Game 30 - A10 Tournament: #9 GMU (14-15 / 7-9) vs #8 Fordham (15-15 / 8-10) on Thursday, March 10, at NOON.

[Patriotsince81]

We stink. Mic drop.

 

[JimP]

3-9 in the A-10 after a 4-1 start. It seems everybody felt Mason hit a home run with the hire of English. I don't think anyone expected the moon from this team, but the play down the stretch makes me wonder.

 

[GMUgemini]

I mean I don't think anyone expect this year to be anything but this. A complete roller coaster with ups and downs. We all knew that having a brand new coach, and having leftover plays as well as new players would need adjustment. Its fair to be frustrated at this stage because the season started really flying high and they fell off. But again, like many folks, I give this year a pass for many many reasons. I tempered my expectations. I'm frustrated because the idea of losing to Fordham in the first round in the 8/9 game kills me. I'm so tired of losing.

That said there is no reason to even bring Paulsen into this conversation, because its apples to oranges. If you think having this type of result under a new coach is the same under that, I can't help you, because its not anywhere close the same and he isnt relevant right now to the results that occurred.

Now, I will say, that if we are still having this conversation in 2 years, I'll be on the same page. I have very high expectations for English and the program because they said that several years of mediocrity wasn't good enough and they went out and got someone who they think can do better than that (and paid them accordingly). I expect next year to be better than this year.

It’s the losing so many close games, and the fact that the team couldn’t seem to close anyone out (gave up 6 second half leads in their last 8 losses per Petey). Maybe some of that is fatigue, but it’s not like a whole lot of teams we played have tons of depth either (outside of vcu who is always stacked).

 

[EXpatriot13]

I was not anxious to get rid of Paulsen, because I saw no reason we should expect to be any better than middle of the pack in the A10, and I still don't. If we can consistently do better than that, then that's gravy, but a guy who runs a clean program, represents the university well, and produces reasonable results is good enough for me.

Yeaaaaa, that aint good enough for me. And I don't think this current AD will accept that either otherwise Paulsen would still be the coach.

 

[dr. gunnie]

I love how pissed KE was in his presser.

I hate just about everything else today. I have nothing against Polite and I like him, but if I'm going down I want to go down with my big dawgs taking the shots. It pains me that Schwartz's last game in college goes with Polite missing multiple shots at the end.

WE MUST GET MULTIPLE GUYS THAT CAN DRIVE WITH THE BALL THIS OFFSEASON.

 

[mkaufman1]

So maybe Oduro rethinks his position after seeing how good Kolek and Miller have done with with their teams. Just saying, I could see Josh going the portal route. He will get lots of calls.
English's job is mostly based on his recruiting ability. We will soon find out if he can attract some A10 quality players. All coaches coach but unless you have talented players you will not win.

Seriously? And why wouldn't he say "wow English really helped me out this year and elevated me to essentially being a top big in the league".

Why the hell would he want to leave that?

 

[EXpatriot13]

I hate just about everything else today. I have nothing against Polite and I like him, but if I'm going down I want to go down with my big dawgs taking the shots. It pains me that Schwartz's last game in college goes with Polite missing multiple shots at the end.

100% this, absolutely sucks. It's also not like this was the first time this has happened, there has to be at least 10+ times this season where our best players didn't touch the ball in crucial end of half/end of game moments. Not sure if CKE was trying to "trick" the defense, but whatever it was it almost never worked.

We know how passionate CKE is, and hopefully he applies that in what should be an offseason of reflection and growth.

 

[GMUgemini]

Seriously? And why wouldn't he say "wow English really helped me out this year and elevated me to essentially being a top big in the league".

Why the hell would he want to leave that?

If we are mid-tier again next season I could see him leaving for his COVID year so he could experience the tournament (that’s if he doesn’t just leave school to turn pro).

 

[gmubrian]

It’s the losing so many close games, and the fact that the team couldn’t seem to close anyone out (gave up 6 second half leads in their last 8 losses per Petey). Maybe some of that is fatigue, but it’s not like a whole lot of teams we played have tons of depth either (outside of vcu who is always stacked).

Another way to look at it (and in full disclosure I think I stole this right from English) is that we were in all of those games. In most of our losses, we were one or to mistakes away from winning. I am not making excuses, we still lost. My point is that with the improvements we expect to see in the roster from English’s recruiting and improvements in his in game calls and practice prep, we are potentially on the verge of a big breakthrough.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Men's Basketball vs Fordham on 3/10/2022 - Box Score - George Mason University Athletics

The official box score of Men's Basketball vs Fordham on 3/10/2022

gomason.com

 

[GMUgemini]

Another way to look at it (and in full disclosure I think I stole this right from English) is that we were in all of those games. In most of our losses, we were one or to mistakes away from winning. I am not making excuses, we still lost. My point is that with the improvements we expect to see in the roster from English’s recruiting and improvements in his in game calls and practice prep, we are potentially on the verge of a big breakthrough.

Sure, but some of those loses were to bad to mediocre teams…so why THEY were still in it is a bit disconcerting.

 

[gmubrian]

Sure, but some of those loses were to bad to mediocre teams…so why THEY were still in it is a bit disconcerting.

Fair enough counterpoint. I chose to remain optimistic at this point in time.

 

[Masonfan3]

I mean I don't think anyone expect this year to be anything but this. A complete roller coaster with ups and downs. We all knew that having a brand new coach, and having leftover plays as well as new players would need adjustment. Its fair to be frustrated at this stage because the season started really flying high and they fell off. But again, like many folks, I give this year a pass for many many reasons. I tempered my expectations. I'm frustrated because the idea of losing to Fordham in the first round in the 8/9 game kills me. I'm so tired of losing.

That said there is no reason to even bring Paulsen into this conversation, because its apples to oranges. If you think having this type of result under a new coach is the same under that, I can't help you, because its not anywhere close the same and he isnt relevant right now to the results that occurred.

Now, I will say, that if we are still having this conversation in 2 years, I'll be on the same page. I have very high expectations for English and the program because they said that several years of mediocrity wasn't good enough and they went out and got someone who they think can do better than that (and paid them accordingly). I expect next year to be better than this year.

What makes you think that next year will be better than this year? We lose two starters and possibly a third if Josh leaves. Do you think Fernandez and Dinkins will contribute more than Schwartz and Coop? Or are you basing this on the expectation that CKE will bring in a transfer or two? Who is going to back up or play alongside Josh? I think we have potential to be better but based off what we know, I don’t think the roster is better next year. If we get a solid big man and another shooter in the portal then that changes things….but right now I don’t see an improvement.

 

[GMUgemini]

Fair enough counterpoint. I chose to remain optimistic at this point in time.

I’m sure I’ll get there once the stink of the last few weeks wears off and we see who transfers out and who English brings in to replace them.

 

[JimP]

Yeaaaaa, that aint good enough for me. And I don't think this current AD will accept that either otherwise Paulsen would still be the coach.

If you listen to KE, it’s not good enough for him either.

 

[hoops10]

Seriously? And why wouldn't he say "wow English really helped me out this year and elevated me to essentially being a top big in the league".

Why the hell would he want to leave that?

For the same reasons Kolek and Miller transfered, to play for a major school with more national exposure and a winning record. He wants to turn pro.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Unless we have a major roster overhaul we'll just repeat next year what we are this year.

 

[sleeperpick]

What makes you think that next year will be better than this year? We lose two starters and possibly a third if Josh leaves. Do you think Fernandez and Dinkins will contribute more than Schwartz and Coop? Or are you basing this on the expectation that CKE will bring in a transfer or two? Who is going to back up or play alongside Josh? I think we have potential to be better but based off what we know, I don’t think the roster is better next year. If we get a solid big man and another shooter in the portal then that changes things….but right now I don’t see an improvement.

For all the dumb comments on here including ones I’ve made this takes the cake. Of course the roster TODAY for next season is not as good as it was yesterday. We are going to hit the transfer portal with 5-6 open scholarships. If you don’t think CKE can do more in a full off-season with a wild transfer portal than he did in 6 weeks last year I’m not sure what to tell you.

There is a 0 percent chance the roster is not built better next year than it was this year. I’m sure we won’t have 4 point guards who can’t actually dribble next season of one big man worth a damn. That is the reason we brought CKE in was to recruit talent. We are filled with shitty DP players that aren’t D1 athletes much less contributors to an A10 team.
Also hot take but Oduro isn’t good enough to transfer up as a big man and have the accolades or numbers he has with Mason. It would be a career killing move for a flat footed charmin soft big man to go get out physicaled every night in the Big East. He will be back

 

[bravesfan]

For the same reasons Kolek and Miller transfered, to play for a major school with more national exposure and a winning record. He wants to turn pro.

Neither of which are the stars of their team. Oduro is for Mason.

 

[KAOriginal]

Went back and looked, as we have only beaten them once in the tourney. 1-3 against them. Ugh

2014: 70-67 Fordham Won
2015: 71-65 Fordham Won
2017: 82-71 Mason Won
2022: 54-49 Fordham Won

So Fordham in the A-10 Tourney is the replacement of vcu from the CAA Tourney.

Maybe one day we can beat both when it matters.....