Our two biggest issues last year were team defense and turnovers (XJ would have been a fine PG for us last year if he was a better defender and didn’t turn it over as much as he did against the better teams). A third was depth. Hopefully we solved the depth issue (at least at guard). It remains to be seen how good the team defense is going to be, which for me is key to finishing in the top 5.
2022 Transfer Portal Thread
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Our two biggest issues last year were team defense and turnovers (XJ would have been a fine PG for us last year if he was a better defender and didn’t turn it over as much as he did against the better teams). A third was depth. Hopefully we solved the depth issue (at least at guard). It remains to be seen how good the team defense is going to be, which for me is key to finishing in the top 5.
Very fair points. The question is, can even 2 of the 3 being fixed get Mason into the top 5. I would be skeptical at this juncture but that's why they play the games.
Currently an incomplete. Final grade TBD. C-/D+ if the roster above is final. Too many unknowns and no flat out studs from the portal.
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I don't see how this roster is better than Dayton, SLU, vcu, UMASS (sorry but they are going to be really good if their transfers can play together) and who knows who else. We will have to be better than at least one of these teams for an autobid (which we have to be fighting for with Ticket, Coop, Bailey's for sure last years and Oduro and Ticket's probable last years as well). Playing for the future is a DP way of coaching which is exactly why he is the third assistant on Fordham this year. You need to be adapted to the new wave of each season being a new year to rebuild until the rules change
This is why taking a visit from Venning sort of puzzles me. Perhaps the staff thinks he can become something special, but he doesn’t fit what KE said they were looking for: older guys ready to play right away at PF and PG.
If we’re in development mode, OK give the ball to Dinkins and JF and we’ll live with the inevitable freshman mistakes as part of the normal growth curve.
But then why take Bailey and Singleton? I’m sure there’s a plan but not sure what it is at this point.
I find anything puzzling that doesn't either keep XJ and pray Dinkins is better than Polite which would be an upgrade or putting all of your eggs into signing a single PG that has D1 experience better than Jamal. Kinda flabbergasted honestly but I am as patient as they come because I enjoyed watching the team last year and we aren't boring anymore
I can understand the want and need to have someone who can slot into a back up role for Josh, or even someone who can play alongside Josh, allowing him to step out a bit more to showcase an all around game for his professional future.
There was a huge void behind Josh which was exploited last season.
Vennings visit puzzles me too, unless it’s a choice between him and Nnaji and not both, but taking Vennings also seems to point to losing out on some or all of our ‘23 targets at that position, so I don’t know.
CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY
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Ah, I see the boards bar has moved yet again!!
C+IMO. Not bad by any means, but I think we'd be downgrading at one position and at best staying flat at another. I think we really absolutely have to bring someone in who is clearly going to be the starting PG on Day 1 for me to be super high on this offseason.
I truly don’t mean this to sound as harsh as it will, but if that person isn’t Malik as a junior, why is he still at Mason? Same with Polite … just makes no sense to keep juniors around during a roster transition if they aren’t seen as rotation players.
For next season, yes. He’s the one who made it clear we’re trying to get the most from Josh’s senior season and that’s the curve he’s getting graded against. Sign a competent, veteran PG and I’m probably giving him an A.
Because having a bunch of great players all playing the same spots doesn't build you a team that dances.
Not rocket science… but I guess it is.
Quentin Daniels
Hall of Famer
Didn't we make it to the Final Four once w/out having a true PG on the roster? Or am I just imagining that....
To be more clear -- I think we'd be downgrading at Schwartz's position from last season. I think we brought in alot of talent, but I'll be incredibly surprised if any of them match Schwartz's production from last year. It's tough to find a 5th year senior with March experience like we did.
I think my thoughts on the PG spot are probably well documented at this point and if we don't find someone who can get the ball to the great pieces we have then this is all for nothing.
Had a bunch of guards that can ball handle. I love Coop but he ain’t it. Can afford to have no true point guard when you have a bunch of guards who can dribble and shoot. TBD on the new guys but from the returnees we have none. Some of the returnees can’t do either
Sure let’s bank on doing that again. Solid plan cool cool cool.
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Doc Nix and the Green Machine
Bill Bride - DMV Sports Shots
Patriot Brew Blog/Newsletter