2018 Recruiting

[Herndon]

Once Paulsen has a couple of successful years in a row back to back, recruits will be falling over themselves to come to Mason so I am not worried at all about our future.

When Rhode Island loses to us at their place and then again in the A10 tournament this year, many players will second guess their choices.

They will be riding the bench on a team who lost to the school they didn't chose, the coach that kissed their asses will be gone. This will make the effects of home sickness even worse (If you've ever been to Rhode Island, you know what I mean) All these reasons all balled up into one, they will be giving Paulsen a call. Guarantee it. But who knows if we'll have room for them or even want them at that time.

The Rhode Island commits decisions will prove nothing but a mistake to their careers and they will take a circuitous route to their graduations (if they graduate at all). We've all seen this pattern happen repeatedly, but each recruit and their parents think their kid is special and will not fall into this pattern.

Perhaps, we shall see. I think this year will be a telling year. The Juniors will be in their third year in the program. If Paulsen really is the developer of players we think he is, we will be competitive in the A-10 with Paulsen's guys, developed Paulsen's way.

If we're around .500 in the A-10 this year (i'd be fine with 7-11), then I think it says the program is a sustainable success. We have no seniors, but we have what looks like a reasonable roster filled with dudes who look like they can contribute on this level. It will mean that we're getting quality leadership from our Juniors, and that we can expect them to continue to develop into next year. If we can be around .500 in the A-10 this year, I don't think we necessarily NEED to splash in the recruiting game, because it will mean that we will be in the upper half of the league in any given year without it.

 

[gmujim92]

Perhaps, we shall see. I think this year will be a telling year. The Juniors will be in their third year in the program. If Paulsen really is the developer of players we think he is, we will be competitive in the A-10 with Paulsen's guys, developed Paulsen's way.

If we're around .500 in the A-10 this year (i'd be fine with 7-11), then I think it says the program is a sustainable success. We have no seniors, but we have what looks like a reasonable roster filled with dudes who look like they can contribute on this level. It will mean that we're getting quality leadership from our Juniors, and that we can expect them to continue to develop into next year. If we can be around .500 in the A-10 this year, I don't think we necessarily NEED to splash in the recruiting game, because it will mean that we will be in the upper half of the league in any given year without it.

From a program standpoint I think we know what to expect from Dave's teams going forward: guys who will play hard, tough, smart and unselfish. They won't beat themselves and they will be as well-prepared as they can possibly be.

For me the biggest question is whether the staff can find and sign replacements as good as or better than Otis and Jaire because that's what it will take to sustain success beyond what we all think should be an NCAA team next season.

Were our coaches really that much smarter than everybody else to sign two kids who had very unimpressive offers, only to see them become four-year starters? Or did they just get lucky?

I believe in our staff but it is a hard thing in today's game to constantly have to rely on landing overlooked kids.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Everyone needs to bear in mind that we have no seniors and an ACC caliber player sitting out for the year. We'll be ok and the '18-'19 campaign will be the one that excites recruits. Maybe this year is a slight step back record wise but a small step forward style wise. We haven't been a good enough program to expect to be lighting up the recruiting trail.

Yeah missing out on Wood is a bummer, but every recruit likes something different. They have a good practice facility that's already done and Amherst is nothing but parties and skanks. It's pretty easy to turn a high school kids head if he visits on the right weekend. As for URI, we'll see how much of that class actually ends up going there when Hurley bails after this year for some mid-lower end P5 program.

 

[GMUgemini]

From a program standpoint I think we know what to expect from Dave's teams going forward: guys who will play hard, tough, smart and unselfish. They won't beat themselves and they will be as well-prepared as they can possibly be.

For me the biggest question is whether the staff can find and sign replacements as good as or better than Otis and Jaire because that's what it will take to sustain success beyond what we all think should be an NCAA team next season.

Were our coaches really that much smarter than everybody else to sign two kids who had very unimpressive offers, only to see them become four-year starters? Or did they just get lucky?

I believe in our staff but it is a hard thing in today's game to constantly have to rely on landing overlooked kids.

If he's as good as advertised, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mar starting at the 3 after Jaire leaves.

Depending on how everyone develops, I don't have a problem at all of a potential 2019 starting lineup of Kier, Boyd, Mar, Wilson, and Reuter (3 seniors and 2 juniors).

 

[gmujim92]

If he's as good as advertised, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mar starting at the 3 after Jaire leaves.

Depending on how everyone develops, I don't have a problem at all of a potential 2019 starting lineup of Kier, Boyd, Mar, Wilson, and Reuter (3 seniors and 2 juniors).

Agreed about Mar. Great point. He's definitely our SF of the future.

Still think we need another PG though. Could be wrong but I think Kier and Greene are both better suited for the second ballhandler role.

 

[GMUgemini]

You may be right about Green and Kier, Jim, but they will have two years to understudy before we really need to turn the keys over to someone else.

 

[Falco]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I just don't see kier being the future. Yes he started almost every game. I don't know the correct term in basketball. But kier seems like a game manager. He knows his role and does it very well. Doesn't commit mistakes. But he's not like Otis where he can make a play out of nothing

 

[GMUSig03]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I just don't see kier being the future. Yes he started almost every game. I don't know the correct term in basketball. But kier seems like a game manager. He knows his role and does it very well. Doesn't commit mistakes. But he's not like Otis where he can make a play out of nothing

I would agree based on his play in his first year, but keep in mind that can also be attributed to him knowing his role - with Otis/Jaire/Jenkins/Moore it wasn't his job to score or create. He was very effective in that role, but doesn't mean he can't develop into more.

 

[gmujim92]

I would agree based on his play in his first year, but keep in mind that can also be attributed to him knowing his role - with Otis/Jaire/Jenkins/Moore it wasn't his job to score or create. He was very effective in that role, but doesn't mean he can't develop into more.

Something to be said for guys who embrace their role and are willing to do what needs to be done for the team to be successful.

There's a reason why Kier probably will be a 4- year starter and it's not because he is gonna average 20 ppg.

 

[Herndon]

Something to be said for guys who embrace their role and are willing to do what needs to be done for the team to be successful.

There's a reason why Kier probably will be a 4- year starter and it's not because he is gonna average 20 ppg.

Recall Ike Tate, who by the time he graduated was invaluable, just by gradually getting a little bit better each season.

 

[GMUgemini]

Recall Ike Tate, who by the time he graduated was invaluable, just by gradually getting a little bit better each season.

Tate also didn't look nearly as confident on the floor his freshman (or sophomore or half his junior) season as Kier did.

If there are any knocks on Kier's game it is 1) his super slow release (which he has apparently been working on all offseason) and 2) his conservative decision making (which is probably largely a product of his super slow release).

As for him being the future at the PG position, we haven't really seen him be responsible for initiating the offense, so we don't know how capable he would be in that role.

It's possible Greene and Kier will be starting together in 2019 (or an as yet unknown 2018/2019 recruit).

 

[Patriot8]

Just realized that we still have an offer out to Zach Newkirk, PG out of Word of God in Raleigh (John Wall alma mater). We were his first offer, and it doesn't seem as though he has been highly recruited for whatever reason. His brother Josh plays at Indiana.

 

[allhailme]

Anybody know if there will be visitors for Mason Madness?

 

[Bricker]

Just realized that we still have an offer out to Zach Newkirk, PG out of Word of God in Raleigh (John Wall alma mater). We were his first offer, and it doesn't seem as though he has been highly recruited for whatever reason. His brother Josh plays at Indiana.

I have him listed as an 8-star rim-toucher in my notes. No cash offers yet.

 

[Patriot8]

Amir Harris (combo guard) decommitted from URI. Seems like a direct result of Hurley recruiting over him within the class.

He's a Hagerstown, MD native.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Amir Harris (combo guard) decommitted from URI. Seems like a direct result of Hurley recruiting over him within the class.

He's a Hagerstown, MD native.

He was the one who committed like two weeks ago right?

 

[Patriot8]

He was the one who committed like two weeks ago right?

I believe so, yes.

 

[gmuballer14]

Kind of funny how he got over recruited with Adams mom seeming to be against it in her blog.

 

[gmujim92]

Amir Harris (combo guard) decommitted from URI. Seems like a direct result of Hurley recruiting over him within the class.

He's a Hagerstown, MD native.

Will be interesting to see where he winds up.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Will be interesting to see where he winds up.

I would love to have him. Seems like a PG who can score (which we need until we find a 2 who can consistently bury shots) and would have a chip on his shoulder towards a rival conference opponent.