Game 22: Dayton, Feb 5th, 7 PM, MASN

[sigmanorm]

http://www.gomason.com/mediaPortal/...D=606519&SPID=80389&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=25200

That is the shortest post game presser we have had in a long time. They are at a loss. No clue how to fix it at this point it seems. I say no practice for the rest of the week and see what happens. Give the players open gym time and have the coaches watch from the viewing area. It is obvious the coaches can't seem to fix what is wrong, maybe the players can.

 

[AAUMAN]

AAUMAN,
I've hated Hewitts offense (4 out) since his ga tech days. He isn't going to change it so be ready for no more wins. The backcourt looks like the don't play smart b/c they can't play 1 on 1 but the system is making them play that way. I think Wright can hit alot of set shots. Allen too. Even Gray. But off the dribble with a defender flying at you is way different. Team ball ...yes...Hewitt shit show...no.

Is it the system? or Is it the players? or both? Because when I look at the A10 I don't see any clear knock down POWER HOUSE teams. George Mason must regroup and rethink the blue print because it isn't working and formulate a game plan that the team can follow from beginning to end.

 

[Washingtonian]

That is the shortest post game presser we have had in a long time. They are at a loss. No clue how to fix it at this point it seems. I say no practice for the rest of the week and see what happens. Give the players open gym time and have the coaches watch from the viewing area. It is obvious the coaches can't seem to fix what is wrong, maybe the players can.

As someone that nears me has said a few times this season, pull a Larranaga and let them play whiffle ball. Maybe that will loosen them up.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

I am fine with Hewitt's offense, as long as Copes isn't turning the ball over multiple times near the three point line.

Far, far, far more concerning to me is that the players don't seem to be being taught basic fundamentals on defense.

 

[AAUMAN]

I am fine with Hewitt's offense, as long as Copes isn't turning the ball over multiple times near the three point line.

Far, far, far more concerning to me is that the players don't seem to be being taught basic fundamentals on defense.

Christopsher! You have a point there. George Mason D is null and void. If you don't play D...you don't play....just that simple. If you don't bust your A on D then you won't see the floor during game time.....PERIOD.

 

[Petey Buckets]

Far, far, far more concerning to me is that the players don't seem to be being taught basic fundamentals on defense.

All it takes is a few passes to get all five Mason defenders on the same side of the floor. Then bam, we give up weakside layups and jumpers all day long. Archie Miller pulled Hewitt's pants down last night.

 

[AAUMAN]

All it takes is a few passes to get all five Mason defenders on the same side of the floor. Then bam, we give up weakside layups and jumpers all day long. Archie Miller pulled Hewitt's pants down last night.

Pete! Coach Miller team on the offensive end....looked like the early 1960's Boston Celtics......SHARP n CRISP. What does George Mason need to do moving forward?

 

[Washingtonian]

Jenkins had hopefully his only bad game of his career last night.

 

[gmujim92]

Archie Miller pulled Hewitt's pants down last night.

Not that grand an accomplishment, I think we'd all agree.

But Dayton was quicker than our guys at 4 of the 5 spots, too. When none of your players can keep their guy in front of them, it eventually leads to a wide-open shot for the opponent somewhere on the court -- unless you do something to compensate for your defensive weaknesses.

It's obvious by now that Hewitt's preferred methods of operation are just an extremely poor fit for our current roster and the type of players he'll be able to recruit to Mason.

He needs to have far superior athleticism to make both his offense and defense work. No passing on offense, no fundamentals on defense. It's just not going to work here.

 

[Pablo]

He needs to have far superior athleticism to make both his offense and defense work. No passing on offense, no fundamentals on defense. It's just not going to work here.

I used to say the same things about the Paul Westhead era.

 

[Petey Buckets]

He needs to have far superior athleticism to make both his offense and defense work. No passing on offense, no fundamentals on defense. It's just not going to work here.

I read that as "He needs better players than the opposition otherwise he has no chance."

Good job, good effort Mr. Hewitt, now GTFO.

 

[gmujim92]

I read that as "He needs better players than the opposition otherwise he has no chance."

Well, it's true.

Part of the reason I was at least a little optimistic initially was the thought that he could bring in athletes to Mason that our conference rivals couldn't get.

That's not happening, and he's not a good enough coach to win when the talent is even. That much must be clear by now.

 

[99 Patriot]

First conference game where we didn't give near the effort required to win. Very disappointing. Marko was strangely enthusiastic on the bench, though that did not translate on the court.

We were marginally successful in a zone against St. Louis yet last night barely showed it despite giving up a layup line, not being able to defend them in the post and rotating horribly on the peremeter. I guess we were too scared of their long range shooting, which admittedly our zone gives up plenty of wide open looks to.

Copes and Allen are the only two who played reasonably well last night. Sherrod was scoring but every other aspect of his game is so bad I still can't give him a decent grade.

Why was it that we finally got friendly officiating in a game where we were not competitive?

 

[Raider_SPE]

All it takes is a few passes to get all five Mason defenders on the same side of the floor. Then bam, we give up weakside layups and jumpers all day long. Archie Miller pulled Hewitt's pants down last night.

His defensive scheme of switching on most of the screens just plain confuses the crap out of these players. They are constantly pointing then rushing to their man after they drift to the wrong (or maybe the right guy). Get a team that can reverse the ball as well as Dayton and obviously you get what you saw last night.

But that is not even crux of the issue, they lose track of their man too often when playing off the ball. Perfect example was Jalen last night, drifting way up the lane (ball side) while his man was in the opposite corner. Easy find for 3.

 

[Pablo]

Copes and Allen are the only two who played reasonably well last night. Sherrod was scoring but every other aspect of his game is so bad I still can't give him a decent grade.

I thought that Corey Edwards played well last night. I wished that he had gotten into the game earlier.

 

[mkaufman1]

Before Dayton went on their run I did notice Mason was rebounding at a pretty good clip. I think Copes had 5 or 6 rebounds within the first 5 minutes and continued the good effort on the boards from St Louis.

 

[GSII]

I am fine with Hewitt's offense, as long as Copes isn't turning the ball over multiple times near the three point line.

Far, far, far more concerning to me is that the players don't seem to be being taught basic fundamentals on defense.

It would be more efficient if our shooters took set shots from a passing big man. This isn't hard to teach. Most of OCM's teams took about 10 games for the big to learn how to find the open man when doubled; or attack the rim. This one on one shit show with Allen trying to create at the top has never worked.

 

[NoCliche87]

I thought that Corey Edwards played well last night. I wished that he had gotten into the game earlier.

corey is a better offensive threat than MM , imo... teams are sagging way off MM eliminating him driving which is the only thing he can do

 

[99 Patriot]

I thought that Corey Edwards played well last night. I wished that he had gotten into the game earlier.

I agree with you. It was far too little too late and he still made some questionable decisions as a PG (even down a longshot 15 with 2+ minutes to go, you as a PG have to force something quick, not work 25 seconds off the clock before getting a look), but he did play pretty well. Good to see he hasn't developed the Jordan Carter grudge.

 

[Pablo]

corey is a better offensive threat than MM , imo... teams are sagging way off MM eliminating him driving which is the only thing he can do

I was happy to see your brother play last night after being benched the previous 5 games.