Game 30: St. Louis (10-6) on Wednesday, March 4, at 7:00 PM.

[Patriotsince81]

The Billikens beat the Rams at Rhode Island. Thread has been updated.

 

[GMUgemini]

Why exactly?

Because I see a lot of potential in this roster IF everyone improves and becomes more consistent in the offseason plus the inclusion of some promising freshmen (especially if Kier gets his waiver and AJ sticks around for his last season), but there are some pretty big question marks about DP getting the team to reach their highest potential, since he hasn't been able to do that since year two.

BUT there is the potential for this team to finally have starters at positions 1-5 for the first time since DP has been here. And that's what will make the offseason feel so long to me.

 

[psyclone]

The Billikens beat the Rams at Rhode Island. Thread has been updated.

SLU was very impressive, both against URI today and vcu previously. Big on put backs--not surprising given their size--but also in beating the press and making them pay. URI was down by double digits most of the second half but got it down to 4 with 8 minutes left and 5 with 6 min left. However, SLU moved quickly back to 10 or more ahead each time. French picked up his 4th foul with 6 min to go and sat out the rest of the game.

We're going to have our hands full on Wednesday if the same team shows up.

 

[FreeGunston12]

There is no “system” for shooters who can’t make even wide open shots. At some point the ball either has to start going through the hoop or you have to bring a bunch of other stuff to the table.

Watch the two back-to-back plays starting just before 1 minute into the video. I don't think the kid forgot how to shoot. I just don't think he fits Paulsen's system. Which do you think is more likely?

It's not a knock on either of them. Sometimes it's just not a good fit.

 

[patriotchild]

I second the motion to let Mar get more minutes at this point. Two reasons.

One, I don’t want us to break AJ for no reason. I applaud his effort to come back in the game, but if his injury is at all serious some adult should step in and do the right thing and shut him down. And seeing that we mismanaged Boyd’s wrist I’m not confident.

Two, I want to see if Mar can play through whatever his mental block is. Seems like he may have taken a positive step last game. If we want to have any shot at competing next year we all need to be rooting for Mar. And if he doesn’t seem like he can do it, maybe it’s time to suggest the ole transfer.

JDS, eh. Still seems like it hasn’t slowed down for him. But sure. Let it fly a few times.

 

[Dawgs99]

Watch the two back-to-back plays starting just before 1 minute into the video. I don't think the kid forgot how to shoot. I just don't think he fits Paulsen's system. Which do you think is more likely?

It's not a knock on either of them. Sometimes it's just not a good fit.

During his tenure here thus far, and with limited minutes, he has just about exclusively shot the 3 ball. He may have at some point but I don't ever remember him taking it to the rack. His jump shot is painfully flat, thus his percentage is awful. If your going to live and die by your ability to shot the deep ball, some of the them need to go in! I had high hopes for JDS and I do hope he finds some PT at another school....doesn't seem like its ever going to happen here.

 

[Mason2005]

Share this to all your friends, let's #FILLEBA Wednesday.

https://mobile.twitter.com/GMUGiantKiller/status/1234482163678138368

 

[GMUgemini]

During his tenure here thus far, and with limited minutes, he has just about exclusively shot the 3 ball. He may have at some point but I don't ever remember him taking it to the rack. His jump shot is painfully flat, thus his percentage is awful. If your going to live and die by your ability to shot the deep ball, some of the them need to go in! I had high hopes for JDS and I do hope he finds some PT at another school....doesn't seem like its ever going to happen here.

He actually did try to take it to the rack against Duquesne. First time he was fouled and went to the line where he went one and one, second time looked like he was going to get the bucket and Hughes came on the help side and blocked it.

 

[Dawgs99]

Share this to all your friends, let's #FILLEBA Wednesday.

https://mobile.twitter.com/GMUGiantKiller/status/1234482163678138368

Awesome video!

 

[Masonfan3]

During his tenure here thus far, and with limited minutes, he has just about exclusively shot the 3 ball. He may have at some point but I don't ever remember him taking it to the rack. His jump shot is painfully flat, thus his percentage is awful. If your going to live and die by your ability to shot the deep ball, some of the them need to go in! I had high hopes for JDS and I do hope he finds some PT at another school....doesn't seem like its ever going to happen here.

JDS is averaging 4 minutes a game. Ask any shooter and they will tell you that they need to get in a rhythm or else they will struggle. I don't know what is happening in practice but it is very difficult to sit on the bench for 90% of the game and then be expected to come in and just start lighting it up. He is also only taken 21 shots this season, I mean that's a game for a lot shooting guards. I have said it before, why not start the kid and/or give him more minutes and see what happens...it's can't get any worse. He is a gifted offensive player and he didn't just lose it overnight. If (when) he transfers I wouldn't be surprised to see him go to a small D1 school and average double figures in his first year.

 

[Pablo]

If (when) he transfers I wouldn't be surprised to see him go to a small D1 school and average double figures in his first year.

Do you recall Rashad Whack, who transferred to Mount St. Mary's?

 

[GMUgemini]

Do you recall Rashad Whack, who transferred to Mount St. Mary's?

I think that was a bit of a different situation. Rashad Whack had to compete with 5 other guards who were all playing at a really high level and just couldn't get on the court. Vertrail Vaughans's emergence as an effective shooter their sophomore year probably sealed the deal on that one.

Maybe Jay Threatt is a better example? Because we could have really used a PG the year he came to campus and he didn't look like he belonged on the court, and then he transferred to Delaware State and became a steals leader.

 

[Masonfan3]

I think that was a bit of a different situation. Rashad Whack had to compete with 5 other guards who were all playing at a really high level and just couldn't get on the court. Vertrail Vaughans's emergence as an effective shooter their sophomore year probably sealed the deal on that one.

Maybe Jay Threatt is a better example? Because we could have really used a PG the year he came to campus and he didn't look like he belonged on the court, and then he transferred to Delaware State and became a steals leader.

I was thinking more recently about Kamari Newman but Whack and Threatt are good examples too. The problem IMO is that DP recruits way too many similar guards so you are always going to have someone on the bench who might be able to contribute. Imagine if Kier and Boyd were both healthy, would XJ be getting the minutes he is, or would Javon be able to shoot as much as he is; which is a good thing. I don't know why JDS isn't getting more than 4 minutes a game but I will be rooting for him whether he is here or somewhere else next year.

 

[gmujim92]

I think that was a bit of a different situation. Rashad Whack had to compete with 5 other guards who were all playing at a really high level and just couldn't get on the court. Vertrail Vaughans's emergence as an effective shooter their sophomore year probably sealed the deal on that one.

Maybe Jay Threatt is a better example? Because we could have really used a PG the year he came to campus and he didn't look like he belonged on the court, and then he transferred to Delaware State and became a steals leader.

No offense to Mount St. Mary’s or Delaware State, but they are several notches below us even in our current state. Not surprising that guys who were recruited to play at Mason found success at a lower level, and there are others (Vlad is the best example).

I would expect JDS to thrive at a smaller school where he can get playing time and shots, but that doesn’t mean he should be getting more playing time here.

 

[Masonfan3]

No offense to Mount St. Mary’s or Delaware State, but they are several notches below us even in our current state. Not surprising that guys who were recruited to play at Mason found success at a lower level, and there are others (Vlad is the best example).

I would expect JDS to thrive at a smaller school where he can get playing time and shots, but that doesn’t mean he should be getting more playing time here.

We are 4-12 in conference play and struggling to put the ball in the basket. At this point why not try something different and put a new wrinkle in the game?

 

[GMUgemini]

We are 4-12 in conference play and struggling to put the ball in the basket. At this point why not try something different and put a new wrinkle in the game?

We shot almost 53% from the floor against Duquense, but only 19% from 3...JDS went 0-4 from 3 in that game...so I don't think he's going to help us in that department.

 

[Dawgs99]

JDS is averaging 4 minutes a game. Ask any shooter and they will tell you that they need to get in a rhythm or else they will struggle. I don't know what is happening in practice but it is very difficult to sit on the bench for 90% of the game and then be expected to come in and just start lighting it up. He is also only taken 21 shots this season, I mean that's a game for a lot shooting guards. I have said it before, why not start the kid and/or give him more minutes and see what happens...it's can't get any worse. He is a gifted offensive player and he didn't just lose it overnight. If (when) he transfers I wouldn't be surprised to see him go to a small D1 school and average double figures in his first year.

I guess you missed my first sentence where I clearly stated he has seen limited minutes.

 

[Masonfan3]

I guess you missed my first sentence where I clearly stated he has seen limited minutes.

Didn't miss the first sentence and my comment was more of an add on to yours. My bad..

 

[Masonfan3]

We shot almost 53% from the floor against Duquense, but only 19% from 3...JDS went 0-4 from 3 in that game...so I don't think he's going to help us in that department.

Again, he played 4 minutes in the game. How many times has someone else missed their first 4 shots in a game and then gone on to score double figures, probably a lot. But this guy isn't even given the opportunity. JDS has shot 21 times the entire season...that is not enough for a shooter like him. If we were 12-4 then this convo would be moot but we are not. I am not here to argue that JDS should be playing more than anyone else or that he should take minutes away from any other player but we are 4-12 and are 12th in scoring and 13th in 3pt's. Something is not working and for whatever reason the guy is not playing but someone who drops 50 points, averaged nearly 30 points a game in a pretty competitive high school league doesn't just stop scoring overnight.

 

[gmujim92]

We are 4-12 in conference play and struggling to put the ball in the basket. At this point why not try something different and put a new wrinkle in the game?

They’re still trying to win. The last 2 games clearly show nobody has punted on the season yet.