Dave Paulsen

[GMU1983]

I agree we are fine with Paulsen. Look it took the women's team till year 5 to do something. Reuters will be just what the doctor ordered!

 

[Walter]

UNCC hired price when we hired Paulsen. Price has failed miserably.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...ar-mark-price-as-49ers-mens-basketball-coach/

 

[patriot2000]

Many people fail miserably, but that has nothing to do with whether DP is a success. For the record, I'm not worried. But I just think your logic is flawed. To "defend" DJ3 or other haters, they're not saying it couldn't be worse. They're not saying DP was the worst hire they could have possible made. They just expected better. I don't agree, but I get it.

I really think the issue here is that most people don't fully understand just what Hewitt did to this program. It went far beyond the lackluster results on the court. DP has turned a dumpster fire into a smoldering former dumpster fire. I still have full faith that he'll fully restore it soon. But it DOES take time.

Oh, and the "It's year 3" argument doesn't hold a ton of water with me, because I think year 2 was a success. Year 3 can only be judged through the lens of year 4. If next year is a let-down, DP has questions to answer. If it meets or exceeds expectations, years 1 and 3 are excused as "part of the process"

 

[sleeperpick]

Many people fail miserably, but that has nothing to do with whether DP is a success. For the record, I'm not worried. But I just think your logic is flawed. To "defend" DJ3 or other haters, they're not saying it couldn't be worse. They're not saying DP was the worst hire they could have possible made. They just expected better. I don't agree, but I get it.

I really think the issue here is that most people don't fully understand just what Hewitt did to this program. It went far beyond the lackluster results on the court. DP has turned a dumpster fire into a smoldering former dumpster fire. I still have full faith that he'll fully restore it soon. But it DOES take time.

Oh, and the "It's year 3" argument doesn't hold a ton of water with me, because I think year 2 was a success. Year 3 can only be judged through the lens of year 4. If next year is a let-down, DP has questions to answer. If it meets or exceeds expectations, years 1 and 3 are excused as "part of the process"

I think you missed the post whenDJ3 made his list of coaches he would have rather had then Paulsen. It was extensive and half of them are no longer employed. Some people just don't know what they're talking about.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

This a fourm where fans can express their opinion. Sorry you don't like my opinion. Feel free to ignore my post because I will not "give it a rest"

LEAVE BRITTNEY ALONE!!!

 

[patriotchild]

That would be one way of thinking. Another would be to understand progress takes time.

My biggest frustration with our fan base is that we do not always appreciate progress and tend to have unrealistic expectations. We expect instant gratification. Now you personally may still show up, but the majority of fans/students don’t want to suffer through growing pains. If we as a fan base don’t show up and keep a decent atmosphere through these times, then we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

More than facilities or uniforms or whatever else, I think recruits care most about the gameday atmosphere. They put in all the hours of work and practice for the satisfaction they get from hearing the roar of the crowd.

We’ve made huge strides in ‘artificially’ (for lack of a better word) creating a better gameday experience. Still, without fans in the stands, the atmosphere can only get but so good. And DJ3, I think your way of thinking keeps many people away from our games, compounding the problem exponentially.

I agree that the most competitive and star players want to play on the biggest stage. And we won’t get those types until we start winning and return to the “the big stage.” We all have to accept that having a full arena and large crowd in Fairfax relies on fair weather attendance. Our players/recruits won’t hear the “roar of the crowd” if they aren’t winning.

The crowds will come back when we are consistently good. Which, hopefully, means an easier time recruiting. And we’ll have a full team and skill set.

I want to clarify your logic a little though. Because if the process takes too long and there is suffering then there’s likely to be a small crowd. Your argument seems to imply that we’ll never get good recruits because we’ll never have big crowds without the causal fan who wants to see a winner, which Is the part I see as a bit faulty and I don’t think you meant it negatively.



So, for those who see signs of disaster right now....

First, there has to be something that gets us back at the top. And I think the way Paulsen is going about it is the best we can do. He’s recruiting highly competitive kids who want to win, but also don’t have over inflated egos. You can see it in the way they play. These kids are not used to losing and want to be a part of building something bigger. That’s all Paulsen can do at this point, sell recruits on a bigger vision for Mason basketball.

Are they sometimes overmatched? Sure, right now we can’t always compete and the lack of depth is something that can be legitimately criticized. I don’t fault people for that.

As others mentioned, it took laranaga a while to get us where we were, which may be why this is so frustrating for some (especially if you’re a post 2006 Mason student/alum). We knew what we had and it just slipped away and the thought of waiting that long is daunting (especially after seeing a complete train wreck from Hewitt).

Personally, l really enjoy watching this team over the last three years and think that the quality of the kids is outstanding (not necessarily their skill levels). Also, the approach to basketball from this administration is way better than before.
Could this all tank and Paulsen is a bust? Sure. It’s healthy to be skeptical. But I don’t think that being thin this year is a death signal that is leading me to think that, yet.

In ideal world we would pick up where we left off last year. But it doesn’t work like that, especially for a program that’s trying to find its way back to the top tier. Losing sucks and I want to go back to when we were going to be a preseason top 25 team and we had expectations to start making the tournament every year, but it ain’t happening.

If we have two or three disappointing years in a row (expectations, not necessarily record wise), and it’s obvious that Dave’s neckties have some really small knots, then hell yeah I’ll be on the freakout bandwagon. At least for right now though Dave’s ties are pretty loose and I like it.

 

[GMUgemini]

As an addendum to what was just said, it took Coach L 14 years to get Mason to the point where we were most likely going to be a top 25 preseason team and one primed for sustained success.

The only thing we fans can do who want to program that has sustained success is support the program like we already do -- come out to games, donate as much as you can, convince your family, friends, coworkers, classmates, etc. to do the same so that whenever Dave Paulsen leaves (whether he gets us to the next level or not), the next man up has the infrastructure in place to compete right away.

 

[FreeGunston12]

I want to clarify your logic a little though. Because if the process takes too long and there is suffering then there’s likely to be a small crowd. Your argument seems to imply that we’ll never get good recruits because we’ll never have big crowds without the causal fan who wants to see a winner, which Is the part I see as a bit faulty and I don’t think you meant it negatively.

I think you mostly got what I was trying to say. It’s not that I think we won’t get good recruits, but I don’t think we will be winning the recruiting battle for recruits with a lot of high-major offers in the immediate future. Still, I have confidence in DP’s scouting and player development. I’m pretty happy with our freshmen so far this year.

Still, my main point was that I’m tired of the negativity of some of the fan base and that surrounding the program with negativity can be harmful. Paulsen has taken us from bad to inconsistent in his time at Mason. And I don’t mean that in a bad way nor do I blame DP for the youth or lack of depth that has kept the team from being consistently good. I appreciate the growth under Paulsen and look forward to that next step.

To the DP detractors - If we had a senior class that hadn’t all transferred away when Hewitt got fired, maybe I’d feel a little differently about this season. Given what Paulsen inherited, I’d say two steps forward and one step back is still pretty acceptable at this point - with the expectation of another step forward next year. Patience and positivity for one more season - that’s all I’m asking for.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

I confess that I have committed the most sinful of all message board transgressions. I hold a moderate viewpoint.

I believeth that our Coach hath improved the performance on the team and I doth keep the faith that he will continueth to improve.

But loh, I am still a voice willing to criticize thine transfers and leaveth thine team without big men capable of swatting the orange globes of the enemy that would arc towardeth the basket and stand fast amongest the multitudes that would back the faithful down into the paint.

Forgive me for not holding the view that all is well and a field of blooming roses and golden sunshine nor is it a dumpster that burneth into the night.

 

[GMUgemini]

I confess that I have committed the most sinful of all message board transgressions. I hold a moderate viewpoint.

I believeth that our Coach hath improved the performance on the team and I doth keep the faith that he will continueth to improve.

But loh, I am still a voice willing to criticize thine transfers and leaveth thine team without big men capable of swatting the orange globes of the enemy that would arc towardeth the basket and stand fast amongest the multitudes that would back the faithful down into the paint.

Forgive me for not holding the view that all is well and a field of blooming roses and golden sunshine nor is it a dumpster that burneth into the night.

Well, listen, just as we have criticized Coach L for, a, recruiting someone like Jay Threatt after the Final Four (when we should have been getting a higher quality recruit) or b, for misusing Vlad Moldeveanu and running him off the team, we can criticize Coach Paulsen for missing recruits and running players off the team as well. Doesn't make either one a bad coach, though.

 

[Falco]

Mason is doomed. Mason has a team full of role players. Last season Jenkins and Moore were able to impose their will on our opponents. We have no one on our roster that will be able to replicate their talents. Not this year, not next year.

Mar is gifted, he will be an excellent player in due time but, I highly doubt he will be able to carry the team next season, and year 2020 will be another rebuilding year.

I also want to know how is DP is any better than Hewitt? Hewitt was brought in to coach in the CAA. His team was a very capable CAA team. He finished 3rd in the CAA without Hancock in his first season. He finished 5th in the CAA when his whole team graduated and he was forced to play with freshman and sophomores. (typical DP excuse)

But let me use the same excuses many of you made for DP. Hewitt's recruiting connections were for the CAA. it takes at least two years to adjust. None the less Hewitt moved to the A10 and was ill prepared to compete with the A10 but his team would have dominated the CAA in 2013.

Hewitt started off the 2013 season beating; American, Lamar, Northern Iowa, Saint Francis. I don’t have faith DP team would be able to beat these teams today.

I know it sounds crazy that I’m making excuses for Hewitt. That’s my point. Hewitt didn’t suck as a coach because of the situation. He sucked because he sucked at coaching. Dp doesn’t suck because of the situation, he sucks because he sucks.

 

[dr. gunnie]

If Reuter is as good as advertised (big if), he and Mar should be a pretty decent combo underneath.

We have a pretty solid PG, so we will need to get some consistent play out of the other guards which is really hurting right now. I hate to overhype any incoming freshman, but what Douglas-Stanley is doing is pretty special.

I don't think we are a tournament team next year like many were hoping, but I don't think a top 6 finish in the A10 is out of the question if a couple things pan out... not what many people want to hear.

 

[GMUgemini]

Mason is doomed. Mason has a team full of role players. Last season Jenkins and Moore were able to impose their will on our opponents. We have no one on our roster that will be able to replicate their talents. Not this year, not next year.

Mar is gifted, he will be an excellent player in due time but, I highly doubt he will be able to carry the team next season, and year 2020 will be another rebuilding year.

I also want to know how is DP is any better than Hewitt? Hewitt was brought in to coach in the CAA. His team was a very capable CAA team. He finished 3rd in the CAA without Hancock in his first season. He finished 5th in the CAA when his whole team graduated and he was forced to play with freshman and sophomores. (typical DP excuse)

But let me use the same excuses many of you made for DP. Hewitt's recruiting connections were for the CAA. it takes at least two years to adjust. None the less Hewitt moved to the A10 and was ill prepared to compete with the A10 but his team would have dominated the CAA in 2013.

Hewitt started off the 2013 season beating; American, Lamar, Northern Iowa, Saint Francis. I don’t have faith DP team would be able to beat these teams today.

I know it sounds crazy that I’m making excuses for Hewitt. That’s my point. Hewitt didn’t suck as a coach because of the situation. He sucked because he sucked at coaching. Dp doesn’t suck because of the situation, he sucks because he sucks.

His whole team graduated in year two? Like Jonathan Arledge, Bryon Allen, Sherrod Wright, Vertrail Vaughns, Paris Bennett, and Johnnie Williams? That's 3 juniors and 3 redshirt juniors, if you're counting.

That team also lost to Towson for the first time ever and blew a massive lead against Northeastern in the semifinals in a weak CAA year (vcu had jumped to the A-10, ODU collapsed and Blaine Taylor got fired -- JMU won the conference for godssake, JMU!). The only reason why it got to 20 wins is by beating up a bunch of cupcakes in the CBI.

 

[GMUSig03]

Dp doesn’t suck because of the situation, he sucks because he sucks.

Then how did this happen:

Bucknell Bison (Patriot League) (2008–2015)
2008–09 Bucknell 7–23 4–10 T–7th


2009–10 Bucknell 14–17 9–5 2nd
2010–11 Bucknell 25–9 13–1 1st NCAA Second Round
2011–12 Bucknell 25–10 12–2 1st NIT Second Round
2012–13 Bucknell 28–6 12–2 1st NCAA Second Round
2013–14 Bucknell 16–14 11–7 4th
2014–15 Bucknell 19–15 13–5 1st NIT First Round
Bucknell: 134–94 (.588) 74–32 (.698)

And before you say Muscala, he is the one who found, recruited and developed a relatively unknown Muscala into an NBA player.

 

[Falco]

His whole team graduated in year two? Like Jonathan Arledge, Bryon Allen, Sherrod Wright, Vertrail Vaughns, Paris Bennett, and Johnnie Williams? That's 3 juniors and 3 redshirt juniors, if you're counting.

That team also lost to Towson for the first time ever and blew a massive lead against Northeastern in the semifinals in a weak CAA year (vcu had jumped to the A-10, ODU collapsed and Blaine Taylor got fired -- JMU won the conference for godssake, JMU!). The only reason why it got to 20 wins is by beating up a bunch of cupcakes in the CBI.

First of all I'm not trying to defend Hewitt. My point was you can make excuses for anyone, even Hewitt.

I'm tired of our fan bases making excuses. DP knows his X's and O's better than anyone at the D3 level. He did well at Bucknell. However, even under his own omission he said landing Muscala was the easiest recruit he ever landed. Sometimes people get lucky, and unfortunately his luck has run out.

 

[GMUgemini]

First of all I'm not trying to defend Hewitt. My point was you can make excuses for anyone, even Hewitt.

I'm tired of our fan bases making excuses. DP knows his X's and O's better than anyone at the D3 level. He did well at Bucknell. However, even under his own omission he said landing Muscala was the easiest recruit he ever landed. Sometimes people get lucky, and unfortunately his luck has run out.

You do realize that the sport of basketball doesn't change regardless of what level you are playing right? If you know your Xs and Os at the D3 level, you know your Xs and Os at the NBA level. The difference is in talent and athleticism, not the fundamentals of basketball.

If you have can't see the difference between a Paulsen-led team and a Hewitt-led team, I don't know what to tell you, other than you don't know what you are watching when you watch basketball.

 

[MasonCrew]

Unfortunately it is very hard to build a basketball program after it has been restored. My leash for DP is long, but it's still there. I consider this season a glorified practice, and it's becoming apparent the team does as well. Next year will be the year I really start evaluating. I am still happy with the progress the team has made over the past three seasons. This year has been the smallest jump, though for sure.

 

[FreeGunston12]

You do realize that the sport of basketball doesn't change regardless of what level you are playing right? If you know your Xs and Os at the D3 level, you know your Xs and Os at the NBA level. The difference is in talent and athleticism, not the fundamentals of basketball.

If you have can't see the difference between a Paulsen-led team and a Hewitt-led team, I don't know what to tell you, other than you don't know what you are watching when you watch basketball.

Agreed. To compare Paulsen to Hewitt is laughable at best. Even coming from DJ3. Remember when, instead of counting #’s of dews slain, we were counting how many times our coach took his hands out of his pockets?

 

[dr. gunnie]

Still 100% behind DP and staff. Still think they will get the program turned around, just going to take a little longer. I think we are getting the right type of kids - hard working kids who win, just need to hit and get a couple special players. Landing players like Mar needs to be the norm, not the exception.

 

[MASONscott]

If Reuter is as good as advertised (big if), he and Mar should be a pretty decent combo underneath.

We have a pretty solid PG, so we will need to get some consistent play out of the other guards which is really hurting right now. I hate to overhype any incoming freshman, but what Douglas-Stanley is doing is pretty special.

I don't think we are a tournament team next year like many were hoping, but I don't think a top 6 finish in the A10 is out of the question if a couple things pan out... not what many people want to hear.

Grayer is putting up close to a double double in each game - I'd call him solid as well.