Game 14: Virginia Commonwealth University, Friday, December 30th, 8 PM, CBSSN

[GMUgemini]

On the way home last night I couldn't helping think how bad this teams needs Goanar Mar right now. At 6'7 and his skill set he may very well be a day 1 starting next season. Kudos to Boyd though....he battled his a** off against Tillman, he's going to be a special player.

A.J. Wilson is sitting on the bench right now too. Watching both of them develop will be a pleasure.

 

[Dawgs99]

A.J. Wilson is sitting on the bench right now too. Watching both of them develop will be a pleasure.

Totally forgot about Wilson....at the least he will immediately upgrade our athleticism.

 

[GMUgemini]

I think we've established that Jalen does not need to be handling the ball away from the basket. Neither does Troy. vcu would have swarmed both of them.

Honestly, if Marquise didn't get hurt I don't think we would've gotten mauled on the boards like we did.

There's a reason he averages a double-double. Take the best rebounder away from any team and they're going to have problems.

Neither Troy nor Jalen did much to keep Cox and Tillman off the glass when they did play. Plus, you have to consider what we give up offensively playing 2 bigs on a night when we already were struggling to score.

We just don't have a lot of options up front right now. That should change next season.

I think Jalen is smart enough this year to be able to play the high post without trying to drive it to the basket from the perimeter.

I'm also not sure how much we lose offensively if Moore isn't on the floor. It's not like Newman is a significantly better offensive player than Temara and Relvao at this point, and Kier, Grayer, and Boyd all have moments when they can't get a shot to fall. And like I said before, pulling a post player away from the basket to guard Jenkins (since he can hit an 18 footer pretty consistently) might help a guy like Temara or Relvao get easier looks at the basket.

Again, I'm not saying we should change something that has been working for us for the most part, but when we're getting murdered in the post it might be nice to see the coach try a bigger lineup.

 

[Mason2005]

I think Jalen is smart enough this year to be able to play the high post without trying to drive it to the basket from the perimeter.

I'm also not sure how much we lose offensively if Moore isn't on the floor. It's not like Newman is a significantly better offensive player than Temara and Relvao at this point, and Kier, Grayer, and Boyd all have moments when they can't get a shot to fall. And like I said before, pulling a post player away from the basket to guard Jenkins (since he can hit an 18 footer pretty consistently) might help a guy like Temara or Relvao get easier looks at the basket.

Again, I'm not saying we should change something that has been working for us for the most part, but when we're getting murdered in the post it might be nice to see the coach try a bigger lineup.

I hear you on this one about trying to go bigger but Paulsen didn't try it during the Towson and Mount St Mary games when it was an issue also. The 4 guard line up prob won't change this season. In Paulsen we trust though.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[Pablo]

http://giantkiller.co/ByGeorge/2016/12/31/peteys-bucket-of-knowledge-3/:

"The non-Jalen minutes didn’t kill Mason, but I’m not totally sure why. In 18 minutes Relvao and Temara combined for 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Most of those minutes came in the first half, after Jalen picked up his second foul, when Mason actually closed the gap. Their defense seemed mostly solid, but Mason is effectively playing 4 on 5 on offense when Jalen goes to the bench. Relvao and Temara both have a ton of potential but aren’t quite where they need to be yet. Quick aside – there was a moment in the first half when Relvao was waiting to check in. Paulsen watched a sequence where vcu got a couple consecutive boards, turned to Relvao at the scorers’ table, and yelled 'Grab every f**kin’ rebound!' Having a real coach is fun."

 

[Pablo]

1. Dave Paulsen ‏@PaulsenDave 31 Dec 2016
   Disappointed w/last night's result, but proud of our guys' effort and competitiveness. What a great atmosphere and crowd! Much appreciated!

 

[patriot2000]

I don't have a problem with this year. We're already much better than I expected to be. I think the 4 guard lineup gives us our best chance to win most of our games. I would expect coach to be a little more flexible in recognizing situations where it is not working but I trust him. Paulsen is a great basketball mind and I am a poor one at best. There must be a good reason.

My concern, though, is next year. Our guard play will be excellent. When these freshmen take the sophomore jump, and assuming Otis continues to improve, we can replace 'Quise's offense. But we cannot assume we can replace his rebounding with another severely undersized workhorse.

To replace Marquise's rebounding, and his points, and Jalen's defense, and Jalen's points, we need some good bigs next year. Where are we going to get them if they are averaging 3, 5, and 10 minutes a game?

Again, I trust our coach. But I do worry about next year without a replacement for Jenkins.

 

[GMUgemini]

I don't have a problem with this year. We're already much better than I expected to be. I think the 4 guard lineup gives us our best chance to win most of our games. I would expect coach to be a little more flexible in recognizing situations where it is not working but I trust him. Paulsen is a great basketball mind and I am a poor one at best. There must be a good reason.

My concern, though, is next year. Our guard play will be excellent. When these freshmen take the sophomore jump, and assuming Otis continues to improve, we can replace 'Quise's offense. But we cannot assume we can replace his rebounding with another severely undersized workhorse.

To replace Marquise's rebounding, and his points, and Jalen's defense, and Jalen's points, we need some good bigs next year. Where are we going to get them if they are averaging 3, 5, and 10 minutes a game?

Again, I trust our coach. But I do worry about next year without a replacement for Jenkins.

The 5 will be a big question mark right now, but I'm looking more at that number 4 spot if we keep with the 4-guard lineup. It would be nice to get some more length there, and I'm curious if Wilson or Mar can win the starting role, and if so, what happens with Grayer/Kier/Boyd because we can only start two of them.

I have a feeling Relvao and Temara will basically split time at the 5 next year with Relvao "starting" and Temara getting a lot of minutes off the bench.

 

[KAOriginal]

I hear you on this one about trying to go bigger but Paulsen didn't try it during the Towson and Mount St Mary games when it was an issue also. The 4 guard line up prob won't change this season. In Paulsen we trust though.

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I would think it would be a wrinkle he might have to use later in the season, esp when everyone is more fully accustomed to their roles.

The fact Jenkins didn't play 16min and we stayed with vcu in the first half gives me hope that he can expand with some height a bit when needed later in the year.

 

[patriot2000]

I have a feeling Relvao and Temara will basically split time at the 5 next year with Relvao "starting" and Temara getting a lot of minutes off the bench.

That's my concern, really. I think you're right, and I just don't think we're doing anything to get them ready for that.

 

[Washingtonian]

I don't have a problem with this year. We're already much better than I expected to be. I think the 4 guard lineup gives us our best chance to win most of our games. I would expect coach to be a little more flexible in recognizing situations where it is not working but I trust him. Paulsen is a great basketball mind and I am a poor one at best. There must be a good reason.

My concern, though, is next year. Our guard play will be excellent. When these freshmen take the sophomore jump, and assuming Otis continues to improve, we can replace 'Quise's offense. But we cannot assume we can replace his rebounding with another severely undersized workhorse.

To replace Marquise's rebounding, and his points, and Jalen's defense, and Jalen's points, we need some good bigs next year. Where are we going to get them if they are averaging 3, 5, and 10 minutes a game?

Again, I trust our coach. But I do worry about next year without a replacement for Jenkins.

What we don't know is how much of an impact Wilson will make. NCAA rules allow for him to practice with the team all season long.

 

[Mason2006Patriot]

We should've had DeAndre Abram guarding Justin Tillman.

 

[GMUgemini]

That's my concern, really. I think you're right, and I just don't think we're doing anything to get them ready for that.

I agree with KA above, there's still more than half a season's worth of games to be played, and Temara and Relvao are still getting comfortable in their roles. I think both will get more chances to see the floor as the season progresses and the situation calls for it.

But you can see the strategy for next year already playing out in the game against vcu -- Relvao and Temara basically split the time Jenkins was on the bench.

 

[psyclone]

.......

My concern, though, is next year. Our guard play will be excellent. When these freshmen take the sophomore jump, and assuming Otis continues to improve, we can replace 'Quise's offense. But we cannot assume we can replace his rebounding with another severely undersized workhorse.

To replace Marquise's rebounding, and his points, and Jalen's defense, and Jalen's points, we need some good bigs next year. Where are we going to get them if they are averaging 3, 5, and 10 minutes a game?

Again, I trust our coach. But I do worry about next year without a replacement for Jenkins.

Marquise's performance this year is, in my view, a big factor in how the team has performed this year. (I know, master of the obvious). I wouldn't go so far as to say we can replace his offense (at least not easily) , although if, as you indicate, the guards make a a sophomore jump, we may be in a fair position on that count.

As to his rebounding, he is clearly putting up tremendous numbers for a guard. However, in looking at the KenPom numbers, we actually already have a guard who is showing some stylistic similarity to Moore. Kier is also nationally ranked in defensive rebounding % (358th vs Moore's 39th). And in another similarity, he actually has a higher ranking in FT rate (percentage of FTs to fg attempts), 53rd to Marquise's 71st. They are also similar, and nationally ranked, in fewest fouls committed per 40 minutes.

Obviously Kier has a big advantage in 3 pt shooting--he leads the team with 42% which is above the 34% Div 1 average. Having both him and Otis at the guard position for the next 2+ years is a real asset for us.

 

[Five Two]

Went to the BU Bearcats yesterday and announcer did the whole "on your feet thing." Nephew next to me asked "do we have to?" but we did. Not a bad idea at GMU games.

I went to a BU game a while back and my parents (not BU grads) stood. The BU PA guy started saying it 3 years ago and now fans there are trained. Its really not that hard...

 

[Vurbel]

We lose 1 of our last 10 games and we're telling Paulsen what to do? We lost to a better team, sometimes it's just that. Let's just enjoy the ride! Go Patriots!

 

[Cedric Dempsey]

I love it. vcu plays like the NCAA veteran team that they are (5 SR) and our young guys grind out a tough learning session, but time to 2nd guess. I looked at their young bloods versus ours and we are well on track with growth. These young guys will collectively absorb MM's contributions next year and exceed. Kier is brilliant and Boyd is a gamer. We are supporting one of the most inexperienced teams in the country (318?). They will grow up nicely. Breathe, trust and ride this program. Fun to watch the development.

 

[GMUSig03]

Grayer scored 10 points (4-10 FG), hit two 3s, pulled down 4 rebounds and had an assist.

Had he not missed a dunk, he would have made half his shots.

Not terrible, IMHO.

Damnit. Corrected again.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Figured I'd wait a day and reflect before throwing my thoughts out there. It was a frustrating night but also encouraging. Stayed within touching distance most of the night but couldn't close the gap beyond 4, vcu never really pulled away until the atrocious no call that led to their three in the corner. I thought we shot the three pretty well and should've shot it more but took way too many low percentage 2's instead. No real reason to take half a step inside the arc and fire when you're constantly trailing. Ian Boyd should be given some more looks outside. He hits a lot and even if they aren't falling it'll make teams stay honest and free up some breathing room for Jalen and Moore.

Paulsen confirmed what I'd feared in his post game when he said they were too hyped up for this. Can't really blame the team . It's the first game that has felt really relevant in a long time. It was the perfect storm of having 8 days off, being mostly underclassmen, playing a major rival and playing in front of a packed house for the first time. Otis in particular looked like he had been listening to pump up music at full volume for a week. Probably the worst I've seen him play by a long shot and we still hung in there. He'll be better for it. Good learning experience and I'm sure he'll have a great game against UMass.

We'll be fine this year. There's gonna be a few frustrating losses but I'm more confident than ever that we'll take care of business consistently against teams like St. Louis and Duqense. We shouldn't be in the play in this year.

On a positive note, it was great to see the atmosphere and how well the game was marketed. Brion's was jumping beforehand. I couldn't move in there, people were buying rounds for other fans they didn't know, there was a well executed greek alumni event there. All in all it's great to see people care again. Hopefully they can turn some of this momentum into $$$.

 

[Pablo]

http://www.a10talk.com/weekend-recap-road-warriors-usual-suspects-spider-surprise/:

"The vcu senior scored a game-high 26 points in the win but had four turnovers, a theme for the Rams that helped keep the Patriots within striking distance all night. The Rams finished the game by matching a season-worst 21 turnovers and hit just three three-pointers on the evening but managed to pick up a big road win regardless."