Game 20: AT Duquesne University, Saturday, January 31st, 7 PM, NO TV

[GMUgemini]

You're absolutely right in that regard. I'm just tired of seeing mediocre coaching and mediocre players — the latter of which bothers me the most. My defense of Hewitt has always been that he has a track record of very good recruiting, but that's where he has failed us the most.

Certain people here have claimed we have the talent to be a good team, but we really don't and that's completely on him. The reality is that Hewitt has failed to recruit one guard that can consistently shoot wide open shots, which we saw that in spades tonight.

I think we have the individual talent, but the pieces don't seem to fit into a coherent whole.

The one position we're really lacking is at the PG. Moore is talented, but he can't shoot so he's limited in what he can do. Our other point guard (Edwards) can shoot, but is trigger shy and lacks in other areas of his game.

 

[gmutom]

I think we have the individual talent, but the pieces don't seem to fit into a coherent whole.

You're right that the PG situation is a mess, but there's not not legitimate shooting guard on this active roster with the exception of Holloway (who us streaky at best). I say active, because we really have no idea what we have in Lockett and Mayimba (although neither was known as been a great perimeter shooter in high school).

As much as Jackson has struggled and been misused, I really like his upside. With the right coach, I still think he could be a real contributor in the future.

 

[liem.le.3388]

Why is Gray taking 10 shots in a game!!?? He is the most inconsistent shooter we have and makes no sense why he is taking so many shots. AWFUL

I believe Gray is one of the worst shooters in the entire NCAA

 

[Washingtonian]

I believe Gray is one of the worst shooters in the entire NCAA

http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/stats/fg_pct?season=2014-2015

Thompson is in the top 200 nationally based on that link in FG percentage.

 

[DeepValue]

We saw what we are without Thompson last night - not much. This team is poor with him and hapless when he's off his game. If he hadn't transferred in, well...damn.

Hard to believe how far the A10 has fallen. There used to be really good guard play even from the bottom half of the league. Not seeing that this year imo. Top half of the league is still strong though.

 

[JimP]

Bembry will shred us next week on one of the bottom half of the league's teams.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Im not sure why anybody is surprised at results like this anymore.

 

[Patriotfan49]

The thing is, the 85K has nothing to do with Hewitt, and EVERYTHING to do with the next coach. You REALLY don't want to set a precedent of "we're petty, stingy, and a-holes" right before you're trying to convince somebody to work for your organization for the next decade. It's probably worth paying Hewitt the money just for the mistrust saved from potential candidates (as much as it makes me grind my teeth to do so)

Firing Hewitt then does not send a message were stingy or a holes. Other schools wouldn't have hired him first of all, but I think him still being here now is a gift and shows "patience" on our end.

 

[NoCliche87]

I believe Gray is one of the worst shooters in the entire NCAA

Take his nuts out ur mouth n find a hobby... If u don't like what I said I'll let u know which home game we can discuss this at like men rather than bumping ur gums behind a computer...

 

[liem.le.3388]

Take his nuts out ur mouth n find a hobby... If u don't like what I said I'll let u know which home game we can discuss this at like men rather than bumping ur gums behind a computer...

Lol the force is strong with you

 

[liem.le.3388]

Take his nuts out ur mouth n find a hobby... If u don't like what I said I'll let u know which home game we can discuss this at like men rather than bumping ur gums behind a computer...

60% of his shots are 3s which he shoots at 27%. Tell me what you know.....

Also watching Mason ball is my hobby like everyone else here....

 

[GMUgemini]

60% of his shots are 3s which he shoots at 27%. Tell me what you know.....

I think you should probably do a little research on who NoCliche87 is.

As for Gray's shooting, no one shot well last night, and it probably had to do with having no legs after playing on Thursday night and busing for over five hours.

 

[Bricker]

60% of his shots are 3s which he shoots at 27%. Tell me what you know.....

Also watching Mason ball is my hobby like everyone else here....

Here's a tip for you in case you don't have enough spare change to buy a clue: NoCliche87 is VG's older brother.

 

[liem.le.3388]

Here's a tip for you in case you don't have enough spare change to buy a clue: NoCliche87 is VG's older brother.

I Knew that and don't care who he is

 

[NoCliche87]

60% of his shots are 3s which he shoots at 27%. Tell me what you know.....

Also watching Mason ball is my hobby like everyone else here....

Lol is that his fault ALL guards sit on the perimeter? But like I said me n u have nothing to discuss unless u still say the same things to my face in the same fashion to my face... End of discussion...

I learned my lesson attacking kids over the years but I at least admitted I was wrong by the end of last year... especially towards B Allen and I gave the kid the most props after the conference tourney... Cuz none of the kids deserve critism unless they outright don't care and don't try... Which I can tell u being on the inside ain't the case because they all care and want to win... Ima leave it at that

 

[Bricker]

I Knew that and don't care who he is

Cute.

Let's try not to lose sight of the fact that these guys are real people who have dedicated themselves to Mason basketball...especially a player like Gray who has had to fight for every minute of playing time over the course of his career. He could have gone to school somewhere else, he could have transferred, etc.

Last I checked, VG has always represented the team and university in the best way possible...

 

[liem.le.3388]

Cute.

Let's try not to lose sight of the fact that these guys are real people who have dedicated themselves to Mason basketball...especially a player like Gray who has had to fight for every minute of playing time over the course of his career. He could have gone to school somewhere else, he could have transferred, etc.

Last I checked, VG has always represented the team and university in the best way possible...

I was just stating how was was doing this year, I don't wish any ill will on the kid. Im a big fan as everyone here and hope the entire team does well.

The team is obviously not doing so well so everyone may be a little sensitive, so I get it.

GO MASON!

 

[JimP]

It's pointless to get on the players. GMU created this mess when it didn't take steps to capitalize on the FF4 run w/in the basketball program. We lose L, get an unmotivated retread in Hewitt and we are where we are. Hopefully in a few years the program will be healthy again. I'm certainly not going to look back to 2011-2105 and blame the players for the downturn.

 

[gmutom]

Lol is that his fault ALL guards sit on the perimeter?

Exactly! I felt bad for our players last night, because they were given no strategy to attack the zone. Our guards might not be great perimeter shooters, but all of them including your brother and Jackson excel at penetrating.

Given the size advantage VG and Isaiah had on Duquense's guards, they should have been instructed to be aggressive rather than passively passing the ball around the perimeter and launching up 3s. If dribble penetration's not open, position a guy at the FT line and get the ball to him, so he can facilitate the offense inside-out. I can't recall five times all night when we actually tried to pass the ball into their zone.

 

[GMUgemini]

Exactly! I felt bad for our players last night, because they were given no strategy to attack the zone. Our guards might not be great perimeter shooters, but all of them including your brother and Jackson excel at penetrating.

Given the size advantage VG and Isaiah had on Duquense's guards, they should have been instructed to be aggressive rather than passively passing the ball around the perimeter and launching up 3s. If dribble penetration's not open, position a guy at the FT line and get the ball to him, so he can facilitate the offense inside-out. I can't recall five times all night when we actually tried to pass the ball into their zone.

There was a great example of this when we were down only 5 in the second half. The ball gets into Jenkins at the free throw line and he kicks it out to one of our guards wide open on the perimeter -- but it was Moore who we all know wasn't going to take that shot. Moore penetrates and gets to the rim, but is met there by a both forwards and had to put some ridiculous shot high off the glass that didn't even come close.

Later, it happened to Isaiah as well (who at least got the foul).

It becomes a much bigger problem when the entire team is struggling to shoot the ball.