Game 27: GMU (21-5 / 12-1) at vcu (21-5 / 11-2) on Saturday, February 22, at 4:00 PM.

[mkaufman1]

I like the fact that Tony was very upbeat and positive in the presser (aside: compare to recent FKE meltdowns!). Tony looks like he wants to get back up and get back to work. Take out the loss on Fordham.

100%. Not that he was happy with losing (he wasn't), but it definitely looked like he wanted to run, watch film, and start working with our guys quickly to fix things. He also seemed "relieved" that the butt whooping came now so he could use it as "this is what could happen, lets make sure it doesn't happen again".

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

For everyone who claims the sky is falling this is also why home and homes were invented. Shockingly, it's hard to beat really good teams on the road.

 

[tblack33]

I know we’ve gotten spoiled during the winning streak, but the sky isn’t falling guys. We’re not changing the starting lineup, we’re not throwing games for god knows what reason? Take a breath, go touch some grass. Things are still pretty damn good in Fairfax.

I never want to see Jalen Haynes take the ball up the court again. It seems to be a Jalen decision, because the guards were standing back waiting for him to pass it back to them then looked perplexed when he didn’t. I hate seeing a center take 10 seconds to take it up, then another 10 to start backing down his man from 35 feet out, just to trip on the drive and throw up nonsense.

We lost this game on a 4 minute stretch where BOC got the ball poked out from behind his back 3-4 times, Jalen deciding he wanted to take the game over (and failing miserably at it). We played 32-ish minutes of elite half court defense. Agree that our role players need to find a way to take the lid off the bucket. Anderson needs to find his confidence and let it fly. BOC needs to shoot more spot up outside.

We’re gonna be just fine. Get right game on Wednesday.

 

[Where's the party?]

For everyone who claims the sky is falling this is also why home and homes were invented. Shockingly, it's hard to beat really good teams on the road.

Strong point. Home record for these two teams is 29-1. And the one loss was a buzzer beater.

 

[GMUgemini]

For everyone who claims the sky is falling this is also why home and homes were invented. Shockingly, it's hard to beat really good teams on the road.

Perfect example:

SLU @vcu 62-78
vcu@SLU 69-78

 

[GMU1983]

Guys the ski is not falling we are the 69th team according to Lunardi

 

[jruby]

The sky isn’t falling, it is what it is. There’s 4 games left and then DC. Win DC or the season ends. If you want to say that 25-6 vs 22-9 makes a difference great. For me it doesn’t change a thing. They still had a great season and they were relevant late in February. Unfortunately with the new quad system it just is what it is.

They had 1 shot and that may have even been a long shot, who knows.

Without a pg they aren’t winning in DC anyway. So why not take the last 3/4 games and see what they can do with some one else. What does it hurt? They can’t really fall lower than the 2 seed anyway.

 

[GSII]

That blocked shot on Haynes when he was trying to be Allen Iverson, changed the energy. Before that, he brought the ball up on a seperate possession which caused a shot clock violation. Give the ball to your guards!

 

[GMUgemini]

Begg played 10 minutes last night. How did that go? 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 turnovers.

What are we learning overhauling the roles that have been established since January?

Yes the last four games matters for prep in DC. Nothing is predetermined. 2008 is a great example. We most likely lose to vcu (because we have never beaten vcu in a postseason game), but W&M inexplicably knocked them out and we played them in the finals instead.

 

[jruby]

Begg played 10 minutes last night. How did that go? 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 turnovers.

What are we learning overhauling the roles that have been established since January?

Yes the last four games matters for prep in DC. Nothing is predetermined. 2008 is a great example. We most likely lose to vcu (because we have never beaten vcu in a postseason game), but W&M inexplicably knocked them out and we played them in the finals instead.

So then they move on from Begg, if you expect him to be part of the future then he needs more game time. If he’s not then sure I guess don’t play him. I suppose in new transfer portal, Begg may not even be around next year and they get a new pg.

I really don’t think you are getting anymore out of current PG situation though. The current pg situation will not work. Either way the 2nd seed is the best they have ever done. As far as the 1 vs 2 it really doesn’t matter as the 1 vs 4 or 2 vs 3 doesn’t change a lot.

The whole system is set up for big money schools. I would like to say 27-6 gets them in but there is just no way. You have to be damn near perfect sadly.

 

[GMU1983]

ok I agree with half of what you say about the 27-6 and that we don't have a PG

Begg is a freshman any minutes are valuable for next year

 

[GMUgemini]

Begg is a freshman any minutes are valuable for next year

Yes but it should be within the flow of the game not just sticking him in there because…

And let’s remember the guy who he will be taking minutes from is O’Connor and I’m assuming we don’t want him leaving at the end of the season either right? Imagine being him and Skinn coming in and saying we’re benching you to give Begg minutes because winning and losing doesn’t matter anymore.

 

[EXpatriot13]

The sky isn’t falling, it is what it is. There’s 4 games left and then DC. Win DC or the season ends. If you want to say that 25-6 vs 22-9 makes a difference great. For me it doesn’t change a thing. They still had a great season and they were relevant late in February. Unfortunately with the new quad system it just is what it is.

They had 1 shot and that may have even been a long shot, who knows.

Without a pg they aren’t winning in DC anyway. So why not take the last 3/4 games and see what they can do with some one else. What does it hurt? They can’t really fall lower than the 2 seed anyway.

Okay, it’s time for a wellness check….

 

[jruby]

Okay, it’s time for a wellness check….

Ah so run same 5, turn the ball over 20 times lose in DC and go home. Season over, guess that’s human nature, do same thing over and over and expect different outcomes.

Or hope vcu gets beat. Either way last 4 games have no effect on whether vcu loses in dc.

People run towards traditional, they will never be better at doing exact same thing as other teams so if they want a chance at march only way in now is a miracle or resorting to radical. Then again it’s not really that radical seeing as how the last 4 games statistically have less than 5% of making a diffence anyway.

 

[Mason2006Patriot]

Now that the game is over, vcu fans going back to working 80 hour weeks at mcdonalds flipping burgers and cleaning disgusting toilets

 

[hoops10]

As one person said Anderson has not helped the team at all. He seems reluctant to crash the boards, sits outside in the corner looking for threes. My suggestions is to start Billups in his place. Why wait, get the lead and more importantly better vibes for the team. OConner does good things but his losing the ball while dribbling is unacceptable. Maybe start Beggs, not sure. In any event this loss to vcu was demoralizing for sure. But its TS job to get these guys charged and ready to go on Wednesday. No matter the outcome coach Skinn is a keeper. He has great character and basketball knowledge. I trust he will bring in even better players next year. Of course the $ do the talking.

 

[GMU79]

Mason isn't getting into NCAA because of SMU...it's because Mason turns the ball over on 20% of its possessions every game...that's called crappy offensive coaching...it's reflected in fact Mason's kenpom offense efficiency is ranked 202 out of 360...offensive efficiency is part of the NET ranking algorithm. It helps explain why vcu's NET was 31 and Mason's 61 coming into the game..

I don't necessarily believe bringing the ball up court is due to poor "offensive coaching." I think it is much more about not being able to dribble through a press.
In other words, player's lack of ability.

Not to beat a dead horse but gad damn did our guys struggle at Siegel and against their team in general. We are not a first place team and we finally got exposed. So many things I can critique, That was just a shit game. You had all week to prepare for the press and we turn it over 3 times back to back.

O'Connor is not a PG. He got picked so many and the crowd got to him.

Zach really gives us nothing game to game. Start someone else, anyone else. tired of him not doing anything....he is 1 dimensional.... he cannot drive at all and is what..... 30% from 3 if that. Billups is a non factor offensively. Anderson should not be starting,

The key is to shut down vcu's guards and we did nothing to stop them. Shulga made us our bitch all day.

Wouldn't that be back to back to back?

1. Season ain’t over
2. Skinn is still growing as a head coach. You don’t become a great coach in two years.
3. Playing Begg more the last 4 games of the regular season seems like an interesting idea. His ability to get in crease of the defense is sorely needed.
4. Offense needs to have more deliberate structure.
5. We’re in 2nd place and could still end up first and even dance again. Let’s zoom out a bit. Shake the dust off and get back to it Wednesday.

Let’s go baby!!!!

But the season is over. According to one guy, we might as well not even play the last four games.

Now that the game is over, vcu fans going back to working 80 hour weeks at mcdonalds flipping burgers and cleaning disgusting toilets

You know, that would be a lot funnier if we had won. As it is, it's kind of hollow.

Guys the ski is not falling we are the 69th team according to Lunardi

But it doesn't matter if we go 3-1 or 0-4. The season is over. Or so it has been said.

Yes but it should be within the flow of the game not just sticking him in there because…

And let’s remember the guy who he will be taking minutes from is O’Connor and I’m assuming we don’t want him leaving at the end of the season either right? Imagine being him and Skinn coming in and saying we’re benching you to give Begg minutes because winning and losing doesn’t matter anymore.

Exactly!

 

[GMUgemini]

As one person said Anderson has not helped the team at all. He seems reluctant to crash the boards, sits outside in the corner looking for threes. My suggestions is to start Billups in his place. Why wait, get the lead and more importantly better vibes for the team. OConner does good things but his losing the ball while dribbling is unacceptable. Maybe start Beggs, not sure. In any event this loss to vcu was demoralizing for sure. But its TS job to get these guys charged and ready to go on Wednesday. No matter the outcome coach Skinn is a keeper. He has great character and basketball knowledge. I trust he will bring in even better players next year. Of course the $ do the talking.

Coach Skinn addressed why Anderson is starting over Billups. I trust him.

Look, if we were sitting below .500 and staring at a pillow fight I’d agree to give the keys over to Begg and shakeup the lineups, but since Billups got a concussion we’ve lost at most 2 games, both on the road. I don’t think rethinking everything makes any sense right now.

Sweep the last 4, maybe come in 1st, at worst 2nd and then we flood DC and cheer our team on to hopefully an auto-bid.

 

[Mason2005]

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[Patriot8]

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Y’all realize that we are witnessing a Top 2 regular season in the history of the program right? There’s a ton of basketball to be played, and every game is massively important.