Game 14: AT Virginia Commonwealth University, Saturday, Jan 2nd, 5 PM, CBS Sports Network

[Patriot Lawdog]

Did the announcer just say that Paul Hewitt is a really good coach? WTF?

They never criticize their own. Lappas and Hewitt are very similar.

 

[Patriotsince81]

We have such a LONG way to go before we are relevant.

 

[Petey Buckets]

Zero points out of our starting frontcourt so far. Might help if we actually tried to get the ball to our big men instead of settling for jumpers. Our dribble penetration has been decent, but we always look to throw it back out rather than dumping it down low.

One thing I can't figure out about our offense - every possession with Shevon on the floor starts with Shevon setting a high screen for the point guard. The PG drives to the lane like it's a traditional pick 'n roll, but Shevon NEVER rolls to the basket. It's driving me crazy. He's useless from six feet out, so why isn't he rolling?

 

[disgruntled]

One thing I can't figure out about our offense - every possession with Shevon on the floor starts with Shevon setting a high screen for the point guard. The PG drives to the lane like it's a traditional pick 'n roll, but Shevon NEVER rolls to the basket. It's driving me crazy. He's useless from six feet out, so why isn't he rolling?

I was wondering the same thing...Shevon doesn't seem to understand his value in that situation...I am sure the coach does....just wonder why he doesn't roll as soon as he has completed the pick. I saw at least four 'easy' buckets missed.

 

[TweederGMU]

Embarrassing. Is this our worst loss at vcu?

Shevon doesn't show up for big games. Without Marko at the 4 we are pretty lousy

 

[Haxormax]

Naw, can tournament where hewitt went down 500000 points

 

[TweederGMU]

Its frustrating to pull within 6 points at a hostile environment and then just give the game away with stupid turnovers and dumb passes. vcu missed a lot of shots and we did not take advantage. Expected with a young team like ours but frustrating when they give us fans hope and then it all crashes down.

Hate vcu, Hate their redneck and crappy fans, and Hate their new coach.... he looks like a Toolbox

 

[BandWagon18]

Hate their new coach.... he looks like a Toolbox

In that way, he embodies the entire university

 

[hoops10]

Shevon gets rebounds, and he does it fairly well, the problem is he doesn't do anything else. Hardly ever blocks shots, no offensive game whatsoever., cant pass the ball, doesn't know how to pick an roll. Can't figure out why his game has gone south. He was a much better player last year. Pretty frustrating watching this team.. Some good things, but not even close to being competitive. Mason will have to work hard to keep its fans. This team desperately needs to recruit some athletic big men, who can give us some inside scoring.

 

[TweederGMU]

Shevon gets rebounds, and he does it fairly well, the problem is he doesn't do anything else. Hardly ever blocks shots, no offensive game whatsoever., cant pass the ball, doesn't know how to pick an roll. Can't figure out why his game has gone south. He was a much better player last year. Pretty frustrating watching this team.. Some good things, but not even close to being competitive. Mason will have to work hard to keep its fans. This team desperately needs to recruit some athletic big men, who can give us some inside scoring.

Exactly

 

[gmutom]

One thing I can't figure out about our offense - every possession with Shevon on the floor starts with Shevon setting a high screen for the point guard. The PG drives to the lane like it's a traditional pick 'n roll, but Shevon NEVER rolls to the basket. It's driving me crazy. He's useless from six feet out, so why isn't he rolling?

Yep, pretty frustrating. Maybe Shevon's not quick enough physically or mentally to roll after setting the pick or they aren't drilling him enough. Such a shame we can't find a way to use him more after the great offensive year he had last year. With so much youth in the backcourt, we're not going to win a lot of games when Shevon and Jenkins take a combined three shots.

 

[liem.le.3388]

Not sure why everyone is all tied up in knots, we lost the same way to jmu and towson. We'll put up a better fight when they come to our house with hopefully Marko back.

 

[hoops10]

I had a chance to look at the college level basketball players who transferred from one university to another in 2015, there must have been five hundred. I cant understand why Mason watched two current players walk ( Eric Locket & Isiah Jackson), lost our best recruit, and yet we sign not one seasoned player. We settle for a group of freshmen. I 'm not saying we shouldn't have brought in some young first year players, but I see this as accepting a non competitive team in the short term, for at least two or three years. Look basketball is important to many of us, and why can't we be at least competitive NOW?

So my question is did we handle this whole Hewitt out, Paulson in incorrectly? Do teams typically fall into an abyss when a coach is fired? I guess we were all spoiled in 2006, but man what an emotional let down.

 

[Dawgs99]

I had a chance to look at the college level basketball players who transferred from one university to another in 2015, there must have been five hundred. I cant understand why Mason watched two current players walk ( Eric Locket & Isiah Jackson), lost our best recruit, and yet we sign not one seasoned player. We settle for a group of freshmen. I 'm not saying we shouldn't have brought in some young first year players, but I see this as accepting a non competitive team in the short term, for at least two or three years. Look basketball is important to many of us, and why can't we be at least competitive NOW?

So my question is did we handle this whole Hewitt out, Paulson in incorrectly? Do teams typically fall into an abyss when a coach is fired? I guess we were all spoiled in 2006, but man what an emotional let down.

You serious? Fall into this abyss by firing Hewitt? We were already in this abyss when we shit canned that loser. What do you want the staff to do when they are brought in in April and then loose multiple players even later than that to transfer? We're very lucky to have landed the guys we did. If any expected anything more that what we've already seen you need to get your head examined. On top of all the transfers we lose our 2 most experienced seniors ( Halloway/Marko). This team is not talented enough or seasoned enough to be competitive night in and night out, but you better get us now because shits gonna changed around here pretty quick!!

 

[Gopher+RamFan]

Its frustrating to pull within 6 points at a hostile environment and then just give the game away with stupid turnovers and dumb passes. vcu missed a lot of shots and we did not take advantage. Expected with a young team like ours but frustrating when they give us fans hope and then it all crashes down.

Hate vcu, Hate their redneck and crappy fans, and Hate their new coach.... he looks like a Toolbox

When Mason pulled within 6, vcu adjusted to a zone which confused you guys. Obviously it's something Shaka never did after his first two years in Richmond. Wade wants to use the press to setup the zone and vice verse, like a pitcher using his fastball to setup the change up.

I see some posters complaining about no transfers in. I think Paulsen did the right thing bringing in freshmen. vcu added a good graduate transfer, but they're looking to win now. No offense, but Mason isn't in that position. Paulsen is playing the long term benefit for the program and I think he'll succeed.

I'd like to see Mason do well.

 

[Vurbel]

Embarrassing. Is this our worst loss at vcu?

Shevon doesn't show up for big games. Without Marko at the 4 we are pretty lousy

I would argue the 32-4 game was the worst loss. Maybe because I (perhaps naively) thought we would actually compete. We waited until 10 minutes in to do anything. By then it was too late. I had no expectations for today = not being disappointed.

 

[Vurbel]

Do teams typically fall into an abyss when a coach is fired?

It wasn't the firing...

 

[gmujim92]

I see some posters complaining about no transfers in. I think Paulsen did the right thing bringing in freshmen. vcu added a good graduate transfer, but they're looking to win now. No offense, but Mason isn't in that position. Paulsen is playing the long term benefit for the program and I think he'll succeed.

This vcu fan gets it. Why some of you still don't seem to see the bigger picture is baffling to me.

 

[mkaufman1]

I would argue the 32-4 game was the worst loss. Maybe because I (perhaps naively) thought we would actually compete. We waited until 10 minutes in to do anything. By then it was too late. I had no expectations for today = not being disappointed.

At least they came back and had a chance that game, compared to like the 2009 CAA title game where they got blown out, or the 2010 semis where it was a blowout. Since the Sherrod miracle (the last time Mason won), the games haven't been close

 

[Vurbel]

At least they came back and had a chance that game, compared to like the 2009 CAA title game where they got blown out, or the 2010 semis where it was a blowout. Since the Sherrod miracle (the last time Mason won), the games haven't been close

Yeah, playing in that dump in Richmond didn't help the experience.