Game 12: Naval Academy, Friday, December 21st, 7 PM, ESPN+

[mkaufman1]

Boyd was actually playing a lot at the 4 tonight, and most of the minutes were given to Reuter and Calixte at the 5...numbers crunch. I suspect we might see AJ playing more minutes at the 4 against a much bigger KSU team.

Bill also said AJ tweaked his ankle in practice recently, so that may be why he was held back on some minutes.

 

[MasonFanatic]

AJ did look like he was limping slightly or at least walking gingerly (nothing serious) when he came out the last time. So with a big lead they may have decided not to risk it.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Hey, sports fans....coverage from Steve Goff/Washington Post!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...y-expected-routs-navy/?utm_term=.7b5e3f2ea373

No doubt it helps to have 2 local teams playing each other.

No doubt it also helps that the MLS season is over.

 

[GMUgemini]

AJ did look like he was limping slightly or at least walking gingerly (nothing serious) when he came out the last time. So with a big lead they may have decided not to risk it.

Still got a couple of blocks in, even if one was called a goal tend and another a phantom foul.

 

[Patriotsince81]

My source has informed me that Grayer is done for the year due to his foot injury. Nice to see us win a game in the way we all expected.

 

[JPgmuswim]

Note at the bottom of that article:
"GMU notes: Senior guard Jaire Grayer, the second-leading scorer and top rebounder last season, missed his fifth consecutive game with a foot injury. He is out indefinitely and eligible to apply for a medical hardship waiver to gain a fifth year of eligibility. This season, Grayer is averaging 10 points and 3.6 rebounds."

As much as I want Grayer to stay, I have to imagine he will be using the medical redshirt and transfering out as a grad transfer. Most likely to a bigger school closer to home.

I don’t know our athletes personally but he seems like a class act on and off the court, the type of athlete we or any school would be fortunate to have represent them.

 

[GSII]

Imo, any move for Grayer is at best a lateral move vs coming back to Mason, a place he was big cornerstone in helping to rebuild.

 

[Masonfan3]

As much as I want Grayer to stay, I have to imagine he will be using the medical redshirt and transfering out as a grad transfer. Most likely to a bigger school closer to home.

I don’t know our athletes personally but he seems like a class act on and off the court, the type of athlete we or any school would be fortunate to have represent them.

Would not be surprised to see him end up at Michigan State. May not get the same minutes at a bigger school but his leadership will be key and wouldn’t be surprised if MSU is the choice.

 

[mkaufman1]

In regards to Grayer I suspect he will get his 5th year of eligibility after graduating this year. It’s not a guarantee he will go play elsewhere but it’s not usually how these scenarios end up. It’d be awesome to have him back next year to provide leadership with Reuter,Greene and Kier. You can always use another experienced and talented guard.

Regardless he’s a class act on and off the court, and I wish him the best in whatever decision he decides.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

In regards to Grayer I suspect he will get his 5th year of eligibility after graduating this year. It’s not a guarantee he will go play elsewhere but it’s not usually how these scenarios end up. It’d be awesome to have him back next year to provide leadership with Reuter,Greene and Kier. You can always use another experienced and talented guard.

Regardless he’s a class act on and off the court, and I wish him the best in whatever decision he decides.

Every game Grayer has been healthy enough to start, he has. So pretty sure he has not fallen out of favor with Paulsen.

If Grayer does come back, he'll be the co-focal point of the offense with Kier. With Otis gone, he'll get way more touches and shots. Not sure where he could go and get the same.

Here are the possible scenarios:

1. He transfers to a big school closer to home and gets decent PT coming off the bench. Graduates with little fan fare. May go to the NCAA tournament but likely he'll watch most of the game from the bench. Unless he comes in and shoots 45% from three point land.

2. He transfers to a school closer to home that is not P5. There are many options in Michigan and many schools that would love to have him. Western, Eastern, Central Michigan, Detroit etc..... He would be the man there but questions about chemistry, playing style etc.. would be huge question marks that may not be worth the risk.

3. He stays. Has a great senior year averaging 13-16 points/game. Gets honored on Senior night with a program he has given 5 years of his life to. With players, coaches, administration, fans that will remember him forever and he'll make great connections in arguably the best job market on the planet for future oppurtinities after his overseas pro career is done.

 

[gmujim92]

Grayer is gone. Redshirting and transferring. Otis gets Senior Night to himself.

 

[Cedric Dempsey]

They beat a bunch of dweeebs convincingly. This should have been the American score. #playaj #reuterishorrible

#soryourposts

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

Grayer is gone. Redshirting and transferring. Otis gets Senior Night to himself.

Any early rumors on which school?

 

[Cedric Dempsey]

8 mins for AJ...

Ankle issue with AJ. Look at his boots.

 

[Jack Strop]

Grayer is gone. Redshirting and transferring. Otis gets Senior Night to himself.

Are you being facetious?

 

[Cedric Dempsey]

Would not be surprised to see him end up at Michigan State. May not get the same minutes at a bigger school but his leadership will be key and wouldn’t be surprised if MSU is the choice.

Lol

 

[patriot2000]

Still got a couple of blocks in, even if one was called a goal tend and another a phantom foul.

After that goal tend, you could hear DP yell "good block, AJ!" and the camera is on him when he acknowledges DP with a thumbs up

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[patriot2000]

Much more likely coincidence than correlation, with too many other factors (not the least of which is a drop-off in competition), but we are 4-1 since Grayer went down with the only loss being a close one to a pretty good Vermont team. Besides the competition, though, we have played much better in the last few games. I love Grayer and hope he comes back, but we're getting it done without him.

One thing that may not be a coincidence is the re-emergence of Otis as a scorer

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[gmujim92]

Much more likely coincidence than correlation, with too many other factors (not the least of which is a drop-off in competition), but we are 4-1 since Grayer went down with the only loss being a close one to a pretty good Vermont team. Besides the competition, though, we have played much better in the last few games. I love Grayer and hope he comes back, but we're getting it done without him.

One thing that may not be a coincidence is the re-emergence of Otis as a scorer

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I’m hoping one of the things they ironed out over the 2-week break is that Otis needs to shoot early and often.

If he had come into the season with the aggressive mindset he showed last night instead of trying to facilitate and deferring to everyone else, we’d have 2 (and possibly 3) more wins.

Would there still be a “fire the coach” thread on this board if we were 8-4 or 9-3 instead of 6-6?

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

I’m hoping one of the things they ironed out over the 2-week break is that Otis needs to shoot early and often.

If he had come into the season with the aggressive mindset he showed last night instead of trying to facilitate and deferring to everyone else, we’d have 2 (and possibly 3) more wins.

Would there still be a “fire the coach” thread on this board if we were 8-4 or 9-3 instead of 6-6?

No