Game 26: AT Saint Bonaventure University, SUNDAY, February 17th, 2 PM, MASN/Stadium

[gmujim92]

Matt, the eye test alone tells you we give up a ton of uncontested threes, and the statistics bear that out. After today's horrendous perimeter defense (they shot a mind-boggling 58% from 3), we are now allowing our opponents to shoot 35% from behind the arc.

That could drop us into the bottom four in the A10 in 3-point defense, which should dispel any notion that teams are merely hitting contested shots against us. Dave is too good of a coach to not make adjustments, so my hunch/hope is that contesting 3s becomes more of a focal point moving forward.

I think it’s as much an issue of having to play freshmen (because of all the injuries) for far more meaningful minutes than we expected at the start of the season.

Miller has been a revelation offensively and on the glass, but he’s still learning to play Division I caliber perimeter defense. JDS is trying hard but he has a long, long way to go.

Losing Grayer and Mar was a blow and Boyd has been barely playing since he hurt his wrist. That’s three experienced guys who understand our defensive scheme and can execute it at a high level. Not surprised we are struggling to replace them defensively because freshmen typically are horrible on that end.

 

[GMUgemini]

I think it’s as much an issue of having to play freshmen (because of all the injuries) for far more meaningful minutes than we expected at the start of the season.

Miller has been a revelation offensively and on the glass, but he’s still learning to play Division I caliber perimeter defense. JDS is trying hard but he has a long, long way to go.

Losing Grayer and Mar was a blow and Boyd has been barely playing since he hurt his wrist. That’s three experienced guys who understand our defensive scheme and can execute it at a high level. Not surprised we are struggling to replace them defensively because freshmen typically are horrible on that end.

I’m not buying that excuse for this game since both Oyun and Lofton are true freshmen and Lofton just straight torched us (Tre Wood, another freshman, did on UMass).

I mean, if we are putting Miller of Stockard and Pierre, that’s Paulsen’s problem, not Miller’s.

To me, part of the problem is we are committing to the double too fast and it is coming from too predictable of a place. We aren’t even waiting for the forward to put the ball on the floor before we leave our man. You aren’t ever going to be able to close our fast enough if you make it too easy to pass the ball out to the open shooter.

 

[gmujim92]

I’m not buying that excuse for this game since both Oyun and Lofton are true freshmen and Lofton just straight torched us (Tre Wood, another freshman, did on UMass).

I mean, if we are putting Miller of Stockard and Pierre, that’s Paulsen’s problem, not Miller’s.

To me, part of the problem is we are committing to the double too fast and it is coming from too predictable of a place. We aren’t even waiting for the forward to put the ball on the floor before we leave our man. You aren’t ever going to be able to close our fast enough if you make it too easy to pass the ball out to the open shooter.

It’s not an excuse, it’s reality. The veteran team we thought we had in October is now a shell of itself. We were short already without Grayer and Mar and now Boyd’s wrist is so bad he can barely shoot a free throw.

Our guys fight their asses off, but they’re clearly wearing down as injuries mount over the course of a long season. Take 3 of the top 6-7 players off any other team in our league and the results would be identical.

 

[MasonSAE4]

I definitely think the last two games have been underwhelming defending the three, and you’re right the stats don’t lie. Today was particularly bad, probably even worse than the Umass game.

UMass hit contested shots so that game was whatever. Pierre always goes off on us. Richmond, La Salle, and today was them hitting wide open looks. Today I’m not that frustrated about cause without Calixte we were f**ked in the post, but the La Salle game was mind numbingly bad game planning.

 

[GMUgemini]

It’s not an excuse, it’s reality. The veteran team we thought we had in October is now a shell of itself. We were short already without Grayer and Mar and now Boyd’s wrist is so bad he can barely shoot a free throw.

Our guys fight their asses off, but they’re clearly wearing down as injuries mount over the course of a long season. Take 3 of the top 6-7 players off any other team in our league and the results would be identical.

I hear you, but the Bonnies start 3 freshman (Osuniyyi 6 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks; Kyle Lofton, 32 points, 7 assists, and Dominick Welch, 10 points, 3 assists, 3 steals).

 

[GSII]

At the beginning of the year the defense was out pressuring the perimeter. We got torched with layups. DP went back to more of a pack line and the layup line stopped. With the mounting injuries we should stay with the pack line type defense. We dont have the athletes to stop any guard off the dribble in this league one on one. 100% correct on doubling the post. Makes no sense vs last few teams.

Everyone says the league sucks. I disagree. A10 is simply young. Alot of schools are building solid teams. Davidson seems to reload, but this league is coming back strong. I only wonder if Mason will be up there too.

 

[psyclone]

Matt, the eye test alone tells you we give up a ton of uncontested threes, and the statistics bear that out. After today's horrendous perimeter defense (they shot a mind-boggling 58% from 3), we are now allowing our opponents to shoot 35% from behind the arc.

That could drop us into the bottom four in the A10 in 3-point defense, which should dispel any notion that teams are merely hitting contested shots against us. Dave is too good of a coach to not make adjustments, so my hunch/hope is that contesting 3s becomes more of a focal point moving forward.

I'm not arguing that the 3 pt barrage lately isn't worrisome, but for the record our Kenpom defensive 3 pt % number is now 31.1% in conference (5th in the league) and 32.4% for the year (78th in Div 1).

Are you saying we are 35% in recent games?? If that were true across all our conference games it would indeed be no better than 10th in the league.

 

[GMUgemini]

St. Bonaventure: 57.8
UMass: 45.5
La Salle: 40.7
Richmond: 47.6
vcu: 34.4




These are disgustingly bad.

 

[gmutom]

I'm not arguing that the 3 pt barrage lately isn't worrisome, but for the record our Kenpom defensive 3 pt % number is now 31.1% in conference (5th in the league) and 32.4% for the year (78th in Div 1).

Are you saying we are 35% in recent games?? If that were true across all our conference games it would indeed be no better than 10th in the league.

The A10 website had us ranked 8th, and I added today's stats to these:

http://www.atlantic10.com//ViewContent.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31600&CONTENT_ID=1025874

 

[GMUSig03]

We have lost 3 of the last 5 since our best win of the year @ Dayton. Have given up 76 points or more in each game after holding like 7 of 8 teams to 63 or less. There has been a total shift in this team pivoted around the vcu game.

Only silver lining I see is that the team is likely tired, and they are definitely banged up (Otis ankle, Boyd wrist, Green finger, Calixte concussion, Reuter reutered, etc.). The three main reasons for our turnaround at the start of conference play were 1) excellent defense, 2) Kier emerging as a POY candidate, and 3) less turnovers.

TO's haven't been great, but they don't see to be the issue - clearly it's the D and hopefully all the injuries and some exhaustion are the reason. Couldn't ask for a better time for a week break for the team to get rested, healthy and get their shit together before a huge homecoming game in front of a hopefully raucous and drunken 7K+ crowd.

PS - when there are watch parties, try to come out. There were about 10 people at the watch party today at Coyote Grill, not very much of an incentive for them to promote Mason and do events in the future.

 

[By George.]

Matt, the eye test alone tells you we give up a ton of uncontested threes, and the statistics bear that out. After today's horrendous perimeter defense (they shot a mind-boggling 58% from 3), we are now allowing our opponents to shoot 35% from behind the arc.

That could drop us into the bottom four in the A10 in 3-point defense, which should dispel any notion that teams are merely hitting contested shots against us. Dave is too good of a coach to not make adjustments, so my hunch/hope is that contesting 3s becomes more of a focal point moving forward.

When should we fault DP for this? We continue to trap off high ball screens and double the post. This leaves guys wide open and DP blames slow rotations. How long can the same excuse be made?

I’m torn, we attempted different types of defenses early in the season that didn’t work, we then had to settle into our current style and now teams have film on it and have figured out how to beat it. DP says they refuse to get beat by guard penetration or in the post (which Petey highlighted early on that we were giving up crazy numbers at the rim) which leaves us vulnerable around the arc.

Obviously injuries are taking a toll and DP is trying to figure it out but often many of us are left wondering “could we have adjusted out of the base defense?” As fans, are we looking too deep into this? Are injuries just simply piling up? Are we really not as good as we thought we were after the 1st half of A10 play? Is this really the 2nd half of the 2 year season? We’ve proven we can inch out games, we need one Saturday.

 

[GSII]

When should we fault DP for this? We continue to trap off high ball screens and double the post. This leaves guys wide open and DP blames slow rotations. How long can the same excuse be made?

I’m torn, we attempted different types of defenses early in the season that didn’t work, we then had to settle into our current style and now teams have film on it and have figured out how to beat it. DP says they refuse to get beat by guard penetration or in the post (which Petey highlighted early on that we were giving up crazy numbers at the rim) which leaves us vulnerable around the arc.

Obviously injuries are taking a toll and DP is trying to figure it out but often many of us are left wondering “could we have adjusted out of the base defense?” As fans, are we looking too deep into this? Are injuries just simply piling up? Are we really not as good as we thought we were after the 1st half of A10 play? Is this really the 2nd half of the 2 year season? We’ve proven we can inch out games, we need one Saturday.

I'm sure the coaching staff sees this also and has a reason for doing it. The rotations have been slow but you have freshman plus AJ playing alot more now. Our core group is not what it was. We just gotta take the loss like men, use it as motivation, and move on. It's not like we are winning anything in Brooklyn, so let the young bucks get some experience.

As a fan, I can only hope Miller starts attacking more and doing what he has been. JDS to make more threes than he has been missing. Kier and Boyd look like they just returned from war. I love Hartwell and I'll say again despite gmujim disagreeing, he will start at PG next year.

Not sure where my expectations are for this year anymore. Hard to expect much from a team that could possibly fall out of the top 4 bc of injuries. Boyd's wrist looked pretty bad. Otis ankle even if minor will effect his speed and jumper. Greene finger hopefully was non shooting hand. Calixte should be back. We are limping to the finish line!

 

[gmujim92]

I hear you, but the Bonnies start 3 freshman (Osuniyyi 6 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks; Kyle Lofton, 32 points, 7 assists, and Dominick Welch, 10 points, 3 assists, 3 steals).

They had a terrific day. They also lost at home to vcu by 30. It’s what young players do.

I think my broader point holds, though: We’re banged up and having to play inexperienced guys more than we expected, and the defense is suffering for it.

 

[FreeGunston12]

I'm sure the coaching staff sees this also and has a reason for doing it. The rotations have been slow but you have freshman plus AJ playing alot more now. Our core group is not what it was. We just gotta take the loss like men, use it as motivation, and move on. It's not like we are winning anything in Brooklyn, so let the young bucks get some experience.

As a fan, I can only hope Miller starts attacking more and doing what he has been. JDS to make more threes than he has been missing. Kier and Boyd look like they just returned from war. I love Hartwell and I'll say again despite gmujim disagreeing, he will start at PG next year.

Not sure where my expectations are for this year anymore. Hard to expect much from a team that could possibly fall out of the top 4 bc of injuries. Boyd's wrist looked pretty bad. Otis ankle even if minor will effect his speed and jumper. Greene finger hopefully was non shooting hand. Calixte should be back. We are limping to the finish line!

Agree. Time to adjust expectations. A top 4 finish is the target. Any win in the conference tournament would be a bonus.

If things get embarrassing again in a game, I’d like to see some more experimentation for next year. If health permits, maybe try a bigger lineup with Kier at the point. Throw some different defensive looks out there for experience sake.

 

[MASONscott]

Wonder if DP has considered playing more zone given the recent weakness in our 3 pt defense?


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[Falco]

Is anyone else worried moving forward. Duquesne is only one game behind Mason. Than Mason has a rematch against Richmond who already beat us. And then Mason plays the pre-season favorite on the road, then vcu.

Tough stretch for anyone, yet alone an injury ridden team.

 

[mkaufman1]

Wonder if DP has considered playing more zone given the recent weakness in our 3 pt defense?


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I’m no coach but I suspect playing zone would make hints worse, only because guys would have to be quicker to get to shooters and to help on penetration.

In general, I looked back on my original prediction for this year and it was a top 4 finish, playing Saturday in Brooklyn and be in the midst for an NCAA bid. Obviously the ncaa bid is not happening unless they take the league, but the top 4 finish and playing Saturday in Brooklyn are still two very good goals. I was hopeful that the program would be back to the dance this year, but obviously it’s a slim chance.

I also have to say the injuries are taking a toll. While the team had depth and guys to step up, the depth is mostly freshmen or sophomores. It was supposed to be the depth played a few minutes here and there, and now they are being heavily relied upon due to injuries.

I expect a refocused and healthy group to come out on the floor next weekend with some adjustments made, and hopefully they’ll be playing some good basketball over these last five games into March. I can’t see why the defense won’t be worked on and adjusted with the break between games.

 

[Patriotsince81]

I don't see us beating Duquesne, vcu, or St. Louis. GW and Richmond are possible wins. My guess is we will finish 10 - 8, maybe 11 - 7. Out of the top 4.

 

[mkaufman1]

I don't see us beating Duquesne, vcu, or St. Louis. GW and Richmond are possible wins. My guess is we will finish 10 - 8, maybe 11 - 7. Out of the top 4.

I’m thinking 12-6 and going 3-2 down this stretch. Let’s hope they can take the top 4.

 

[Five Two]

what joy, MASN is re-airing yesterday's game right now. watching it once was bad enough.