Game 1: GMU (0-0) vs Monmouth (0-0) on Monday, November 6, at 7:00 PM.

[psyclone]

By George tweeted it out: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1lDGLPWPPbQGm

Alternatively,

https://www.facebook.com/MasonAthle...onference-vs-monmouth-110623/1384976525740095

 

[GMUgemini]

Don’t think anyone is getting carried away. We can admit we played sloppy on one end (several lazy giveaways and errant passes) and also recognize effort on the defensive end. Both things can be true.

Monmouth was really physical when they were playing man. Got away with a lot of reach ins, grabs and push offs (by my count). Mason has to be stronger with the ball when the other team tries to knock them off their rhythm like that and the refs aren’t calling it tight.

 

[TweederGMU]

Youtube video of the game here

Youtube video of the game here

Lots of empty seats on that one side. Attendance didn't look great?

Why in the %^&* do they allow 4 dance girls to suck up 4 front rows beside the band! Put them somewhere else or make them stand. That's prime real estate..... put the Maniaks over there. Ugh.... so aggravating

 

[Patriotsince81]

Lots of empty seats on that one side. Attendance didn't look great?

Announced 3,145.

George Mason Opens Season with 72-61 Triumph Over Monmouth - George Mason University Athletics

The George Mason University men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 campaign with a wire-to-wire, 72-61 triumph over Monmouth Monday night inside EagleBank Arena.

gomason.com

 

[Falco]

Alternatively,

https://www.facebook.com/MasonAthle...onference-vs-monmouth-110623/1384976525740095

Skinn gave some good insight into the players tonight. Fun press conference.

 

[Masonman]

Lots of empty seats on that one side. Attendance didn't look great?

Why in the %^&* do they allow 4 dance girls to suck up 4 front rows beside the band! Put them somewhere else or make them stand. That's prime real estate..... put the Maniaks over there. Ugh.... so aggravating

We tried to sit there and they ran us off. It seemed to me that the Green Machine was a lot bigger than years past.

 

[JC_FoodcourtBandit]

Lots of empty seats on that one side. Attendance didn't look great?

Why in the %^&* do they allow 4 dance girls to suck up 4 front rows beside the band! Put them somewhere else or make them stand. That's prime real estate..... put the Maniaks over there. Ugh.... so aggravating

It’s very odd that they can’t sit on the floor like the cheerleaders and other dance team do. And the fact they get a row per a member is also nuts

 

[EXpatriot13]

Announced 3,145.

George Mason Opens Season with 72-61 Triumph Over Monmouth - George Mason University Athletics

The George Mason University men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 campaign with a wire-to-wire, 72-61 triumph over Monmouth Monday night inside EagleBank Arena.

gomason.com

That’s our lowest home opener attendance in 18 years (something rather significant happened that season).

Thought there would be more support for Skinn’s first game + home opener. Wasn’t expecting a sellout, maybe 5-6k, but to not even come close to cracking 4k is quite pathetic.

 

[Jack Strop]

That’s our lowest home opener attendance in 18 years (something rather significant happened that season).

Thought there would be more support for Skinn’s first game + home opener. Wasn’t expecting a sellout, maybe 5-6k, but to not even come close to cracking 4k is quite pathetic.

I'd say the students showed up last night. They only SAT there, but they showed up. The glaring holes were on the lower bowl—season ticket holders' sections. Do we not have many season ticket holders or are they just not going to the games?

 

[GMUgemini]

Before we get too carried away, don't overlook that Monmouth got 9 steals to our 5 and Mason lost the turnover battle 18-12.

Box vs. Monmouth (PDF) - George Mason University Athletics

Box vs. Monmouth (PDF)

gomason.com

Rohland on the broadcast said Monmouth was top 50 in the country last season in forcing turnovers, so it’s obviously part of their identity.

Mason had about 4 TOs due to not knowing each other, and 2 just dumb ones (Polite not taking that 3 at the end of the first half, Newton’s lane violation on his missed FT).

 

[Patriotsince81]

Do we not have many season ticket holders or are they just not going to the games?

That's the million dollar question. In years past I tried to move seats but was told they were taken even though I never saw anyone actually in the seats. The crowds continue to be a disappointment and a mystery.

 

[MasonSAE4]

That’s our lowest home opener attendance in 18 years (something rather significant happened that season).

Thought there would be more support for Skinn’s first game + home opener. Wasn’t expecting a sellout, maybe 5-6k, but to not even come close to cracking 4k is quite pathetic.

I mean...is it? We're the dedicated sickos who follow a middling team. A team who just changed coaches three times in a few years. I don't think you can expect much from casual fans on a Monday night against a no-name opponent. We would've cracked 5k if this was a Friday I think.

Winning cures all, but we haven't given anyone anything to be excited about in years. The average Mason grad has no f**king clue who Tony Skinn is, but they will come out if the team is winning.

 

[Patriotsince81]

We're the dedicated sickos who follow a middling team.

LOL. Well said!!!! Thank you!!!! I've been searching for a new identity, now I have it. We just need a creative soul with artistic talent to design shirts and hats. Anyone?

 

[BandWagon18]

I mean...is it? We're the dedicated sickos who follow a middling team.

 

[gmutom]

Winning cures all, but we haven't given anyone anything to be excited about in years. The average Mason grad has no f**king clue who Tony Skinn is, but they will come out if the team is winning.

This! And I'll take it a step further. As much as I love the players having more freedom, it means there will be no loyalty to a specific program and there will be constant turnover of team rosters. Hell, I follow the program closely and had to print out a roster just to know who was who in our exhibition game against WVU. A fellow grad texted me yesterday and asked how many new players we have, and I replied, "Everybody but Polite, Henry and Dinkins."

And it's not like learning the roster this year will help next season, because we could have as many as 7 new players depending on expiring eligibility and transfers to other programs. Compare that to after our Final 4 year when we knew exactly who was leaving and what recruits we had coming in to replace them.

Again, I get that that college hoops becoming the Wild West is the new reality. Here's hoping Tony Skinn brings some stability to the roster and the program, because that will deliver the consistent winning that will draw in the casual fans.

 

[Jack Strop]

Post-game, I spoke to my niece and one of her friends (both Mason freshmen) about how they liked the game. They were stoked and loved it. I offered them some blanket criticism about students needing to stand throughout the game. The friend replied, "[Stand] the whole game???".

 

[EXpatriot13]

I mean...is it? We're the dedicated sickos who follow a middling team. A team who just changed coaches three times in a few years. I don't think you can expect much from casual fans on a Monday night against a no-name opponent. We would've cracked 5k if this was a Friday I think.

Winning cures all, but we haven't given anyone anything to be excited about in years. The average Mason grad has no f**king clue who Tony Skinn is, but they will come out if the team is winning.

I don't disagree with the negative factors. I get it. Not going to get into a huge debate on it because we all know what will hopefully cure this.

But historically we've averaged around 5,000 for home openers that fell early in the week since Paulsen's first season. A lot of middling to bad teams since then. No matter how we spin it, barely cracking 3k is disappointing.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

I don't disagree with the negative factors. I get it. Not going to get into a huge debate on it because we all know what will hopefully cure this.

But historically we've averaged around 5,000 for home openers that fell early in the week since Paulsen's first season. A lot of middling to bad teams since then. No matter how we spin it, barely cracking 3k is disappointing.

If we get 5k+ plus to show up Friday, then we’ll know that the poor turnout was likely due to season opener being on a Monday.

 

[Junkees9]

I was most impressed by Hall and Kelly. Hall plays with a lot of passion and is a beast on the boards. Kelly had a great second half. Of course, Maddox was good but I expected that. Hall and Kelly exceeded my expectations. There were some disappointments, too, but I'll leave those alone. for the most part. I will say that while I think Polite is a good guard, he was awful last night.

 

[gmujim92]

I was most impressed by Hall and Kelly. Hall plays with a lot of passion and is a beast on the boards. Kelly had a great second half. Of course, Maddox was good but I expected that. Hall and Kelly exceeded my expectations. There were some disappointments, too, but I'll leave those alone. for the most part. I will say that while I think Polite is a good guard, he was awful last night.

I’m actually encouraged that we were able to beat a CAA team by 11 even though RP3 played probably the worst game of his life. Good to have multiple weapons instead of having to count on one guy to carry the load.