Game 14: GMU (7-6 / 3-4) at St. Joe’s (1-11 / 0-6) on Saturday at 12:30PM. 2nd Game of Back to Back

[Herndon]

look we can go in circles but in short

Dave has now had 6 years to install his way, recruit to what he sees fit, and play a lot of games against A10 talent. He now has a practice facility and locker room to help with any of his day to day needs from recruiting to more time in the gym.

The last two pieces are more than any other coach has had at Mason. With that in place I thought they’d improve a little bit. Do I expect Dayton and vcu? No. Not at all. But do I expect to have a program that is competitive and sniffs the ncaa or NIT every few years? Yes. It hasn’t happened. 20 wins hasn’t even happened other than in year 2.

at the end of the day it’s about the coach. Schmidt does it in Olean. Dambrot does it in Duquesne. Everyone has challenges and advantages. To me I’ve seen enough of what Dave can and can’t do, and if Mason is serious about the A10, I think it’s time they make a move and replace him. Simple as that.

Well, one one thing we are in FULLLL agreement, which is that Mason is not serious about the A10. If Mason were serious about the A10, and wanted to spend like the big boys, then absolutely I'd expect more.

We're not, though. We want to spend "meh" money on our basketball program, and we get "meh" results.

To me, that's what it's REALLY about, because you have to get lucky with a coach. You spend more, you'll win more, more often than not.

If you have a beef, it should be with the administration, IMO.

 

[Patriotsince81]

I would like those that honestly think that DP is the solution to our woes publicly state it here. Who wants to see him return next year or be extended? Positive replies only please.

 

[GMUgemini]

Mmm, facilities are part of a larger issue, which is "school support" to include basketball budget, coaching budget, etc.

The school provided $24.8 million to the athletic department in 2019 (that is outside of ticket revenue, donations, and sponsorship money). And the gap in our spending between us and Richmond is literally Mooney's salary differential (which he got after taking Richmond to the Sweet 16).

 

[Herndon]

So, the variables, then are this: 1) facilities; 2) fan support, 3) coach.

We've improved our facilities. Fan support will not come back until we are winning. And our coach is under .500 in A-10 play after 6 seasons.

So, do we give up and just let Paulsen stay here for 20 years?

Also, here is your quote: "I like steady performance, because with steady performance, we can improve fundamentals, and then expect improved steady performance."

Right. When we improve fundamentals, then I'll expect improved steady performance. When our fundamentals are in the upper part of the A10, I'll expect upper part of the A10 results. But, until then, it's silly.

 

[mkaufman1]

Well, one one thing we are in FULLLL agreement, which is that Mason is not serious about the A10. If Mason were serious about the A10, and wanted to spend like the big boys, then absolutely I'd expect more.

We're not, though. We want to spend "meh" money on our basketball program, and we get "meh" results.

To me, that's what it's REALLY about, because you have to get lucky with a coach. You spend more, you'll win more, more often than not.

If you have a beef, it should be with the administration, IMO.

I mean Mason got a facility and locker room together for the basketball programs. Sure they half a** things even if they spend more on flights and travel and whatever . But at the end of the day it’s about the product on the court and the coach. That’s how I feel.

I do have beef with the administration on plenty. If they keep Dave, I’ll have more and let it be very clear.

 

[Herndon]

The school provided $24.8 million to the athletic department in 2019 (that is outside of ticket revenue, donations, and sponsorship money).

And in a vacuum, that sounds great. Unfortunately, we don't compete in a vacuum. We compete against the A10, and in the A10 we're pissants, dollarwise.


https://www.gwhatchet.com/2020/04/20/gw-outpaced-a-10-peers-in-funding-distribution-last-season/

 

[Herndon]

I mean Mason got a facility and locker room together for the basketball programs. Sure they half a** things even if they spend more on flights and travel and whatever . But at the end of the day it’s about the product on the court and the coach. That’s how I feel.

I do have beef with the administration on plenty. If they keep Dave, I’ll have more and let it be very clear.

You're entitled to your feelings. I just don't think they're supported by the facts.

 

[Patriotsince81]

I would like those that honestly think that DP is the solution to our woes publicly state it here. Who wants to see him return next year or be extended? Positive replies only please.

 

[Herndon]

I would like those that honestly think that DP is the solution to our woes publicly state it here. Who wants to see him return next year or be extended? Positive replies only please.

If we're .500 this year, or there about, I'm happy to have him back.

 

[GMUgemini]

If we're .500 this year, or there about, I'm happy to have him back.

So, the fact that Davidson spend over a million less on Basketball than we do and are by far and away much better of a program is fine with you? St. Bonaventure also spends less than we do. I think one of the things you have to keep in mind is we are in a conference with all private schools and so their scholarships are more expensive than ours are.

We're also bottom four in athletic expenses...so technically we should get more bang for the buck for our dollars (speaking of which, Davidson and St. Bonaventure's expenses are less than ours. La Salle rounds out the bottom four). Most expensive schools: UMass, Fordham, Dayton, and GW).

 

[Herndon]

So, the fact that Davidson spend over a million less on Basketball than we do and are by far and away much better of a program is fine with you? St. Bonaventure also spends less than we do.

We're also bottom four in athletic expenses...so technically we should get more bang for the buck for our dollars.

Again, somebody flipping five heads in a row has exactly zilch to do with what we should expect when we flip a coin five times.

And....we have low athletic expenses because we don't spend money. That's how that works.

 

[Herndon]

Weird Stat: Daddy went 3/4 from the stripe today, despite going into the game 0/12 for his career.

 

[PoorManProfit]

The announcers said something about DP said in his 20+ years as head coach this has been his toughest season to coach, something about covid shut down and how he was surprised how out of shape they could get while they were shut down. They had to put spin bikes in the dorms to help.

yeah the head coach guzzles DMD as part of his fitness plan...

 

[PoorManProfit]

if we finish the year .500 in the a10, I'm perfectly satisfied

No wonder this program is a joke and people laugh...

 

[gmujim92]

If we're .500 this year, or there about, I'm happy to have him back.

With all due respect, your attitude is Exhibit A of what is wrong with the Mason fan base.

No fan — short for “fanatic” — should ever be content with year after year of nothing better than mediocre crap.

 

[tblack33]

Nothing is fundamentally good, or even fine about Paulsen basketball. We are bottom of the A10 in assists, near the top in turnovers, dead last in free throws, and our offensive and defensive efficiencies are nothing to brag about. The only thing we do well is rebound. So point to me where Dave Paulsen has built a fundamentally sound basketball team.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Nothing is fundamentally good, or even fine about Paulsen basketball. We are bottom of the A10 in assists, near the top in turnovers, dead last in free throws, and our offensive and defensive efficiencies are nothing to brag about. The only thing we do well is rebound. So point to me where Dave Paulsen has built a fundamentally sound basketball team.

Had St. Joe's made half of their shots around the bucket, today would have been a 10 point loss.

 

[Herndon]

Nothing is fundamentally good, or even fine about Paulsen basketball. We are bottom of the A10 in assists, near the top in turnovers, dead last in free throws, and our offensive and defensive efficiencies are nothing to brag about. The only thing we do well is rebound. So point to me where Dave Paulsen has built a fundamentally sound basketball team.

Fundamentals meaning "the financial and competitive aspects of the basketball program that are off the court". Should have been more clear.

 

[GMUgemini]

Again, somebody flipping five heads in a row has exactly zilch to do with what we should expect when we flip a coin five times.

And....we have low athletic expenses because we don't spend money. That's how that works.

No, it’s not. Dayton, vcu, and SLU are tops in basketball spending but they aren’t top four in expenses. The fact that GW and Fordham’s scholarships are so much more expensive than ours makes a big difference when calculating budgets.

 

[Herndon]

With all due respect, your attitude is Exhibit A of what is wrong with the Mason fan base.

No fan — short for “fanatic” — should ever be content with year after year of nothing better than mediocre crap.

Would you accept winning the A10 but not being competitive against the upper half of the ACC?