Game 30: Virginia Commonwealth University, Tuesday, March 5th, 7:30 PM, Stadium/MASN

[GSII]

The TV guys were saying Reuter has a hip issue. Makes sense as to why he can't move. But here's the thing, if he barely moves when healthy, why the f**k play him at all with a hip issue?

 

[gmutom]

This is a good point. Teams like vcu and slu looked like men out there and an army. Our guys looked confused and not ready for division 1 basketball. Something has to change this offseason so they are in legit shape.

I couldn't agree more about our strength and stamina, but I'm more concerned that we showed no composure last night — fumbling passes, getting happy feet in the lane, taking poor shots, throwing the ball to spots instead of players, committing dumb fouls after missing shots. I can't recall ever leaving a Mason game after such a demoralizing physical and mental beatdown.

We've had bad losses like the Creighton game in our Final Four year, the Fairfield collapse in the CBI Tournament and the Hewitt homecoming horror show against Georgia State, but the second half last night just seemed like rock bottom to me. The only player who honestly looked like he belonged on the court with vcu last night was Jordan Miller, who somehow DP didn't think warranted playing time at the beginning of the year.

I'd like to think things will change next season, but there surely aren't any saviors walking through the door. Dave will trot out the same four starters (sans Otis) with the hope that Reuter will finally live up to his ridiculous all-A10 claim. I'm on board if we don't change coaches, but we have no shot in hell if our coach doesn't realize he needs to change. And that starts with him looking in the mirror and owning what happened last night.

 

[mkaufman1]

I couldn't agree more about our strength and stamina, but I'm more concerned that we showed no composure last night — fumbling passes, getting happy feet in the lane, taking poor shots, throwing the ball to spots instead of players, committing dumb fouls after missing shots. I can't recall ever leaving a Mason game after such a demoralizing physical and mental beatdown.

We've had bad losses like the Creighton game in our Final Four year , the Fairfield collapse in the CBI game and the Hewitt homecoming horror show against Georgia State, but the second half last night just seemed like rock bottom to me. The only player who honestly looked like he belonged on the court with vcu last night was Jordan Miller, who somehow DP didn't think warranted playing time at the beginning of the year.

I'd like to think things will change next season, but there surely aren't any saviors walking through the door. Dave will trot out the same four starters (sans Otis) with the hope that Reuter will finally live up to his ridiculous all-A10 claim. I'm on board if we don't change coaches, but we have no shot in hell if our coach doesn't realize he needs to change. And that starts with him looking in the mirror and owning what happened last night.

Well said Tom. It might be time for a sports psychologist. I can’t see why Paulsen would prep the team to play in this manner.

 

[dr. gunnie]

I missed the game last night - did we win? What was the score?

 

[PDGL Hoops]

Local radio, in Hampton Roads, actually joked about the score and the fact that even the Mason announcer couldn't get the crowd or the team pumped up. I am glad I helped my son with a school project and missed the game!

 

[Copes4Three]

I guess

Disagree. Rhode Island isn't very good, they couldn't hit a wide open shot from 3.

 

[Copes4Three]

Let me get this straight....we had Grayer to start the season right?

Vs PENN 9mins, 1 TO, 5pts, 1-2 from 3
VS AU 23 mins, 3 TO, 10pts 2-5 from 3.
VS GASO, 31min, 0TO, 25 pts, 5-10 from 3
VS SOUTHERN 3TO, SEE THE TREND WITH TURNOVERS? DP DIDN'T TRUST HIM WITH THE BALL UNLESS IT WAS A SET SHOT. MAYBE WAS B/C OF HIS FOOT? WE WILL NEVER KNOW. DUNNO WHY THIS IN CAPS.

You don't trust him with the ball, but yet you let Kier stay out there after committing 6 TO's a game? A missed shot is just as good as a turnover speaking defensively. Greene after today has been 5/20 his last 3 games, Otis 5-24, Kier 10-28. You are focusing on the turnovers, BUT EVEN WITH A BAD FOOT IN 3 GAMES, HE's STILL SHOOTING 40-50% from 3pt. But yet the golden boys Kier and Otis get to TO the ball 3-4 times a game and shoot 30% from 3 yet their minutes don't get reduced? There is literally no excuse why if Grayer's foot felt better during the tournament in Florida he should have played. Paulsen plays favorties

 

[Falco]

Disagree. Rhode Island isn't very good, they couldn't hit a wide open shot from 3.

I am with you. As I said in my original post the only quality win was againts Dayton. The margin of victory againts URI was nice, but like you said URI is not a good team.

 

[Copes4Three]

I am with you. As I said in my original post the only quality win was againts Dayton. The margin of victory againts URI was nice, but like you said URI is not a good team.

Yup, we are starting to get exposed since our conference schedule strengthened.

 

[GSII]

You don't trust him with the ball, but yet you let Kier stay out there after committing 6 TO's a game? A missed shot is just as good as a turnover speaking defensively. Greene after today has been 5/20 his last 3 games, Otis 5-24, Kier 10-28. You are focusing on the turnovers, BUT EVEN WITH A BAD FOOT IN 3 GAMES, HE's STILL SHOOTING 40-50% from 3pt. But yet the golden boys Kier and Otis get to TO the ball 3-4 times a game and shoot 30% from 3 yet their minutes don't get reduced? There is literally no excuse why if Grayer's foot felt better during the tournament in Florida he should have played. Paulsen plays favorties

Agree. So what's your solution to the problem we all see? What can be done with the the players we do have currently?

And what do you mean Grayer should of played if his foot was better in Florida?

 

[GMUgemini]

I am with you. As I said in my original post the only quality win was againts Dayton. The margin of victory againts URI was nice, but like you said URI is not a good team.

They aren’t a great team but they are still a tough out at home. They are one of vcu’s losses this season, only one of two. They’ve got talent on that roster, just not depth and are inconsistent.

 

[GMU_DCU]

The sting still hasn't gone away after sleeping on it. We scored 6 damn points in the first 11 minutes of the 2nd half..

 

[GMUgemini]

You don't trust him with the ball, but yet you let Kier stay out there after committing 6 TO's a game? A missed shot is just as good as a turnover speaking defensively. Greene after today has been 5/20 his last 3 games, Otis 5-24, Kier 10-28. You are focusing on the turnovers, BUT EVEN WITH A BAD FOOT IN 3 GAMES, HE's STILL SHOOTING 40-50% from 3pt. But yet the golden boys Kier and Otis get to TO the ball 3-4 times a game and shoot 30% from 3 yet their minutes don't get reduced? There is literally no excuse why if Grayer's foot felt better during the tournament in Florida he should have played. Paulsen plays favorties

Grayer’s problem wasn’t his shooting, it was his defense. He had no lateral quickness and could do nothing to keep someone in front of him. Remember, he was part of the team that allowed GA So. So shoot something like 65% from 2 in the second half while erasing a 20 point deficit.

I’m not sure what to do about the team next season. I hope Mar comes back strong. I hope Xavier Johnson is ready to contribute right away. I hope Kier stops being so loose with the ball. I hope Greene becomes a more consistent outside shooter. All of the questions needs to be answered next season in positive ways.

 

[GMU_DCU]

22 Turnovers to 4 assists...how is that even possible?

 

[PoorManProfit]

22 Turnovers to 4 assists...how is that even possible?

Little, passive boys playing against young confident men. Great job Coach!

 

[Copes4Three]

Agree. So what's your solution to the problem we all see? What can be done with the the players we do have currently?

And what do you mean Grayer should of played if his foot was better in Florida?

There is no solution, this is the team that Paulsen has put together and there isn't much you can change. You can't make otis grow higher, you can't make greene shoot better, you can't make kier's release faster. You can at least switch up your defense, play a zone. Players are getting tired from constantly switching and rotating on defense which is clearly impacting our offense. Need to find a way to reduce effort on defense so our offense doesn't suffer. I personally don't have a solution except to get some taller players and to get another 3pt shooter.

Grayer’s problem wasn’t his shooting, it was his defense. He had no lateral quickness and could do nothing to keep someone in front of him. Remember, he was part of the team that allowed GA So. So shoot something like 65% from 2 in the second half while erasing a 20 point deficit.

I’m not sure what to do about the team next season. I hope Mar comes back strong. I hope Xavier Johnson is ready to contribute right away. I hope Kier stops being so loose with the ball. I hope Greene becomes a more consistent outside shooter. All of the questions needs to be answered next season in positive ways.

No doubt his defense struggled, but as a coach you could have played a defense that worked with lack of agility. Let's not act like he was the only getting burnt, Kier and Otis were getting beat off the dribble every time. You fail to mention players like Nick Honor (Fordham), Dunn-Martin (Duq), Pierre (Umass), Lofton (St. Bonnies), Gilyard (Richmond), Nelson (American) all dropping buckets on Otis and Kier throughout the season.

 

[gmujim92]

There is no solution, this is the team that Paulsen has put together and there isn't much you can change. You can't make otis grow higher, you can't make greene shoot better, you can't make kier's release faster. You can at least switch up your defense, play a zone. Players are getting tired from constantly switching and rotating on defense which is clearly impacting our offense. Need to find a way to reduce effort on defense so our offense doesn't suffer. I personally don't have a solution except to get some taller players and to get another 3pt shooter.




No doubt his defense struggled, but as a coach you could have played a defense that worked with lack of agility. Let's not act like he was the only getting burnt, Kier and Otis were getting beat off the dribble every time. You fail to mention players like Nick Honor (Fordham), Dunn-Martin (Duq), Pierre (Umass), Lofton (St. Bonnies), Gilyard (Richmond), Nelson (American) all dropping buckets on Otis and Kier throughout the season.

A truly novel strategic concept: putting in less effort on defense.

You’re either a visionary or an idiot.

 

[VCUPav]

Don't take this the wrong way but we are just A LOT better. You guys can't compete with us. GMU will also be a below average A10 team aka vcu's little brother. I told you this when you guys followed us to the A10! How'd that workout for you?

 

[PoorManProfit]

Don't take this the wrong way but we are just A LOT better. You guys can't compete with us. GMU will also be a below average A10 team aka vcu's little brother. I told you this when you guys followed us to the A10! How'd that workout for you?

Hate to admit, but you are correct. Some of us here were against the switch to the A10 knowing that the commitment from the university just wasn't there or they had no idea what it was actually going to take. The sad part is, I don't think the A10 is that great, but you guys have def adjusted well and shot straight to the top and stayed there.

 

[sleeperpick]

I told you guys good game. [user removed] told me I was always welcome on this forum.

Idk who that is but he can shove it to