Game 5: GMU (3-1) vs Towson (0-3) on Wednesday, December 23, at 4PM.

[GMUgemini]

I will admit I was excited on day of presser. But soon after the exodus, it was clear, imo, that he couldn't hang in A10.

Yeah, actually, looking back losing the entire class, plus even guys like Eric Lockett who dropped down to CC, was a big red flag on Paulsen’s ability to recruit.

 

[Pablo]

I will admit I was excited on day of presser. But soon after the exodus, it was clear, imo, that he couldn't hang in A10.

Interestingly, the only poster on this board that I can recall being upset initially with the hiring of Paulsen was gmujim92. But, you are correct, losing the entire freshmen class was a red flag that most of us (including me) ignored.

I like the fact that his teams never quit, and he's been relatively successful in close games. But, the roster turnover rate (only one of his recruits so far completing his eligibility at Mason) reminds me of the Paul Westhead era. IMO, he's not particularly flexible nor innovative. But, until this week, I believed that he ran a very disciplined program.

However, I believe that he has sufficient talent and experience this season to compete successfully in the A10. If the Patriots fail to do so, then it's time for a change (notwithstanding the pandemic).

 

[GreenLantern]

Us 66
Them 65
OT

 

[mkaufman1]

It certainly was a red flag to have a whole class leave, but it was to be expected. I just thought by the time a few years rolled around we'd be having different conversations. Instead we're left scratching our heads whether its recruiting, adapting to the new environment of transfers, or just adjusting his coaching style for 2020.

 

[GreenLantern]

I was on the Dave bandwagon for a long time but it just can't go on like this. Suspensions like this sure looks like a lack of discipline across the board. The players look uninspired and play like that have no fire.

 

[ephoops]

But, until this week, I believed that he ran a very disciplined program.

Pablo - During my time on these boards throughout DP's coaching tenure at Mason, I have found you to be one of (if not the most) even-keeled and thoughtful poster in this forum. I'm curious why you you feel the events of this week lead you to believe that DP does not run a "very disciplined program."

It's my understanding from the broadcast yesterday that the three players were suspended for violating team rules. I have no idea what they did that violated team rules (and frankly it's none of my business -- it's a team matter). I believe DP's actions in this case epitomize his "disciplined program." I would argue that if a player(s) violates a team rule that is serious enough to merit a two-game suspension and DP did not take action, this would demonstrate a lack of discipline on the part of DP and the program.

 

[Pablo]

Pablo - During my time on these boards throughout DP's coaching tenure at Mason, I have found you to be one of (if not the most) even-keeled and thoughtful poster in this forum. I'm curious why you you feel the events of this week lead you to believe that DP does not run a "very disciplined program."

It's my understanding from the broadcast yesterday that the three players were suspended for violating team rules. I have no idea what they did that violated team rules (and frankly it's none of my business -- it's a team matter). I believe DP's actions in this case epitomize his "disciplined program." I would argue that if a player(s) violates a team rule that is serious enough to merit a two-game suspension and DP did not take action, this would demonstrate a lack of discipline on the part of DP and the program.

Your criticism of my comment is valid. However, I believe strongly that there is a lack of discipline when a star player who is also team captain is suspended for multiple games.

 

[gmujim92]

Your criticism of my comment is valid. However, I believe strongly that there is a lack of discipline when a star player who is also team captain is suspended for multiple games.

That’s on the player.

 

[tblack33]

Pablo - During my time on these boards throughout DP's coaching tenure at Mason, I have found you to be one of (if not the most) even-keeled and thoughtful poster in this forum. I'm curious why you you feel the events of this week lead you to believe that DP does not run a "very disciplined program."

It's my understanding from the broadcast yesterday that the three players were suspended for violating team rules. I have no idea what they did that violated team rules (and frankly it's none of my business -- it's a team matter). I believe DP's actions in this case epitomize his "disciplined program." I would argue that if a player(s) violates a team rule that is serious enough to merit a two-game suspension and DP did not take action, this would demonstrate a lack of discipline on the part of DP and the program.

I think you are confusing “discipline” with “discipling”. If the Dave ran a very disciplined program, you wouldn’t have a fifth of the team getting suspended for violating teams rules. Disciplined organizations don’t have issues like that. These are young guys, they are learning, I get it all. It does show that they aren’t particularly disciplined though if they violate team rules to the point that a three game suspension is necessary, from a captain none the less. On a truly disciplined team, you wouldn’t need to suspend players for breaking team rules, well because they wouldn’t be breaking team rules...

 

[sleeperpick]

This isn't DP's first bout of suspensions... AJ has been suspended before and not started because of "discipline issues". There are a couple other cases. Obviously this isn't a Coach L or Hewitt situation where the players ran free with 0 rules and were held unaccountable.... but lets not act like DP has this program running like a brand new Corvette engine either. I personally don't even care about this argument. The dude can't coach, dude can't recruit, he doesn't belong in A10 level

 

[Petey Buckets]

Interestingly, the only poster on this board that I can recall being upset initially with the hiring of Paulsen was gmujim92. But, you are correct, losing the entire freshmen class was a red flag that most of us (including me) ignored.

I'm still not sold on how much of a red flag this really was. It would have been great to keep any of those guys but players commit to coaches, not schools. Why should a player stay committed to Mason when the entire coaching staff he thought he'd be playing for won't be there? It's likely only inertia that kept Marquise and Jalen here since they were sophomores and saw a wide open path to playing time when the other guys left.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

I wonder if I can get Towson plus a decent amount tomorrow (has to be a decent amount, though).

 

[tblack33]

I wonder if I can get Towson plus a decent amount tomorrow (has to be a decent amount, though).

I’ll take anything over +8.5, aside from that I don’t think I’ll touch this one.

 

[GMUgemini]

This isn't DP's first bout of suspensions... AJ has been suspended before and not started because of "discipline issues". There are a couple other cases. Obviously this isn't a Coach L or Hewitt situation where the players ran free with 0 rules and were held unaccountable.... but lets not act like DP has this program running like a brand new Corvette engine either. I personally don't even care about this argument. The dude can't coach, dude can't recruit, he doesn't belong in A10 level

L suspended players. If you remember pillowgate, for example.

 

[sleeperpick]

I'm still not sold on how much of a red flag this really was. It would have been great to keep any of those guys but players commit to coaches, not schools. Why should a player stay committed to Mason when the entire coaching staff he thought he'd be playing for won't be there? It's likely only inertia that kept Marquise and Jalen here since they were sophomores and saw a wide open path to playing time when the other guys left.

Taking a look at strictly recruiting classes that a coach inherited when being hired of the last couple years in the A10.... So Lasalle kept 3 guys initially (1 still there after a transfer to Providence and CSUN), St Joe's kept 2 of 4 guys, Duquesne kept 1 guy (hard to tell honestly with the amount of movement that program has. GW kept 2 guys (none still on team). Mason kept 0.

Also, all of these coaches brought in transfers rather than giving out scholarships to mostly D2 players like DP did. I don't buy the argument that much when other A10 teams do better

 

[sleeperpick]

L suspended players. If you remember pillowgate, for example.

yea he suspended them but I remember being in college with his players smoking weed and seeing them out at fraternity parties a day before the game blacking out and banging girls in the bathroom. Doesn't really seem disciplined to me... Ryan Pearson dropped 30 one night after being completely faded off a multitude of substances at our house. Believe he was team captain as well.

 

[JimP]

You can't be around your players 24/7...if they do something that leads to suspension, that's on the player.

Mason's play on the court is more than fair game for criticism though.

 

[Petey Buckets]

Taking a look at strictly recruiting classes that a coach inherited when being hired of the last couple years in the A10.... So Lasalle kept 3 guys initially (1 still there after a transfer to Providence and CSUN), St Joe's kept 2 of 4 guys, Duquesne kept 1 guy (hard to tell honestly with the amount of movement that program has. GW kept 2 guys (none still on team). Mason kept 0.

Also, all of these coaches brought in transfers rather than giving out scholarships to mostly D2 players like DP did. I don't buy the argument that much when other A10 teams do better

Are you looking at incoming freshmen? I don't think that's correct at all. Three recruits decommitted from St Joe's after Martelli got fired, according to this article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.in...elli-billy-lange-20190401.html?outputType=amp

Kind of academic because it's not an argument for Paulsen, just that this specific thing is more expected behavior than anything he screwed up.

 

[sleeperpick]

Are you looking at incoming freshmen? I don't think that's correct at all. Three recruits decommitted from St Joe's after Martelli got fired, according to this article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/college-sports/st-josephs-jared-bynum-transfer-phil-martelli-billy-lange-20190401.html?outputType=amp

Kind of academic because it's not an argument for Paulsen, just that this specific thing is more expected behavior than anything he screwed up.

believe it was a 5 man class with 2 staying.. Bynum, Jameer Jr, Hart left... Moore and Brown stayed. Lange added Knox then transferred after last year and is at Coppin St.. I could be dead wrong but through limited research that is what I got

 

[sleeperpick]

Are you looking at incoming freshmen? I don't think that's correct at all. Three recruits decommitted from St Joe's after Martelli got fired, according to this article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/college-sports/st-josephs-jared-bynum-transfer-phil-martelli-billy-lange-20190401.html?outputType=amp

Kind of academic because it's not an argument for Paulsen, just that this specific thing is more expected behavior than anything he screwed up.

I might be Dead wrong I think now.. Bynum actually did stay for Lange and recommitted before transferring per College Basketball reference. So Lange kept the top dog but then he left? Honestly it is very confusing.