Game 27: Richmond, Feb 26th, 7 PM, MASN

[gmutom]

Inbounding the ball doesn't seem like it'll ever come easy. We seem to have troubles regardless of who is trying to get the ball in.

I watch at least one college basketball every night, and you be shocked how many teams struggle to inbound the ball — especially against the press. It did comfort me that it's not just us who has that problem.

I think our biggest issue inbounding the ball is it takes a good 2 or 3 seconds for us to set the screen to free somebody up. That leaves only a few seconds to find an open man and throw it in cleanly. With the exception of Marko's turnover, I was happy with how we handled their pressure last night — especially Jenkins. That kid has so much Luke Hancock in him in terms of ways he can impact a game.

 

[Pablo]

That kid has so much Luke Hancock in him in terms of ways he can impact a game.

I like Marko, but I don't believe that he's close to Luke yet in playmaking skills. BTW, did anyone mention how beneficial it was for Mason to have a week to prepare for the game?

 

[gmutom]

I like Marko, but I don't believe that he's close to Luke yet in playmaking skills.

Note that I never compared their respective skills. I just said there are many ways they both impact a game. Jalen obviously doesn't have the offensive skills Luke does, but he can impact a game with his scoring, rebounding, passing, ballhandling and hustle. Heck, he even added shot blocking to his repertoire last night.

 

[mason2k1]

There were some monster blocks last night as well, for the Spiders and us. Was that Copes that had a fast break, over the back, all ball block?

 

[Pablo]

Note that I never compared their respective skills. I just said there are many ways they both impact a game. Jalen obviously doesn't have the offensive skills Luke does, but he can impact a game with his scoring, rebounding, passing, ballhandling and hustle. Heck, he even added shot blocking to his repertoire last night.

Jalen leads the team in blocked shots (28), so this shouldn't be surprising.

 

[MasonCrew]

PH's came through last night late in the game to give us much needed cushion. With the exception of the first ten minutes of last night, we played quite well. I still don't understand why we go man to man.

We should be 4-1 in our last 5 games. This is the team a lot of us were hoping to see at the start of the year. We can be dangerous in Brooklyn.

 

[sigmanorm]

Note that I never compared their respective skills. I just said there are many ways they both impact a game. Jalen obviously doesn't have the offensive skills Luke does, but he can impact a game with his scoring, rebounding, passing, ballhandling and hustle. Heck, he even added shot blocking to his repertoire last night.

So what you are saying is Marko is white and Luke is white? Man I thought we were beyond that haha.

Marko frustrates me more than most of our players. His game last year was so much stronger than this year. He has regressed in my eyes. Maybe his injury is holding him back, but he makes way to many mistakes. We have plenty of mistake makers, but Marko was supposed to be the veteran smart guy based on his international experience. Last year he looked like it, not as much this year.

 

[NoCliche87]

Marko frustrates me more than most of our players. His game last year was so much stronger than this year. He has regressed in my eyes. Maybe his injury is holding him back, but he makes way to many mistakes. We have plenty of mistake makers, but Marko was supposed to be the veteran smart guy based on his international experience. Last year he looked like it, not as much this year.

last year he stood out in a CAA with way less athletic and skilled forwards... since Iona he's seen athletic forwards game after game... cuz there was no issue with him first 4 games of this season up until his lack of athleticsm really showed against quicker and much more athletic forwards from Iona and on

 

[sigmanorm]

last year he stood out in a CAA with way less athletic and skilled forwards... since Iona he's seen athletic forwards game after game... cuz there was no issue with him first 4 games of this season up until his lack of athleticsm really showed against quicker and much more athletic forwards from Iona and on

Could be that, I think he got hurt too, but throwing the ball away seems to be his MO lately. Just seems to lock up.
First 8 games avg 30 mins and 11.9 pts per game
A-10 games 12 mins and 3.4 pts per game
Hewitt must see he is over matched I guess

 

[NoCliche87]

Could be that, I think he got hurt too, but throwing the ball away seems to be his MO lately. Just seems to lock up.
First 8 games avg 30 mins and 11.9 pts per game
A-10 games 12 mins and 3.4 pts per game
Hewitt must see he is over matched I guess

i agree... and most likely how Jalen filled that void... and worked for the better

 

[gmujim92]

Marko obviously was recruited with the CAA in mind.

Unless he adds about 20 pounds of muscle and develops a nasty streak like Kanacevic, I don't expect him to play that much over the next 2 seasons.

He's the opposite of Jenkins. Not strong enough to guard the 4/5 spots, but not quick enough to guard the 3.

 

[Masonfan3]

I watch at least one college basketball every night, and you be shocked how many teams struggle to inbound the ball — especially against the press. It did comfort me that it's not just us who has that problem.

I think our biggest issue inbounding the ball is it takes a good 2 or 3 seconds for us to set the screen to free somebody up. That leaves only a few seconds to find an open man and throw it in cleanly. With the exception of Marko's turnover, I was happy with how we handled their pressure last night — especially Jenkins. That kid has so much Luke Hancock in him in terms of ways he can impact a game.

You are right about it taking 2 or 3 seconds. I don't understand why someone doesn't just grab the ball and inbound it to a guard right away. Why does it seem like it takes 5 seconds after a made shot for Marko (or whoever is inbounding) to get the ball and take it out? What is the point of taking your sweet time to set up a play; when all we are really doing is allowing the other team to set up their press?

 

[mkaufman1]

In regards to Marko I definitely think he gives up the size athleticism and quickness on defense which makes him a liability on defense.

With that said, I do see him move the ball on offense, set screens etc. While obviously you have to play both sides, I can almost see him being a similar role that Paris Bennett played. Obviously hes a bit more talented than Paris Bennett, but for lack of a better comparison, I could see him fitting into that type of role, where he helps the offense move, breaks presses etc. Unfortunately like it was said above, unless he improves and isn't as over matched, hes not going to be able to play as much.

 

[gmujim92]

In regards to Marko I definitely think he gives up the size athleticism and quickness on defense which makes him a liability on defense.

With that said, I do see him move the ball on offense, set screens etc. While obviously you have to play both sides, I can almost see him being a similar role that Paris Bennett played. Obviously hes a bit more talented than Paris Bennett, but for lack of a better comparison, I could see him fitting into that type of role, where he helps the offense move, breaks presses etc. Unfortunately like it was said above, unless he improves and isn't as over matched, hes not going to be able to play as much.

Paris never would've seen the court in the A-10. Heck, I'm gonna go further and suggest that Larranaga never would've offered him if we had been in the A-10 instead of the CAA.

The athleticism is just that much different. Marko needs to find a position he can guard effectively or else he won't get on the floor much going forward.

 

[gmutom]

Marko obviously was recruited with the CAA in mind.

Unless he adds about 20 pounds of muscle and develops a nasty streak like Kanacevic, I don't expect him to play that much over the next 2 seasons.

He's the opposite of Jenkins. Not strong enough to guard the 4/5 spots, but not quick enough to guard the 3.

When I watch Patricio Garino from GW, I can't help but wonder how nice it would be if Marko could have the same impact on our team. Garino is pretty unassuming at 6-6, but he creates so many mismatches on the floor due to his ability to shoot the 3, drive to the basket and even post up (not to mention he's a pest defensively). Everybody talks about Creek, Armwood, Larsen and McDonald, but Patricio is the unsung hero on this year's team.

 

[EXpatriot13]

When I watch Patricio Garino from GW, I can't help but wonder how nice it would be if Marko could have the same impact on our team. Garino is pretty unassuming at 6-6, but he creates so many mismatches on the floor due to his ability to shoot the 3, drive to the basket and even post up (not to mention he's a pest defensively). Everybody talks about Creek, Armwood, Larsen and McDonald, but Patricio is the unsung hero on this year's team.

Maybe we can somehow shrink Marko so he can play more like Garino.

 

[gmujim92]

Even though he's from Argentina and not technically "white," is it fair to call Garino "crafty" and "surprisingly athletic?"

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Paris never would've seen the court in the A-10. Heck, I'm gonna go further and suggest that Larranaga never would've offered him if we had been in the A-10 instead of the CAA.

The athleticism is just that much different. Marko needs to find a position he can guard effectively or else he won't get on the floor much going forward.

Well, coming off a final four appearance maybe we should have been able to offer more athletic, talented options anyway.

 

[gmujim92]

Well, coming off a final four appearance maybe we should have been able to offer more athletic, talented options anyway.

Good point