Game 27: GMU (21-5 / 12-1) at vcu (21-5 / 11-2) on Saturday, February 22, at 4:00 PM.

[jruby]

Here’s the biggest issue, Mason doesn’t have the fan support to get an at large. This is where those fan numbers now matter. They want teams that will make them money. While I think Mason is better than SMU, SMU will get in because that oil money just matters a lot more sadly. It’s win A10 or season ends in DC. Zero interest in a stupid NIT that is nothing more than a clown show of absolutely horrible power 5 schools. It does nothing for anyone, it will be a road game at like wake or unc and lose anyway. Just save everyone the annoyance. I think regardless of last 4 all that matters is the 3 in dc. Lose all 4 doesn’t change what happens in dc.

Giving Begg 30 minutes the next 4 games may not be as crazy as it sounds. Either he’s ready in a pinch in dc or just build towards next year where you’ll likely need him.

 

[NewPatriot]

Maybe I’m not being realistic, but I say this every year. Tournament basketball is tougher for vcu because all that hand checking BS they do at home gets called on the road or neutral courts. I don’t fear vcu away from Siegel. Do we have offensive issues? Clearly, but if we can somehow get Anderson on track and Woody can keep it up I think we’ll be ok. I’d love to get another shot at them in DC. 21-6 ain’t bad. Keep the faith everyone!

I'm sorry but that ain't going to happen. Tony publically and glibly stated his offense was awful in a post game about 2 weeks ago...then he stated in weekly media presser that the offense was "garbage"...his stated philosophy is to "Let the guys play freely if they play defense"...I gotta ask at this stage what does "freely" mean?

Leaving these guys to their own devices without any direction came back to bite them in the a$$ this game...There's literally no excuse for the Mason guards leaving Haynes on a island..having to bring it across the half court line 3 times in one game..that's coaching...if that happens against vcu's pressure..he should have called a timeout to address it...worse yet...Mason had a full week to prepare for vcu's press...what the H&ll did the coaching do during that time to prepare for it...play checkers..Skinn said in his post game presser that he thought Mason was "close to being as good as vcu and found out they weren't".was he living under a rock or something??!!

I love Tony..but no Mason fan should give him a free pass when they had a full week to.prepare for this game

 

[Sport31]

This is a tough loss but really not unexpected. We have been winning with defense but we all knew the offense was iffy and inconsistent all year and really shows against good athletic teams ( vcu, Duke and Marq). Lets enjoy the ride for the remainder of the year and hope vcu loses in the A10 tournament. We have shown we can beat everyone else.

 

[EXpatriot13]

Here’s the biggest issue, Mason doesn’t have the fan support to get an at large.

This is up there as one of the dumbest things I’ve ever read on these boards.

 

[jruby]

This is up there as one of the dumbest things I’ve ever read on these boards.

Why? The NIT is now utterly useless.

You really think Mason gets in over SMU? They already got in for football, you don’t think they will put them in again? I didn’t invent the system, if you want to keep running out the same 5 in 4 games that don’t matter have at it. There’s zero debate to the fact the last 4 DO NOT REALLY MATTER….

 

[WillWeaverRVA]

Hey Will, i want to compliment on your weather tweets...very accurate and educational.

Much appreciated!

Why? The NIT is now utterly useless.

You really think Mason gets in over SMU? They already got in for football, you don’t think they will put them in again? I didn’t invent the system, if you want to keep running out the same 5 in 4 games that don’t matter have at it. There’s zero debate to the fact the last 4 DO NOT REALLY MATTER….

Football's playoff is completely subjective because it isn't run by the NCAA (which has no sanctioned championship for FBS football) - the teams that get put in are put in and seeded the way they are because ESPN thinks it'll make for good TV.

SMU has a good NET but their resume is not so good. It's better than George Mason's, but not by much. The Selection Committee isn't going to put a team in the tournament solely because that school's football team got into the CFP.

 

[NewPatriot]

Why? The NIT is now utterly useless.

You really think Mason gets in over SMU?

Mason isn't getting into NCAA because of SMU...it's because Mason turns the ball over on 20% of its possessions every game...that's called crappy offensive coaching...it's reflected in fact Mason's kenpom offense efficiency is ranked 202 out of 360...offensive efficiency is part of the NET ranking algorithm. It helps explain why vcu's NET was 31 and Mason's 61 coming into the game..

 

[jruby]

Much appreciated!


Football's playoff is completely subjective because it isn't run by the NCAA (which has no sanctioned championship for FBS football) - the teams that get put in are put in and seeded the way they are because ESPN thinks it'll make for good TV.

SMU has a good NET but their resume is not so good. It's better than George Mason's, but not by much. The Selection Committee isn't going to put a team in the tournament solely because that school's football team got into the CFP.

That’s not what it meant at all and you know damn well that’s not what it meant. They got in for money and will get in again because of money. The acc was a joke at football and may be a bigger joke at basketball this year than at any point in history of conference.

SMU is awful, they don’t have a quad 1. They do not deserve to get in but they will get in over Mason simply because of brand power, period the end:

 

[jruby]

Mason isn't getting into NCAA because of SMU...it's because Mason turns the ball over on 20% of its possessions every game...that's called crappy offensive coaching...it's reflected in fact Mason's kenpom offense efficiency is ranked 202 out of 360...offensive efficiency is part of the NET ranking algorithm. It helps explain why vcu's NET was 31 and Mason's 61 coming into the game..

I’ll agree with the numbers and that’s fair. It’s definitely in no ******* world Tony’s fault though.

God himself isn’t fixing a team without a pg. Do you blame Tony for not recruiting one? Maybe! However I’m not blaming Tony or saying he’s a bad coach. I’ll refrain from bashing the fact no one on team can dribble or pass but yeah I agree their offense is awful: however again ill take Mason over teams like SMU with their incredibly goofy big men who Jalen would eat alive or any of these fringe power teams outside the sec.

We all know big 10 chokes in March. No need giving that conference any extra bids.

So again since they turn ball over so much what does playing Begg over O’Connor hurt? Why not just play him last 4 games of the year. If Tony is such an awful coach maybe it’s either time he teaches someone or maybe he just stays an awful coach doing exact same thing?

I mean either way O’Connor can’t play the pg next year. Whether that’s Begg or a transfer: so why not just start now? What’s the Harm ? Baring a crazy run in DC this season is over.

 

[TweederGMU]

Not to beat a dead horse but gad damn did our guys struggle at Siegel and against their team in general. We are not a first place team and we finally got exposed. So many things I can critique, That was just a shit game. You had all week to prepare for the press and we turn it over 3 times back to back.

O'Connor is not a PG. He got picked so many and the crowd got to him.

Zach really gives us nothing game to game. Start someone else, anyone else. tired of him not doing anything....he is 1 dimensional.... he cannot drive at all and is what..... 30% from 3 if that. Billups is a non factor offensively. Anderson should not be starting,

The key is to shut down vcu's guards and we did nothing to stop them. Shulga made us our bitch all day.

 

[FreeGunston12]

Here’s crazy idea, win Wednesday clinch top 2 seed. Play bench last 3 games for next year as last 3 games do not matter.

You do realize that we could still win the conference, right? vcu could slip up against Dayton or someone else. Obviously we’d rather win the conference tournament, but having a regular season title under the belt would be nice too.

 

[Falco]

I can’t believe I’m the voice of reason here, but everyone needs to calm down.

This loss means Mason won’t get an at-large bid, but the season is far from over. vcu still has Dayton, who needs wins to secure a top-four seed.

We also have the conference tournament ahead, and while I’d love to win the regular-season title, we all know the tournament championship matters more.

Plus, the A-10 tournament is a total wild card—aside from 2023, the No. 1 seed rarely wins.

 

[DRK331]

Tony Skinn post game presser:

x.com

x.com

Tony Skinn post game presser

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

1. Season ain’t over
2. Skinn is still growing as a head coach. You don’t become a great coach in two years.
3. Playing Begg more the last 4 games of the regular season seems like an interesting idea. His ability to get in crease of the defense is sorely needed.
4. Offense needs to have more deliberate structure.
5. We’re in 2nd place and could still end up first and even dance again. Let’s zoom out a bit. Shake the dust off and get back to it Wednesday.

Let’s go baby!!!!

 

[GSII]

If we are 2 seed and Dayton is 4, then that could be a plus. Dayton could be scary and I'd much rather have them in vcu side of the bracket.

 

[mkaufman1]

for the last 4 games play

quigley
coakley
ball
sivka
gio

 

[DRK331]

Full game here on Youtube

Full game here on Youtube

 

[mkaufman1]

Full game here on Youtube

Full game here on Youtube

Dont think anyone wants to watch this lol

 

[GMU79]

Why? The NIT is now utterly useless.

You really think Mason gets in over SMU? They already got in for football, you don’t think they will put them in again? I didn’t invent the system, if you want to keep running out the same 5 in 4 games that don’t matter have at it. There’s zero debate to the fact the last 4 DO NOT REALLY MATTER….

I'd rather win than lose. Period.

 

[Jack Strop]

Tony Skinn post game presser:

x.com

x.com

Tony Skinn post game presser

I like the fact that Tony was very upbeat and positive in the presser (aside: compare to recent FKE meltdowns!). Tony looks like he wants to get back up and get back to work. Take out the loss on Fordham.