Game 17: GMU (11-5 / 2-1) vs UMass (6-10 / 1-2) on Saturday, January 11, at 2:00 PM.

[GMUgemini]

In the final few minutes of the game each team had 3 players with 4 fouls and next foul would knock them out of the game. By far the worse game I have seen with officials. They killed the game and chance to beat the spread - hard to defend when each possession is free throws.

I will give props to my Section 114 - for being loud and engaged. Interesting the family section is directly behind me and a group of elementary school kids get the entire section chanting and screaming
throughout the game. They were so excited to win free Pizza yesterday - you would have thought everyone in the section was getting a new car

With as physical of a game as this was, the refs called a whole lot of touch fouls.

They gifted UMass 5-7 phantom points in the first half. In the last three minutes they called two or three phantom arm bars, Billups for tripping I think Curry when he didn’t touch him, and they had to overturned the out of bounds call at least three times.

I’m sure they called UMass for some trash calls too but I wasn’t focusing on them for obvious reasons.

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

Wow, had a bunch of stuff to do yesterday, so couldn't see the game, but I don't think I've ever seen the boards this united in how bad the refs were. Usually, there's one person with a cursory "It's tough to officiate" or "let's try to be unbiased", but seems unanimous this game was an abomination. I guess it's good it's after a win.

 

[GunstonsGhost]

x.com

x.com

The crowd around me seemed pretty engaged by our recent standards. The Jaylen dunk and Billups alleyoop got people on their feet. Coach Skinn seemed satisfied enough to tweet about it at least.

However, I will say that it was the loudest for the Ledo's Pizza free throws. Then after we won the pizza no one would make noise. I'd be willing to wager that near 0% of people are actually cashing in on Ledo's pizza today; it's merely the thought of getting something for free that gets them excited. Maybe we need more of the psych games to train the crowd that they're suppose to make noise.

How about Veliocity Wings, they're some kinda sponsor, right? They should have a bogo beer/wing deal or something to drive people to their restaurant after the game.

 

[daveshac]

1. It was cool for Jaylen to throw down a monster dunk and make SportsCenter Top 10.
2. I was impressed with how Stas came into the game as a Freshman and made plays. He was talking on defense, he was running the floor and hustling. He wasn't dominant, but he wasn't useless or overwhelmed either - and he was ready on short notice. He clocked 11 minutes only because Jaylen was in concussion protocol.
3. UMASS plays a junk-it-up, physical defensive style that has led to GMU home losses in the past. Would have loved to see us dominate this game more, but a W is a W.
4. I mean this with all due respect, and without any attempt to label/shame the guy - but I really think KD might have obsessive/compulsive disorder. He drops to a knee, sometimes with the ball live in play, and unties/re-ties his shoes. He changes shoes during the game. I wonder if some type of OCD might explain why KD can sometimes be so talented and heady, but then inexplicably pop-off with a lack of impulse control. I am by no means a psych expert and, seriously - respect to the guy if he's playing high-level D1 while contending with a neuro issue - but I wonder if that's not a factor.

 

[Jack Strop]

...I will say that it was the loudest for the Ledo's Pizza free throws. Then after we won the pizza no one would make noise. I'd be willing to wager that near 0% of people are actually cashing in on Ledo's pizza today; it's merely the thought of getting something for free that gets them excited. Maybe we need more of the psych games to train the crowd that they're suppose to make noise.

Ledo's should up the ante after the two freethrows are missed and the 8" free cheese pizza is secured. Perhaps, on the next two consecutive misses, offer two free toppings on that miniscule 8" pizza. Seriously, a cheese pizza absolutely sux. Or, offer the next size up—a 14" cheese pizza (still sux without toppings, but hey, free is free, eh?). I'll bet that will get the fans going... and keep the going!

 

[daveshac]

Ledo's should up the ante after the two freethrows are missed and the 8" free cheese pizza is secured. Perhaps, on the next two consecutive misses, offer two free toppings on that miniscule 8" pizza. Seriously, a cheese pizza absolutely sux. Or, offer the next size up—a 14" cheese pizza (still sux without toppings, but hey, free is free, eh?). I'll bet that will get the fans going... and keep the going!

I love the idea that each subsequent FT-pair earns the crowd a size or topping upgrade. There would have to be a limit. 500 free XL Supremes would probably knock out any pizza franchise in NoVA.

 

[psyclone]

I love the idea that each subsequent FT-pair earns the crowd a size or topping upgrade. There would have to be a limit. 500 free XL Supremes would probably knock out any pizza franchise in NoVA.

As much as I cheer for the consecutive ft misses, I haven't had a Lido's pizza (either paid or free) since PC/EBA opened decades ago. I'd be curious as to how many free pizzas that Lido has to supply. I'm thinking Lido gets pretty close to a free ride on the promotion.

 

[gmutom]

Ledo's should up the ante after the two freethrows are missed and the 8" free cheese pizza is secured. Perhaps, on the next two consecutive misses, offer two free toppings on that miniscule 8" pizza. Seriously, a cheese pizza absolutely sux. Or, offer the next size up—a 14" cheese pizza (still sux without toppings, but hey, free is free, eh?). I'll bet that will get the fans going... and keep the going!

How about students get a free pizza every time we miss a FT and the player missing it has to pay for the pizza.

 

[psyclone]

How about students get a free pizza every time we miss a FT and the player missing it has to pay for the pizza.

If we had a bigger NIL budget, maybe that would even up giving all the $$ to the athletes and spreading some of it around us fans!

 

[mkaufman1]

All this pizza talk reminds me of when I led a chant in the student section for someone to “share their pizza”, after they won pizza.

 

[jessej]

How about students get a free pizza every time we miss a FT and the player missing it has to pay for the pizza.

and out of their NIL money!!!

 

[GMU79]

1. It was cool for Jaylen to throw down a monster dunk and make SportsCenter Top 10.
2. I was impressed with how Stas came into the game as a Freshman and made plays. He was talking on defense, he was running the floor and hustling. He wasn't dominant, but he wasn't useless or overwhelmed either - and he was ready on short notice. He clocked 11 minutes only because Jaylen was in concussion protocol.
3. UMASS plays a junk-it-up, physical defensive style that has led to GMU home losses in the past. Would have loved to see us dominate this game more, but a W is a W.
4. I mean this with all due respect, and without any attempt to label/shame the guy - but I really think KD might have obsessive/compulsive disorder. He drops to a knee, sometimes with the ball live in play, and unties/re-ties his shoes. He changes shoes during the game. I wonder if some type of OCD might explain why KD can sometimes be so talented and heady, but then inexplicably pop-off with a lack of impulse control. I am by no means a psych expert and, seriously - respect to the guy if he's playing high-level D1 while contending with a neuro issue - but I wonder if that's not a factor.

Thanks for sharing that Jalen made the SC Top 10. Very cool.
Yes, Stas made a good showing.
#3 Yep.
KD, you could be on to something. The shoe tying is certainly a possible sign.

 

[GMU1983]

Does anyone have the video?

 

[GunstonsGhost]

Sports Center clip:

x.com

x.com

 

[jkh1978]

Sports Center clip:

x.com

x.com

Why the fakeness on the clip? Is that something sports center does now? I used to watch it several times in a row but do not watch it anymore.

 

[GunstonsGhost]

Why the fakeness on the clip? Is that something sports center does now? I used to watch it several times in a row but do not watch it anymore.

I have no idea. I never watch Sports Center. I would guess their ratings are down and this is a cheap gimmick to appease their masters at the Mouse House. It does come across as fake news though making it seem like Jalen broke the backboard.

 

[GMU79]

Sports Center clip:

x.com

x.com

But the glass didn't break!

I have no idea. I never watch Sports Center. I would guess their ratings are down and this is a cheap gimmick to appease their masters at the Mouse House. It does come across as fake news though making it seem like Jaylen broke the backboard.

I used to watch it all the time, but it's been years.

 

[DRK331]

Highlights from the win over Umass on Saturday

Highlights from the win over Umass on Saturday