Game 7: Wright State University, Saturday, November 28th, 4 PM, NO TV

[Vurbel]

Uva had a few starters out that game. If they were playing I doubt we win.

You're right.

Excluding that and possibly the "win" against vcu, can you think of a better time you've had at the PC, er, Eagle Bank Arena, in the last 5 years?

 

[Vurbel]

You're right.

Excluding that and possibly the "win" against vcu, can you think of a better time that today that you've had at the PC, er, Eagle Bank Arena, in the last 5 years?

 

[Pablo]

Playing mostly the stretch "4", DeAndre Abram had 8 points (3-5 FG's including 2-4 behind the arc), 7 rebounds (tying Marquise Moore for game-high), a blocked shot, and a steal in just 15 minutes.

This was Coach Paulsen's 399th career victory.

 

[polepino]

. Some suggested Patrick would come out gunning when he returned, but I loved how patient he was in moving the ball around and taking the shots that were available rather than forcing things.

I just think of some of the players that had to endure the Hewitt era and what could have been. I can only imagine Byron Allen, Vertrail Vaughns, and even Vaughn Gray playing in a more structured system like Paulsens or finishing off with Larranaga. I expect Holloway to play real well this year and can only imagine that he would've been a solid, consistent, more patient, deadly offensive weapon had Paulsen gotten here earlier.

 

[gmutom]

Playing mostly the stretch "4", DeAndre Abram had 8 points (3-5 FG's including 2-4 behind the arc), 7 rebounds (tying Marquise Moore for game-high), a blocked shot, and a steal in just 15 minutes.

It was obviously the new haircut that made the difference.

Seriously, I almost didn't recognize DeAndre with about six inches lopped off the top. Looked and played like a completely different player.

 

[gmujim92]

Every available freshman has shown flashes of being a contributing player so far, which is remarkable when you consider that the staff signed Livingston, Murrell, Abram and Dixon on short notice in the late period and added both Grayer and Relvao in August.

It would've been understandable, given the time constraints, for 1 or 2 of these guys to be fairly obvious recruiting whiffs. DP needed to fill a lot of spots in short order and didn't have the luxury of being especially picky.

But even through seven games, you can already get a sense of what the staff saw in each of these kids.

Our coaches clearly have an eye for the type of player that can function most effectively in Paulsen's system. It goes beyond "talent" or recruiting stars. We have a bunch of guys who are willing to work hard and do what they are told.

Our program has won a lot of games, championships and one awesome banner with players like that.

 

[The Great PATSby]

You're right.

Excluding that and possibly the "win" against vcu, can you think of a better time you've had at the PC, er, Eagle Bank Arena, in the last 5 years?

Does the circus or Disney on ice count?

 

[Vurbel]

Does the circus or Disney on ice count?

Or WWE?

 

[Washingtonian]

Wright State came in 4th in the nation in 3 point FG percentage yesterday, now they are 29th:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/statistics/team/_/stat/3-points

 

[Masonman]

I finally figured out that the white sheets (game notes) are gone and found the players numbers and bios in the glossy books left on the surrounding tables. Was nice to start learning who the new players are! Great to be able to relax and enjoy a blowout then off to Brion's for a Dave Paulsen's Sub!

 

[Pablo]

With Shevon Thompson (and Jaire Grayer) being benched at the start of the "Notebook Massacre", this ended Shevon's consecutive streak as a starter at Mason at 37 games. Marquise Moore now has the team's longest current consecutive streak as a starter (16 games).

 

[GMUgemini]

Every available freshman has shown flashes of being a contributing player so far, which is remarkable when you consider that the staff signed Livingston, Murrell, Abram and Dixon on short notice in the late period and added both Grayer and Relvao in August.

Convincing Grayer alone to reclassify to this year instead of taking a post-graduate was a huge coup. I have a feeling we'd be fighting with a lot of bigger programs for his services if he waited.

As for Holloway coming back, I wasn't expecting him to just bomb shots (I don't think Paulsen would have liked that too much), but he's the only guy on this roster right now who can inject instant offense off the bench with his quick release and can hit those quick momentum changing shots. It was good to see him back and contributing right away.

Jenkins: most effective in the low post. I think that's where we are going to see him exclusively next year, which will be good because who knows how quickly Relvao will be ready to get major minutes at the 5.

Good to see Dixon and Murrell have some success too.

 

[Pablo]

Convincing Grayer alone to reclassify to this year instead of taking a post-graduate was a huge coup. I have a feeling we'd be fighting with a lot of bigger programs for his services if he waited.

http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/n...es-george-mason-as-best-decision-for-college/:

“Nobody at George Mason talked me out of going back to prep school, I just really talked to my family about the best decision,” Grayer said. “They both were two great decisions to make, and good opportunities, but I just thought I was ready to come out and go to college.”

“My goal is to come out this year and showcase myself,” Grayer said. “I want to become a NBA pro.”

 

[Harry]

Some takeaways from tonight:

- Our offense functions best when Marquise is attacking the paint. When he's getting home and finishing at the rim, it really puts pressure on the defense and makes us much more dangerous.

Our offense also functions best when teams play man-to-man defense against us. I don't think Wright St ever went to the zone. Don't they scout their opponents? But Marquise did seem able to drive to the basket at will...and finish! Too many times have our guys driven to the hoop and missed the layup...

 

[GMUgemini]

Our offense also functions best when teams play man-to-man defense against us. I don't think Wright St ever went to the zone. Don't they scout their opponents? But Marquise did seem able to drive to the basket at will...and finish! Too many times have our guys driven to the hoop and missed the layup...

In the post game, both the players and Paulsen said they played zone so they went 4 out, which is also why you had Abram playing at the 4 in spots.

 

[Cedric Dempsey]

WSU went zone early and junked in and out often. Marko was quite effective at moving the ball through the seams in my opinion. Holloway killed it over the top when he entered.

 

[GMU92]

I finally figured out that the white sheets (game notes) are gone and found the players numbers and bios in the glossy books left on the surrounding tables. Was nice to start learning who the new players are! Great to be able to relax and enjoy a blowout then off to Brion's for a Dave Paulsen's Sub!

I noted that too when I went to find one late in the first half (someone in our section wanted one). Just wish I didn't have to walk halfway around the arena to find it. There were none available in the portals around us. I know yesterday was a sparse crowd due to Thanksgiving, but still.

 

[GMUSig03]

Paulsen put the team through a grueling practice after the Manhattan debacle, also had them practicing celebrating on the bench as a team. Looks like both paid off, I've never seen the entire bench so involved, particularly at one point in the second half, up 20, with our guys playing D on the other end of the court the entire bench was standing and cheering. Love it.

 

[March Madness32]

The mix and match players and the seamless play does present a brilliant example of the extension of George Mason basketball without the aid of looking back 10 years. As a fan new to the team reading the posts of the older fans, there is a contagious need to look back not only to the final four but also to the Larranga years flattering oneself that the same good fortune is here. Certainly the method of attaining a March bracket place is here with a cohesive team, a vigilant coach, fortunate events occurring and the less fortunate events providing optimal teachable moments and learning experiences both on and off the court. So to sum it up, George Mason basketball is going in the right direction for the Bracket and doing it in the proper basketball-dogmatically way. There is a long way to go.

 

[GMUgemini]

Absolutely a long way to go, we've got five true freshman as integral members of a pretty small rotation of players. Holloway will help as we get into the A-10 section of our schedule, but I don't think anyone should expect any miracles (or even an NIT) in the next two years -- there's going to be a lot of ups and downs and some growing pains, but I can't wait to see what Otis, Grayer, Dixon, Abram, Relvao, Murrell, Boyd, Temara, Newman, and Kier et al. can accomplish here at Mason.