2023-24 Basketball Season: Hopes, Dreams, Wishes and Analysis

[DRK331]

I'm excited to see this 2-2-1 full court press.

When was the last time a Mason team did a full court press as a focal point of the defense?

 

[gmujim92]

I'm excited to see this 2-2-1 full court press.

When was the last team a Mason team did a full court press as a focal point of the defense?

Pretty sure never unless you call whatever Westhead ran as “defense” lol

 

[GMUgemini]

Pretty sure never unless you call whatever Westhead ran as “defense” lol

Was about to say the same thing! The scramble defense was Coach L’s change of pace (done to perfection against UNC in the second round), but never the focal point of what he was trying to do.

 

[gmujim92]

Was about to say the same thing! The scramble defense was Coach L’s change of pace (done to perfection against UNC in the second round), but never the focal point of what he was trying to do.

Even knowing we’re gonna have to live with giving up some easy baskets — every team that relies on heavy ball pressure does — I am fired up at the thought of a Mason team that is truly committed to making the opponent uncomfortable when it has the ball.

Just as we’ve watched with dread as vcu’s length and physicality so often inevitably suffocated our offense, being able to do that to other teams would be amazing.

 

[mkaufman1]

Even knowing we’re gonna have to live with giving up some easy baskets — every team that relies on heavy ball pressure does — I am fired up at the thought of a Mason team that is truly committed to making the opponent uncomfortable when it has the ball.

Just as we’ve watched with dread as vcu’s length and arm smacking like someone took away their big macs so often inevitably suffocated our offense, being able to do that to other teams would be amazing.

FTFY

 

[Patriotsince81]

Any word on anything? Hangnail report? What the team had for lunch last Sunday? I need something!!!!! LOL.

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

Even knowing we’re gonna have to live with giving up some easy baskets — every team that relies on heavy ball pressure does — I am fired up at the thought of a Mason team that is truly committed to making the opponent uncomfortable when it has the ball.

Just as we’ve watched with dread as vcu’s length and physicality so often inevitably suffocated our offense, being able to do that to other teams would be amazing.

It will also be nice to be the team that benefits from "playing aggressively" on defense and forces the refs hand by either having to let some stuff go or risk the game being a whistle fest. I've always thought vcu benefitted greatly from this. The only downside is that it can be a problem in NCAA tourney games, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

 

[tblack33]

Any word on anything? Hangnail report? What the team had for lunch last Sunday? I need something!!!!! LOL.

It'll be a moot point it if we win because ultimately that is what I care about most -- but one of the biggest things I'll miss about KE's style of running the program was how open it was to fan engagement. Offseason was much more interesting.

 

[mkaufman1]

Any word on anything? Hangnail report? What the team had for lunch last Sunday? I need something!!!!! LOL.

Seems like the kids are on a bit of a break since fall semester starts in another week or so. I know there were some practices the end of July but haven't heard anything in a few weeks.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Since we're all so desperate for anything b-ball related the roster page is updated. Baraka will wear #3. Still need a few pictures to make it final but a crumb is a crumb.

2024-25 Men's Basketball Roster - George Mason University Athletics

The official 2024-25 Men's Basketball Roster for the George Mason University Patriots

gomason.com

 

[GMUgemini]

Since we're all so desperate for anything b-ball related the roster page is updated. Baraka will wear #3. Still need a few pictures to make it final but a crumb is a crumb.

2024-25 Men's Basketball Roster - George Mason University Athletics

The official 2024-25 Men's Basketball Roster for the George Mason University Patriots

gomason.com

How about some PR? Tony Skinn was handing out donuts on the first day of class:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1693625313333260668

View: https://twitter.com/GMUGiantKiller/status/1693625313333260668

 

[jessej]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1699519825003827373

View: https://twitter.com/SBUnfurled/status/1699519825003827373/photo/1


Rosters for every Atlantic 10 team, including 126 player ratings and the Top 25 players, based on last season's U-Rate:

 

[GMUgemini]

Thought I’d Throw this out there as it’s nice to see someone outside a homer perspective say something nice:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1700366217247101193

View: https://twitter.com/mid_madness/status/1700366217247101193


I see a lot of potential too, but a lot of questions going into the season so can understand the skepticism.

 

[psyclone]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1699519825003827373

View: https://twitter.com/SBUnfurled/status/1699519825003827373/photo/1


Rosters for every Atlantic 10 team, including 126 player ratings and the Top 25 players, based on last season's U-Rate:

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm nit familiar with the ratings. Where did they come from? Is the scale from 0-10? Are they data-based, or ratings of writers (or a single "expert") who follows Div 1 mbb? What is "U-Rate"?

 

[Junkees9]

I assume the asterisk next to Jalen Haynes (transfer year in residence) means he has to sit out a year before he can play?

 

[gmujim92]

Thought I’d Throw this out there as it’s nice to see someone outside a homer perspective say something nice:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1700366217247101193

View: https://twitter.com/mid_madness/status/1700366217247101193


I see a lot of potential too, but a lot of questions going into the season so can understand the skepticism.

Really the only question is whether a first-time coach can get a bunch of new players to function cohesively. Because we have an experienced roster — I have no doubt there is more than enough talent to compete in the A-10.

 

[jessej]

I assume the asterisk next to Jalen Haynes (transfer year in residence) means he has to sit out a year before he can play?

Numbers are all based on last year and he wasn't at GMU last season

 

[jessej]

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm nit familiar with the ratings. Where did they come from? Is the scale from 0-10? Are they data-based, or ratings of writers (or a single "expert") who follows Div 1 mbb? What is "U-Rate"?

NBA STATS | Usage Rate in Basketball Explained

Usage rate aka usage percentage is an estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor.

www.nbastuffer.com

 

[Old Ram]

Numbers are all based on last year and he wasn't at GMU last season

It looks like the asterisk is for the multiple time transfers. They may or may not be eligible this year.

 

[mkaufman1]

I assume the asterisk next to Jalen Haynes (transfer year in residence) means he has to sit out a year before he can play?

From what I could gather

Haynes- needs to sit, no waiver.
Newton- tbd.

No idea how accurate or up to date it is.