Exclusive Interview w/Dave Paulsen! (Excerpt)

[patriot2000]

My problem as a Mason fan, and a daily reader of these boards, is that I agree with almost everything I read. Somebody posts something really negative about our program, our infrastructure, even our coaches or players, and I'm like yeah I see that too. Then somebody posts a rebuttal, and I'm like, "wow that makes a lot of sense." And it makes me think... am I that stupid, that non-committal, or is the situation surrounding a mid-major college basketball team so varied, complicated, and unknown to all of us that none of our opinions amount to a whole lot?

This is not a criticism of the things you all post; quite the opposite. Although I rarely post in the off-season , I read every day and thoroughly enjoy it. But I do think that there is not a single person among us that has any idea how to help this program, and if we did, I sure shit wish we would do it.

For the most part, I'm trying to just enjoy it and not compare to the past. But I was a fan before, during, and after the final four and it's pretty hard for me just forget that that's a possibility. If it was possible for us to be a contender then, it is possible now. Our AD's job is to f**king make it happen.

2006 wasn't luck or lightning in a bottle. In 2001, we were one horrible turnover away from an elite 8 or final four (using my crystal ball and looking at the matchups in the next few rounds). In 2011, we were a Food Poisoning away from a Sweet 16. In 2012, we were a Teddy KGB ("Pay that man his money") away from the best season in program history. And how many years were we an Eric Maynor away from at least having a shot at a win or two in the NCAA tournament? Yes, everything good that has happened post-1989 was one coach. But it happened here... In a worse conference, with worse facilities, less spending, a weak AD, and (at first) an even more apathetic fan base. Every excuse you can make for Right Now was even worse Back Then. Except for one old Cuban man? He's hardly a god. He had many faults and we got it done, year after year.

I've been drinking. Sorry.

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[By George.]

“But I do think that there is not a single person among us that has any idea how to help this program, and if we did, I sure shit wish we would do it.”

One way is to donate to us so we can buy better equipment and we can provide better video coverage. We can rally the students, board members have already been working on some of this by printing out fan instructions. We can improve EBA, we have some good ideas for next season, let’s talk about it!

 

[patriot2000]

“But I do think that there is not a single person among us that has any idea how to help this program, and if we did, I sure shit wish we would do it.”

One way is to donate to us so we can buy better equipment so we can provide better video coverage. We can rally the students, board members have already been working on some of this by printing out fan instructions. We can improve EBA, we have some good ideas for next season, let’s talk about it!

You're not wrong, I donate more than my budget suggests I should, but we had significantly less donors during the most successful time in our history.

Edit: I recognize that you meant donate to By George... And I'll consider it but I'm pretty thin right now. I do support what you do.

 

[GSII]

There is faltering. Every year this team is missing something. A shooter. A big, etc. Sans year one of the DP era, this should not be happening. How can DP be failing 4 & probably 5 years in a row on putting a complete team on the floor? I cant remember but it seems like every year we cant shoot, but a shooter was signed. Shooter subsequently cant shoot. Then a big man is needed. A big transfer is comn and could be all conf. Yall know the rest.

 

[JimP]

Location is a double edged sword. They’re the only show in town. The atmosphere is better because of it, not in spite of it.

True. I guess I was thinking more in terms of recruiting. Recruiting to Olean, NY can't be easy, but Schmidt has done remarkably well.

 

[Herndon]

My problem as a Mason fan, and a daily reader of these boards, is that I agree with almost everything I read. Somebody posts something really negative about our program, our infrastructure, even our coaches or players, and I'm like yeah I see that too. Then somebody posts a rebuttal, and I'm like, "wow that makes a lot of sense." And it makes me think... am I that stupid, that non-committal, or is the situation surrounding a mid-major college basketball team so varied, complicated, and unknown to all of us that none of our opinions amount to a whole lot?

This is not a criticism of the things you all post; quite the opposite. Although I rarely post in the off-season , I read every day and thoroughly enjoy it. But I do think that there is not a single person among us that has any idea how to help this program, and if we did, I sure shit wish we would do it.

For the most part, I'm trying to just enjoy it and not compare to the past. But I was a fan before, during, and after the final four and it's pretty hard for me just forget that that's a possibility. If it was possible for us to be a contender then, it is possible now. Our AD's job is to f*cking make it happen.

2006 wasn't luck or lightning in a bottle. In 2001, we were one horrible turnover away from an elite 8 or final four (using my crystal ball and looking at the matchups in the next few rounds). In 2011, we were a Food Poisoning away from a Sweet 16. In 2012, we were a Teddy KGB ("Pay that man his money") away from the best season in program history. And how many years were we an Eric Maynor away from at least having a shot at a win or two in the NCAA tournament? Yes, everything good that has happened post-1989 was one coach. But it happened here... In a worse conference, with worse facilities, less spending, a weak AD, and (at first) an even more apathetic fan base. Every excuse you can make for Right Now was even worse Back Then. Except for one old Cuban man? He's hardly a god. He had many faults and we got it done, year after year.

I've been drinking. Sorry.

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Don't sell larranaga short. He wasn't the platonic ideal of a basketball coach, maybe, but he was a great coach that's probably going to the Hall of Fame.

We will genuinely probably never have another Hall of Fame coach.

Accept that, deep in your bones. It's the truth. We were very, very lucky to have one.

 

[patriot2000]

Don't sell larranaga short. He wasn't the platonic ideal of a basketball coach, maybe, but he was a great coach that's probably going to the Hall of Fame.

We will genuinely probably never have another Hall of Fame coach.

Accept that, deep in your bones. It's the truth. We were very, very lucky to have one.

As usual... I agree

Look, I have a life size Larañaga in my basement, along with framed autographed pictures and a Jim-in-a-Ball and autographed Laranaga Globe Basketballs, etc. I love the dude. Maybe too much. But that doesn't change my overall point... At least not much.

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[psyclone]

....... In 2011, we were a Food Poisoning away from a Sweet 16. ...../QUOTE]

Not to detract from your points, or minimize Luke Hancock's contributions, but we lost to Ohio St (a #1 seed) by over 30 pt. in 2011. Ohio St had only lost 2 games all year when they played us. We did have likely our best team that season and it would have been closer if Luke played, but we weren't going to beat OSU that year unless the Buckeye starters got the food poisoning! The game was in Cleveland so it was essentially a home game for them.

 

[Mason32]

“But I do think that there is not a single person among us that has any idea how to help this program, and if we did, I sure shit wish we would do it.”

One way is to donate to us so we can buy better equipment and we can provide better video coverage. We can rally the students, board members have already been working on some of this by printing out fan instructions. We can improve EBA, we have some good ideas for next season, let’s talk about it!

Stop begging for money, it's just sad. People should donate to the Patriot Club

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

Stop begging for money, it's just sad. People should donate to the Patriot Club

After years of seeing what the PC does with our money, I can venture to say a donation to ByGeorge will yield more satisfaction.

Also if GMUBrian wanted to donate to ByGeorge and stipulated the money to only go to equipment, I'm pretty sure they would oblige and have zero issues with it.

 

[Falco]

Stop begging for money, it's just sad. People should donate to the Patriot Club

Why is it sad?

 

[Mason32]

Why is it sad?

They are in their mid 30s, not starving debt riddled college students. I guess they were communications or English majors.

 

[GMUgemini]

They are in their mid 30s, not starving debt riddled college students. I guess they were communications or English majors.

Dumbest take I’ve ever seen.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

They are in their mid 30s, not starving debt riddled college students. I guess they were communications or English majors.

And I'm sure you're swimming in money.

They're not begging, they're asking. Even if no one gave a penny, they would still be doing what they can.

Even if they have nice paying jobs - they have families, mortgages etc. to worry about. All of their efforts are probably with ancillary dough they could round up after .... you know living … and in one of the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country. This is not their main jobs.


But hopefully it will be one day.

 

[Walter]

“But I do think that there is not a single person among us that has any idea how to help this program, and if we did, I sure shit wish we would do it.”

One way is to donate to us so we can buy better equipment and we can provide better video coverage. We can rally the students, board members have already been working on some of this by printing out fan instructions. We can improve EBA, we have some good ideas for next season, let’s talk about it!

I need a link. I couldn't find a way to donate on your site?

 

[masonjoe]

Dumbest take I’ve ever seen.

So is donating to negative podcasters who have never given to the program but hey it's your coin bro

 

[Mason32]

So is donating to negative podcasters who have never given to the program but hey it's your coin bro

You shut it, they are a podcasting NETWORK and deserve your respect. They are self proclaimed rivals to the Junkies in the morning.

 

[G M U]

You shut it, they are a podcasting NETWORK and deserve your respect. They are self proclaimed rivals to the Junkies in the morning.

What's sad is when the Mason fanbase is critical of those who cover Mason athletics on their own time and dollar. If Giant Killer, By George, GMU Hoops didn't exist, what presence would Mason have on social media? It's already tough seeing a recruit announce he's received an offer from Mason and the tweet has 10 likes and 2 retweets. If fans didn't start their own podcasts, instagram, twitter, websites, what would we have? Enjoy reading Dick Patricks Around the Rim articles on the official Mason athletics site.

I'll never understand a Mason32 or masonjoe type fan. People want to talk about a virus, they are the type of "fans" that hinder creative coverage of the very University they root for. Sad

 

[Mason32]

What's sad is when the Mason fanbase is critical of those who cover Mason athletics on their own time and dollar. If Giant Killer, By George, GMU Hoops didn't exist, what presence would Mason have on social media? It's already tough seeing a recruit announce he's received an offer from Mason and the tweet has 10 likes and 2 retweets. If fans didn't start their own podcasts, instagram, twitter, websites, what would we have? Enjoy reading Dick Patricks Around the Rim articles on the official Mason athletics site.

I'll never understand a Mason32 or masonjoe type fan. People want to talk about a virus, they are the type of "fans" that hinder creative coverage of the very University they root for. Sad

Love the passion Jonesy!

 

[GMUgemini]

What's sad is when the Mason fanbase is critical of those who cover Mason athletics on their own time and dollar. If Giant Killer, By George, GMU Hoops didn't exist, what presence would Mason have on social media? It's already tough seeing a recruit announce he's received an offer from Mason and the tweet has 10 likes and 2 retweets. If fans didn't start their own podcasts, instagram, twitter, websites, what would we have? Enjoy reading Dick Patricks Around the Rim articles on the official Mason athletics site.

I'll never understand a Mason32 or masonjoe type fan. People want to talk about a virus, they are the type of "fans" that hinder creative coverage of the very University they root for. Sad

Speaking of, the AD is looking for a new director of digital content if anyone as experience in that area and wants to see improvements to the official content, I’d encourage you to apply.