Game 20: GMU (18-1 / 6-0) at Rhode Island (11-8 / 2-4) on Saturday, January 24, at 2:00 PM.

[EXpatriot13]

This type of loss was coming. The horrible starts (mostly this) and stretches of no defense and no outside shooting wasn’t sustainable.

What’s really concerning is that this way of playing isn’t going to translate to a conference tournament format at all, recipe to get knocked out earlier than expected.

No overhaul needed obviously, but hopefully a wake up call that adjustments must be made by both the staff and players.

 

[jruby]

Can we still get an at-large bid?

Path is pretty much closed. They would have to win every single game and sweat it out on the bubble and maybe get play in game. They aren't going 29-2 though. It was a horrible loss, played terribly. unfortunately Pittsburgh is an arena I don't think they have ever even won one game in. They don't play well in that city in general. So is what it is, a road game in the NIT vs some horrible power 4 team is likely the end result but stranger things have happened. Disappointing but I guess it's better than going 28-3 and getting left out or some madness out of their control. This they earned and no excuses now.

 

[GMUgemini]

I agree with you, Tom, but a little worried about the options. With Adebayo looking like a bust, the balance is screwed up in the front court.

You could start Hill instead of Presley but you’re giving up our only consistent bench contributor.

You could start Kanga alongside Allenspach but afraid of what they would do to the chemistry and division of roles.

I suppose you could start Sivka at the 4 but he hasn’t really proven to be much more of a pressure valve kind of player who is also mediocre as a defender (especially on the perimeter).

If it’s anyone, I think you sacrifice your bench points and start Hill I guess.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Goodbye any hopes of an at-large bid, win it all or we're relegated to another NIT. I knew slow starts would eventually bite us in the a** and it happened this afternoon. Not overreacting to the loss on the road but RI exposed our weaknesses. Allenspach is as soft as Charmin on both ends. Toughness and HANDS please! Start Kanga and maybe, just maybe, we don't start off every game down 14-2. Presley doesn't really add much on either end. Time to shake up the starting line-up. I'm all for it.

 

[GMU1983]

The REFS weren't the reason we lost...it was the sluggish start and offensive and defensive struggles. we cannot always pull out these games like we have!

 

[GMU1983]

Good grief everyone realize this not a bad loss!!

 

[GMU1983]

The way we played was bad!! We need a wakeup call!

 

[GMU1983]

Dayton is now eliminated from an at large with 3 Quad 3 losses....

 

[JimP]

Path is pretty much closed. They would have to win every single game and sweat it out on the bubble and maybe get play in game. They aren't going 29-2 though. It was a horrible loss, played terribly. unfortunately Pittsburgh is an arena I don't think they have ever even won one game in. They don't play well in that city in general. So is what it is, a road game in the NIT vs some horrible power 4 team is likely the end result but stranger things have happened. Disappointing but I guess it's better than going 28-3 and getting left out or some madness out of their control. This they earned and no excuses now.

Not to add to the negativity following this disappointing loss, but we probably won't get a P4 team in the NIT. Last year it became clear it is now a mid-major tournament.

 

[jruby]

Not to add to the negativity following this disappointing loss, but we probably won't get a P4 team in the NIT. Last year it became clear it is now a mid-major tournament.

True, you have a solid point. It will be someone like Aston Peay or Lipscomb at home.

 

[gmutom]

If it’s anyone, I think you sacrifice your bench points and start Hill I guess.

Maybe we start Hill and give Booker more minutes off the bench. The best solution would be O’Connor returning soon and adding some much-needed composure to our lineup, but who knows if he will even suit up this year.

 

[jruby]

Good grief everyone realize this not a bad loss!!

Rhode island is an awful team. He's lost the team, he's going to get fired and I don't see them even going .500. They lost to Loyola one of the absolute worst teams in D1 at home. Another coach who's going to get fired. So yeah I mean winning on the road is tough and they are kids and it's hard to be perfect but yes this will be a quad 3 loss. GW and vcu and St louis are all must wins to fight for a shot at the play in game. I don't see that happening. They were badly exposed today. Riley was awful and without him they won't win right now.

They just don't shoot well enough to win a 3 point shooting contest. I think they likely go 13-5 or maybe even 14-4 and thats still a great season. I don't think they win at vcu or GW and I never did. I now think theres very slim chance at beating St Louis. I fully expect a semi rematch vs GW in the 2-3 game in Pittsburgh in what has somehow turned into a weird rivalry even though most thought it would never happen. Best chance is vcu beats St Louis and get the dreaded vcu Mason final in a conference final. It would only be fitting to be that's how they get back to the Tournament. I really think that's what we end up with vcu Mason for the 2nd bid. St Louis goes dancing after getting upset in Pittsburgh.

 

[Jack Strop]

URI doubled the ball handler almost every play then clogged the middle as soon a Patriot touched paint. That's when you need the inside-our game. SOMEBODY is left wide open SOMEWHERE, right?!?!?

Only five 3-point attempts in the second half! Sixteen for the game at 25%. The opportunities were there if they only played better inside-out. When there's three defenders under the rim you gotta kick the ball out for the 3-pont J. For whatever reason, it didn't happen.

Really should not have lost this game. But we know it was coming.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Patriots Drop 74-65 Contest at Rhode Island - George Mason University Athletics

The George Mason University men's basketball team (18-2, 6-1) dropped its first league game of the season Saturday, falling at Rhode Island (12-8, 3-4) by the score

gomason.com

 

[GSII]

Did someone say with 3 losses we woud NOT get an at large bid. I seriously wonder if this has ever happened.

Edit: Thanks to Google, Utah state in 2005 was left out with 3 losses. They were in the Big West Conf at the time. After a one point loss in conference final. Ouch.

 

[Mason2005]

URI doubled the ball handler almost every play then clogged the middle as soon a Patriot touched paint. That's when you need the inside-our game. SOMEBODY is left wide open SOMEWHERE, right?!?!?

Only five 3-point attempts in the second half! Sixteen for the game at 25%. The opportunities were there if they only played better inside-out. When there's three defenders under the rim you gotta kick the ball out for the 3-pont J. For whatever reason, it didn't happen.

Really should not have lost this game. But we know it was coming.

The reality is we only have 3 3pt shooters. Mincy will always get his but we need Long and Trout to be more aggressive shooters.

 

[Pablo]

Rhode Island's 4 turnovers tied La Salle for the fewest turnovers by a GMU opponent this season - https://gomason.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2025

Rhode Island had 13 turnovers in the game at EBA this season.

 

[Ben Chwarmer]

I agree with you, Tom, but a little worried about the options. With Adebayo looking like a bust, the balance is screwed up in the front court.

I keep hearing that Adebayo isn’t living up to his hype. But I don’t remember any pre season hype around him.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

Only went down 3 spots on kenpom. Now at 77

Interesting to see what the net does tomorrow

 

[Ben Chwarmer]

Maybe we start Hill and give Booker more minutes off the bench. The best solution would be O’Connor returning soon and adding some much-needed composure to our lineup, but who knows if he will even suit up this year.

I get the sense O’Connor isn’t playing this year. And why should he. He should redshirt