2020 A10 Transfer List

[tblack33]

They were also anchored by 3 underrecruited players (Marquise, Otis, Grayer), and went on to win 20 games in year two.

The hardest thing about these conversations is the fact that the last two years have been a horror show of under-performing expectations. And does that have to do with the level of the recruits? Does that have to do with Paulsen who can't coach out of a peach basket? Or does that have to do with injuries to key players at the worst possible time? Is it a combination of all of these factors? We just don't know.

Had the following players been 100% healthy the last two seasons, are some of us saying Paulsen is the worst coach in D1? (Boyd, Kier, Grayer, Reuter, Otis, Mar).

Otis’ senior season with him and Reuter being hurt will always intrigue me and is the biggest what it of the Paulsen era for me, because that was a year with a winnable A10 and what was supposed to be our best squad. Who knows though, I might be leading the slob on Paulsens knob train if there’s no injuries and we make it to the tourney that season.

Unfortunately we got what we got. Injuries suck, but it’s a part of the game, and something that almost every team has to deal with at some point, and it’s something that seems to set us back more than other teams. Whether that’s just because of who gets hurt or because Paulsens roster makeups have been questionable at best is up for debate I guess, but I know where I fall in that camp.

 

[gmujim92]

Happy Belated Birthday sir. My dad just got his AARP card this year... buffet coupons a plenty coming your way post COVID

They sent me the card two days before my birthday. Some present ... f*cking jerks

 

[99 Patriot]

I'll probably regret engaging in this, but here it goes. I remember around the year 2000, Ed Wade, then GM of the Phillies saying he wasn't going to spend on free agents to make a bad team mediocre. He wanted to build from within, establish a culture, get good and then they'd compliment their talent with free agents when they could help get the team over the top. Wade was gone, but that's sort of exactly what happened as Utley, Howard, Burrell, Rollins, Hamels and others came up together and they signed players like Lee, Halladay, Lidge and Oswalt to help keep them as title contenders.

DP came to Mason offering the same sort of approach. He believed not just were the on-court results poor, but the entire culture needed an overhaul. Clearly the administration agreed. He said from the beginning that he wanted to rebuild that culture with 4-year players and that he wanted to build to where it might take time, but once we were good, we'd stay good. I think he's done exactly what he said he'd do, only the progress has been slowed by some key upperclassmen injuries and some recruiting misses. For the last 3 seasons our only meaningful senior contributions have been from a banged up Otis and a few games of a gimpy Kier. Even Larranaga didn't win at Mason without strong senior classes.

So to me this coming season is the first year where he needs to show the fruits of 5 years of building a system and a culture. We have class balance, senior leaders and depth at each position. I'd also suggest that while not transfers, we wound up having two more open roster spots then anticipated since the end of the season (Mar/JDS). Those two spots were filled by a kid who went to prep school (Frazier), which hopefully means he's more ready than a typical high school recruit and our own 5th year senior, Ian Boyd. Boyd's not a grad transfer, but how many people expected him to return this season?

With a culture established and finally a balance in classes, I think going forward adding some key transfers (free agents) will make sense to plug holes and keep us competing near the top of the conference. If we don't see results then I think the criticisms are fair, even if a few of you literally repeat your same grievances nearly every single day.

 

[gmujim92]

I'll probably regret engaging in this, but here it goes. I remember around the year 2000, Ed Wade, then GM of the Phillies saying he wasn't going to spend on free agents to make a bad team mediocre. He wanted to build from within, establish a culture, get good and then they'd compliment their talent with free agents when they could help get the team over the top. Wade was gone, but that's sort of exactly what happened as Utley, Howard, Burrell, Rollins, Hamels and others came up together and they signed players like Lee, Halladay, Lidge and Oswalt to help keep them as title contenders.

DP came to Mason offering the same sort of approach. He believed not just were the on-court results poor, but the entire culture needed an overhaul. Clearly the administration agreed. He said from the beginning that he wanted to rebuild that culture with 4-year players and that he wanted to build to where it might take time, but once we were good, we'd stay good. I think he's done exactly what he said he'd do, only the progress has been slowed by some key upperclassmen injuries and some recruiting misses. For the last 3 seasons our only meaningful senior contributions have been from a banged up Otis and a few games of a gimpy Kier. Even Larranaga didn't win at Mason without strong senior classes.

So to me this coming season is the first year where he needs to show the fruits of 5 years of building a system and a culture. We have class balance, senior leaders and depth at each position. I'd also suggest that while not transfers, we wound up having two more open roster spots then anticipated since the end of the season (Mar/JDS). Those two spots were filled by a kid who went to prep school (Frazier), which hopefully means he's more ready than a typical high school recruit and our own 5th year senior, Ian Boyd. Boyd's not a grad transfer, but how many people expected him to return this season?

With a culture established and finally a balance in classes, I think going forward adding some key transfers (free agents) will make sense to plug holes and keep us competing near the top of the conference. If we don't see results then I think the criticisms are fair, even if a few of you literally repeat your same grievances nearly every single day.

Agree with every word of this post. Assuming there is a season, this is truly put up or shut up time for DP

 

[tblack33]

Agree with every word of this post. Assuming there is a season, this is truly put up or shut up time for DP

I look forward to either changing my mind when we are successful and make the tournament, or the rest of you changing your mind if we are not competitive.

 

[gmujim92]

I look forward to either changing my mind when we are successful and make the tournament, or the rest of you changing your mind if we are not competitive.

“Not competitive” means different things to different people, but if we have another conference season like the last one, he’s not gonna have many defenders left here.

 

[sleeperpick]

I'll probably regret engaging in this, but here it goes. I remember around the year 2000, Ed Wade, then GM of the Phillies saying he wasn't going to spend on free agents to make a bad team mediocre. He wanted to build from within, establish a culture, get good and then they'd compliment their talent with free agents when they could help get the team over the top. Wade was gone, but that's sort of exactly what happened as Utley, Howard, Burrell, Rollins, Hamels and others came up together and they signed players like Lee, Halladay, Lidge and Oswalt to help keep them as title contenders.

DP came to Mason offering the same sort of approach. He believed not just were the on-court results poor, but the entire culture needed an overhaul. Clearly the administration agreed. He said from the beginning that he wanted to rebuild that culture with 4-year players and that he wanted to build to where it might take time, but once we were good, we'd stay good. I think he's done exactly what he said he'd do, only the progress has been slowed by some key upperclassmen injuries and some recruiting misses. For the last 3 seasons our only meaningful senior contributions have been from a banged up Otis and a few games of a gimpy Kier. Even Larranaga didn't win at Mason without strong senior classes.

So to me this coming season is the first year where he needs to show the fruits of 5 years of building a system and a culture. We have class balance, senior leaders and depth at each position. I'd also suggest that while not transfers, we wound up having two more open roster spots then anticipated since the end of the season (Mar/JDS). Those two spots were filled by a kid who went to prep school (Frazier), which hopefully means he's more ready than a typical high school recruit and our own 5th year senior, Ian Boyd. Boyd's not a grad transfer, but how many people expected him to return this season?

With a culture established and finally a balance in classes, I think going forward adding some key transfers (free agents) will make sense to plug holes and keep us competing near the top of the conference. If we don't see results then I think the criticisms are fair, even if a few of you literally repeat your same grievances nearly every single day.

is it fair for someone that has been consistent the entire time to not have wanted DP from the beginning?! I was excited for new blood and hated Hewitt like the rest of us, but this was a boring hire of a guy that was going to have to punch 2 classes higher than he was capable of. We give crap to guys like Travis Ford and McCall for being snake oil salesmen.... but that is exactly who needs to be running an A-10 team that wants to get out of the gutter... Jamion Christian will jump the second he gets them competitive... but I guarantee he gets them competitive before year 6... hell they beat us 2 times last year with a SHITTY roster... he has moved them from one of the youngest rosters in the league to somewhere much more experienced thru transfers. That is the way of NOW

Injuries happen to every single team and that excuse really does bother me. vcu had 2 ACL tears and 2 guys that just quit playing last year and still finished higher than us. Could name many more of those instances. I also blame DP a bit for Otis' since he was worn down and physically could not carry a team like he did the previous two season. Never had a good enough backup point guard to lighten the load and the offense was literally for Otis to have the ball on his hands 75% of the time.

I appreciate your perspective rather than just a flat out "you're wrong I am right and I have no reasons to backup that". But I still vehemently disagree and think its too old world view of college basketball landscape.

The tides of recruitment have changed a ton since 2014 and we are still living like it is 1980 right now. Have a lot of catching up to do or we will be left further behind. We are in the A-10 not CAA and things change when you move from 16th ranked to 8th ranked conferences. We are still acting like a CAA team in most of what we do and that is unacceptable.

 

[sleeperpick]

“Not competitive” means different things to different people, but if we have another conference season like the last one, he’s not gonna have many defenders left here.

you say this every year and then after the excuses come you say it again. If AJ and Javon get hurt this year and we come in 10th are you going to say it yet again? What about if we lose half of our roster to graduation if the season doesn't happen?

 

[gmujim92]

you say this every year and then after the excuses come you say it again. If AJ and Javon get hurt this year and we come in 10th are you going to say it yet again? What about if we lose half of our roster to graduation if the season doesn't happen?

If we don’t have a season because of a global pandemic, I’m gonna have a hard time blaming that on Dave Paulsen. But I’m sure you’ll find a way. The reality is you’re not going to be happy until he is fired.

 

[GSII]

Everyone here would be happy with a consistent top 4 finishing program in the A10 no?

 

[tblack33]

Everyone here would be happy with a consistent top 4 finishing program in the A10 no?

If we are in the top 4 this season you won’t hear me say a negative word about DP at the end of the year.

 

[sleeperpick]

If we don’t have a season because of a global pandemic, I’m gonna have a hard time blaming that on Dave Paulsen. But I’m sure you’ll find a way. The reality is you’re not going to be happy until he is fired.

I am not looking to be like you Jim and always being right.... I think he will never have true success here with how he thinks, coaches etc. I welcome being incorrect and winning meaningful games and have a chance at larges every 2 years... havent seen it yet and don't plan on seeing it but I hope I am wrong. If we suck this year donations and support will be gone from program until a change is made

 

[99 Patriot]

is it fair for someone that has been consistent the entire time to not have wanted DP from the beginning?! I was excited for new blood and hated Hewitt like the rest of us, but this was a boring hire of a guy that was going to have to punch 2 classes higher than he was capable of. We give crap to guys like Travis Ford and McCall for being snake oil salesmen.... but that is exactly who needs to be running an A-10 team that wants to get out of the gutter... Jamion Christian will jump the second he gets them competitive... but I guarantee he gets them competitive before year 6... hell they beat us 2 times last year with a SHITTY roster... he has moved them from one of the youngest rosters in the league to somewhere much more experienced thru transfers. That is the way of NOW

Injuries happen to every single team and that excuse really does bother me. vcu had 2 ACL tears and 2 guys that just quit playing last year and still finished higher than us. Could name many more of those instances. I also blame DP a bit for Otis' since he was worn down and physically could not carry a team like he did the previous two season. Never had a good enough backup point guard to lighten the load and the offense was literally for Otis to have the ball on his hands 75% of the time.

I appreciate your perspective rather than just a flat out "you're wrong I am right and I have no reasons to backup that". But I still vehemently disagree and think its too old world view of college basketball landscape.

The tides of recruitment have changed a ton since 2014 and we are still living like it is 1980 right now. Have a lot of catching up to do or we will be left further behind. We are in the A-10 not CAA and things change when you move from 16th ranked to 8th ranked conferences. We are still acting like a CAA team in most of what we do and that is unacceptable.

I don't think it's possible for anyone on these boards to not know you've been against the hire, the process and the results. What gets old is reading you say it over and over and over and you literally taking issue with anyone who dares be optimistic or at least open to the idea that we might succeed.

You're right, recruitment and team building has changed dramatically and some teams are finding success in this new world while others have struggled with it. For a variety of reasons, we've played three straight seasons without a complete roster capable of legitimately competing with the top of our conference. That's frustrating. But in the approach that was laid out 5+ years ago, which we all know you don't agree with, that was almost considered a necessary and acceptable path to get us to where we're hopefully now arriving. It is what it is. Now we'll see whether it worked.

 

[mkaufman1]

I don't think it's possible for anyone on these boards to not know you've been against the hire, the process and the results. What gets old is reading you say it over and over and over and you literally taking issue with anyone who dares be optimistic or at least open to the idea that we might succeed.

You're right, recruitment and team building has changed dramatically and some teams are finding success in this new world while others have struggled with it. For a variety of reasons, we've played three straight seasons without a complete roster capable of legitimately competing with the top of our conference. That's frustrating. But in the approach that was laid out 5+ years ago, which we all know you don't agree with, that was almost considered a necessary and acceptable path to get us to where we're hopefully now arriving. It is what it is. Now we'll see whether it worked.

Always good insight.

I completely agree with where your premise comes from, rebuild culture yadda yadda. I get it, I'm patient with it.

The problem I have, is that we're now in year 6, its a make or break year, Dave has yet to really break through the program, and it appears that the administration is happy being in this loop. How long do we wait with Dave? Do we give him 4 more years because of culture, improved recruiting, and potential?

Granted with Brad around, he gets as long as he wants, but still, how long is too long?

If this year doesn't go well or doesn't even exist, which based on the first 5, theres no reason to think it will be "that great", what happens?

I'm a very patient guy. But theres nothing in the first 5 years, especially last year when Mason went 5-13 in conference, that tells me Year 6 is going to be special and the path forward is really good. I'm patient, I'm flexible, but its waring thin.

I expected the corner to turn in year 4, but I feel like instead of the corner turning, we just circled the same block and kick the can down the road. Schools that have had to rebuild in the last 2-3 years seem ahead of Mason at this point whether its recruiting or something else.

 

[gmujim92]

Always good insight.

I completely agree with where your premise comes from, rebuild culture yadda yadda. I get it, I'm patient with it.

The problem I have, is that we're now in year 6, its a make or break year, Dave has yet to really break through the program, and it appears that the administration is happy being in this loop. How long do we wait with Dave? Do we give him 4 more years because of culture, improved recruiting, and potential?

Granted with Brad around, he gets as long as he wants, but still, how long is too long?

If this year doesn't go well or doesn't even exist, which based on the first 5, theres no reason to think it will be "that great", what happens?

I'm a very patient guy. But theres nothing in the first 5 years, especially last year when Mason went 5-13 in conference, that tells me Year 6 is going to be special and the path forward is really good. I'm patient, I'm flexible, but its waring thin.

I expected the corner to turn in year 4, but I feel like instead of the corner turning, we just circled the same block and kick the can down the road. Schools that have had to rebuild in the last 2-3 years seem ahead of Mason at this point whether its recruiting or something else.

I’m obviously not Gregory Washington and wouldn’t pretend to speak for him, but if I was going to fairly evaluate a coach for retention purposes, I would like to see what he can do when he has the team he and his staff expected to have.

None of us know what the new president’s criteria are for a “successful” season, but if we can avoid major injuries to our key guys and DP doesn’t at least have us in serious contention for a top-4 finish with this roster, it would be difficult to justify giving him a Year 7.

 

[tblack33]

I’m obviously not Gregory Washington and wouldn’t pretend to speak for him, but if I was going to fairly evaluate a coach for retention purposes, I would like to see what he can do when he has the team he and his staff expected to have.

None of us know what the new president’s criteria are for a “successful” season, but if we can avoid major injuries to our key guys and DP doesn’t at least have us in serious contention for a top-4 finish with this roster, it would be difficult to justify giving him a Year 7.

See, I think this is fair and rational. This roster on paper should put us in contention for top 4, which in a strong A10 this year should put us firmly on the bubble and in contention for an at large. It gets problematic if he gives him one more year because our team is going to be much weaker in 21-22 regardless of who is coaching. Will be beginning a rebuild one way or the other, and it would be awkward to get one year into a roster overhaul just to can the guy and extend the rebuild even longer. I think it’s this year or bust.

 

[GMUgemini]

See, I think this is fair and rational. This roster on paper should put us in contention for top 4, which in a strong A10 this year should put us firmly on the bubble and in contention for an at large. It gets problematic if he gives him one more year because our team is going to be much weaker in 21-22 regardless of who is coaching. Will be beginning a rebuild one way or the other, and it would be awkward to get one year into a roster overhaul just to can the guy and extend the rebuild even longer. I think it’s this year or bust.

Well, hopefully the recruiting has gotten better and 21-22 isn't as dire...you'll have Miller, Hartwell, Oduro, and XJ as your upperclassmen core (2 seniors, 2 juniors), and Henry, Frazier, Polite, and Kolek with a year under their belts. The 2021 recruiting class is key, because there is some major holes on the depth chart after AJ, Javon, Boyd, and Calixte graduate -- so far the only known there is Gadsden, who is a bit of an unknown, at least in terms of hype.

 

[gmujim92]

See, I think this is fair and rational. This roster on paper should put us in contention for top 4, which in a strong A10 this year should put us firmly on the bubble and in contention for an at large. It gets problematic if he gives him one more year because our team is going to be much weaker in 21-22 regardless of who is coaching. Will be beginning a rebuild one way or the other, and it would be awkward to get one year into a roster overhaul just to can the guy and extend the rebuild even longer. I think it’s this year or bust.

We’ll probably get picked 8th or 9th based on last season’s collapse and the fact that we’ve done nothing in the A-10 to deserve benefit of the doubt, but I see no reason why we can’t at least challenge for fourth place.

Richmond and SLU are gonna be everyone’s 1-2, but after them I see it as a giant mosh pit. The difference between third place and ninth could be 2 games. We need to establish that we can beat the top A-10 teams or, as noted, we may as well rebuild with a new coach.

 

[mkaufman1]

I’m obviously not Gregory Washington and wouldn’t pretend to speak for him, but if I was going to fairly evaluate a coach for retention purposes, I would like to see what he can do when he has the team he and his staff expected to have.

None of us know what the new president’s criteria are for a “successful” season, but if we can avoid major injuries to our key guys and DP doesn’t at least have us in serious contention for a top-4 finish with this roster, it would be difficult to justify giving him a Year 7.

Granted this is fair, but is Dr. Washington really going to put pressure on Brad if they have a bad year to buy out Dave during or after a pandemic that has been economically terrible?

Between that and Mason being Mason, I'd bet more time with Dave even if there is another down year. There is too much support in terms of what he has done to not continue to be patient.

 

[gmujim92]

Granted this is fair, but is Dr. Washington really going to put pressure on Brad if they have a bad year to buy out Dave during or after a pandemic that has been economically terrible?

Between that and Mason being Mason, I'd bet more time with Dave even if there is another down year. There is too much support in terms of what he has done to not continue to be patient.

I was just saying, if there isn’t significant improvement with the experience on this roster, the president would be well-justified if he wanted to make a move.