAY be acceptable in some years) but we really need to keep it at 3 and under losses. 15-3, or better, is where we need to be.

OOC - We HAVE to schedule better. Put us in an opportunity to get good wins at a neutral or away site, don't be scared to schedule tough. Also, we need to destroy (consistent 15+ point wins) the lesser quad 3 and 4 teams and pick up wins against good competition - in Quad 1 and 2 ranges.

vcu is predicted to be in the tourney now.... and their best OOC win this year is VT and/or South Florida. Other than that.... they went 15-3 in conference and tested themselves in a MTE tournament. They lost to solid teams in Utah State (lost by 3), NC State, #22 Vandy, New Mexico (lost by 3). They only lost to a ranked St. Louis twice and us in conference.... they took care of business in their conference slate which means a ton.

I think the NCAA committee evaluators always value consistency in a team's conference - a big factor I've heard conference chairs state acceptance on a team is that they were consistent (meaning good) throughout the year and especially in their conference.

Here's the freaking annual blueprint.

Love,

Tweeder

Mason had a path this season, but they really fell apart in the middle stretch. The bubble was weak, and they had quality home wins over Saint Louis and vcu. What hurt them were the bad losses. The truth is, they just were not that good this year.

At this level, you can win one of two ways: either with elite defense, like they had last year, or with a true star player. Tony understands that, and he also knows he is probably not landing a star player. The problem was that this group never figured out how to play that same elite level of defense.

I think Tony understands what it takes to win at this level. The bigger question is whether he can get the right players to do it. Last year, they came up just two shots short. This year, the defensive lapses doomed them as soon as they got away from Fairfax. Defense is supposed to travel, and for them, it did not.


I still think he is a solid coach with a high ceiling, but like any new coach, he is still figuring things out. One of the biggest challenges is that so much of it falls on him. The program was a dumpster fire before he arrived, and the support system and donor base just do not have the kind of influence that other schools do. The A10 has a lot of history and the programs won't just roll over and die. I think in a conference like the CAA you could get hot at the end and win and every year is a new year because it's all just sort of random. The top conferences even in major conferences are dominated by the same programs always have been and always will be. While you can get into the Tournament the reality is the same 10 schools win for a reason even as coaches come and go.

 

[GMU79]

Mason had a path this season, but they really fell apart in the middle stretch. The bubble was weak, and they had quality home wins over Saint Louis and vcu. What hurt them were the bad losses. The truth is, they just were not that good this year.

At this level, you can win one of two ways: either with elite defense, like they had last year, or with a true star player. Tony understands that, and he also knows he is probably not landing a star player. The problem was that this group never figured out how to play that same elite level of defense.

I think Tony understands what it takes to win at this level. The bigger question is whether he can get the right players to do it. Last year, they came up just two shots short. This year, the defensive lapses doomed them as soon as they got away from Fairfax. Defense is supposed to travel, and for them, it did not.


I still think he is a solid coach with a high ceiling, but like any new coach, he is still figuring things out. One of the biggest challenges is that so much of it falls on him. The program was a dumpster fire before he arrived, and the support system and donor base just do not have the kind of influence that other schools do. The A10 has a lot of history and the programs won't just roll over and die. I think in a conference like the CAA you could get hot at the end and win and every year is a new year because it's all just sort of random. The top conferences even in major conferences are dominated by the same programs always have been and always will be. While you can get into the Tournament the reality is the same 10 schools win for a reason even as coaches come and go.

And some of those close OOC wins were fools gold.

 

[Jack Strop]

Here's my analysis on the formula for an A10 team to have a shot at an at-large, based off the past 3-4 years.

In conference - Can't lose more than 3 games and preferably none at home to mid-bottom to far bottom tier teams (no upsets). 4 loses (MAY be acceptable in some years) but we really need to keep it at 3 and under losses. 15-3, or better, is where we need to be.

OOC - We HAVE to schedule better. Put us in an opportunity to get good wins at a neutral or away site, don't be scared to schedule tough. Also, we need to destroy (consistent 15+ point wins) the lesser quad 3 and 4 teams and pick up wins against good competition - in Quad 1 and 2 ranges.

vcu is predicted to be in the tourney now.... and their best OOC win this year is VT and/or South Florida. Other than that.... they went 15-3 in conference and tested themselves in a MTE tournament. They lost to solid teams in Utah State (lost by 3), NC State, #22 Vandy, New Mexico (lost by 3). They only lost to a ranked St. Louis twice and us in conference.... they took care of business in their conference slate which means a ton.

I think the NCAA committee evaluators always value consistency in a team's conference - a big factor I've heard conference chairs state acceptance on a team is that they were consistent (meaning good) throughout the year and especially in their conference.

Here's the freaking annual blueprint.

Love,

Tweeder

On the other side of the polynomial equation for team success—player management A certain level of continuity of key players from the previous season is vital. Last season, for vcu it was Shulga, Bamisille, Jackson, and Fernin. This season it was Hill, Jennings, and Belle. For SLU this season it was Avila, McCrotty, and Thames That continuity is what launches teams to greater heights. They hand down and enforce the culture from one team to the next.

Mason's team continuity was virtually absent this season. Lack of team continuity is a big step that Mason has to take, and currently leaves us a step or two behind (of course, higher level recruiting is in the mix as well, which Tony can do). Tony, AD and Co. must find a way to get the key players to return and stay for awhile.

Considering what Coach Skinn has accomplished in seasons two and three, I'm highly optimistic for season four. Tony has been phenomenal! If the continuity train leaves the station on-time and does not derail at any point then Mason has as good a shor as any to reach the promised land.

 

[Old Ram]

Mason had a path this season, but they really fell apart in the middle stretch. The bubble was weak, and they had quality home wins over Saint Louis and vcu. What hurt them were the bad losses. The truth is, they just were not that good this year.

At this level, you can win one of two ways: either with elite defense, like they had last year, or with a true star player. Tony understands that, and he also knows he is probably not landing a star player. The problem was that this group never figured out how to play that same elite level of defense.

I think Tony understands what it takes to win at this level. The bigger question is whether he can get the right players to do it. Last year, they came up just two shots short. This year, the defensive lapses doomed them as soon as they got away from Fairfax. Defense is supposed to travel, and for them, it did not.


I still think he is a solid coach with a high ceiling, but like any new coach, he is still figuring things out. One of the biggest challenges is that so much of it falls on him. The program was a dumpster fire before he arrived, and the support system and donor base just do not have the kind of influence that other schools do. The A10 has a lot of history and the programs won't just roll over and die. I think in a conference like the CAA you could get hot at the end and win and every year is a new year because it's all just sort of random. The top conferences even in major conferences are dominated by the same programs always have been and always will be. While you can get into the Tournament the reality is the same 10 schools win for a reason even as coaches come and go.

What Mason didn’t have was a challenging OOC schedule. It’s imperative for a MM.

 

[GMUgemini]

As long as we have Tony, we will always have a chance. He’s not the best in game coach, but he is young still. He has room to grow.

Just really bad turnovers in the second half. No Fatt Hill hurt because Troutman had a very poor game.

Back to the portal.

I think Tony needs to try and schedule a few quad 1/2 games away in non-conference play next year. They need to try and position themselves to at least have a chance at large. I’d rather lose some of those games than go 13-0 against mainly quad 3/4.

TBF, according to interviews, Tony contacted 50 P4 programs and they all said no, and that was including VA Tech who didn’t say yes until another game of theirs fell through and they needed a late addition to their OOC.

I think we need to be willing to play more home-and-homes but we need to be strategic and make sure they are all top 125 or better mid-major teams (granted that can be hard to figure out).

We also need to get into better MTEs but the only way to do that is to make the tournament.

 

[Pablo]

Bona men’s hoops prolong the Schmidt era with second-half comeback over George Mason

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com PITTSBURGH, PA — A team with something to fight for is a dangerous one. The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team has something to fight for and that’s ext…

oleanstar.com

"George Mason head coach Tony Skinn admitted that the fuel that was added to Bona’s fire following Schmidt’s retirement announcement unnerved him. And that fire grew to a blaze in the second half, burning his Patriots.

'They’re playing for a guy that’s arguably one of the best coaches in A10 history,' Skinn said. 'I couldn’t sleep last night just knowing that at the end of the day, (St. Bonaventure) is going to go to war for him. And that’s what happened tonight.'”

"With the win, Bona is now the first No. 13 seed to ever reach the quarterfinals of the A10 Championship. The win extends the team’s streak of consecutive quarterfinal appearances to three and it has made it to this stage of the tourney in 11 of the last 13 seasons."

 

[Jack Strop]

"With the win, Bona is now the first No. 13 seed to ever reach the quarterfinals of the A10 Championship. The win extends the team’s streak of consecutive quarterfinal appearances to three and it has made it to this stage of the tourney in 11 of the last 13 seasons."

Wound, meet Mr. Salt.

 

[GMUgemini]

On the other side of the polynomial equation for team success—player management A certain level of continuity of key players from the previous season is vital. Last season, for vcu it was Shulga, Bamisille, Jackson, and Fernin. This season it was Hill, Jennings, and Belle. For SLU this season it was Avila, McCrotty, and Thames That continuity is what launches teams to greater heights. They hand down and enforce the culture from one team to the next.

Mason's team continuity has been virtually absent for three seasons (actually, two because a brand new team almost always enters with a brand new coach). Lack of team continuity is a big step that Mason has to take, and current makes us a step or two behind (of course, higher level recruiting is in the mix as well, which Tony can do). Tony, AD and Co. have find a way to get the key players to return and stay for awhile.

Considering what Coach Skinn has done in seasons two and three, I'm highly optimistic for season four. Tony has been phenomenal! If the continuity train leaves the station on-time and does not derail at any point then Mason has as good a shor as any to reach the promised land.

We had continuity last year (Maddox, Newton, Billups, Haynes) and that’s why we came within a shot of making the tournament.

This season we only had 2 holdovers, and one of them got hurt the first game of the season.

I keep harping on continuity. If we can keep 5-7 players off of this team they will be better next year.

 

[Pablo]

Wound, meet Mr. Salt.

I'm just showing respect for an outstanding coach.

 

[gmujim92]

We may not dance for a while. This was our best shot for years and the end of season skid cost us.

Very hard for Mid-majors to pay for 6-10 players each year and really not know what you are getting... who can consistently play in the A-10 and their overall production value. Then we have to worry about them possibly quitting on ya once they start losing mid-season or if they are not happy about their playing time. Very hard to break through consistently in this NIL era, especially in a 1-2 bid league each year.

We basically have to keep up with vcu and Dayton each year because, as much as we hate to believe it, they just reload each year and are consistent with the talent levels they bring in.... and they are known to win consistently each year. Winning brings in better talent and resources. These 2 teams in the A-10 are the teams we have to strive to be but we are behind the 8-ball.

And SLU is planning to spend $10M on rev share next season as part of its bid to keep Schertz.

That’s almost what Providence spent on its roster this season.

While Mason works on a multiyear plan to get up to $3M. Hard to win that way when recruiting is all about how much you can pay.

 

[GMU79]

Bona men’s hoops prolong the Schmidt era with second-half comeback over George Mason

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com PITTSBURGH, PA — A team with something to fight for is a dangerous one. The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team has something to fight for and that’s ext…

oleanstar.com

"George Mason head coach Tony Skinn admitted that the fuel that was added to Bona’s fire following Schmidt’s retirement announcement unnerved him. And that fire grew to a blaze in the second half, burning his Patriots.

'They’re playing for a guy that’s arguably one of the best coaches in A10 history,' Skinn said. 'I couldn’t sleep last night just knowing that at the end of the day, (St. Bonaventure) is going to go to war for him. And that’s what happened tonight.'”

"With the win, Bona is now the first No. 13 seed to ever reach the quarterfinals of the A10 Championship. The win extends the team’s streak of consecutive quarterfinal appearances to three and it has made it to this stage of the tourney in 11 of the last 13 seasons."

And of course it would be against us. Figures.

 

[DRK331]

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[NewPatriot]

Perspective: This is second best season in 15 years despite the collapse in February. Mason and finally beat vcu and ranked St Louis at home..despite Mason operates on less than 1/2 the vcu budget is amazing

The fact that Tony did this with a roster overhaul is amazing.

The short term should be to keep the key players and upgrade through portal. This staff has already proven it has the ability to do it

People should remember where Mason was 12 years ago when. Hewitt left, Mason had become a bottom feeder. Paulson got them back middle of the pack respectability, English got back to back 20 win season, Skinn now has back to back 23+ wins season. The last steps are the harder but the program is headed in the right direction.

I am not worried.

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

And SLU is planning to spend $10M on rev share next season as part of its bid to keep Schertz.

That’s almost what Providence spent on its roster this season.

While Mason works on a multiyear plan to get up to $3M. Hard to win that way when recruiting is all about how much you can pay.

Perspective: This is second best season in 15 years despite the collapse in February. Mason and finally beat vcu and ranked St Louis at home..despite Mason operates on less than 1/2 the vcu budget is amazing

The fact that Tony did this with a roster overhaul is amazing.

The short term should be to keep the key players and upgrade through portal. This staff has already proven it has the ability to do it

People should remember where Mason was 12 years ago when. Hewitt left, Mason had become a bottom feeder. Paulson got them back middle of the pack respectability, English got back to back 20 win season, Skinn now has back to back 23+ wins season. The last steps are the harder but the program is headed in the right direction.

I am not worried.

Top One-Year Turnarounds in College Basketball:

• Miami (FL) (2025–26): Under a new coaching staff, Miami transformed from a 24-loss team to a 24-win team in a single season.
• Kennesaw State (2022-23): Under Amir Abdur-Rahim, went from 1 win to 26 wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
• Kansas State (2022-23): Jerome Tang turned a 14-17 team into a 26-10 Elite Eight run, a +12 win jump.
• Nevada (2015-16): Eric Musselman led a 24-14 record following a 9-22 season, a +15 win improvement.
• Washington State (2006-07): Tony Bennett turned a 11-17 team into a 26-8 squad, a +15 win improvement.