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

[Pablo]

https://www.vcuramnation.com/forums/threads/the-official-goomoo-thread.15617/page-111:

Marquise Moore @quise_22
Friday can't come soon enough ..
8:02 PM - 28 Dec 2016

"Marquise Moore is ready to go...this should be a barn-burner with a sold out Eagle Bank Arena..."

#1653duncanlamb, Today at 10:19 AM


"I was there last year and Moore was very active. He did not shoot well but he still got 15 points. Look at the box score from last season. mason got vcu is foul trouble and Moore shot 11 free throws. They shot 37 free throws to vcu's 17. They attacked and vcu was on their heels. The refs were really bad but vcu did not play aggressive. This is an all out effort game. vcu cannot come out flat like last year in Fairfax."

#1654AlienAiden, Today at 10:37 AM

 

[MasonCrew]

If we attack and get to the line like we've been doing we'll win.

I think Moore is gonna get a quad-double. Rebounds, points, blocks, and assists.

 

[MasonGrad01]

Kenpom spread moved to +3

 

[GreenLantern]

Kenpom spread moved to +3

Ha! Puny oddsmakers! Hulk will SMASH!

 

[Pablo]

Mason Basketball Retweeted
George Mason News ‏@GeorgeMasonNews 3h3 hours ago

Come out TOMORROW & cheer the @MasonMBB as they take on @vcu at 8PM.

Students! Bring a friend for free! #WeAreMason

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Would it be bad form if I start drinking at 0900 AM and kinda hangout at the Pat Dome doors a little early in a chair - say 3PM on with a nice bottle?

or would that be just gauche.

 

[MasonCrew]

Not a bad idea with the bring a friend. Really wish this game wasn't scheduled during break. Might get more alumni there though. I know several people who are only able to go because they're in town for Christmas and the New Year.

 

[JBiggs]

Whatever happened to DistrictBaller? I haven't seen his screen name pop up anywhere in years. Was a super knowledgeable vcu poster, and was in medical school, I believe. I guess his absence makes sense given that he's probably in residency somewhere by now.

Edit: just found him on twitter with the same name.

 

[gmubrian]

Should be a barn burner!

I hope not. ;-)

 

[GMUgemini]

Not a bad idea with the bring a friend. Really wish this game wasn't scheduled during break. Might get more alumni there though. I know several people who are only able to go because they're in town for Christmas and the New Year.

I have a feeling this schedule is designed to help vcu because a) we are the newbie team still and b) because we haven't been very good yet. If we continue our upward trajectory, this will be a featured game on the schedule during a much better time (like a Saturday during the semester).

 

[psyclone]

Kenpom spread moved to +3

vegasinsider: vcu opened as a 3 pt favorite, line has them as a 2 pt favorite. vcu is 3-6 against the spread; Mason 6-3.

 

[psyclone]

Kenpom spread moved to +3

Actually, I still see Kenpom as to a 2 pt spread; 73-71.

Rpiforecast does show vcu as a 3.1 favorite.

 

[JimP]

Yep - FT's are key. Just looked at this years vcu at ODU box score. ODU should have beaten them. Monarchs went to the line 28 times and only made 13. (vcu won by 3)

 

[Washingtonian]

I have a feeling this schedule is designed to help vcu because a) we are the newbie team still and b) because we haven't been very good yet. If we continue our upward trajectory, this will be a featured game on the schedule during a much better time (like a Saturday during the semester).

If you look at last year's schedule, we opened AT vcu for conference play. Maybe the A-10 schedule makers wanted to flip things?

 

[Washingtonian]

vegasinsider: vcu opened as a 3 pt favorite, line has them as a 2 pt favorite. vcu is 3-6 against the spread; Mason 6-3.

As of now, 2.5 point favorite, 143 over/under.

 

[mason89]

Since there's nothing in the WaPo....

http://www.richmond.com/sports/college/atlantic-10/article_a186f16a-8e2c-54d7-9af3-24991222047e.html

http://www.richmond.com/sports/college/atlantic-10/article_cf83e2c4-c585-507b-a9f0-a3aebe6fd34f.html

 

[MasonGrad01]

http://www.richmond.com/sports/college/atlantic-10/article_a186f16a-8e2c-54d7-9af3-24991222047e.html

So those wondering why Moore wasn't named captain at beginning of the season:

"“There were times last year when I’d get frustrated that he’d take practices off or not have the type of relentless focus that I think you need every day,” said Paulsen. “There were times if he missed a shot or he didn’t get a call, his head would kind of slump and he wouldn’t continue to fight through adversity."

 

[G M U]

So those wondering why Moore wasn't named captain at beginning of the season:

"“There were times last year when I’d get frustrated that he’d take practices off or not have the type of relentless focus that I think you need every day,” said Paulsen. “There were times if he missed a shot or he didn’t get a call, his head would kind of slump and he wouldn’t continue to fight through adversity."

Phew, glad that's cleared up.

 

[G M U]

Can anybody remember a regular season game with as much hype as this one?

I really hope we can win this in front of a large crowd. This could be the game that hooks students/fans.

 

[Petey Buckets]

God I am pumped for this game. Hope we smack those little f**kers back to Richmond.

Things to watch for:
- Jaire is gonna have to guard Justin Tillman. Tillman's averaging 10 points, 6.5 rebounds, and does most of his work inside the three-point line. That's a bad matchup for Jaire. How he keeps up, and how quickly the double-teams get to the post, will be important.

- vcu has four guys shooting over 35% from three. JeQuan Lewis is shooting crazy well so far, almost 44% on 6.7 attempts per game. Paulsen wants other teams to shoot 3s - Mason's opponent 3 point rate is 38% - but this is the type of game where it could burn us.

- We should have a tremendous advantage on the boards. We're near the top of the country in total rebound % and offensive rebound % - vcu is near the bottom of the country in both. Mo Alie-Cox is vcu's 4th best rebounder in rpg, which I find surprising.

- I really can't wait to see how our guards do against the pressure. Earlier this season we turned a corner and started getting easy buckets off of presses, which didn't happen at all last year. If we can do that tonight it'll be a very good sign.

- We should have an advantage at the FT line as well. We're 57th in the country at getting to the line, and vcu is 282nd in the country at sending opponents to the line.

- The thing I'm most concerned about is what happens if Jalen gets in foul trouble. We won't get away with too many Relvao/Temara minutes tonight.

The formula will be the same as usual - crash the boards, let them shoot threes, and get to the foul line. vcu is the best team we've played so far, so tonight we'll see how the formula holds up against better competition. Really curious to see how the freshmen respond tonight - feels like we'll need a great showing from Kier, Boyd or Newman to take this one home.