Disciplinary Actions

[Pablo]

On Saturday vs. SLU, sophomore Jaire Grayer did not start for just the second time in his career (both due to minor disciplinary actions). I believe this was the 7th reported disciplinary action during the Coach Paulsen era. But, unlike last season, all violations have been minor this season.

2015-16:
Senior Patrick Holloway - multi-game suspension
Senior Marko Gujanicic - multi-game suspension
Senior Shevon Thompson & freshman Jaire Grayer- held out of the starting lineup for 1 game for failing to bring their notebook to a team meeting.

2016-17:
Sophomores DeAndre Abram & Danny Dixon - benched for the LVC game due to under performing in practice.
Sophomore Jaire Grayer - Held out of the starting lineup for the SLU game (coach's decision - no reason given).

 

[MasonGrad01]

2016-17:
Sophomores DeAndre Abram & Danny Dixon - benched for the LVC game due to under performing in practice.
Sophomore Jaire Grayer - Held out of the starting lineup for the SLU game (coach's decision - no reason given).

None of these were disciplinary actions

 

[Pablo]

None of these were disciplinary actions

What were they?

 

[MasonGrad01]

What were they?

Last time I checked a coach can determine playing time anyway he sees fit and change starting lineups whenever he wants. Don't you why you automatically assume it's because the players are doing something wrong. We have a competitive group of young players, playing time isn't set in a stone at the beginning of the season.

 

[Pablo]

Last time I checked a coach can determine playing time anyway he sees fit and change starting lineups whenever he wants. Don't you why you automatically assume it's because the players are doing something wrong. We have a competitive group of young players, playing time isn't set in a stone at the beginning of the season.

Are you serious?

 

[sleeperpick]

Are you serious?

are you writing this as fact because I didn't see any quotes regarding Jaire. I think that it was the other guy is accusing you of. If this is fact did Paulsen say this in a press conference or what?

 

[Pablo]

are you writing this as fact because I didn't see any quotes regarding Jaire. I think that it was the other guy is accusing you of. If this is fact did Paulsen say this in a press conference or what?

In the postgame presser, Coach Paulsen was asked about Jaire not starting (Marquise & Jaire were at the presser with him). Coach Paulsen's response was simply "coach's decision".

If it wasn't a disciplinary action, then what was the reason for Jaire playing a team-high 36 minutes, but not starting for just the second time in his career?

 

[psyclone]

are you writing this as fact because I didn't see any quotes regarding Jaire. I think that it was the other guy is accusing you of. If this is fact did Paulsen say this in a press conference or what?

When asked at the post game press conference about why Jaire didn't start, Paulsen did say "coach's decision" with no elaboration. So it could have been disciplinary, or just strategic to have him come off the bench, or maybe Kier and Boyd were practicing better than Jaire. It should be pointed out that Grayer played 35 min vs Kier's 32 and Boyd's 15.

 

[GreenLantern]

In the postgame presser, Coach Paulsen was asked about Jaire not starting (Marquise & Jaire were at the presser with him). Coach Paulsen's response was simply "coach's decision".

If it wasn't a disciplinary action, then what was the reason for Jaire playing a team-high 36 minutes, but not starting for just the second time in his career?

We'll never know likely. Your theory could be right, MasonGrad could be right. I see no point in arguing a point that will likely never be proven.

 

[Pablo]

We'll never know likely. Your theory could be right, MasonGrad could be right. I see no point in arguing a point that will likely never be proven.

MasonGrad01 also disagreed with me that Abram's & Dixon's benching for the LVC game was a disciplinary action. Do you believe that he could be right?

 

[GreenLantern]

MasonGrad01 also disagreed with me that Abram's & Dixon's benching for the LVC game was a disciplinary action. Do you believe that he could be right?

In this situation, I think underperforming Abram and Dixon was mentioned as a reason. Calling something a "coaches decision' isn't.

 

[Pablo]

In this situation, I think underperforming Abram and Dixon was mentioned as a reason. Calling something a "coaches decision' isn't.

So, we agree on Abram's & Dixon's benching. Any suggestions on why Jaire didn't start on Saturday?

 

[mkaufman1]

So, we agree on Abram's & Dixon's benching. Any suggestions on why Jaire didn't start on Saturday?

He interrupted the "meal plan mason money or cash" lady in the JC before she gave all the payment options, and Paulsen got word of it so Jaire got benched.

 

[Pablo]

a

So it could have been disciplinary, or just strategic to have him come off the bench, or maybe Kier and Boyd were practicing better than Jaire.

"Strategic" reminds me of the reason given for George Evans not starting at Richmond his senior season. I never believed this to be true, but I will concede that it's possible I could be wrong about Jaire. But, if the reason for Jaire not starting was "strategic", then why not just say so rather than "coach's decision"?

 

[Raider_SPE]

So, we agree on Abram's & Dixon's benching. Any suggestions on why Jaire didn't start on Saturday?

My sources in the AD hinted that he was caught live streaming Paulsen's vcu pregame speech, where coach called the Rams a bunch of art school assholes.

 

[GSII]

DAndre could really help guarding vcu's Tillman. Going from starter to doghouse overnight means you did something bad. In this case, DP may have told him you can stay thru season and what you did wont be talked about, but your scholly wont be renewed. Same for Dixon.

 

[G M U]

Yeah, it's puzzling why Paulsen is opting for such a short rotation of players. You'd figure Newman and Abram are identical, two skinny guys who let it fly from three (Abram providing additional length and opportunity to get to the rim). Practice performance would explain being benched for 1-3 games but most likely would've been corrected. He still seems engaged in the game while on the bench, so it's hard to say it's his attitude. Granted we know nothing behind the scenes and gotta figure Paulsen is doing what's best, right?

 

[masonjoe]

Yeah, it's puzzling why Paulsen is opting for such a short rotation of players.

The team has already exceeded fan expectations, been on a 9 game winning streak in a year we were projected to be bottom 3 in the conference. And people are still questioning our coaches every move? You people make no sense to me. WHO GIVES A FLYING F IF ABRAM IS PLAYING OR NOT?

 

[GMUSig03]

I personally have always thought shorter rotations are better (as long as it is by choice). No reason why college kids can't play 30 minutes a game. I believe that the more an individual plays, the better their play will be.

So kudos to Paulsen for finding the best 8 guys and playing them consistently!

 

[GMUgemini]

The team has already exceeded fan expectations, been on a 9 game winning streak in a year we were projected to be bottom 3 in the conference. And people are still questioning our coaches every move? You people make no sense to me. WHO GIVES A FLYING F IF ABRAM IS PLAYING OR NOT?

To me, it's those few games so far (and there will be more of them) when we're getting killed at the 4 position because a, we have freshmen guarding their 4, and b, we have way undersized freshman trying to guard their 4.

But when Abram has played, he's been fairly consistently out of position or slow on rotations, so his extra length I don't think would help very much on that side of the ball anyway, so it's a wash.