Portlandian
Hall of Famer
AI is fun here, but I don't want GMU to start using AI for art, logos, Hire actual artists, graphic designers.
Game 1: GMU (0-0) vs UMBC (0-0) on Monday, November 2, at 4:00 PM.
- Thread starter Patriotsince81
- Start date
Took over the second half and won by almost 30. Good for the metrics. Defense looked pretty good for the most part. Rebounding was really really good on both sides.
Hopefully Kanga settles in and he can become more of a force on the offensive side as the season goes on. Would love to see 10-12 points to go with those 10 rebounds. On that, before the game was thinking of our Pearson, Morrison combination and was wondering if Jones-Kanga could have a similar dynamic. I’m going to go with maybe, maybe just might.
Hopefully Kanga settles in and he can become more of a force on the offensive side as the season goes on. Would love to see 10-12 points to go with those 10 rebounds. On that, before the game was thinking of our Pearson, Morrison combination and was wondering if Jones-Kanga could have a similar dynamic. I’m going to go with maybe, maybe just might.
Was at the game and left as it was pretty much secure late on. Not a huge fan of having the game at 4PM while university is in session, but I also don't think a lot of fellow students would have shown up if it was at 7 or 8PM for the tip. I like what I saw from the team in game one and especially excited for Pendergrass this season (hope we can keep him from being poached by a bigger P4 school next year). My biggest complaint, however, is that the university really doesn't seem to put much effort in gameday experiences and hasn't given the indications they plan on doing so in the future. Team desperately needs an NCAA tournament appearance and hopefully that investment really picks up.
NewPatriot
Starter
It was a nice win against a team with freshman, mid level talent jucos and no size.
I think the lack of a big physical offensively skilled post presence as well as the lack of rim protector will be this team's undoing once Mason gets to the bigger better more physical teams...
There’s ways to counter that…play smaller, pressure the perimeter and deny the entry pass. Run in transition.
Kanga has a ton of bounce though and long arms. He’ll be able to mix it up down low. The problem will be on the other side.
OP
- Thread Starter
- #69
Just got home. The first half wasn't much, but the team I expected/hoped to see showed upon the 2nd half. Pretty much what I expected to see for a game 1. Nice, I'll take it. Let's build on it and move forward.
FreeGunston12
All-American
Agree. Fun win, but this is definitely not Skinn’s most talented group. Wonder what the deal is with Nnaji. Injury, eligibility, or both? Without him (and maybe even with him), we are pretty thin in the post.
emjayar08
Starter
I hear you and agree, but I’m just saying is I’d prefer that style over what we got.
It’s maybe too much like Duquesne’s but looks more modern and aggressive than the boring iteration we were given
without having continuity from season to season, I expect rust to begin every season.
GunstonsGhost
Starter
We covered the spread by 10. According to the algorithmic gods we're off to a good start.
OP
- Thread Starter
- #75
2011WinOverVillanova
Starter
This. Thank You. Thank you. Support artists and not AI slop made by data centers.
Just got home from game ,first thingsfirst, gmu79 best wishes for your family. Like a few of posters said, first half very sluggish, but second half we dominated. I think this is one of our most athletic teams of the Tony era. The competition wasn't top notch but I saw a lot of things I like, decent outside shooting, hustle, grit and I think with Kanga and others we will be ok in the middle. Good first win.
I disagree 100% with the idea that this isn't the most talented team. Pendergrass is the real deal, and they have significantly more depth at guard this year. Efeosa has a ton of potential if he can learn to play under control and cut down on the turnovers.
Last year's team essentially had no true four and ran out of guards down the stretch, which absolutely killed them. And while they've had a dominant inside game over the past few years, it hasn't translated into big-time wins. Sure, they've consistently won 20-plus games, but they haven't been able to get it done in March when it matters most. The A-10 is a guard-driven league, and it always has been.
So yes, the five spot could be a weakness offensively, but Jones is a legitimate four who could easily average double figures himself, something they simply didn't have last season. Add in three or four guards who also have the potential to average double digits, and suddenly you're looking at four or five legitimate scoring threats. That's a lot of offensive firepower, and it gives this team significantly more balance than we've seen in recent years. You don't need 15 or 20 points a night from your center when you have that kind of scoring potential. You need him to defend, rebound and protect the rim.
Turnovers and poor guard play will kill you a lot faster than not having a big man putting up 20 points a night. Just look at Okojie and Brayden O'Connor. They combined for only ONE turnover. The bigger issue today was the poor shot selection, but hopefully that's something they can clean up over the next few weeks as this group develops chemistry and settles into its offense.
And just look at the reaction online. Plenty of people completely disagree with this supposed "lack of talent" narrative. We shouldn't measure talent strictly by how dominant a team is in the paint. I'd argue this roster is not only better balanced but has more overall talent than last year's team. They addressed two of their biggest weaknesses from last season: the lack of a true four and the lack of guard depth. The idea that this group somehow lacks talent just doesn't add up to me.
Last year's team essentially had no true four and ran out of guards down the stretch, which absolutely killed them. And while they've had a dominant inside game over the past few years, it hasn't translated into big-time wins. Sure, they've consistently won 20-plus games, but they haven't been able to get it done in March when it matters most. The A-10 is a guard-driven league, and it always has been.
So yes, the five spot could be a weakness offensively, but Jones is a legitimate four who could easily average double figures himself, something they simply didn't have last season. Add in three or four guards who also have the potential to average double digits, and suddenly you're looking at four or five legitimate scoring threats. That's a lot of offensive firepower, and it gives this team significantly more balance than we've seen in recent years. You don't need 15 or 20 points a night from your center when you have that kind of scoring potential. You need him to defend, rebound and protect the rim.
Turnovers and poor guard play will kill you a lot faster than not having a big man putting up 20 points a night. Just look at Okojie and Brayden O'Connor. They combined for only ONE turnover. The bigger issue today was the poor shot selection, but hopefully that's something they can clean up over the next few weeks as this group develops chemistry and settles into its offense.
And just look at the reaction online. Plenty of people completely disagree with this supposed "lack of talent" narrative. We shouldn't measure talent strictly by how dominant a team is in the paint. I'd argue this roster is not only better balanced but has more overall talent than last year's team. They addressed two of their biggest weaknesses from last season: the lack of a true four and the lack of guard depth. The idea that this group somehow lacks talent just doesn't add up to me.
DAK
Preferred Walk-On
Excited for the season! This team looks to be significantly deeper this year with a lot of talent. My thoughts after game one…
– Up and down first half but very happy with how we came out of the locker room in the second half. Foot on the gas and never looked back. We are in a different league, talent wise, from UMBC.
– Elijah Jones let us know who he is from the jump. He’ll be a star for us this season.
– I’m already starting to worry about losing Pendergrass. He looks like a dynamic player. My hope is he’s on the Kanga gameplan and follows in his steps, progression wise.
– I loved seeing Brayden back out there. Great command. I’ve always loved his game.
– OEO looks exciting but needs to tighten it up a bit with the TOs. Him and Jones make a scary combo.
– Boomerang Baraka didn’t impress me tonight.
– Where’s the 7 foot, 265 pound, former NBA draft pick?!
– Up and down first half but very happy with how we came out of the locker room in the second half. Foot on the gas and never looked back. We are in a different league, talent wise, from UMBC.
– Elijah Jones let us know who he is from the jump. He’ll be a star for us this season.
– I’m already starting to worry about losing Pendergrass. He looks like a dynamic player. My hope is he’s on the Kanga gameplan and follows in his steps, progression wise.
– I loved seeing Brayden back out there. Great command. I’ve always loved his game.
– OEO looks exciting but needs to tighten it up a bit with the TOs. Him and Jones make a scary combo.
– Boomerang Baraka didn’t impress me tonight.
– Where’s the 7 foot, 265 pound, former NBA draft pick?!
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Patriot Brew Blog/Newsletter