Game 26: University of Richmond, Tuesday, February 14th, 7 PM, MASN

[Pikapppatri8]

Hanging on that spider's back like

The Spider fans had a great post about shooting the Mason Monkey on their back - then as the game progressed - one of their posters stated:

"The Monkey is throwing Poo at the Spiders"... That had me chuckling a bit.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Couldn't agree more. It was only one play, but it really showed how coachable Otis is as a player and how he strives to get better every time he steps on the floor. It's easy to forget that he is only a sophomore, and it really does make you wonder what the ceiling is for a kid so dedicated to making himself and his teammates the best they can be.

I was a bit worried that because he and Grayer had played so many minutes last year they wouldn't make the same sophomore jump that second years guys usually do. Over the last few games though it's apparent that their jumps came just a bit later in the season.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Sucks I lost a couple of hundy on the Spiders actually being able to adjust to adversity, but I still feel great.

We own UR. Really most of them should have to check in with one of us before doing anything significant in their lives, we own them so hard.

Technically Northern Virginia tax dollars are what keeps them all afloat down there anyway, so they can attend their precious evenings at the Richmond Forum and play golf at their dogshit country clubs anyway.

 

[mason89]

Nobody has mentioned that Paulsen played two forwards at the same time last night! Albeit during garbage time...

 

[MasonSAE4]

Also shoutout to Troy for looking like it's starting to come together for him. Not dropping the ball anymore, hitting the simple shots in the paint and playing some good D. He'd probably be getting more credit if Cline hadn't scored about every shot he took on him over two games, but I think he played him well both time. Cline just hit the turn around hooks on him.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Troy drew Cline's first two fouls (a hook and a charge), and caused 2 of his turnovers.

 

[GMUgemini]

Also shoutout to Troy for looking like it's starting to come together for him. Not dropping the ball anymore, hitting the simple shots in the paint and playing some good D. He'd probably be getting more credit if Cline hadn't scored about every shot he took on him over two games, but I think he played him well both time. Cline just hit the turn around hooks on him.

Hopefully next year, when players roll to the middle of the paint, AJ Wilson will be there to say hello.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Hopefully next year, when players roll to the middle of the paint, AJ Wilson will be there to say hello.

If Wilson/Mar are as good/athletic as they're hyped I wouldn't be shocked to see one of them on the court with Troy more than some might assume. But if Newmans gonna shoot like he did last night on a consistent basis then I wouldn't be surprised to see him snag one of the starting spots.

 

[GMUgemini]

If Wilson/Mar are as good/athletic as they're hyped I wouldn't be shocked to see one of them on the court with Troy more than some might assume. But if Newmans gonna shoot like he did last night on a consistent basis then I wouldn't be surprised to see him snag one of the starting spots.

It's why he probably needs to be a 6th or 7th man off the bench. We need some guys who can come off the bench and score.

I think Kier has the edge over Newman for his ballhandling and decision making as essentially a second PG on the floor with Otis.

I think Wilson's length and defense will give him the edge to start at the 4 next season.

Newman and Boyd will certainly play a lot of minutes.

All speculation at this point, though.

 

[gmujim92]

Our team next season will effectively have 8 starting-caliber players: Otis, Grayer, Kier, Boyd, Newman, Temara, Mar and Wilson.

Can't remember the last time we were able to say that, if ever.

 

[GMUgemini]

Our team next season will effectively have 8 starting-caliber players: Otis, Grayer, Kier, Boyd, Newman, Temara, Mar and Wilson.

Can't remember the last time we were able to say that, if ever.

And that's still a young team: 2 juniors, 4 sophomores, 2 freshmen.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

And that's still a young team: 2 juniors, 4 sophomores, 2 freshmen.

Should be an exciting team in 2 years w/Seniors who've grown up under CDP's system.

 

[masonjoe]

Our team next season will effectively have 8 starting-caliber players: Otis, Grayer, Kier, Boyd, Newman, Temara, Mar and Wilson.

Can't remember the last time we were able to say that, if ever.

Abram dunked last night, he's definitely starting next year!

 

[gmujim92]

Should be an exciting team in 2 years w/Seniors who've grown up under CDP's system.

QD, I'm not much of a gambler, but I am willing to bet a considerable amount of folding money that we will be an NCAA team when Otis and Jaire are seniors.

Gonna be an adjustment next season, not having Quise and Jalen, but these young guys seem to have a great understanding of what Dave wants and the ability to execute it at a high level. They all figure to just keep getting better and better with experience.

Hard not to be very excited about the program's future regardless of what happens with the next 5 games.

 

[patriot2000]

Quise's senior season will be remembered as one of the best in Mason history. If you look at his numbers and remember he didn't really turn it on until his senior year, it's even more impressive. He has been out of his mind the entire season and the only mini slump was when he was deathly ill

All of that said, replacing JKJ is the bigger problem. The Otis-Kier-Grayer-Newman-Boyd lineup should effectively cover what MM does (to some extent... Please don't think I'm diminishing MM's contribution). But you are all assuming a lot about Mar and Wilson. Saying we have 8 starter-caliber players but including 2 that have never played in an actual D1 game is a stretch.

Troy shows promise but is not near where we need him to be. I believe in Relvao but he's farther away than Troy. And Danny, even if he has something we haven't seen and sticks around, is going to be as inexperienced as a redshirt freshman. I know college ball is slowly going towards 4-guard and the A10 is a guard league, but we need a big guy of JJ's caliber to continue this success.

I am assuming next year will be a big letdown with the following year being the true return of Mason Basketball. But there are several unknowns that could prove me wrong. I hope they do

 

[GMUgemini]

I think next year's season unfolds a lot like this one, with a few bumpy losses early as the team adjusts. But I have faith that Troy will find his footing about mid-season and we'll find our fifth starter and the second half of the season will look a lot like this one.


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[JPgmuswim]

I was thinking about Wilson last night after seeing him on the bench. I hope he is like a sponge at practice with Jenkins. Absorbing as much as he can this season just practicing and getting ready for next season. I'm gonna hate losing Jenkins after this season but it'll be nice to see what DP can do with some higher rated recruits like Mar and Wilson for 4/5 years.

 

[gmujim92]

Quise's senior season will be remembered as one of the best in Mason history. If you look at his numbers and remember he didn't really turn it on until his senior year, it's even more impressive. He has been out of his mind the entire season and the only mini slump was when he was deathly ill

All of that said, replacing JKJ is the bigger problem. The Otis-Kier-Grayer-Newman-Boyd lineup should effectively cover what MM does (to some extent... Please don't think I'm diminishing MM's contribution). But you are all assuming a lot about Mar and Wilson. Saying we have 8 starter-caliber players but including 2 that have never played in an actual D1 game is a stretch.

Troy shows promise but is not near where we need him to be. I believe in Relvao but he's farther away than Troy. And Danny, even if he has something we haven't seen and sticks around, is going to be as inexperienced as a redshirt freshman. I know college ball is slowly going towards 4-guard and the A10 is a guard league, but we need a big guy of JJ's caliber to continue this success.

I am assuming next year will be a big letdown with the following year being the true return of Mason Basketball. But there are several unknowns that could prove me wrong. I hope they do

Everything I've heard is that AJ is already our best defensive big and that he wreaks havoc in practice with his shot-blocking.

He isn't gonna have to score a lot in Dave's system to make a huge impact next season. Just rebound and protect the rim and the guards will put the ball in the basket.

Mar obviously could need more time to adjust because he won't have the luxury of a redshirt season, but he is an elite defender as well and will be able to help us next season without scoring a ton.

Next season is going to come down to what we get from the 5 spot, not so much the 4.

 

[patriot2000]

Everything I've heard is that AJ is already our best defensive big and that he wreaks havoc in practice with his shot-blocking.

He isn't gonna have to score a lot in Dave's system to make a huge impact next season. Just rebound and protect the rim and the guards will put the ball in the basket.

Mar obviously could need more time to adjust because he won't have the luxury of a redshirt season, but he is an elite defender as well and will be able to help us next season without scoring a ton.

Next season is going to come down to what we get from the 5 spot, not so much the 4.

I hope you're right, but we've heard before that someone was "the best whatever" in practice and had them be a complete bust. Fingers crossed.

 

[Vurbel]

Couldn't agree more. It was only one play, but it really showed how coachable Otis is as a player and how he strives to get better every time he steps on the floor. It's easy to forget that he is only a sophomore, and it really does make you wonder what the ceiling is for a kid so dedicated to making himself and his teammates the best they can be.

In 10 years he's going to be a head coach somewhere.