Game 17: AT Saint Joseph's University, Tuesday, January 10th, 7 PM, ASN

[psyclone]

Great gut-check win from the guys. I was not hopeful when Jalen fouled out but Donkey Dick Dave (best friend of Big Balls Brad) put five guards on the floor down the stretch and it worked. I don't know if you can call it a gamble given how ineffective Relvao and Temara have been, but it's creative, unconventional, and shows a real willingness to adjust based on matchups. Not a lot of coaches would have rolled with that. Some other thoughts:.........

- Speaking of guys who make winning plays - Dave subbed Boyd in for Relvao with 1:33 left and it worked somehow. Boyd had a quiet game, but it says a lot that Dave was willing to trust him and Kier in the super-small lineup at the end. Boyd more than held his own, which bodes well because our bigs are clearly not ready.......
.

I think it helped that their "big" man wasn't really an offensive threat. Also having another ball handler and good foul shooter on the floor may have made the decision easier.

 

[emjayar08]

Anyone else notice Markell Lodge? Yeah, me neither. He started the game but was quickly benched for the rest of the first half. Don't think it was foul trouble issues but just a mismatch issue against Jenkins.

I loved this guy coming out of HS, and he almost went to Mason. He is an insanely athletic undersized big, but it just looks like he hasn't been able to manage the mental aspect of the game to be a consistent player for St. Joes.

 

[Patriotsince81]

This team continues to surprise me with their grit and determination. Great road win.

 

[MasonGradSquared]

I believe the Hawk is dead!

 

[GSII]

With the continued growth of our guards, I believe we will be a middle of the pack team this year. Its imperative that someone become a threat in the post and that we rebound if we want to beat the upper tier teams in the A10. While everyone says the a10 is a guard league, having a big to keep the defense honest goes a long way.

 

[mkaufman1]

With the continued growth of our guards, I believe we will be a middle of the pack team this year. Its imperative that someone become a threat in the post and that we rebound if we want to beat the upper tier teams in the A10. While everyone says the a10 is a guard league, having a big to keep the defense honest goes a long way.

Completely agree. It sucks that Relvao and Temara are just not there yet as bigs, but I think they'll be developed and become good contributors. Mason definitely needs Relvao to be a defensive force in the post and be able to alter shots and rebound. Right now guys go right around him for the most part.

Potentially with Mar and Wilson playing more of the 4 next year and playing less 4 guards, it may take pressure off one of them when they play the 5, but they definitely need to be able to hold their own.

 

[gmutom]

Mason definitely needs Relvao to be a defensive force in the post and be able to alter shots and rebound.

I really am concerned that we have no legitimate bigs on our current roster who can step into the 5 next year. Dixon isn't in the rotation any more, Temura throws up wild hook shots like he's playing a game of HORSE, and Revalo is apparently preparing for a career as a toll-booth operator with the way he watches people drive by him.

 

[Herndon]

I really am concerned that we have no legitimate bigs on our current roster who can step into the 5 next year. Dixon isn't in the rotation any more, Temura throws up wild hook shots like he's playing a game of HORSE, and Revalo is apparently preparing for a career as a toll-booth operator with the way he watches people drive by him.

I actually think Temara's going to be pretty good when it's all said and done. He just freaks out and tries to do too much at this point in time. If you could combine Temara's body/skills with Relvao's refusal to try anything risky, you'd have a serviceable big today.

If we can get Temara to calm the F down when he gets on the court, I think he'll be fine.

 

[Herndon]

Kier's give and go with Jalen was gorgeous - he's like a diet version of Luke Hancock. Not super flashy but will always make the right play.

You know, that's not the worst comparison I've ever heard. He's got that same "little bit of this, little bit of that" jambalaya of a game.

 

[MasonCrew]

Mason 79
St. Joes: 70

I was close! A win always makes the next day better. I can't describe how nice it is to finally be anxious watching games again. Moore is just amazing. As others have said, he's one of the most unique players I've ever seen. Agree about all the comments re Temara and Relvao. I'd love to see them develop, and, quite frankly, our success next season will really depend on that.

Also like it when Mason makes me money. We've been good ATS this year.

 

[MASONscott]

One abundant sign of this team’s grit is play in the 2nd half and final minutes of games.


Per GoMason.com's writeup - last night's 2nd half shooting was 60.9% and the Patriots outscored the Hawks 15-6 in the final minutes.


The pre-gamenotes referenced the same trend. On the season, the Patriots average 34.2 points with a 43 percent FG% in the first half. Those numbers increase to 40.2 points with a 46.6 percent FG% in the second half. Obviously last night's numbers should only bump those figures.


The last five minutes Mason is shooting 47.3%!


Not sure if DP's formula is half-time adjustments, or if it is the character of the team, or a combination of things - but I'd like Moore please.

 

[GMU_DCU]

Thought the game was over when Jenkins fouled out but I'm just still used to the mentally weak teams from the Hewitt era that would have crumbled under one of those possible momentum changing situations. One thing I love about this team is that they get pissed when they make a mistake and they take it personally...great to see some accountability and drive to become better players.

This team is quietly becoming a good 3 point shooting team, who would have thought that after the first few games of the season?

 

[EXpatriot13]

Great win! Love being able to watch the team on TV up in NYC. One of my roommates, who knows nothing about Mason basketball, made a comment that it was "good, sound basketball to watch, fun game, exciting team". Far cry from the 4 years of eye bleeding we endured under "insert coach" here.

 

[Vurbel]

"insert coach" here.

"Coach"? You're being very generous. Maybe used car salesman in an expensive suit would be a better description?

 

[mkaufman1]

I really am concerned that we have no legitimate bigs on our current roster who can step into the 5 next year. Dixon isn't in the rotation any more, Temura throws up wild hook shots like he's playing a game of HORSE, and Revalo is apparently preparing for a career as a toll-booth operator with the way he watches people drive by him.

Lol Relvao plays like the big guy from Eddie who refused to take a charge and get in front of guys.

That said - I completely agree with you. One can hope that Mar and Wilson at least can help out and that Relvao/Temara can develop to be serviceable up front. It is just so early for both of them but obviously they both have a lot of work to do.

Otherwise, depending on transfers, this might be a place where Paulsen will need to find help going forward.

 

[PDGL Hoops]

I am just happy we went 1-1 on this road trip. Handle business at home and beat the teams we should on the road would be lovely.

 

[Falco]

I actually think Temara's going to be pretty good when it's all said and done. He just freaks out and tries to do too much at this point in time. If you could combine Temara's body/skills with Relvao's refusal to try anything risky, you'd have a serviceable big today.

If we can get Temara to calm the F down when he gets on the court, I think he'll be fine.

I do think the 5 spot is the hardest transition for freshman. But idk he looks like a spaze. If we had some depth he would of benefited from a redshirt season.

 

[Herndon]

I do think the 5 spot is the hardest transition for freshman. But idk he looks like a spaze. If we had some depth he would of benefited from a redshirt season.

Oh he absolutely does, it's because he gets in there and spazzes out. And, he's wired funny anyhow, it seems, so it may take a while, but he's pretty graceful in his movements, so if he can just settle down a hair, I think he can be effective.

 

[GMUgemini]

Oh he absolutely does, it's because he gets in there and spazzes out. And, he's wired funny anyhow, it seems, so it may take a while, but he's pretty graceful in his movements, so if he can just settle down a hair, I think he can be effective.

I think part of it is he's never had enough time on the court to settle those nerves. He gets in, is all keyed up, plays a minute or two, and then goes back to the bench.

Getting that injury earlier and missing the few games he might have seen some extended time didn't help, either.

 

[Patriot8]

I think part of it is he's never had enough time on the court to settle those nerves. He gets in, is all keyed up, plays a minute or two, and then goes back to the bench.

Getting that injury earlier and missing the few games he might have seen some extended time didn't help, either.

Well, not that I am counting this game as a sure thing, but hopefully this team can take care of business early against St. Louis and provide Temara the opportunity to get some extended minutes.