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

[jmckend1]

How many Mason students will go to the game on Friday despite it being winter break?

U going?

 

[Mason06]

42.5 RPG is lousy? Really? vcu, please, do your research before spewing out facts.
http://gomason.com/cumestats.aspx?path=mbball&year=2016

11th in the nation: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/statistics/team/_/stat/rebounds

vcu isn't in the top 50 in RPG.

Top 50? Not even close. vcu is currently in a 3-way tie for 295th in the country in RPG, tied with Norfolk State and THE University of the Incarnate Word. None of this is a joke.

 

[Vurbel]

We need this in the stands on Friday!

 

[GMUgemini]

That's pretty freakin' awesome.

 

[GMU_Polevaulter]

I live in the Richmond area so I see a lot of the vcu coverage - my two cents on the current vcu squad:

vcu has been struggling for it's identity this year - this is not a Shaka Smart "Havoc" team. They tend to play at the level of competition they face with most of their games being close until a late spurt.
The play Howard tonight and should crush them

So far this team has fouled a lot and has turned the ball over frequently.

Lewis has been their best player - there maybe some team chemistry issues as I know one game this season Wade barley played Mo Ali Cox as he was trying different line ups.

The team will go into some "scoreless" periods - if you saw the vcu-ODU game you'll know what I'm talking about - vcu was fortunate in that one.

To me this team seems very inconsistent so far. The vcu fans have shrugged all of this off and point to last year when they seemed to play lack luster in OOC and then ran away with it in A10 play and if you read their boards that is what they expect to do this year as well. I don't see that happening from what I have seen but we will all know in a few months...

I think GMU can win this game - hopefully they have shaken the exam rust off and come ready to play.
Limit turnovers, go at vcu and draw the fouls, hit the free throws and come out with a W.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

That's pretty freakin' awesome.

That was sweet.


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[MasonCrew]

As coach Paulsen said, it's a simple formula, just really hard to do.

And agreed - limit turnovers, win the battle on the boards, and get to the line. Let them chuck up threes - just limit their second opportunities and we'll be good. I am a little concerned about a rusty start, though. vcu can score quickly.

 

[Pablo]

http://www.a10talk.com/vcu-pounds-howard-shaka-smart-loses-yet-another-game-texas/:

"vcu has now won 4 straight heading into conference play, and the Rams will play an enormous conference opener on Friday. The George Mason Patriots, having won 9 straight, await in Fairfax for the Rams who are also beginning to heat up. Losses to Georgia Tech and Illinois were concerning for this ball club, but a win over Middle Tennessee and dominance over Howard show that this team be back on the right track. Either way, this conference opener will be a huge chance for Mason and a huge test for vcu. Bring on the basketball."

 

[psyclone]

Kenpom: vcu favored by 2; Mason with a 41% chance of winning
rpiforecast: vcu favored by 3.1; Mason with a 39% chance of winning

 

[MasonCrew]

I cannot wait for this game. Man - it's going to be awesome.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Kenpom: vcu favored by 2; Mason with a 41% chance of winning
rpiforecast: vcu favored by 3.1; Mason with a 39% chance of winning

Probably couldn't argue with these odds - again how the game starts will tell a lot.

 

[GreenLantern]

Should be a barn burner! Maybe OT!

 

[MasonSAE4]

I hate to say the games in their hands but it kind of is. We're gonna give them the three. If they're hot, gonna be a long night, if not we should have a large rebounding advantage. We've never been a great comeback team, especially against vcu. If we can at be within 4 for most of the game I'll feel pretty good about it. I also welcome them to try that Havoc bullshit with three ball handlers (often times 4) out on the court. I'll take a Marquise footrace any day of the week.

 

[KAOriginal]

No matter what happens.....I enjoy "Alexa" telling me every morning in my sports brief what the enxt scheduled game for Mason is.....

 

[Mason2006Patriot]

I agree, I'll take a Otis/Marquise track meet any day.

Also, how many vcu fans do you think will be in attendance?

 

[MasonGradSquared]

I agree, I'll take a Otis/Marquise track meet any day.

Also, how many vcu fans do you think will be in attendance?

over/under 1,500

 

[GMU_DCU]

The X Factor for vcu in this game is Tillman. He has the ability to dominate down low both offensively and defensively. If vcu make it a point to get it to him in the paint often could be a long night for our bigs. He's the only player on that roster that really scares me matchup wise.

 

[psyclone]

The X Factor for vcu in this game is Tillman. He has the ability to dominate down low both offensively and defensively. If vcu make it a point to get it to him in the paint often could be a long night for our bigs. He's the only player on that roster that really scares me matchup wise.

Thanks for the tip. In looking at the kenpom data on him, he has the highest offensive efficiency numbers on their team and about the same as Jalen. Tillman is nationally ranked (top 500) in both offensive and defensive rebounding %, although as a team, vcu is poorly ranked in offensive rebounding %. Not sure how that happens unless his playing time is limited (foul trouble perhaps?).

 

[GMU_DCU]

Thanks for the tip. In looking at the kenpom data on him, he has the highest offensive efficiency numbers on their team and about the same as Jalen. Tillman is nationally ranked (top 500) in both offensive and defensive rebounding %, although as a team, vcu is poorly ranked in offensive rebounding %. Not sure how that happens unless his playing time is limited (foul trouble perhaps?).

He's not a starter as Mo Allie-Cox is the starting 5 but it seems Wade is finally realizing that Tillman is the more talented player and he's getting major minutes off the bench.

 

[Washingtonian]

Should be a barn burner! Maybe OT!

Based on your score prediction, I want to predict who hits the buzzer beater.


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