Game 23: GMU (15-7 / 4-5) vs Loyola Chicago (15-7 / 7-2) on Wednesday, February 7, at 7:00 PM.

[mkaufman1]

How about this quote: “came into the last timeout, the under 4 timeout, and looked into the eyes of my players and not a single one of them looked like they wanted to win. It’s a two possession game and they’re acting like we are down 13.”

That’s something that needs to be corrected fast. They needed to be ready to counterpunch and take Loyola out, not lay down for them.

 

[GMUgemini]

I was also going to comment about how we have a penchant for driving baseline, getting cut off and then trying to make a cross court pass to the corner when there is always a player standing right there to get the steal or deflection, but Tony covered that in the presser too.

 

[KAOriginal]

How about this quote: “came into the last timeout, the under 4 timeout, and looked into the eyes of my players and not a single one of them looked like they wanted to win. It’s a two possession game and they’re acting like we are down 13.”

Concerned about the transfers we got then. Or maybe some have stayed too long ....

 

[Pablo]

Edwards Posts Career Night Fueling Comeback Win Over George Mason - Loyola University Chicago Athletics

FAIRFAX, Va. – Sheldon Edwards erupted for a career-high 27 points (7-12 FG, 6-10 3PT, 7-8 FT) helping Loyola Chicago to a comeback victory at George Mason, 85-79.

loyolaramblers.com

"Inside the Box Score
- Edwards became the sixth Rambler to notch a 20-point performance this year. It was the 11th 20-point performance for Loyola.
- He finished with a career-high in points (27) and steals (5).
- Watson is on a three-game double-figure scoring streak after finishing with 14.
- Alston (14) and Rubin (12) also scored double-digits.
- The Ramblers committed a season-low six turnovers, while forcing 17. They capitalized on GMU's errors converting them to 19 points.
- Loyola shot 50.9 percent from the field to George Mason's 59.5 percent."

 

[MasonJason]

Concerned about the transfers we got then. Or maybe some have stayed too long ....

To be honest, we can’t win in the A10 with Ronnie being our starting PG. It’s now more than evident that he hurts us more than the offensive numbers he gives us. Baraka seems promising but if he continues to work on his offensive game, he should be the future PG of our program. At the end of the day, it all comes down to adding another 3 & D wing to complement Maddox and Key and that’s what’s stopping us from being a top 4 team.

 

[GSII]

Kelly had zero blocks. Hands were down as he watched dudes hit bunnies in his face. Thats a problem.

 

[gmujim92]

To be honest, we can’t win in the A10 with Ronnie being our starting PG. It’s now more than evident that he hurts us more than the offensive numbers he gives us. Baraka seems promising but if he continues to work on his offensive game, he should be the future PG of our program. At the end of the day, it all comes down to adding another 3 & D wing to complement Maddox and Key and that’s what’s stopping us from being a top 4 team.

Future? We talking about future? Not this season, not this season, not this season, we talking about future?

There is no more future in college basketball. Somebody’s gonna throw a bag at Baraka. Not trying to be pessimistic, but we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that he plays elsewhere next season.

 

[GMUgemini]

Future? We talking about future? Not this season, not this season, not this season, we talking about future?

There is no more future in college basketball. Somebody’s gonna throw a bag at Baraka. Not trying to be pessimistic, but we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that he plays elsewhere next season.

Let’s hope not.

Darren Buchanan was on 3 Bid League and their young players (Edwards, Buchannan, Johnson) are all talking about sticking together at GW. Let’s hope Skinn can keep his recruits.

Ps: I keep catching myself talking about player development under the old paradigm and then remembering it’s likely half or more of the team will be gone next year…

 

[mkaufman1]

Unfortunately (fortunately to some degree), rosters are going to be fluid year to year. Granted, now that the free covid year players are dwindling, there may be less fluidity.

Its no longer lets plan for 2-3 years out. Its no longer lets count on our coach being here for 10 years. Every year is independent in a vacuum. Much like Drew Valentine switched Loyola from a bottom feeder last year to this year and much like Fordham switched from a bottom feeder to a contender last year, back to a bottom feeder.

Guys like Malik and Ronny most likely won't exist anymore in the sense of sticking around for several coaching changes.

We have April to July to worry about next years roster. Just like I refused to panic in April about what our roster would look like, I won't panic in April either. I have full confidence that Tony and staff will be able to evaluate what we need and position ourselves when the time comes better for year 2. We do have several candidates for sticking around, but we'll have to see how it all unfolds. Hopefully many of the guys who wanted to commit to Tony, want to stay with him.

 

[Mason2005]

Why do I allow myself to be optimistic each year?

Infinite trap, we're all there with you.

Future? We talking about future? Not this season, not this season, not this season, we talking about future?

There is no more future in college basketball. Somebody’s gonna throw a bag at Baraka. Not trying to be pessimistic, but we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that he plays elsewhere next season.

I think Baraka would have to sit if he were to transfer

 

[FlPatriot]

Kelly had zero blocks. Hands were down as he watched dudes hit bunnies in his face. Thats a problem.

Yes, that’s what prompted my Kelly looks confused comment early in the game…very lethargic on both ends. At one point I thought okojie might pull out a roll of masking tape and put down an X for set pick here!

 

[FlPatriot]

I think Baraka would have to sit if he were to transfer

And Hall too.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

I think Baraka would have to sit if he were to transfer

Sit for a year while making probably decent to good money is a small sacrifice that most players will make if given the opportunity.

For programs like ours going forward, it is mostly a one season team. Only hope is of one of us on these boards get vastly wealthy and turn our NIL collective into a competitive one.

Or some other outside financier.

 

[gmujim92]

Infinite trap, we're all there with you.


I think Baraka would have to sit if he were to transfer.

No he wouldn’t. One free transfer for now, unlimited transfers are on the court docket.

 

[GSII]

And Hall too.

Infinite trap, we're all there with you.


I think Baraka would have to sit if he were to transfer

Per the court case that upheld the TRO for 2nd time transfers, all players can transfer as much as they want without penalty of sitting out. That case was appealed and agreed to be revisted at seasons end. Unless they win the appeal, the ncaa is looking at a shit show going forward. Players might even transfer during the ncaa tourney, lol.

One key point that never gets mentioned is the effect of football on basketball and other sports. College football players can't leave until year 3. All the NIL and transfer stuff in college basketball is being influenced by football motivies. If college basketball players are free to leave for Pro's anytime and the NBA after one season, then why are they getting the same 'benefits' as football players who are 'stuck' in college longer?

Remember this, Rome fell from within.

 

[GSII]

Im not sure why we are blaming the roster make up. We have good players. What we don't have is any off the ball movement or screens. Its a pass, then everyone watch. How about some elevator screens to get Hall and Maddox open shots? Never see that unless its after a timeout and we need it to win the game. So why not direct the ball where it needs to go during the game a little more?

Maybe this doesn't exist anymore, but I remember Mark Davis getting his a** chewed out by Coach L for poor defense for a good 2 minutes. Are we too soft as coaches to do that? If you don't want softies, then set the standard from the get go and uphold it.

 

[Patriotsince81]

The NFL lost me about 10 years ago. I gave up on the NBA before that when Latrell Sprewell said something to the effect of "How the hell am I supposed to feed my family on 14 million a year"? Baseball is losing me because Harper, Soto, etc. all took the money and ran. Don't get me started on Ohtani. If we start having to reshape and rebuild the roster every year college basketball then Mason will lose me. I'm holding out hope that qualities like loyalty, honor, and commitment aren't dying. Time, as always, will tell.

 

[EXpatriot13]

There is no more future in college basketball. Somebody’s gonna throw a bag at Baraka. Not trying to be pessimistic, but we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that he plays elsewhere next season.

What is Okojie’s NIL situation given he’s from Canada?

Maybe that wrinkle helps level the playing field a bit, but I’m not sure.

But point remains, roster turnover is going to be a common theme especially for schools at our level. Wish this season wasn’t going off the rails so I didn’t have to think about it (yet).

 

[MasonJason]

Future? We talking about future? Not this season, not this season, not this season, we talking about future?

There is no more future in college basketball. Somebody’s gonna throw a bag at Baraka. Not trying to be pessimistic, but we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that he plays elsewhere next season.

Couldn’t agree more with you! Anything is a possibility and when we don’t win games and can’t compete with other schools NIL incentives; we’re left with MID.

 

[gmulion]

Looking at the box score it looks like Kelly had an efficient night, but he looked off last night. Seemed like he wasn't looking to do much at the top of the key on offense and his defense was terrible.

Then the consistent turnovers from Kelly and Hall.

Lack of minutes and production from the bench. I don't understand the use of Henry and Ball for a couple of min. I feel like Henry should have gotten more playing time with how soft Kelly was playing on defense. Not sure if he is still hurt or what.

Like was mentioned above, too much standing around and watching on offense. Not enough screens and this is one of the wort passing teams I have seen at Mason.

Just very frustrating to go from 13-2 to this...