2024-2025 preseason previews

[GMUgemini]

With the Bahamas news dominating, thought I’d make a thread where we can aggregate all the preseason previews/rankings for Mason and the A10. Here is one I saw today from CBB Review. Has Mason at 4th in the conference (would be a first!) and 86th in the nation.

CBB Rank 2024: No. 86, George Mason Basketball

George Mason basketball has been trending on social media for all the wrong reasons. Let's just talk some hoops!

cbbreview.com

 

[phoenix-arizona]

I would love a 4th place finish this year. Double-Bye has long been the dream.

 

[GMUgemini]

I would love a 4th place finish this year. Double-Bye has long been the dream.

Would love to reach their projected ceiling too!

 

[thebiasedannouncer]

I would love a 4th place finish this year. Double-Bye has long been the dream.

Double-bye while home(ish) in DC this year for the conference tourney would do big things

 

[mkaufman1]

Give me a double bye, give me a semifinal Saturday appearance. Give me a championship Sunday appearance and net cutting ceremony.

If this group can't achieve at least 2 of these things with Tony as coach, I'm not sure anyone can as coach of George Mason Men's basketball. Period. Time is now.

 

[gmujim92]

Give me a double bye, give me a semifinal Saturday appearance. Give me a championship Sunday appearance and net cutting ceremony.

If this group can't achieve at least 2 of these things with Tony as coach, I'm not sure anyone can as coach of George Mason Men's basketball. Period. Time is now.

Especially since most of our rotation will be gone after the 2024-25 season. It’s now or never.

 

[gmubrian]

Give me a double bye, give me a semifinal Saturday appearance. Give me a championship Sunday appearance and net cutting ceremony.

If this group can't achieve at least 2 of these things with Tony as coach, I'm not sure anyone can as coach of George Mason Men's basketball. Period. Time is now.

And with all the extra playing time we got in the Bahamas...Oh wait, wrong thread.

 

[GMUgemini]

Especially since most of our rotation will be gone after the 2024-25 season. It’s now or never.

Hopefully Skinn can retain most of those who have eligibility still. Should be a decent core to build around:

Quigley/Begg
Ball/Cokley/O’Connor
Haynes/Emejuru/Sivka

Would need a 4 and a good wing, but there’s some potential to be had depending on how the above players develop and if they stick around or not.

Anyway, yes, if this years’ team can gel I don’t see why we can’t think winning the conference this year is a possibility.

 

[Walter]

Don't forget to factor in the new logo bad juju in your predictions.

I predict we forget to book buses and hotels to Brooklyn and forfeit the PIG.

 

[psyclone]

Don't forget to factor in the new logo bad juju in your predictions.

I predict we forget to book buses and hotels to Brooklyn and forfeit the PIG.

Worse yet, someone DOES book buses and hotels to Brooklyn. You may want to cancel your reservations now, Walter.

The 2025 Atlantic 10 Tournament returns to the Nation's Capital March 12-16 at the Capital One Arena. We can Uber to the games!

 

[mkaufman1]

It would be really funny if the logo was the equivalent of Mikey the Chimp and helped get Men's basketball back to where we all want it to be...

 

[gmujim92]

It would be really funny if the logo was the equivalent of Mikey the Chimp and helped get Men's basketball back to where we all want it to be...

It’s uglier than Mikey the Chimp, no doubt

 

[mkaufman1]

Hopefully Skinn can retain most of those who have eligibility still. Should be a decent core to build around:

Quigley/Begg
Ball/Cokley/O’Connor
Haynes/Emejuru/Sivka

Would need a 4 and a good wing, but there’s some potential to be had depending on how the above players develop and if they stick around or not.

Anyway, yes, if this years’ team can gel I don’t see why we can’t think winning the conference this year is a possibility.

I wouldn’t even worry about retaining decent core etc. if we do well this year it’s a 2 year build at most with the portal and turnover etc.

We’ll see how my post ages, but of the 8 you mentioned I’d be happy if we retained half of them for the next year.

 

[GMUgemini]

We’ll see how my post ages, but of the 8 you mentioned I’d be happy if we retained half of them for the next year.

I still think continuity will be important, especially at our level. This is true even in professional sports.

I also don’t doubt we will have a few players transfer because that’s just the way it is now. But hopefully we aren’t trying to recruit 10 brand new players again.

 

[mkaufman1]

I still think continuity will be important, especially at our level. This is true even in professional sports.

I also don’t doubt we will have a few players transfer because that’s just the way it is now. But hopefully we aren’t trying to recruit 10 brand new players again.

I hope we have some continuity, but I just don't bank on it anymore. I expect 5-7 new players every year, minimum.

 

[GMUgemini]

I hope we have some continuity, but I just don't bank on it anymore. I expect 5-7 new players every year, minimum.

5 players is one thing, but if we lose 4 players to transfer on top of the 5 exhausting eligibility you are essentially recruiting an entirely new team again.

 

[psyclone]

Dickie V mentions in some detail both SLU and Loyola-Chicago as teams to watch:

Dickie V's got his eye on these mid-majors this season

From McNeese State to GCU, these mid-majors could make some noise -- and orchestrate a few upsets -- in March, according to Dickie V.

www.espn.com

Also a very quick mention of Mason, JMU, and vcu

 

[Falco]

What’s going on with Zach Anderson? I havnt heard much about him in a long time

 

[GSII]

What’s going on with Zach Anderson? I havnt heard much about him in a long time

He is terrible. Can't shoot. Teams should leave him open.

 

[GMUgemini]

He is terrible. Can't shoot. Teams should leave him open.

48.6% from 3 on 111 attempts and I have heard exactly nothing from anyone who follows the A10 this summer about him.