Game 15: University of Massachusetts, Wednesday, January 4th, 7 PM, NO TV

[dr. gunnie]

I don't know if we would have folded early after getting down or at the end when we lost our lead, but our teams in the past would have lost this game.

So happy to see where this program is going! Nice win.

 

[GreenLantern]

A year ago, this would have been a loss. Two years ago I'd be screaming and tearing my hair out!

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[gmutom]

I thought Grayer played his best game of the season. Very active on both ends of the floor. It seemed like he came up with every big rebound and loose ball. He's really gifted; he played relaxed and under control. If he can play like this on a consistent basis, it would be a huge plus for the team.

Completely agree. We are capable of winning when Jaire has an average or subpar game, but we are damn tough to beat when he is on. It's not easy to fly under the radar as a starter, but I stand by my earlier statement that Grayer is our X-factor. When his level of play and swagger consistently match his talent level, watch the f-ck out, people!

 

[Falco]

Really happy with this win. I was following it at work because there was a server issue and I couldn't leave. Saw the score and got more pissed than I was. Then we pulled it out! Haha wish I could have seen it.

Disagree about Relvao. He's not gonna be an offensive machine, but he fills valuable minutes, and fills them well. We need his size.

I'm also concerned about the thin rotation. The guys are gonna be gassed come Pittsburg. Hopefully I'm wrong, though.

I'm fine with the short rotation. Yes it will be a grind but gwu won the NIT with a short rotation. These kids play a million AAU games, obviously they arnt nba players but a college season is a cake walk compared to the nba season.

 

[DAK]

Completely agree. We are capable of winning when Jaire has an average or subpar game, but we are damn tough to beat when he is on. It's tough to fly under the radar as a starter, but I stand by my earlier statement that Grayer is our X-factor. When his level of play and swagger consistently match his talent level, watch the f-ck out, people!

He kind of reminds me of Cam Long. Not necessarily for how they play, but for how he has nights where you know you're watching a unique talent...but also nights where he tends to blend in. Hopefully he can stand out on a more consistent basis moving forward.


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[MasonSAE4]

Easy there lol he offers nothing? He offers light years more than Dixon so does Dixon offer less than nothing ?

Ok I'll cede the point that he is better than Dixon. Maybe offers nothing was a bit strong in a moment of frustration but he's clearly uncomfortable on offense and everyone else is clearly uncomfortable giving it to him. It's 4 v. 5. We've had the debate before so I won't drone on about it but I'd rather see Troy in those minutes and develop a bit.

 

[Five Two]

lol who is screaming near the mic?

"STOP CELEBRATING!!!!"

Paulsen was yelling that

 

[Jack Strop]

Relvao needs minutes. So does Temara. However, Relvao's size makes him a higher priority. Plus, there's no chance that Temara could have handled Holloway tonight. So Relvao gets the minutes when Jenkins needed rest. But back off on Relvao—he is improving with the minutes he's been getting.

Both Relvao and Temara will have to carry us down low next season and both being freshmen requires that they get development time. But strategic match-ups are going to be a large factor as to which player gets the development time.

What do you want? Do you want to win or do you want to develop your freshmen bigs for next season? This is rhetorical. If I were coach I'm not sure how much differently such a balance can be struck.

 

[Jack Strop]

Paulsen was yelling that

Why? When? What did you see that made Paulsen do that? Was it too early to celebrate a victory? I missed this at tonight's game, please do tell.

 

[MasonSAE4]

I was having shades of the 2014 UMasss game (maybe 2013?) when they were ranked and we were beating them inside a minute and then couldn't break a press. That pass we threw them for an open layup nearly gave me a heart attack. Glad we won though, definitely would've been a loss last year. Just a few more wins to secure a winning season.

 

[gmujim92]

Relvao needs minutes. So does Temara. However, Relvao's size makes him a higher priority. Plus, there's no chance that Temara could have handled Holloway tonight. So Relvao gets the minutes when Jenkins needed rest. But back off on Relvao—he is improving with the minutes he's been getting.

Both Relvao and Temara will have to carry us down low next season and both being freshmen requires that they get development time. But strategic match-ups are going to be a large factor as to which player gets the development time.

What do you want? Do you want to win or do you want to develop your freshmen bigs for next season? This is rhetorical. If I were coach I'm not sure how much differently such a balance can be struck.

After the past few seasons, I will take all the wins we can get.

Next season will take care of itself.

There will be many games -- Saint Joe's, Richmond, Davidson and GW, to name a few -- where Troy will play because his athleticism is a better match for the opponent than Relvao's bulk.

The guys who aren't playing need to keep working hard in practice so they'll be ready if/when their numbers are called.

 

[Patriot8]

Why? When? What did you see that made Paulsen do that? Was it too early to celebrate a victory? I missed this at tonight's game, please do tell.

I'm fuzzy on the specifics, but I believe Grayer hit a tough shot to put us up 4 with a couple minutes to go and our players celebrated, meanwhile UMass pushed the ball up the floor for an easy layup because we didn't get back on D..

 

[MasonFanatic]

Relvao may not rack up the stats in the box score, but he changes the game inside with his size and his long arms. He makes our opponents take more difficult shots.

 

[psyclone]

Goff's article in the Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...4ab630851e8_story.html?utm_term=.5582ead7dac3

 

[Patriotsince81]

Nice win last night, I'll take it. The team plays hard and with heart. I am concerned that we have started off the last two games so poor defensively. We gave up 12 points in the first 5 minutes to vcu and 11 last night. Project that out over a full game and we're giving up 96 an 88 points respectively. That being said, I loved the switch to the zone last night, a great move that UMass had no answer for. Well done guys.

 

[Washingtonian]

Their message boards are funny:
http://www.umasshoops.com/newboard/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15021&start=135

 

[Vurbel]

While I'm hesitant to say "we're back", I don't know any Mason fan who says we aren't going in the right direction. Paulsen has done an awesome job. Even after two seasons, one could argue that he's in the top 3 coaches in Mason history, with Larranaga and Harrington. And we have some nice recruits coming in next year. Imagine if we actually had decent facilities in comparison to Dayton and vcu.

 

[Five Two]

Why? When? What did you see that made Paulsen do that? Was it too early to celebrate a victory? I missed this at tonight's game, please do tell.

2nd half. Otis had stolen the ball that bounced off of the ref and went in for a fast-break layup. UMass came right back down and scored a layup of their own.

 

[Dawgs99]

These last 2 games seemed to crying out for a guy with the athleticism of Abram, he must really be far down on the depth chart. Can't see him getting more minutes next year with Wilson coming off the red shirt and Mar coming in as a high touted freshmen. We shall see I guess.

 

[Vurbel]

These last 2 games seemed to crying out for a guy with the athleticism of Abram, he must really be far down on the depth chart. Can't see him getting more minutes next year with Wilson coming off the red shirt and Mar coming in as a high touted freshmen. We shall see I guess.

Today, if you can't play defense at Mason you won't see the court. Not saying he *can't*, just saying he's not as consistently proficient as others.