Game 11: Georgia Southern University, Tuesday, December 12th, 7 PM, Atlantic10.com

[PoorManProfit]

So much wrong in this post, I don’t know where to begin.

Not sure why I ever un-ignored this douche.

Jim. what is so blatantly wrong with my post? I see a lot of folks stating "well we only have 8 players". Well, that's on DP and BE.

 

[gmutom]

Sometimes Otis looks like he is a veteran and last night he looked like it was his 4th college game ever. Not sure if he has hit a brick wall due to all the minutes he is forced to play. It was weird we made a run without him on the court. Maybe it forced everyone else to move the ball instead of Otis dribbling too much.

This. Otis is entitled to an occasional clunker, and last night definitely fell into that category. Bad shooting nights (2-10) and turnovers (6) happen to the best of players, but last night Otis uncharacteristically forced shots and committed unforced turnovers. You know we are in trouble when he starts dribbling too much and only has 1 assist in 31 minutes.

I always try to temper my criticism of Otis, because so much has been thrown on his shoulders since Day One. He has been nothing short of a gift to our program, but he needs to understand that we are better when he runs and stays within the offense rather than trying to be the offense. Knowing the competitor and leader he is, I have no doubt he will learn from last night and bounce back against Pedophile State University Saturday.

 

[MASONscott]

Went back to what Paulsen said during the pre-season Tipoff event at Brions. This game definitely fits under the disgust category. I'm sure we will have more that fall in that category. But we will have some awe games as well. The silver lining of eight players in a year in which we are not going to the dance is they will get better. Don't expect a win on Sunday, but a better showing would be progress.

My take on DPs morning.
“Pain + Reflection = Progress”
― Ray Dalio, Principles



A couple DP bullet points from the Tipoff event.
"Then he spoke about the program itself:

· Focused heavily on long-term foundational build of the program.

· This year’s squad needs to be viewed from the lens of a two-year run. The core eight will all play a ton and are a great group. Believes the chemistry and talent of the eight is very good.

· Someone asked about the starters – he listed the five for Lafayette but hedged that it is subject to change from game to game and week to week.

· Said we will leave Eagle Bank in awe some games and disgust others. He couldn’t be more pumped about Reuter’s transfer and what he will mean to the team next year. But, is a vital practice component challenging our guys and being vocal at practice.

· Question to him about who will be the leading rebounder. Paulsen said it will be a team mindset and all players expected to contribute. All stats tracked at practice – spoke highly of Grayer and said as of now he is not only a shooter but leading the team in rebounding at practice."

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Last, I am sorry Jollay had to give than receive last night. Someday these kids will realize how selfish they are and that its not all about them.

I know, right? Paulsen, too.

The rosters of old used to understand what was at stake for me. Why can't these guys?

As far as the team, as usual with these threads reality lies in the middle ground. Still like us next year (and late this year, BTW), but the zippity do dah shit coming out of people's asses preseason was still a little much. There are legit concerns/questions going forward and we've really done nothing yet.

And I'm not talking NCAAs even, either.

 

[GMUgemini]

I know, right? Paulsen, too.

The rosters of old used to understand what was at stake for me. Why can't these guys?

As far as the team, as usual with these threads reality lies in the middle ground. Still like us next year (and late this year, BTW), but the zippity do dah shit coming out of people's asses preseason was still a little much. There are legit concerns/questions going forward and we've really done nothing yet.

And I'm not talking NCAAs even, either.

To be fair, some of the zippity doo da coming out of our mouths was due to the fact that we at least had some hope Relvao wasn't a complete stiff...and then he quit right before the season started and that left us even thinner at forward than we already were. I still think that even if Relvao were Chris Fleming level of competence, a few of these games would have gone differently (it's pretty obvious how overmatched we are the glass when we have our normal starting 5 in the game).

 

[Scythe]

Please tell me what fake accounts I have?

GMU Wants Gunston, JPP Gave me the Finger, kizer permanente

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

To be fair, some of the zippity doo da coming out of our mouths was due to the fact that we at least had some hope Relvao wasn't a complete stiff...and then he quit right before the season started and that left us even thinner at forward than we already were. I still think that even if Relvao were Chris Fleming level of competence, a few of these games would have gone differently (it's pretty obvious how overmatched we are the glass when we have our normal starting 5 in the game).

I respect your opinion, but this is more zippedy do da.
Rolling with Relvao is all on Paulsen, number one, and its understood with guys like him you have a far greater chance of him leaving early.
Number two, wasnt that good and I serious doubt he'd have a major impact on our performance so far. Limited experience there, too.

 

[GMUgemini]

I respect your opinion, but this is more zippedy do da.
Rolling with Relvao is all on Paulsen, number one, and its understood with guys like him you have a far greater chance of him leaving early.
Number two, wasnt that good and I serious doubt he'd have a major impact on our performance so far. Limited experience there, too.

I agree in retrospect that it was a pie in the sky hope for Relvao. But we do desperately need someone who can clear out space under the basket and make life easier for our other players to, a, get to the rim, and b, rebound the ball (or grab rebounds himself) -- man how I miss Jalen's ability to clear out a path to the basket by sealing his defender off.

You can see the potential of this team when Calixte and AJ are in there fighting on the inside, but neither of them have the experience and savvy necessary yet to really compete for a full game.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Yup, you see the potential. Unfortunately that potential must start to be realized sooner rather than much later, next year, tops.

I remain optimistic but long road to travel.

 

[gmujim92]

Yup, you see the potential. Unfortunately that potential must start to be realized sooner rather than much later.

Why?

I’m not asking to be glib. Are we in danger of serious consequences if we don’t see dramatic improvement next season?

Is Dave gonna be on the hot seat if we don’t contend for an at-large?

Do we declare he’s a bust without at least an NIT?

I get that at some point you have to stop building and actually decide whether you have a habitable structure or not, but I don’t know why next season is that point.

Had such arbitrary deadlines been in place at Va. Tech back in the mid-80s, they would’ve fired Frank Beamer before he built their football program into a national presence and became a Hall of Famer in the process.

Given the mess he inherited, I think Dave still has plenty of leash remaining.

 

[GSII]

Why?


I get that at some point you have to stop building and actually decide whether you have a habitable structure or not, but I don’t know why next season is that point.

Had such arbitrary deadlines been in place at Va. Tech back in the mid-80s, they would’ve fired Frank.

For me its for Otis and Grayer.

Va Tech didn't experience 14 years of success prior to his arrival to know what to bitch at.

 

[GMUgemini]

Why?

I’m not asking to be glib. Are we in danger of serious consequences if we don’t see dramatic improvement next season?

Is Dave gonna be on the hot seat if we don’t contend for an at-large?

Do we declare he’s a bust without at least an NIT?

I get that at some point you have to stop building and actually decide whether you have a habitable structure or not, but I don’t know why next season is that point.

Had such arbitrary deadlines been in place at Va. Tech back in the mid-80s, they would’ve fired Frank Beamer before he built their football program into a national presence and became a Hall of Famer in the process.

Given the mess he inherited, I think Dave still has plenty of leash remaining.

I think it depends on how he recruits in 2019 and how the freshmen this year and next progress. After next season we lose Otis and Jaire, two pillars of this team over Paulsen's first four years. How are they replaced in the lineup? And does it look like there is a plan for sustained growth or not? Year 5 for me is really the make or break year for Paulsen (Greene, Kier, Mar, AJ, Reuter, Boyd should be a good enough top 6 to compete -- should be).

 

[gmujim92]

For me its for Otis and Grayer.

Va Tech didn't experience 14 years of success prior to his arrival to know what to bitch at.

Dave didn’t inherit those 14 years of success. He inherited a bottom-feeder with inadequate facilities and players who had grown accustomed to not being held accountable for much of anything.

Believe me, I get wanting Otis and Grayer to dance. In a perfect world, we never have a player who stays at least four years fail to play in the NCAA tournament at least once.

But this is not a perfect world. They knew when they signed that we had a long way to go.

 

[gmujim92]

I think it depends on how he recruits in 2019 and how the freshmen this year and next progress. After next season we lose Otis and Jaire, two pillars of this team over Paulsen's first four years. How are they replaced in the lineup? And does it look like there is a plan for sustained growth or not? Year 5 for me is really the make or break year for Paulsen (Greene, Kier, Mar, AJ, Reuter, Boyd should be a good enough top 6 to compete -- should be).

So he gets one full recruiting class with the practice facility?

 

[dr. gunnie]

I get that at some point you have to stop building and actually decide whether you have a habitable structure or not, but I don’t know why next season is that point.

I think it's that point because DP made it that point.

If your coach goes on record saying that it's going to be a two year process over these next two seasons and basically chalks up this season as practice for next year, I think many fans want to see the talk backed up with some results.

 

[GMUgemini]

So he gets one full recruiting class with the practice facility?

Yes. With likely one 4 star (Jarred Reuter) and two 3 star (AJ and Mar) recruits starting and a fourth player who would have been much more highly recruited if everyone didn't think he was going to play football at VA Tech getting significant minutes either as a starter or off the bench. There should be enough talent at the top of the roster to compete with anyone. The questions: what is the depth going to look like? How will the players coming in fit into the team and contribute? How will our next two classes (this year's and next) progress over the next two-and-a-half seasons?

I'm not looking for a top 25 team and a run to the Sweet 16, I'm looking for steady progress toward a sustained top 6 A-10 team over the long-term.

 

[GMUSig03]

GMU Wants Gunston, JPP Gave me the Finger, kizer permanente

The last one was obviously DJ3 because Kizer was spelled wrong.

 

[gmujim92]

I think it's that point because DP made it that point.

If your coach goes on record saying that it's going to be a two year process over these next two seasons and basically chalks up this season as practice for next year, I think many fans want to see the talk backed up with some results.

And I’m right there with you as long as we can agree there is quite a bit of subjectivity involved in the word “results.”

I expect to go to the dance next season but I’m not going to advocate for firing the coach if we don’t.

 

[gmujim92]

The last one was obviously DJ3 because Kizer was spelled wrong.

No way he would’ve gotten the “permanente” correct.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Why?

I’m not asking to be glib. Are we in danger of serious consequences if we don’t see dramatic improvement next season?

Is Dave gonna be on the hot seat if we don’t contend for an at-large?

Do we declare he’s a bust without at least an NIT?

I get that at some point you have to stop building and actually decide whether you have a habitable structure or not, but I don’t know why next season is that point.

Had such arbitrary deadlines been in place at Va. Tech back in the mid-80s, they would’ve fired Frank Beamer before he built their football program into a national presence and became a Hall of Famer in the process.

Given the mess he inherited, I think Dave still has plenty of leash remaining.

I never said anything about a short leash, but it will become one I think without NIT or very close next year and improvement throughout the year this year. As well it should.

So he gets one full recruiting class with the practice facility?

Come on. You have been over-estimating the importance of this thing from day one. It helps, but pretending it's the end all, be all key to recruiting and we shouldn't even start measuring Paulsen's classes until he got it? Come on.

We tied for 12th and tied for 7th in Paulsen's first two years here A-10. I am very reasonable expectations-wise, but if we finish bottom third or so this year and lets say, 7th or 8th next year it is very reasonable to question where we are after four years.

Very reasonable.

And to be honest it is also very reasonable for fans to be upset after losing to Georgia Southern at home by 23 minus one of their best players. Even with the Relvao tragedy. Plus considering all the improvements Mason has paid for, it is frankly unacceptable in year 3. Especially since this is a $ game at the end of the day.