2018-2019 Season Projections

[Falco]

Uhh...you forgot the NCAA is starting the season earlier this year. The season starts on a Tuesday, and it is at home (doubleheader to be exact).

Ok well first Saturday game... I rather tailgate in November than February.

The average temperature in February is only 46 degrees, but November is 57 degrees.

 

[dr. gunnie]

Mason should make their homecoming the first home game of the season! The weather is warmer for tailgating. And it starts the season with a lot of energy.

I actually don't hate the idea.

Most football schools just had (or are about to have) their homecoming, so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb as much. It might help get more students out early that don't start coming out until later.

It doesn't even have to be labeled "homecoming", but make the first game more of an event with things to do before the game to get the students out. I remember when I lived in Colorado, Colorado St used to have a game, and then they would have a concert or a comedian perform after the game. That was pretty cool - remember seeing David Brenner after a CSU hoops game once.

Whoa. I never thought I would say this: quality post DJ3!

 

[Washingtonian]

Media day is tomorrow and will be shown on ESPN+:
http://www.atlantic10.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31600&ATCLID=211776300

 

[Falco]

I actually don't hate the idea.

Most football schools just had (or are about to have) their homecoming, so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb as much. It might help get more students out early that don't start coming out until later.

It doesn't even have to be labeled "homecoming", but make the first game more of an event with things to do before the game to get the students out. I remember when I lived in Colorado, Colorado St used to have a game, and then they would have a concert or a comedian perform after the game. That was pretty cool - remember seeing David Brenner after a CSU hoops game once.

Whoa. I never thought I would say this: quality post DJ3!

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

 

[Five Two]

I actually don't hate the idea.

Most football schools just had (or are about to have) their homecoming, so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb as much. It might help get more students out early that don't start coming out until later.

I've been saying this for years. the earlier homecoming is, the better impact it can make on future attendance in the season. But that was my reasoning for having it in early Feb vs late Feb.

I really like this idea of homecoming in November. As Dr said, a fall homecoming feels right. This year, we could'v scheduled it for Sat Nov 10th. Roll alumni weekend (which was last weekend, I believe) into homecoming weekend with a home hoops game.

 

[GMUSig03]

I've been saying this for years. the earlier homecoming is, the better impact it can make on future attendance in the season. But that was my reasoning for having it in early Feb vs late Feb.

I really like this idea of homecoming in November. As Dr said, a fall homecoming feels right. This year, we could'v scheduled it for Sat Nov 10th. Roll alumni weekend (which was last weekend, I believe) into homecoming weekend with a home hoops game.

I would guess they wouldn't want to roll alumni weekend into homecoming, as they reduce two relatively popular events (by Mason standards) into one. Perhaps just move alumni weekend a few weeks back and make the first Saturday homecoming the marquee event, along with all of the other activities.

And still have homecoming in late January/early February a little after students are back from winter break.

 

[JimP]

Having grown up in the Binghamton area before Binghamton moved to DI, Syracuse was always the main college basketball team in the area (it may still be. JimP would need to confirm, but anyway...). My dad and uncles always complained about SU never leaving the Dome until conference play started. This is a great article outlining why they don't need to do so.

That was a great article. Oh yeah, Binghamton is still a Syracuse town. Guessing it always will be unless the unimaginable happens and Binghamton becomes a perennial threat to win tourney games. Since I became a GMU fan, the one SU sport I root for is football.

 

[jessej]

 

[jessej]

PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM

Kellan Grady, Davidson

Josh Cunningham, Dayton

Otis Livingston II, George Mason

Luwane Pipkins, Massachusetts

Grant Golden, Richmond


PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM

Eric Williams, Jr., Duquesne

Pookie Powell, La Salle

Jeff Dowtin, Rhode Island

Courtney Stockard, St. Bonaventure

Javon Bess, Saint Louis

Jordan Goodwin, Saint Louis


PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM

Jon Axel Gudmundsson, Davidson

Lamarr Kimble, Saint Joseph's

Charlie Brown, Jr., Saint Joseph's

Hasahn French, Saint Louis

De'Riante Jenkins, vcu


PRESEASON ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM

Jon Axel Gudmundsson, Davidson

Terry Nolan, Jr., George Washington

Cyril Langevine, Rhode Island

Jacob Gilyard, Richmond

Javon Bess, Saint Louis

 

[jessej]

SAINT LOUIS PICKED TO WIN A-10 MEN'S BASKETBALL
Release: 10/18/2018

Preseason Poll / Preseason Awards
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Saint Louis has been selected as Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball champions in the league’s 2018-19 men’s basketball preseason poll. The conference announced the poll and preseason all-conference awards Thursday in conjunction with its annual Media Day, held at Barclays Center, home of the 2019 A-10 Men’s Basketball Championship. The awards and poll were chosen by a panel of the league’s head coaches and select media members.

The Billikens last won the Atlantic 10 Championship in 2013, and captured regular season titles in 2013 and 2014. SLU had 15 first-place votes in the poll, and 348 points. Led by Preseason All-Conference selections Javon Bess, Jordan Goodwin and Hasahn French, Saint Louis finished 17-16 overall last year and 9-9 in the A-10.

Saint Joseph’s was picked second in the 2018-19 preseason poll. The Hawks totalled 324 points, including four first-place votes. SJU returns Lamarr Kimble and Charlie Brown, Jr., both of whom are Preseason All-Conference Third Team selections. Both Kimble and Brown are comeback stories, after missing the 2017-18 season due to injuries. The Hawks finished at 16-16 last year, 10-8 in the A-10.

Defending champion Davidson was picked third in the poll with 314 points and six first-place votes. The Wildcats’ dynamic sophomore guard Kellan Grady was last year’s A-10 Rookie of the Year and is a Preseason All-Conference First Team selection this season. His senior teammate Jon Axel Gudmundsson was named to the Preseason All-Conference Third Team and the Preseason All-Defensive Team.

The 2018-19 men’s basketball season tips off on Tuesday, Nov. 6 while Atlantic 10 Conference play begins on Thursday, Jan. 3. The season will culminate with the 2019 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship, which will be played at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The league’s premier event will begin Wednesday, March 13 and the league will crown its 2019 champion on March 17, Selection Sunday.

Preseason Poll

1. Saint Louis (15) - 348
2. Saint Joseph’s (4) - 324
3. Davidson (6) - 314
4. George Mason (1) - 287
5. Rhode Island - 221
6. Dayton - 206
7. vcu - 195
8. Massachusetts - 175
9. St. Bonaventure - 167
10. Richmond - 156
11. Duquesne - 146
12. La Salle - 85
13. George Washington - 73
14. Fordham - 33

Number in parenthesis indicates number of first-place votes

 

[GMUSig03]

Basketball season is starting just in time for the annual collapse of expectations for the Miami football season, can't wait!

 

[JBiggs]

I just wanted to take a quick moment to heap some additional praise on Otis. I don't think he got enough credit for the offensive performance he turned in last season (at least from outside of the die hard Mason fan community), particularly in conference play. His numbers were great, but not quite eye popping on the year as a whole, but in conference play he was incredible.

He averaged 19.8 PTS, 1.3 STL, 4.7 AST, and 3.6 TRB, on 14.7 FGA, while shooting 49% from 2 and 41.1% from 3 (on 5.9 attempts!). Also 83.5% from the free throw line on 4.7 attempts.

Per 40, he averaged 21.5 PTS and 5.1 AST, but considering their moderately slow pace last season, I think the per 100 possessions numbers are more indicative of his performance. Those numbers: 30.6 PTS, 2 STL, 7.3 AST, and 5.5 TRB, with an offensive rating of 116.7! (He actually has the 19th ranked career offensive rating so far at 109.31, in front of guys like JeQuan Lewis, DeAndrew Bembry, and E.C. Matthews. And just behind guys like Melvin Johnson, Chaz Williams, ShawnDre' Jones, and T.J. Cline. As a side note, Peyton Aldridge is the leader in career ORtg at a ridiculous 122.21).

Other advanced metrics that stand out (in conference play): 26.5 USG%, 26.7 AST%, 22.4 PER, 58.6 TS%, and 54.2 eFG%.

On the year as a whole, he played the 4th most minutes in the conference. Also was 8th in FG, 6th in FGA, 6th in FT, 4th in FT%, 6th in AST, 7th in PTS, 7th in MPG, 3rd in PTS produced, 6th in PTS produced per game, and 9th in offensive WS.

He has been remarkable, and has almost single-handedly pulled our program out of the darkness as an after-thought recruit without another D-1 offer. I can't thank and appreciate him enough, not only for what he's done on the court (and what I anticipate he will do in his final season), but for the inspirational leader and ambassador he has been for our program and school over these past three years. I know I'll cherish this last season, and can't wait to see what he and this group can accomplish together.

Thanks, O! LET'S F*CKING GOOOOOOO!!!

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

I just wanted to take a quick moment to heap some additional praise on Otis. I don't think he got enough credit for the offensive performance he turned in last season (at least from outside of the die hard Mason fan community), particularly in conference play. His numbers were great, but not quite eye popping on the year as a whole, but in conference play he was incredible.

He averaged 19.8 PTS, 1.3 STL, 4.7 AST, and 3.6 TRB, on 14.7 FGA, while shooting 49% from 2 and 41.1% from 3 (on 5.9 attempts!). Also 83.5% from the free throw line on 4.7 attempts.

Per 40, he averaged 21.5 PTS and 5.1 AST, but considering their moderately slow pace last season, I think the per 100 possessions numbers are more indicative of his performance. Those numbers: 30.6 PTS, 2 STL, 7.3 AST, and 5.5 TRB, with an offensive rating of 116.7! (He actually has the 19th ranked career offensive rating so far at 109.31, in front of guys like JeQuan Lewis, DeAndrew Bembry, and E.C. Matthews. And just behind guys like Melvin Johnson, Chaz Williams, ShawnDre' Jones, and T.J. Cline. As a side note, Peyton Aldridge is the leader in career ORtg at a ridiculous 122.21).

Other advanced metrics that stand out (in conference play): 26.5 USG%, 26.7 AST%, 22.4 PER, 58.6 TS%, and 54.2 eFG%.

On the year as a whole, he played the 4th most minutes in the conference. Also was 8th in FG, 6th in FGA, 6th in FT, 4th in FT%, 6th in AST, 7th in PTS, 7th in MPG, 3rd in PTS produced, 6th in PTS produced per game, and 9th in offensive WS.

He has been remarkable, and has almost single-handedly pulled our program out of the darkness as an after-thought recruit without another D-1 offer. I can't thank and appreciate him enough, not only for what he's done on the court (and what I anticipate he will do in his final season), but for the inspirational leader and ambassador he has been for our program and school over these past three years. I know I'll cherish this last season, and can't wait to see what he and this group can accomplish together.

Thanks, O! LET'S F*CKING GOOOOOOO!!!

This gave me bumps of the goose variety.

 

[gmujim92]

I just wanted to take a quick moment to heap some additional praise on Otis. I don't think he got enough credit for the offensive performance he turned in last season (at least from outside of the die hard Mason fan community), particularly in conference play. His numbers were great, but not quite eye popping on the year as a whole, but in conference play he was incredible.

He averaged 19.8 PTS, 1.3 STL, 4.7 AST, and 3.6 TRB, on 14.7 FGA, while shooting 49% from 2 and 41.1% from 3 (on 5.9 attempts!). Also 83.5% from the free throw line on 4.7 attempts.

Per 40, he averaged 21.5 PTS and 5.1 AST, but considering their moderately slow pace last season, I think the per 100 possessions numbers are more indicative of his performance. Those numbers: 30.6 PTS, 2 STL, 7.3 AST, and 5.5 TRB, with an offensive rating of 116.7! (He actually has the 19th ranked career offensive rating so far at 109.31, in front of guys like JeQuan Lewis, DeAndrew Bembry, and E.C. Matthews. And just behind guys like Melvin Johnson, Chaz Williams, ShawnDre' Jones, and T.J. Cline. As a side note, Peyton Aldridge is the leader in career ORtg at a ridiculous 122.21).

Other advanced metrics that stand out (in conference play): 26.5 USG%, 26.7 AST%, 22.4 PER, 58.6 TS%, and 54.2 eFG%.

On the year as a whole, he played the 4th most minutes in the conference. Also was 8th in FG, 6th in FGA, 6th in FT, 4th in FT%, 6th in AST, 7th in PTS, 7th in MPG, 3rd in PTS produced, 6th in PTS produced per game, and 9th in offensive WS.

He has been remarkable, and has almost single-handedly pulled our program out of the darkness as an after-thought recruit without another D-1 offer. I can't thank and appreciate him enough, not only for what he's done on the court (and what I anticipate he will do in his final season), but for the inspirational leader and ambassador he has been for our program and school over these past three years. I know I'll cherish this last season, and can't wait to see what he and this group can accomplish together.

Thanks, O! LET'S F*CKING GOOOOOOO!!!

Shut down the board. Won’t ever be a post better than this one.

 

[mkaufman1]

I just wanted to take a quick moment to heap some additional praise on Otis. I don't think he got enough credit for the offensive performance he turned in last season (at least from outside of the die hard Mason fan community), particularly in conference play. His numbers were great, but not quite eye popping on the year as a whole, but in conference play he was incredible.

He averaged 19.8 PTS, 1.3 STL, 4.7 AST, and 3.6 TRB, on 14.7 FGA, while shooting 49% from 2 and 41.1% from 3 (on 5.9 attempts!). Also 83.5% from the free throw line on 4.7 attempts.

Per 40, he averaged 21.5 PTS and 5.1 AST, but considering their moderately slow pace last season, I think the per 100 possessions numbers are more indicative of his performance. Those numbers: 30.6 PTS, 2 STL, 7.3 AST, and 5.5 TRB, with an offensive rating of 116.7! (He actually has the 19th ranked career offensive rating so far at 109.31, in front of guys like JeQuan Lewis, DeAndrew Bembry, and E.C. Matthews. And just behind guys like Melvin Johnson, Chaz Williams, ShawnDre' Jones, and T.J. Cline. As a side note, Peyton Aldridge is the leader in career ORtg at a ridiculous 122.21).

Other advanced metrics that stand out (in conference play): 26.5 USG%, 26.7 AST%, 22.4 PER, 58.6 TS%, and 54.2 eFG%.

On the year as a whole, he played the 4th most minutes in the conference. Also was 8th in FG, 6th in FGA, 6th in FT, 4th in FT%, 6th in AST, 7th in PTS, 7th in MPG, 3rd in PTS produced, 6th in PTS produced per game, and 9th in offensive WS.

He has been remarkable, and has almost single-handedly pulled our program out of the darkness as an after-thought recruit without another D-1 offer. I can't thank and appreciate him enough, not only for what he's done on the court (and what I anticipate he will do in his final season), but for the inspirational leader and ambassador he has been for our program and school over these past three years. I know I'll cherish this last season, and can't wait to see what he and this group can accomplish together.

Thanks, O! LET'S F*CKING GOOOOOOO!!!

Awesome post, school of management taught you well

 

[JBiggs]

Awesome post, school of management taught you well

LOL, hell yes they did.

 

[GMU_DCU]

Nothing we haven't heard before from the A-10 Media Day. Paulsen picks Javon Greene as this year's breakout player for Mason. Also predicts St. Louis to win the league. He's so happy to be coaching Reuter and will be an important part of this team etc. etc.

 

[psyclone]

Nothing we haven't heard before from the A-10 Media Day. Paulsen picks Javon Greene as this year's breakout player for Mason. Also predicts St. Louis to win the league. He's so happy to be coaching Reuter and will be an important part of this team etc. etc.

Thanks for sharing...not ready to fork over 4.95 for espn+ yet for a short interview with the Coach.

 

[99 Patriot]

Great post. Otis definitely has made a case to be on the Mt. Rushmore of Mason greats. I wonder if things go as we hope they will this year, whether Otis' numbers might level off a bit, simply because we may not need him to play so many minutes, create so much or take so many shots. Would be a great problem to have.

 

[GMU_DCU]

Thanks for sharing...not ready to fork over 4.95 for espn+ yet for a short interview with the Coach.

half of mason's games this year are on ESPN+ and out of market MLS games..figured it was worth the $4.99.