Game 3: Binghamton University, Thursday, November 16th, 7 PM, NO TV

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

I really expected to see more from AJ. All I've heard was how athletic he was and how well he played at Kenner. Not saying it will never happen, but man... anytime now. Maybe he'll have a big showing in Cancun like Kevin Foster did years ago in Puerto Rico. He's another guy that would really benefit from a strong start so he could get a long string of minutes together.

AJ just needs to slow down. It seems as if he is just waiting to make that amazing highlight play. The put back dunk, the amazing block, the BOOM SHAKA LAKA moment.

He is relying on his athleticism to get acclimated to D-1 ball. Classic cart before the horse situation. Get in the flow of games, learn patterns, learn tendencies and get a sound understanding of the game and then you'll know when to use your athleticism in correct context of the game. How he''ll do will all depend on how he approaches the non-athletic part of the game.

 

[GMU_DCU]

Going out on a limb here, but if the other team gets a technical I doubt Calixte is going to be shooting the FTs. Just a hunch.

Those FTs were very Mike Morrison freshman year like.

 

[dr. gunnie]

Highlights/Post Game Presser on the A10 website:

http://www.atlantic10.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&db_oem_id=31600

Go to the highlights tab toward the top

 

[GMU_DCU]

AJ just needs to slow down. It seems as if he is just waiting to make that amazing highlight play. The put back dunk, the amazing block, the BOOM SHAKA LAKA moment.

He is relying on his athleticism to get acclimated to D-1 ball. Classic cart before the horse situation. Get in the flow of games, learn patterns, learn tendencies and get a sound understanding of the game and then you'll know when to use your athleticism in correct context of the game. How he''ll do will all depend on how he approaches the non-athletic part of the game.

I noticed this too, it's like he's trying to get a Sportscenter highlight every time he is out there. I will say the block was very nice, but the being out of position and losing his man defensively in two games I've seen him now is not so nice. He just needs to settle down and worry about making a layup or freethrow first before a monster dunk.

 

[GMU_DCU]

Highlights/Post Game Presser on the A10 website:

http://www.atlantic10.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&db_oem_id=31600

Go to the highlights tab toward the top

The post game extra is up on GoMason.com with highlights and post game presser, just have to go to the video link to find it.

 

[patriot2000]

I noticed this too, it's like he's trying to get a Sportscenter highlight every time he is out there. I will say the block was very nice, but the being out of position and losing his man defensively in two games I've seen him now is not so nice. He just needs to settle down and worry about making a layup or freethrow first before a monster dunk.

I hope it's not what it looks like (that he's trying to force his game) and it's just jitters. That's easier to fix than a bad mindset. He is getting paid a nice college tuition and other benefits to do one thing - help the team. I don't like the "accusation" that he's looking for highlight reel moments when he has yet to make a positive contribution in game. I'm assuming he's just having an slower time acclimating to playing in real games than he/we expected and he'll get there.

By the way, Coach L told me once that he never encouraged blocks or discussed it as a stat because what it means is that you or someone else blew a defensive assignment and the block is a second chance / last ditch effort to save a play the team effed up. I always found that interesting. Not sure whether I agree or not, but I found it interesting because his favorite Mason player (#21) was one of our most prolific shot blockers.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[GMU1983]

https://www.facebook.com/BinghamtonAthletics/videos/1594793313889989/

Binghamton Coach Post Game

 

[GMU_DCU]

I hope it's not what it looks like (that he's trying to force his game) and it's just jitters. That's easier to fix than a bad mindset. He is getting paid a nice college tuition and other benefits to do one thing - help the team. I don't like the "accusation" that he's looking for highlight reel moments when he has yet to make a positive contribution in game. I'm assuming he's just having an slower time acclimating to playing in real games than he/we expected and he'll get there.

By the way, Coach L told me once that he never encouraged blocks or discussed it as a stat because what it means is that you or someone else blew a defensive assignment and the block is a second chance / last ditch effort to save a play the team effed up. I always found that interesting. Not sure whether I agree or not, but I found it interesting because his favorite Mason player (#21) was one of our most prolific shot blockers.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

I really don't think it's anything negative, just an observation. It's all just speculation but I'm guessing him being hyped up all summer after Kenner and having Post articles written about him has placed a little bit of pressure on him to come out flying. He will be fine once he settles in and gets back to playing within the game and letting the opportunities come to him.

 

[GMUSig03]

AJ - just needs to get acclimated. He'll be fine. I was one of the people on the AJ hype train and I'm not worried.

Kier - can we talk about what this kid is doing?! Leading the team in scoring, super consistent, getting lots of steals - as solid as he was last year, he is dramatically improved this year.

 

[GSII]

What is AJ's game offensively? Doens't seem like a back to the basket player.

 

[GMUSig03]

What is AJ's game offensively? Doens't seem like a back to the basket player.

He has pretty good handles for a guy his size, can shoot the 3 and I think he has a mid range jumper (not sure). And DUNKS.

 

[Patriot8]

He has pretty good handles for a guy his size, can shoot the 3 and I think he has a mid range jumper (not sure). And DUNKS.

Yeah, i'd like to see him do something on offense besides screens and handoffs. Give him a spot up 3, let him drive to the basket, find him on a cut, something.

 

[KAOriginal]

What is AJ's game offensively? Doens't seem like a back to the basket player.

He once got busy in a Burger King bathroom......

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

He once got busy in a Burger King bathroom......

He also known for asking fat girls if they're ticklish. #MeToo

 

[GMU_DCU]

He also known for asking fat girls if they're ticklish. #MeToo

Just grab'em in the biscuits..

 

[gmujim92]

Like many freshmen, AJ's issue is figuring out his role and how he fits his individual skills within the context of the team.

It's really not fair to judge what he has done (or not done) offensively because when he's on the floor his role is not to jack 3s and look for scoring opportunities. I'm sure he's trying too hard not to screw up so he doesn't get benched, and that is no way to effectively play any sport.

Goanar, on the other hand, has the green light because the team needs him to be aggressive and look to score. He's one of our five best players and if he takes a few bad shots, oh well you live with it.

AJ has been tentative, but I would be more concerned at this point if he was playing selfishly and didn't seem interested in fitting in with the rest of the team. His time will come.

 

[MasonCrew]

AJ - just needs to get acclimated. He'll be fine. I was one of the people on the AJ hype train and I'm not worried.

Kier - can we talk about what this kid is doing?! Leading the team in scoring, super consistent, getting lots of steals - as solid as he was last year, he is dramatically improved this year.

His improvement is the most stark of all the players. I was thinking he would eventually lose his starting position coming into this year. Blown away by his play this year.

 

[GMUgemini]

His improvement is the most stark of all the players. I was thinking he would eventually lose his starting position coming into this year. Blown away by his play this year.

Agreed. I can forsee Kier taking over as the starting PG once Otis graduates after next season.

I think both of the returning sophomores made big leaps in the offseason. When Reuter becomes available next year, Paulsen is actually going to have a problem of who his starting five is going to be for the first time since he became coach (in a good way).

 

[FreeGunston12]

Yeah, i'd like to see him do something on offense besides screens and handoffs. Give him a spot up 3, let him drive to the basket, find him on a cut, something.

No. Let the game come to him. He’s not the one we want with the ball in his hands 20+ feet from the basket.

 

[MasonSAE4]

A day later I have a few thoughts:

1.) Mar as he is is really good. By the time he's a senior he'll be something special.

2.) If we're gonna go positionless, we need to be more creative. Having a bunch of guys on the floor who can shoot a three isn't that helpful if the other team never has to worry about collapsing the paint. When we started getting it towards the baseline and the paint in the second half our offense came alive.

3.) Good to see something positive for all the bench guys in the second half. Greene got one to go down, Calixte had 2 and-1's (even if his free throws were worse than the "deal or no deal" contestant's shots). And AJ had a monster block. Hopefully this kickstarts their confidence a bit.

4.) Glad to see DP make major halftime adjustments. Getting front side of the post guys was just leading to us picking up fouls. And most of the time we weren't even able to deny it because they could just float it in. Good to see we have a coach who can acknowledge his plan wasn't working. Once BU had to start going around us and hitting contested layups they started missing.

Also, lol at the guy who tried that show stopping alleyoop and it kicked back to halfcourt. There should be a rule you have to redshirt a year after missing that badly.