Game 29: GMU (18-10 / 7-8) vs Duquesne (17-11 / 7-8) on Saturday, March 2, at 2:00 PM.

[Where's the party?]

Just can't bring myself to predict a loss at home to Duquesne. Gotta think our home court advantage will win this even if the team tries to lose it. One thing I can predict with almost certainty - they will take a cue from the last two opponents and try to shove us around. I'm hoping someone on this team grows a pair and throws someone to the ground. If it means a flagrant T, so be it. Somebody has to show that this team isn't a bunch of pansies.

Us - 75
No talent Dukies - 72

 

[tblack33]

Agreed, why is that? Coaching, lack of leadership? New group? No go to player? Not enough big men? Not a complete team? The starting 5/6 are talented enough, that's not the issue here.

We have no identity. How would you describe this team now that we are coming to the end of the year? I don’t have a good answer to that and I’ve watched every minute of every game.

 

[GMUgemini]

We have no identity. How would you describe this team now that we are coming to the end of the year? I don’t have a good answer to that and I’ve watched every minute of every game.

I don’t know. I think the ideas are there but it’s a work in progress.

So let’s take Skinn’s terminology of Patriot Pressure as the identity of the team. What does that look like?

On the defensive side of the ball we pressure the opposition by keeping them unbalanced with a lot of different man and zone looks and we disguise what our half court defense is going to be with a 1-2-2 zone press that can become man, a matchup zone, a 1-3-1 or a 2-3.

On the offensive side of the ball we put pressure on the opposition by attacking the basket from the perimeter with a ball screen offense that looks to free up driving lanes for our 4 guards (I’m classifying Hall and Newton as guards here) who are going to look to score or kick the ball back out for a 3. I wouldn’t necessarily call us a drive and kick offense because we don’t take a high volume of 3s. We also vary tempo, playing slow in the half-court but look to push in the open court after a miss.

I’d say we have a pretty clear vision of how we are supposed to play, but I think we’ve hit a few road blocks due to some learning curves by the coach and certain key players (Hall and Okojie specifically).

 

[GSII]

We have no identity. How would you describe this team now that we are coming to the end of the year? I don’t have a good answer to that and I’ve watched every minute of every game.

We like to go down low to Kelly to start games. After that Hall tries all these spin moves and usually loses the ball. Then Billups will air ball a three. Then RP makes a floater or a Three. Finally, our best shooter, Maddox, gets a chance and hits a few, then doesnt get the ball till they are done watching Hall girate in the lane to yet another spin move/ turnover. Then our 6'9 guard Mr. Newton who played in the ACC comes in and air balls three and gives the ball to the opponent. Baraka comes in flying up and down the court which is fun. Overall we look like a team that could run and create turnovers with our lenghth but we suck at that too. And we stopped defending the 3pt line. Teams cant wait to play us.

 

[mkaufman1]

We like to go down low to Kelly to start games. After that Hall tries all these spin moves and usually loses the ball. Then Billups will air ball a three. Then RP makes a floater or a Three. Finally, our best shooter, Maddox, gets a chance and hits a few, then doesnt get the ball till they are done watching Hall girate in the lane to yet another spin move/ turnover. Then our 6'9 guard Mr. Newton who played in the ACC comes in and air balls three and gives the ball to the opponent. Baraka comes in flying up and down the court which is fun. Overall we look like a team that could run and create turnovers with our lenghth but we suck at that too. And we stopped defending the 3pt line. Teams cant wait to play us.

Funny but this made me laugh because its somewhat true. You forgot about when Newton comes in after about 5-6 minutes we go 1-3-1.

I will say, we have gotten a little less predictable with our rotations and with our defense the last few games which is a good thing. I like that we usually give Austin Ball a few minutes, Malik a few minutes and Tre Wood some time usually to help out with whats going on in the game. Sometimes Austin comes in before Woody now which I like as well.

As far as Duquense goes, we're now in a 7-8 record dead heat with them and St Joes in the 7th 8th and 9th spots in the standings. They do have a tougher schedule down the stretch than Mason needing to play at us, vcu and home to GW, but we need to have the tiebreaker. They have been generally playing better basketball as of late considering where they started the season in league play.

I'm going to stay optimistic and say that Mason can take 2 wins of the 3 remaining, and hopefully we can sneak a 3rd win so we have some momentum going into Brooklyn and help ourselves get to 10-8. Otherwise we most likely are staring at the 8/9 game and a 1130 start time on a Wednesday in Brooklyn.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Since the conversation is trending a bit toward tourney seeding and game times, here you go.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/atlantic10.com/documents/2023/11/30/24MBB_Bracket.pdf

 

[tblack33]

I

I don’t know. I think the ideas are there but it’s a work in progress.

So let’s take Skinn’s terminology of Patriot Pressure as the identity of the team. What does that look like?

On the defensive side of the ball we pressure the opposition by keeping them unbalanced with a lot of different man and zone looks and we disguise what our half court defense is going to be with a 1-2-2 zone press that can become man, a matchup zone, a 1-3-1 or a 2-3.

On the offensive side of the ball we put pressure on the opposition by attacking the basket from the perimeter with a ball screen offense that looks to free up driving lanes for our 4 guards (I’m classifying Hall and Newton as guards here) who are going to look to score or kick the ball back out for a 3. I wouldn’t necessarily call us a drive and kick offense because we don’t take a high volume of 3s. We also vary tempo, playing slow in the half-court but look to push in the open court after a miss.

I’d say we have a pretty clear vision of how we are supposed to play, but I think we’ve hit a few road blocks due to some learning curves by the coach and certain key players (Hall and Okojie specifically).

Maybe the ideas are there, but they aren’t easy to pick out. We aren’t a pressure defense team, we don’t force a ton of turnovers and our press is token at best. We absolutely are not a good outside shooting team. As good as Kelly’s been, we’re not dominant down low and rarely does that seem to be our go to when we need points. Don’t even get me started on our lack of off ball motion and sad assist numbers. I think we’ll get there, but I hope Tony has a chance to reflect this offseason and build a roster around whatever the planned identity is going to be moving forward, because it seems like the plan was to just get guys who don’t suck so we’re okay at a lot of things, not elite at anything.

 

[GMU79]

I

Maybe the ideas are there, but they aren’t easy to pick out. We aren’t a pressure defense team, we don’t force a ton of turnovers and our press is token at best. We absolutely are not a good outside shooting team. As good as Kelly’s been, we’re not dominant down low and rarely does that seem to be our go to when we need points. Don’t even get me started on our lack of off ball motion and sad assist numbers. I think we’ll get there, but I hope Tony has a chance to reflect this offseason and build a roster around whatever the planned identity is going to be moving forward, because it seems like the plan was to just get guys who don’t suck so we’re okay at a lot of things, not elite at anything.

We don't suck (some of the time). We are okay at a lot of things. We are not elite at anything. Yep.

 

[mkaufman1]

I

Maybe the ideas are there, but they aren’t easy to pick out. We aren’t a pressure defense team, we don’t force a ton of turnovers and our press is token at best. We absolutely are not a good outside shooting team. As good as Kelly’s been, we’re not dominant down low and rarely does that seem to be our go to when we need points. Don’t even get me started on our lack of off ball motion and sad assist numbers. I think we’ll get there, but I hope Tony has a chance to reflect this offseason and build a roster around whatever the planned identity is going to be moving forward, because it seems like the plan was to just get guys who don’t suck so we’re okay at a lot of things, not elite at anything.

I don’t disagree with anything you are saying, but remember Tony had 3 months to put this team together. I’m thankful its worked even this well.

With more time to evaluate, I expect things to be fixed and improved.

 

[GSII]

We don't suck (some of the time). We are okay at a lot of things. We are not elite at anything. Yep.

I think we suck at not having the concepts in place. Lack of movement on offense is one example. If you had told me at start of season we would be dissapointed in what we are all dissapointed in, I would never have believed it with the players we had on paper. I was so jacked about Woody and Maddux. Only Maddox has showed up sadly. Also, where did Woody's shot go? He read his headlines about being ranked in 3pt% and has nosedived since. Is it mechanics or mental? Overall its defense. If you can't get easy buckets off steals its hard to win grind out games with streaky shooters and no proven slasher or post scorer. Kelly is okay, but not dominating as he is light and more finese. So why not apply Patriot Pressure and get steals? We seem a bit deeper so we have the legs.

 

[mkaufman1]

I think we suck at not having the concepts in place. Lack of movement on offense is one example. If you had told me at start of season we would be dissapointed in what we are all dissapointed in, I would never have believed it with the players we had on paper. I was so jacked about Woody and Maddux. Only Maddox has showed up sadly. Also, where did Woody's shot go? He read his headlines about being ranked in 3pt% and has nosedived since. Is it mechanics or mental? Overall its defense. If you can't get easy buckets off steals its hard to win grind out games with streaky shooters and no proven slasher or post scorer. Kelly is okay, but not dominating as he is light and more finese. So why not apply Patriot Pressure and get steals? We seem a bit deeper so we have the legs.

1- whenever Woody shoots it usually looks like its going in and it doesnt'. I don't know what it is, but I dont' think anything has changed there. He is a solid role player but we don't have that second shooter to help Maddox. Yeah, Hall can shoot, but I feel like we could use another guy like Maddox. Ball has shown signs of being a guy like that.
2- I agree with you on getting out in transition. When we did that against Fordham we got easy buckets and scored a lot. When we stood around and admired one another, we struggled in the half court.

I don't know why we don't press that much, but I suspect there is some reason or concern that we would be completely shredded. Its probably why we didn't zone as much against Fordham as well. If we can't defend well doing the basics or get out on shooters, I can't see how we can add wrinkles.

 

[HoopsAdmin]

 

[jruby]

I’m going hold out hope Tony has something up his sleeve for Brooklyn.

Wouldn’t at all shock me if we see something different. Could absolutely fail miserably but it could also work, he doesn’t seem like someone who’s content and so dead set on his ways.

I really feel that they are closer than it seems. Outside Loyola who is just a terrible matchup for whatever reason. There isn’t anyone else they can’t play with. Lots of close games that maybe it just comes down to wanting it more and gutting it out.

Not saying they can or will win in Brooklyn but I hope they at least come out fighting and make a deeper run than other Mason teams have in the past.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

I would 100 per cent watch a movie about George Mason and his top-hat wearing pet lion.

 

[hoops10]

Agreed, why is that? Coaching, lack of leadership? New group? No go to player? Not enough big men? Not a complete team? The starting 5/6 are talented enough, that's not the issue here.

 

[Verdad]

Jesus christ a lot of you are acting like this team is nowhere the top 100 Net/20 win team they are likely going to end up being, WITH THE BIGGEST REGULAR SEASON WIN IN SCHOOL HISTORY, under a first year coach with 1 returning starter (who has largely been outplayed by a kid who should still be in HS) that was cobbled together in 3 months.

Acting like the future isn’t bright as hell, possibly as early as when Haynes steps on the court next fall.

 

[hoops10]

So while I am jumping up and down, swearing and going nuts over our lack of teamwork, turnovers I have this thought. Not that it will change anything but why is TS just accept all these bs calls, non calls and outrageous calls like the last shot of the game. Yea, he can only go so far, but I'm like send a message to our team at the very least. Get some emotion into the game. In this last game we played like s..., but we also got screwed by the officials. Maybe its not who he is. But do something! I do like Skinn and yes, he deserves a chance to right the ship. I trust this offseason he will make some serious changes.

 

[GMU79]

I don’t disagree with anything you are saying, but remember Tony had 3 months to put this team together. I’m thankful its worked even this well.

With more time to evaluate, I expect things to be fixed and improved.

I keep reminding myself of this.

 

[GMU79]

Jesus christ a lot of you are acting like this team is nowhere the top 100 Net/20 win team they are likely going to end up being, WITH THE BIGGEST REGULAR SEASON WIN IN SCHOOL HISTORY, under a first year coach with 1 returning starter (who has largely been outplayed by a kid who should still be in HS) that was cobbled together in 3 months.

Acting like the future isn’t bright as hell, possibly as early as when Haynes steps on the court next fall.

I would give your post a solid thumbs up, but what say we leave the good Lord out of this?
Religion and Politics.
Thanks.

 

[gmubrian]

I would give your post a solid thumbs up, but what say we leave the good Lord out of this?
Religion and Politics.
Thanks.

To tblack. I recently had a post deleted that was semi political in nature.
I stand by my post. It was not belligerent or angry. Just asking for equal treatment.

I'll probably regret engaging in this, but...

There is a specific rule that prohibits politics. I can find no rule that prohibits religion, if I stipulate that using the term in that manner is religion.

I beg of you to just ignore when someone uses some common phraseology that you have a little issue with. It really detracts from the flow of the threads.