News Jonathan Arledge May Not Return

[gmujim92]

Who knows, maybe Jon asked the staff if he could medical redshirt this season and comeback and play next season. Hewitt may have his eye on a few recruits and want to keep that last scholarship. We may never know the real story but I wish him well and am disappointed he isn't playing for us this season.

Most likely it's a combination of the staff wanting to have one more scholarship available to offer for the 2014 class, and knowing that this is a HUGE season for their futures at Mason -- and thus, trying to get JA back on the court where they need him.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time a player and his coaches disagreed on exactly how "injured" the player is. That's complicated, of course, by the perception that JA is too laid back and needs to be kicked in the a** from time to time. Maybe they want him to play through some back spasms and he's not willing to do it. Who knows?

I guess I'd just rather let the situation play itself out before people here start trashing JA and calling him soft.

Until word comes down that he's definitely gone, he's still one of ours.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Most likely it's a combination of the staff wanting to have one more scholarship available to offer for the 2014 class, and knowing that this is a HUGE season for their futures at Mason -- and thus, trying to get JA back on the court where they need him.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time a player and his coaches disagreed on exactly how "injured" the player is. That's complicated, of course, by the perception that JA is too laid back and needs to be kicked in the a** from time to time. Maybe they want him to play through some back spasms and he's not willing to do it. Who knows?

I guess I'd just rather let the situation play itself out before people here start trashing JA and calling him soft.

Until word comes down that he's definitely gone, he's still one of ours.

Exactly.

Also, I just am having a hard time that if that is the idea of the staff about recruiting or a target, that they are forcing guys out the door. VV and Bennett are one thing, but a guy like Arledge is another, or at least to me. If a recruit was that important to push a guy out, then I would have thought they would have handled it with the already available scholarships....

 

[Dawgs99]

I'd be shocked if Hewitt and staff are pushing Jon out the door. Like Jim said they know how important this season is to their coaching future at Mason and want the best players available to play. I for one would welcome a red shirt year for Jon if he is unable to play and then have him back for next season with copes and royal.

 

[gmujim92]

Exactly.

Also, I just am having a hard time that if that is the idea of the staff about recruiting or a target, that they are forcing guys out the door. VV and Bennett are one thing, but a guy like Arledge is another, or at least to me. If a recruit was that important to push a guy out, then I would have thought they would have handled it with the already available scholarships....

No way they're forcing a kid of JA's caliber out, that would be insane.

Now, I can certainly see how Hewitt would say to him, "You either play for us this season or not at all," in an attempt to convince him to play through his back pain.

Looking at the roster, there really isn't room for JA next season. I'm sure Hewitt expects Royal to come in and play major minutes at the 4, and we also have Marko and Jalen there. Copes is the obvious starter at the 5, unless he goes knucklehead again.

In order to be an NCAA-caliber team, we need the "beast mode" JA we saw from the second half of last season. I don't blame Hewitt and his assistants one bit for trying to drive that point home -- this season is more important to their careers than it is to any of us.

 

[Patriotfan49]

No way they're forcing a kid of JA's caliber out, that would be insane.

Now, I can certainly see how Hewitt would say to him, "You either play for us this season or not at all," in an attempt to convince him to play through his back pain.

Looking at the roster, there really isn't room for JA next season. I'm sure Hewitt expects Royal to come in and play major minutes at the 4, and we also have Marko and Jalen there. Copes is the obvious starter at the 5, unless he goes knucklehead again.

In order to be an NCAA-caliber team, we need the "beast mode" JA we saw from the second half of last season. I don't blame Hewitt and his assistants one bit for trying to drive that point home -- this season is more important to their careers than it is to any of us.

I have no idea whats going on, or if there are legs to any of this...but isnt that what the article implied?

Saying that the future doesnt include you, is pretty much forcing the issue right? I would think there is a better way to handle it than that, especially if the reports are right and JA wants to stay and didnt think of leaving prior to those talks.

 

[HoopsAdmin]

I don't know the details, but as a devil's advocate... what if Hewitt has been pushing Jon and trying to motivate him, but he just isn't responding - other than to decide to transfer? Not sure there's much a coach can do if that was the situation.

 

[gmujim92]

I have no idea whats going on, or if there are legs to any of this...but isnt that what the article implied?

Saying that the future doesnt include you, is pretty much forcing the issue right? I would think there is a better way to handle it than that, especially if the reports are right and JA wants to stay and didnt think of leaving prior to those talks.

There's "forcing the issue" and "forcing somebody out."

I don't really have much of a problem with Hewitt taking the first approach, if that's what he's doing.

We're not obligated to give anyone a fifth year on scholarship -- and he probably figures if the medical redshirt is an option, JA won't feel any urgency to come back and help us this season.

If JA decides that he just can't play through the pain, we're all going to have to learn to live with it. Only he knows how badly he's hurt.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

All of this seems to be a lot of second hand talk and speculation. We are not sure that Arledge is leaving or what really is being discussed. It seems we are quick to paint Hewitt as the bad guy - but he has to lead a team and take into account all the objectives and needs of the players and the team as a whole. Until I hear he is officially leaving - I am not going to sweat it - and until there are real facts about how this went down I am not going to be putting on Angel and Villain labels.

 

[gmutom]

Also, I just am having a hard time that if that is the idea of the staff about recruiting or a target, that they are forcing guys out the door.

I don't think anybody is being forced out the door. It sounds to me like the staff wants JA to play this year, even if it means missing a few more games. They do not want him to redshirt and come back next year for several possible reasons:

1. We will already have Copes, Royal, Marko, Jenkins, Okoloji and Porter in the low post.

2. They likely have their eyes on somebody specific for the last scholarship opening, and they don't want to lose out on a player who can give us several years as opposed to bringing JA back for one year.

 

[gmu2006]

All of this seems to be a lot of second hand talk and speculation. We are not sure that Arledge is leaving or what really is being discussed. It seems we are quick to paint Hewitt as the bad guy - but he has to lead a team and take into account all the objectives and needs of the players and the team as a whole. Until I hear he is officially leaving - I am not going to sweat it - and until there are real facts about how this went down I am not going to be putting on Angel and Villain labels.

If Arledge was not on the sidelines for the game last night, then I have to assume that he is gone.... That is unless he was in the hospital getting some emergency back surgery.

 

[Patriotfan49]

I don't think anybody is being forced out the door. It sounds to me like the staff wants JA to play this year, even if it means missing a few more games. They do not want him to redshirt and come back next year for several possible reasons:

1. We will already have Copes, Royal, Marko, Jenkins, Okoloji and Porter in the low post.

2. They likely have their eyes on somebody specific for the last scholarship opening, and they don't want to lose out on a player who can give us several years as opposed to bringing JA back for one year.

1. Copes is unreliable and inconsistent, Royal is an unknown, Marko is playing well, Jenkins looks nice, Okoloji is what he is....not much and Porter is a incoming freshman that is a "ceiling" type recruit. Arledge imo at the moment is a better option that easily 5 of those options, and he provides game/athleticism that none of the others do for us at the moment.

2. I get that, but its a little curious to me that they would rather play hardball with a guy like Arledge as opposed to somebody like Okoloji or even Edwards. Mainly Okoloji due to the stock at his position and Edwards is primarily going to be the backup pg.

lik 06 mentioned....I feel the lack of buzz on his injury, and the fact he didnt appear to even be in the building last night says alot. Well see what happens, but at the moment seems the writing is on the wall.....

Edit: I think I misunderstood that its about having him on scholly for next year and not playing at all this year. I forgot that Coach L didnt RS him his first year.

 

[gmujim92]

49, based on my experience, if Hewitt is "playing hardball" with JA about a medical redshirt, it's an attempt to get him back on the court ASAP.

As neither Okoloji nor Edwards are currently injured, that's comparing apples to oranges.

 

[Patriotfan49]

I misunderstood the stituation about Arledge only having one year left either way. For some reason I forgot he wasted away on the bench his Fr year with no RS and thought he had 2 left.

My point prior with AO and CE, was Id rather have JA over both those guys for two years.

 

[Walter]

Maybe he asked for a redshirt with the hopes of transferring. Since he has played this year, the granting of a redshirt is not guaranteed. When would a decision be made? Hopefully it wouldn't take months because by then he will have missed his senior year. Unless he really is hurt and can't play, it is time he sucks it up. I am a huge fan of Arledge and I would love to see him finish his career as a Patriot.

 

[Pablo]

I don't have any insider information on this particular case. However, Jonathan has played this season so in order for him to regain his final season of eligibility he would have to meet the requirements for an NCAA medical hardship waiver (the following link is an explanation of the difference between a redshirt and a medical hardship waiver presented by Michigan State - https://www.msu.edu/~msuncaa/Medical Hardship Waivers.pdf).

Simply stated, a medical hardship waiver for Jonathan requires: (1) appropriate medical documentation from the physician who cared for him at the time of the back injury supporting an incapacitating injury that precludes him from completing this season; and (2) the medical hardship waiver would have to be requested and approved.

Back injuries are often very difficult to assess with respect to incapacity. So, perhaps, this is still an unresolved issue. As others have said, let's give this more time before drawing any further conclusions.

 

[Walter]

And based on Hewitt's statements last night, it would appear that he doesn't think it is an "incapacitating injury." Would that factor in the request for a redshirt? I guess Hewitt can always say he was mistaken in his assessment. Does the coach have to support a redshirt request?

 

[Patriotfan49]

I don't know the details, but as a devil's advocate... what if Hewitt has been pushing Jon and trying to motivate him, but he just isn't responding - other than to decide to transfer? Not sure there's much a coach can do if that was the situation.

That would be like going to your current boss bluffing about having a higher offer to get a raise. I hope you have an actual offer, in case they call you bluff and bid you good luck lol....

If that is the mindset, I would hope there is a better way to do it than basically decide between playing here or going elsewhere.

 

[GSII]

Here's the deal.

If the statement by Hewitt re Jon's pain is true then Jon is probably immobile. If he's immobile he can't go to class, which means he probably won't graduate in the spring. Which means he can't leave Mason. Remember, this is all dependent upon how true things are with his back. If its as bad as Hewitt claims, then I can see why he also couldn't make it to the game. Being told you aren't on the team is probably a lie. Hewitt wouldn't pull the trigger that fast on a senior starter. No Coach would. Is Arledge difficult and frustrating, yes. Is the staff counting down the days til he leaves, no way.

 

[99 Patriot]

Nothing elevates a players' draft stock like a chronically bad back...

 

[GSII]

I'm a little shocked this story was written this early. Guess we going rogue.