Game 5: University of Virginia (Charleston Classic), Sunday, November 22nd, 9:30 PM, ESPN2

[TweederGMU]

Thompson named to the All-Tournament Team!!!! NICE!!!!

 

[patriotchild]

Our guys look pissed. I like it.


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[patriotchild]

Only 9 TOs against one of the best defensive teams in the country. Shot 45% fg 41% from 3. Not too shabby.


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[liem.le.3388]

I hope when Royal comes back he can give more than what Jenkins has so far.

 

[March Madness32]

Virginia played well hats off to them but Mason played well too and only will get better. Mason has arrived!

 

[sigmanorm]

All in all a successful trip to Charleston. 2-1 with the only loss to a top 10 team. I will take it

 

[GMUgemini]

I hope when Royal comes back he can give more than what Jenkins has so far.

We're going to need Holloway, too, to round out a solid 8 man rotation.

Heads held high, this was a great tournament.

And I think Moore, Grayer and Otis all emerge as players who are going to help carry this team forward.

 

[emjayar08]

I apologize, I've only been watching basketball for 20 years, but can someone explain to me the difference between a blocking foul and a charge? Everytime UVA backed us down and ran into us shoulder first, we have hands straight up, we get called on a blocking foul. We get the ball and back someone down or go hard in the paint and they call a charge. There was honestly no distinction.

It scares me when the announcers constantly talk about the rule changes and the rise in FT's, because less contact and more free throws will not be a turn on for many basketball fans.

edit: sorry for being that guy to complain about the refs...

 

[MasonFanatic]

I thought Jenkins finally looked more under control and decisive in the second half. Still can do better, but it was a step forward.

We really could have used Julian Royal today, even if it was just to have 5 extra fouls to give. I don't know if anyone noticed, but Paulsen went with Abram at the 4 late in the game.

 

[MasonFanatic]

I apologize, I've only been watching basketball for 20 years, but can someone explain to me the difference between a blocking foul and a charge? Everytime UVA backed us down and ran into us shoulder first, we have hands straight up, we get called on a blocking foul. We get the ball and back someone down or go hard in the paint and they call a charge. There was honestly no distinction.

It scares me when the announcers constantly talk about the rule changes and the rise in FT's, because less contact and more free throws will not be a turn on for many basketball fans.

edit: sorry for being that guy to complain about the refs...

Not why we lost, or even a significant factor. And I hate to comment on the refs. But.

That was mostly John Higgins from what I saw, he was awful all weekend on block/charge calls and ignoring blatant travelling. I think he was also the one who whistled the phantom foul on Otis.

 

[GMU92]

We would have lost this game by 50 under the previous regime.

The chance that we would have been within 8 at the half last year is like Bluto Blutarski's GPA. 0.00.
Got a little annoyed at the announcers' providing "insight" on the Mason players as provided by Paul Hewitt.

 

[gmujim92]

Yeah, I think we all saw how much "insight" that Half-wit had into our players' abilities the past two seasons -- when we lost twice as many games as we won.

Not sure why Gaudio kept mentioning him, but it was certainly annoying.

 

[patriot2000]

So glad we beat Miss and OKSt so our guys got a chance to play this game. Exposed some weaknesses to Paulsen, gave them a lot of great tape to watch, and hopefully built some confidence. They could have kept it closer with better shot selection and defense, but our offensive performance and the improvement in turnovers against a very, very good defense is a good sign. Let's go Mas0n!

 

[Steve33]

Overall i think Charleston was a very successful trip. Mason learned a lot this trip. Learned how to be together as a team, learned how to play some really good teams. Making it to the final against a UVA team, that lets be honest are miles better then Mason was a big bonus. Hanging in there in the first half and having some good spots in the second half was very refreshing. The guys looked upset and angry they about the game, i like to see, it shows they care and they want to win. They will only build off this and get better.

Grayer and Otis for the next 4 years sounds pretty good to me. They way they played this weekend was fantastic.

 

[Walter]

I had essentially no expectations this year. I am now thinking a mid-pack finish in the A10 is possible.

 

[smccart5]

Like many have said, the low turnover number against an excellent defense was a GREAT sign. Even though was lost by a fair margin, we looked like we absolutely belonged on the same court as them. It was one of those nights where it seemed like every shot UVA took was falling. Anything within 15 feet was automatic for them. The game is easy when shots are falling.

This was also my first time not listening to a radio broadcast and actually watching this team. Otis is a PLAYER. Loved some of the passes he was making, even if they didn't pan out. Moore is also really impressive even though he looks like he is throwing a shot put when shooting free throws.

 

[Bricker]

So proud of our program once again.

I think we'll look back on this trip as a historic moment for Mason hoops. Most importantly, our team learned how to win again. And not just to win-- but to grab a win when it's there for the taking.

The attitude and psychology of this team-- even the returning players-- is totally different.

Everyone in the A-10 should be on notice. I'm ready for some surprises this year...

 

[GSII]

Proud, impressed and appreciate the job Dave Paulsen, the green machine and our players did in charleston. We added value to that tourney that will be missed next year.

As for the x & o's of the game, one thing that needs work is our attacking and passing out of a double team. Uva wasnt gonna let ST get into this game. Time to show Shevon the old George Evans game films.

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

Yeah, I think we all saw how much "insight" that Half-wit had into our players' abilities the past two seasons -- when we lost twice as many games as we won.

Not sure why Gaudio kept mentioning him, but it was certainly annoying.

Jim, they both got fired from ACC schools at the same time. They try to protect their own. You'll notice no one has been banging down Gaudio's door for him to come coach their team...

UVA might be the best team in the country at doubling and recovering. They rotate unbelievably well and all of their guys doing it have length. If Shevon and Co. operate the same way they did last night, we should be able to burn teams who don't rotate as well. Tony Bennett is a great coach and decided that Shevon wasn't going to beat them. For the most part, our other guys stepped up. Our post defense got exposed, but we hung in with a top 10 team on a night when they played well. Nothing but positives.

 

[mkaufman1]

UVA had pretty much everything going right, most shots were falling and they got a few ref calls. The score may not reflect it, but Mason played about as well as they could have and didn't beat themselves which is about the most you can ask for.

The trip showed much progress and potential in the group Mason has, especially the coaches. I'm excited to see how the team does moving forward. It will still be rocky for another season or two, but I expect a lot more of what I saw this weekend versus crapola basketball.