Open Practice 2026 - Tuesday September 22nd

[jkh1978]

Second open practice? When was the first?

 

[NewPatriot]

Just got back, a few random thoughts....

The crowd was a joke. LOL. See the attached. Hundreds, not even a thousand in attendance.

Talked with several fans on the way out. Former Gold Room members that I had never met or paid attention to told me they are out of the hospitality picture for the year, as are several friends of theirs. Not a great sign for the coming season.

The band, dance team, and cheerleaders get an A+ for attendance, effort, and enthusiasm. It's just a shame they played before a non-existent/dead audience.

Brayden O'Connor, while dressed, did not participate in the scrimmage. Did I detect a slight limp? Can't be sure. Saw him shooting around post scrimmage. Disappointed that no information about his status was given. Transparency has never been a GMU strong point.

James Nnaji did not participate. Again, no mention as to why.

Players that impressed or surprised.

Baraka Okojie, he could be a real asset to the team.

Kanga is explosive though still raw around the rim.

The freshmen played like freshmen. Potential is there but our results won't be dependent on them.

EOE surprised me by running the point at times, was better than I thought he'd be offensively, and has the potential to be a stud on the defensive end.

Ben Woodward is just a lights out shooter.

Ryan Preston Mendy had a few very bright moments, I wasn't even thinking about him going into the night.

DISCLAIMER: It was one freaking night, very early in the PRACTICE season. We could be 32-0, 0-32, or anything in-between. Time will tell. Take everything above with a grain of salt.

It was fun to get out and see the team. A night like tonight is a sign that the season is coming and that the long summer of discontent is beginning to fade. It sucks that the team has such poor fan support, but the university may have to own that with the price increases and the fact that we haven't danced since 2011.

Go Mason.

The EOE was almost identical to one some one made about Jahari Long running the point last year


I take this as a good sign

 

[psyclone]

Just some load management for a few of the guya talked about and as hinted to above.

good updates, should be a fun season

Is load management really a thing this early in practice season?
When I read earlier in this thread about "not recording video" of the practice , I wrote it off as paranoid-like concern that some scout from another team might be using that information for use later in the season.
Would Tony really "bench" 3 players (at least 2 of whom are likely starters--BOC and Valentine) in order to make sure a clear picture doesn't emerge of what we may look like?

Or might Tony keep out those players because he has a pretty good sense of what they might contribute, allowing more time for the rest of the squad to show what they can do?

 

[NewPatriot]

Is load management really a thing this early in practice season?
When I read earlier in this thread about "not recording video" of the practice , I wrote it off as paranoid-like concern that some scout from another team might be using that information for use later in the season.
Would Tony really "bench" 3 players (at least 2 of whom are likely starters--BOC and Valentine) in order to make sure a clear picture doesn't emerge of what we may look like?

Or might Tony keep out those players because he has a pretty good sense of what they might contribute, allowing more time for the rest of the squad to show what they can do?

Yes. The primary goal is to keep the team healthy and not sustain any injuries before the season starts.

 

[mkaufman1]

Is load management really a thing this early in practice season?
When I read earlier in this thread about "not recording video" of the practice , I wrote it off as paranoid-like concern that some scout from another team might be using that information for use later in the season.
Would Tony really "bench" 3 players (at least 2 of whom are likely starters--BOC and Valentine) in order to make sure a clear picture doesn't emerge of what we may look like?

Or might Tony keep out those players because he has a pretty good sense of what they might contribute, allowing more time for the rest of the squad to show what they can do?

Yes, between the long haul, and whatever existing nagging injuries or conditions players have, it was just part of the process. I suspect that each player has a plan in place and may have different ramp up time etc.

Has nothing to do with filming practice and someone surfing to our board and using that as scouting.