Game 18: GMU (16-1 / 4-0) at Loyola Chicago (5-12 / 1-3) on Tuesday, January 13, at 7:00 PM.

[Sport31]

Whew! Good road win. Defense improved in second half, they only scored 27 in second half. Not sure why we play such poor D in first half of games. For all the Riley haters yes his D is not great and his help D is poor but he had23 pts and 8 rebounds w\o him we lose. Trout man kept us within reach with his threes. This team just finds a way to win. I like the grit on to GW, 17-1.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

GW is going to be a tough game --- at least it's at home. But boy its going to be a bruiser

 

[GMU79]

GW is going to be a tough game --- at least it's at home. But boy its going to be a bruiser

Maybe we could pay some real people to hang around after the game for Caputo to yell at.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Maybe we could pay some real people to hang around after the game for Caputo to yell at.

Nice - I like the energy

 

[thebiasedannouncer]

Skinn's Second Half Patriots. I never had doubts.

Let's take a day off, get rested for Monday evening folks. It's gonna be a good one.

 

[gmutom]

We played by far our worst game of the year against a depleted team that we obviously underestimated. We played uncharacteristically sloppy, made lazy passes, didn’t box out, failed to defend the perimeter and the lane, and missed FTs and easy shots.

The upside is we pulled out the win despite all of that. That’s the sign of a good team. We needed this wake-up call, but we also need a break. We played three games in six days, and two of those games included traveling to NY and Chicago.

As for the Allenspach haters, nobody ever claimed he’s a good defender. But what’s also indisputable is that we would not have won this game without him. This was by no means a pretty win, but Riley put this team on his shoulders down the stretch and made sure it wasn’t a terrible loss.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

We played by far our worst game of the year against a depleted team that we obviously underestimated. We played uncharacteristically sloppy, made lazy passes, didn’t box out, failed to defend the perimeter and the lane, and missed FTs and easy shots.

The upside is we pulled out the win despite all of that. That’s the sign of a good team. We needed this wake-up call, but we also need a break. We played three games in six days, and two of those games included traveling to NY and Chicago.

As for the Allenspach haters, nobody ever claimed he’s a good defender. But what’s also indisputable is that we would not have won this game without him. This was by no means a pretty win, but Riley put this team on his shoulders down the stretch and made sure it wasn’t a terrible loss.

As always GMUTom speaketh the truth.

 

[BraddockBeach]

pulled out the W on the road, 17-1!!

 

[Patriotsince81]

Wow, lucky to grab this one. Let down after the vcu win? Underestimating an opponent decimated by injuries? Hard to say. Happy as all get out we pulled it out. Previous teams under previous coaches would have choked that one away.

Patriot Pressure in the first half should have been called "The Sieve." Worst defense I think I've ever seen, especially from Allenspach. They did nothing but shoot bunnies and layups in the first half. We won't win a championship playing that way.

Still, 17-1 and 5-0. We found a way.

 

[MasonFanatic]

does anybody know whether loyola had any injuries the announcers never mentioned it

Announcers were trying to save Drew's job

 

[thebiasedannouncer]

We played by far our worst game of the year against a depleted team that we obviously underestimated. We played uncharacteristically sloppy, made lazy passes, didn’t box out, failed to defend the perimeter and the lane, and missed FTs and easy shots.

The upside is we pulled out the win despite all of that. That’s the sign of a good team. We needed this wake-up call, but we also need a break. We played three games in six days, and two of those games included traveling to NY and Chicago.

As for the Allenspach haters, nobody ever claimed he’s a good defender. But what’s also indisputable is that we would not have won this game without him. This was by no means a pretty win, but Riley put this team on his shoulders down the stretch and made sure it wasn’t a terrible loss.

Didn't play to our standards but I also have to imagine it's rather hard to game-plan for a bunch of dudes outside of Rubin and Houinsou who have little game tape.

Thank you for pointing out the short schedule too. Give em two days off Tony, they deserve it with a Monday game.

Chicago has seen some horror show performances by us since LoyChi joined up. As has been the case the last year and a half- we survive and advance, especially in these road games!

 

[thebiasedannouncer]

Announcers were trying to save Drew's job

(They failed to mention that the vast majority of those players have only missed the last two games.)

Annoying all night.

 

[Jack Strop]

Wow, lucky to grab this one. Let down after the vcu win? Underestimating an opponent decimated by injuries? Hard to say. Happy as all get out we pulled it out. Previous teams under previous coaches would have choked that one away.

Patriot Pressure in the first half should have been called "The Sieve." Worst defense I think I've ever seen, especially from Allenspach. They did nothing but shoot bunnies and layups in the first half. We won't win a championship playing that way.

Still, 17-1 and 5-0. We found a way.

Had ALL the makings of a trap-game. Glad to get the road W. I don't know what to expect from GW on Monday. We looked a little tired tonight. (Certainly wore me out. ) Hopefully fully rested legs carry us to 6 – 0.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Had ALL the makings of a trap-game. Glad to get the road W. I don't know what to expect from GW on Monday. We looked a little tired tonight. Hopefully fully rested legs carry us to 6 – 0.

GW is loaded. See the new game thread.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Patriots Now 17-1, 5-0 in A-10 Play After Road Win at Loyola Chicago - George Mason University Athletics

The George Mason University men's basketball team (17-1, 5-0 A-10) earned its first ever win at Loyola Chicago Tuesday night, outlasting the Ramblers 82-74 inside

gomason.com

 

[emjayar08]

Shoutout to the refs, I thought they did a great job letting the guys play, especially in the first half.

 

[Old Man]

Sometimes subs play out of their minds when they get their chance.
Clint Longley, anyone?

The young'uns around here are thinking "Who?"

 

[TheStringer]

I was watching on my phone as I held my newborns so luckily I didn't have to hear the announcers. Riley is great offensively but absolutely a step slow on D. Specifically, saw when Rubin (bout halfway through second half) took two dribbles across the paint and blew the doors off Riley with...a drop step. He seems quick and strong enough offensively so I'm not sure if its a mental thing or he's just not willing as a defender but either way its going to loom large against good athletic bigs like Rubin and Castro so I hope Kanga/Ellington etc can get some big minutes.

 

[NewPatriot]

2 things:

Troutman was a 40% 3 pt shooter last year. He was in a shooting slump 6-28 going back to the JMU game. He finally broke out going 4-5 yesterday.

Odebayo is beginning to feel comfortable post injury. He has made key plays in the last 3 wins.
Last night it was a kick out 3 pointer off the right wing...all on minimal minutes.

 

[thebiasedannouncer]

Slept on it.

They scored 47 in the first half and 27 in the second. Willing to put this more on the Ramblers having a psycho shooting first half more than anything else.

Beat GW.