2013-2014 OOC Opponents Tracker

[GSII]

We saw a few adjustments with zone today. But the GW boards are saying it was playing man to man defense that got them the win.

Either way, an adjustment by Lonegran won them the game. Would of been nice for Hewitt to try that vs Princeton and/or Iona.

 

[GMUgemini]

I think sometimes just shifting into zone for a few positions to slow the bleeding helps settle the players down. Sure, they might shoot over top it (or if you aren't used to practicing it, run right into the teeth of it), but it still takes time to break a zone down.

I think it's crazy not to have a zone in your back pocket, especially at GMU's level. We won't have the biggest, longest, strongest, fastest athletes on the floor every game. To ask them to guard man to man exclusively is insane.

As to adjusting: as Gobo said during the Princeton game, "there is no backdoor cut against a zone."

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

I am interested to see what the turnout will be against Iowa State this year. It will be a home game against a top 25 program (which almost NEVER happens for Mason). However, it will be during the winter break when no students are on campus.

I know I will be there and even though I only count as one person, I will make the equivalent noise of 30 adult males or 83 midgets. <--- I believe that is the current adult male to midget exchange rate.

 

[EXpatriot13]

I am interested to see what the turnout will be against Iowa State this year. It will be a home game against a top 25 program (which almost NEVER happens for Mason). However, it will be during the winter break when no students are on campus.

It's not a home game. It's the opening game of the Diamond Head Classic for us in Hawaii.

 

[JBiggs]

Haha, poor Chank. Sorry bro. Gotta fly to Honolulu for that one.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

It's not a home game. It's the opening game of the Diamond Head Classic for us in Hawaii.

Oops, my bad. Guess I'll save my energy for A-10 play. But the midget exchange rate still applies.

BTW is anyone here actually going to Hawaii for the tournament?

 

[MasonFanatic]

I'd go if someone else picked up my airfare. Lol.

 

[gmujim92]

I think sometimes just shifting into zone for a few positions to slow the bleeding helps settle the players down. Sure, they might shoot over top it (or if you aren't used to practicing it, run right into the teeth of it), but it still takes time to break a zone down.

I think it's crazy not to have a zone in your back pocket, especially at GMU's level. We won't have the biggest, longest, strongest, fastest athletes on the floor every game. To ask them to guard man to man exclusively is insane.

As to adjusting: as Gobo said during the Princeton game, "there is no backdoor cut against a zone."

Emotions get rolling in sports and it can be difficult for the head coach to process all of the information swirling around his head.

This is especially where every coach needs a trusted right-hand man (or woman, for the sake of gender equity) to speak up and point out the seemingly obvious.

Do we have that person on staff? If not, we need to get one pronto.

Our head coach may be too stubborn to change, but he's also only human -- if somebody he respects pointed out that we're getting carved up in the man-to-man, maybe he'd be more willing to adjust.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

Yes, he is only human, but he needs to be a human DOING, not just a human BEING.

 

[EXpatriot13]

Iowa State vs. Auburn on ESPNU right now.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

Wow, ISU crushing Auburn 28-47 at the half. Cyclones are going to be a tall order for us to say the least.

 

[EXpatriot13]

Iowa State is going to crush us with the way we've been playing. We better "play up" to our opponent if we want it to be a respectable loss. At least it's on a neutral court and not on their home floor. Shades of New Mexico last year? Except without the debacle down the stretch, maybe?

 

[gmujim92]

We'll have nothing to lose. If they crush us, big deal. It's all upside when you're playing a team that could be top 10 by the time the Diamond Head rolls around.

 

[GMUgemini]

We have the potential for a decent matchup in the fifth place game (that is assuming we could beat either Akron or Oregon State) -- South Carolina or St. Mary's potentially.

 

[Five Two]

Sadly, I doubt anyone at Auburn really cares their hoops team is getting blown off the court by Iowa St.

 

[EXpatriot13]

Iowa State beats Auburn 99-70.

 

[Five Two]

At least our logo is on the set of ESPNU tonight (next to Georgetown, Butler, UNLV and Princeton).

The key to beating Iowa St- hope they are more focused on being in Hawaii than playing basketball.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Even if we get blasted by ISU, we will get some credit for playing a likely RPI top 25 team. That game can't hurt us if we don't let it. Just win the second game and hopefully the third as well.

We have almost nothing to lose in that game so hopefully our guys will just play and not overthink.

 

[GMUgemini]

Even if we get blasted by ISU, we will get some credit for playing a likely RPI top 25 team. That game can't hurt us if we don't let it. Just win the second game and hopefully the third as well.

We have almost nothing to lose in that game so hopefully our guys will just play and not overthink.

Exactly. And like I said on the other side of the bracket you have St Mary's playing South Carolina in the first round. One would assume the loser of that game will wind up in the fifth place game with hopefully us.

 

[Five Two]

Oklahoma blasted Mercer by 16 in Norman, OK last night. And it wasn't that close. It was on ESPNU right after the Iowa St game. They get Texas A&M-CC at home on Thursday night before coming to DC. Their only loss is to #1 Michigan St on a neutral court.