Game 1: University of Pennsylvania, Tuesday, November 6th, 7 PM, ESPN+

[Washingtonian]

This is a doubleheader with the women's team who play Loyola (MD) which starts at 4 PM, which is also televised on ESPN+.

Penn had a 24-9 (12-2 in the Ivy League) record last season, and won the Ivy League conference tournament.

Ryan Betley averaged 14.3 PPG/5.0 RPG last season and AJ Brodeur averaged 13.1 PPG/7.2 RPG last season. Penn averaged 75.94 points per game last season, and if my math is right, 72.59% of their scoring is returning from last season.

Last season's stats: https://pennathletics.com/documents/2018/3/20/1718_MBK_Stats.pdf?path=mbball

The last time Mason played Penn was at the Palestra on 12/10/16 (Marquise got a triple double):
https://gomason.com/boxscore.aspx?id=6821&path=mbball

Brodeur had 11 points in that game, and he was a freshman then.

Discuss.

 

[GMUgemini]

This is a doubleheader with the women's team who play Loyola (MD) which starts at 4 PM, which is also televised on ESPN+.

Penn had a 24-9 (12-2 in the Ivy League) record last season, and won the Ivy League conference tournament.

Ryan Betley averaged 14.3 PPG/5.0 RPG last season and AJ Brodeur averaged 13.1 PPG/7.2 RPG last season. Penn averaged 75.94 points per game last season, and if my math is right, 72.59% of their scoring is returning from last season.

Last season's stats: https://pennathletics.com/documents/2018/3/20/1718_MBK_Stats.pdf?path=mbball

The last time Mason played Penn was at the Palestra on 12/10/16 (Marquise got a triple double):
https://gomason.com/boxscore.aspx?id=6821&path=mbball

Brodeur had 11 points in that game, and he was a freshman then.

Discuss.

I'm going to miss this game because I'll be teaching. Perimeter defense better be there, no sleeping on backdoor cuts either. I think if the defense is locked in, they'll be okay even if shots aren't falling early. Kier and Otis need to attack the rim, Reuter needs to assert himself in the low post. Take care of the ball. And this will hopefully be a win at home.

 

[Patriotsince81]

My heart says Mason by 2. Mind says Penn by 8.

 

[sleeperpick]

Brodeur and Rothschild should give us fits down low as they can both step out and shoot. We should dominate guard play and athleticism against these guys. Mason by 5.

 

[GMUgemini]

Brodeur and Rothschild should give us fits down low as they can both step out and shoot. We should dominate guard play and athleticism against these guys. Mason by 5.

Rothschild has taken 2 threes his entire career...do you mean mid-range game? If so, I'm less concerned about that, so long as he isn't very good off the dribble, and even if he is he'll be guarded most likely by either Mar or Grayer or Wilson and might find it hard getting past them one-on-one.

Brodeur shot 29% from 3 last year. I'd rather he take that shot than give up a wide-open layup on a backdoor cut. Not that I want him sitting wide open out there, but I think we need to be more concerned about falling asleep and allowing cutters to the basket and giving up a layup line.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

76-73 GMU

 

[gmujim92]

If we are a tournament team, this is a game we have to win.

I think we are and we will.

 

[FreeGunston12]

If we are a tournament team, this is a game we have to win.

I think we are and we will.

Starting early with the must wins. I like it.

 

[psyclone]

Sagarin has us a 5 pt favorite (3.2 pts for home team).
Kenpom: 5 pt favorite

 

[Washingtonian]

Penn has a discussion thread: http://boards.basketball-u.com/show..._session_id/9735a297e3f728d015388ab090b048d7/

 

[Pikapppatri8]

I think defense stays on lock down and the offense gets more coordinated -- Mason by 7.

But it will still be a little bit of an ugly win.

But just like a 2:00 AM thick chick on the weekend - its better than going home cold and alone.

 

[GreenLantern]

Us - 74
Them - 73
OT

 

[GMUgemini]

Penn has a discussion thread: http://boards.basketball-u.com/show..._session_id/9735a297e3f728d015388ab090b048d7/

They seem to think they'll have an advantage on the inside. This will be a good test for Reuter and Calixte to see if they can keep their bigs out of good position in the post. Our post defense has been a pretty bad weakness the last two seasons, so I'm hoping to see some improvement now that we've got a decent number of forwards to rotate at the 4 and 5.

 

[GMUgemini]

Us - 74
Them - 73
OT

Ian Boyd buzzer beater?

 

[sleeperpick]

Rothschild has taken 2 threes his entire career...do you mean mid-range game? If so, I'm less concerned about that, so long as he isn't very good off the dribble, and even if he is he'll be guarded most likely by either Mar or Grayer or Wilson and might find it hard getting past them one-on-one.

Brodeur shot 29% from 3 last year. I'd rather he take that shot than give up a wide-open layup on a backdoor cut. Not that I want him sitting wide open out there, but I think we need to be more concerned about falling asleep and allowing cutters to the basket and giving up a layup line.

more of elbow range which has typically been hard for our bigs to cover.. Go Mar should do fine.. more worried about Calixte and Reuter

 

[Patriotsince81]

If we are a tournament team, this is a game we have to win.

That is the bottom line.

 

[Washingtonian]

Ian Boyd buzzer beater?

So Paulsen can make next birthday jokes after game 1?

 

[NewPatriot]

Did Reuter and Gonar play together against hopkins? If so, did Paulsen try to employ any high-Low action in the key to get easy layups around the basket?

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

Honestly, I have zero idea how this game will go. We are playing most likely a Tournament team.

Early games can get out of hand quickly either way. Otis and Justin will have to take charge and be aggresive to the rim. We cannot count on anyone else rgiht away. Let them lead, allow the rest of the team to get into rhythm and any statistical contribution they provide must come through the aggressive play of the Otis & Justin.

Yes, we return everyone from last year, but the sophomore slump for Goanar, Calixte & Javon and even Reuter can get out of hand if they try to do too much too early.

 

[mkaufman1]

Hopefully they shake the jitters out and relax once some shots hit the net. It’s going to be a tough one but I can’t see mason losing these first two games this week. They can’t take Penn lightly though.

Mason 75
Penn 67