Game 8: GMU (4-3) vs South Dakota St. (5-2) on Wednesday, November 24, at 9:30PM.

[gmutom]

I think we'll see a lot of changes with rotations, minutes and offensive/defensive schemes after the two-week break. This team is justifiably drained — physically and mentally — from the big Maryland win and then four straight road games in five days (three in bumf-ck nowhere).

Kim is still finding his way as a first-year head coach, and I think he was as spoiled as we were after the first four games. Like others have said here, we've seen some good things over the first 8 games. Now we just need to go back to the drawing board and practice court to iron out the bad.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

 

[GMUgemini]

And as much as we want to complain about the offensive output of some of our players, if this team played 40 minutes of fundamental defense, they come out of this tournament 2-1.

 

[Mason2005]

Defense defense defense, what we have to work on until conf play

 

[GMUYoda]

Defense defense defense, what we have to work on until conf play

And the turnovers

 

[Patriotsince81]

From KE -

"This was a great college basketball game in a great road environment," head coach Kim English said. "It was our third road game in our last five. I love our group. They keep competing and they keep doing what we ask. They stick together down and up."

"Our guys are getting better," English added. "It's unfortunate that with this part of the schedule we've played eight games in 16 days. With that type of stretch you have to rely on your habits. We're still building our program;There are absolutely some positives to take from this week."

 

[Masonfan3]

You expected a lot more out of a true freshman playing his first games in the US while adjusting to college? That’s more on you than him.

Yea, I did expect more from a kid who has NBL experience and is one of two guys to ever win some prestigious medal in Australia twice (the other being Patty Mills). And let’s not pretend that freshmen are the same now as they were 15-20 years ago. Especially Blake who has a lot of experience playing with grow men and professionals. I still like him as he plays hard but I am surprised at how unathletic he looks out there. But I am hoping he is just trying to “adjust” to college and will see some improvement soon.

 

[GSII]

Defense defense defense, what we have to work on until conf play

This 100% ...we should trap more in the half court if we are gonna send two guys to the ball and leave a shooter open.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Yea, I did expect more from a kid who has NBL experience and is one of two guys to ever win some prestigious medal in Australia twice (the other being Patty Mills). And let’s not pretend that freshmen are the same now as they were 15-20 years ago. Especially Blake who has a lot of experience playing with grow men and professionals. I still like him as he plays hard but I am surprised at how unathletic he looks out there. But I am hoping he is just trying to “adjust” to college and will see some improvement soon.

I'll offer a different perspective. I watched every minute of the U19 tournament this past summer. Blake was very weak on the boards and defensively in the tourney. He was being pushed around by his "peers" to put it mildly. He showed some flashes offensively, especially from 3 but had trouble scoring in the post. I saw him as being a "project" that might get meaningful minutes by his sophomore or junior seasons. The fact that he is getting minutes now is surprising to me. But, as I said before, his defense has improved a great deal from the summer. He is not a great or even good defender yet but he is head and shoulders better than he was in July and August. The improvement has been dramatic. He needs to hit the weights obviously. But, I am encouraged by what I have seen thus far. Hushing the obnoxious fan at Maryland after nailing the corner three also showed me the kid has a mean streak which I like. Look like a choir boy but play like an assassin. I hope he continues to play this year and improve. He has already surpassed my expectations for this year. Moving forward I'll hope to see more.

 

[GMU79]

Places George mason mens basketball should never play a game again

South Dakota
Richmond coliseum

The Coliseum is closed permanently.

 

[GMU79]

From KE -

"This was a great college basketball game in a great road environment," head coach Kim English said. "It was our third road game in our last five. I love our group. They keep competing and they keep doing what we ask. They stick together down and up."

"Our guys are getting better," English added. "It's unfortunate that with this part of the schedule we've played eight games in 16 days. With that type of stretch you have to rely on your habits. We're still building our program;There are absolutely some positives to take from this week."

Rely on your habits. Seems KE realizes that this has been a tough stretch of games, and the team is still working on becoming a "team" rather than a hastily thrown together collection of individuals.

Still building our program. Notice he didn't say team. He's planning for the future. He's got a plan and his eyes open.

 

[Pablo]

Mason Edged By South Dakota State, 80-76 - George Mason University Athletics

The George Mason University men's basketball team nearly erased an 11-point deficit but couldn't finish the comeback, falling 80-76 to South Dakota State Wednesday

gomason.com

""Graduate student D'Shawn Schwartz led Mason with a career-best 29 points (12-20 FG) to go along with four rebounds and three assists.

Junior Josh Oduro added 20 points (8-11 FG) and seven rebounds. For his outstanding efforts at the Crossover Classic, he was named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the game.

Graduate student DeVon Cooper registered 15 points and dished out a season-best six assists in 38 minutes on the floor.

The Jackrabbits shot 54.9 percent from the floor, including a 10-of-20 mark from 3-point range (.500).

Mason also hit the 50 percent mark for the game (30-60), but converted at a 33.3 percent clip (8-24) from beyond the arc. Mason also made good on its point of emphasis to limit turnovers while committing just eight in the game."

Schwartz's previous career-high was 24 points at UMD.

 

[GSII]

The defense we played in SD was head scratching. I think we made an adjustment last night that kept defenders from over sagging....or maybe I was delusional from the 10 mojitos I had. Regardless, we have some pretty damn good transfers and unless they don't wanna play D, then in my opinion, it's the scheme.

 

[gmujim92]

Other than Nevada, our 3 losses are by a total of 10 points. Despite an insanely condensed schedule and very little depth to speak of, we’re a handful of plays away from being 7-1 at Thanksgiving.

If one is inclined to be optimistic, and I am, there’s a lot to feel good about with this team. Barring injuries to the core 4, I think we’re going to make some real noise in the A-10 for the first time.

 

[GMU79]

Mason Edged By South Dakota State, 80-76 - George Mason University Athletics

The George Mason University men's basketball team nearly erased an 11-point deficit but couldn't finish the comeback, falling 80-76 to South Dakota State Wednesday

gomason.com

""Graduate student D'Shawn Schwartz led Mason with a career-best 29 points (12-20 FG) to go along with four rebounds and three assists.

Junior Josh Oduro added 20 points (8-11 FG) and seven rebounds. For his outstanding efforts at the Crossover Classic, he was named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the game.

Graduate student DeVon Cooper registered 15 points and dished out a season-best six assists in 38 minutes on the floor.

The Jackrabbits shot 54.9 percent from the floor, including a 10-of-20 mark from 3-point range (.500).

Mason also hit the 50 percent mark for the game (30-60), but converted at a 33.3 percent clip (8-24) from beyond the arc. Mason also made good on its point of emphasis to limit turnovers while committing just eight in the game."

Schwartz's previous career-high was 22 points in a home game vs. Washington.

Some good takeaways going into the break.
Now, about those D and PG issues....

 

[GMU79]

Other than Nevada, our 3 losses are by a total of 10 points. Despite an insanely condensed schedule and very little depth to speak of, we’re a handful of plays away from being 7-1 at Thanksgiving.

If one is inclined to be optimistic, and I am, there’s a lot to feel good about with this team. Barring injuries to the core 4, I think we’re going to make some real noise in the A-10 for the first time.

Yes, we're still jelling.

 

[Junkees9]

Some of you guys are expecting way too much of Jones. No matter what competition he has faced in the past, he is still a freshman and a big guy at that. It almost always takes taller/bigger guys a bit more time to adjust to the faster pace of college games. Remember, that as well as Oduro is playing now, he averaged less than 5 points a game as a freshman.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Some of you guys are expecting way too much of Jones. No matter what competition he has faced in the past, he is still a freshman and a big guy at that. It almost always takes taller/bigger guys a bit more time to adjust to the faster pace of college games. Remember, that as well as Oduro is playing now, he averaged less than 5 points a game as a freshman.

What else is new here if you had seen Jollay as a freshman no way you would have thought I would eventually become George Mason's all time leading Intramural basketball scorer but here I am and after my third sophomore year girls started to respond to my advances as well

 

[Five Two]

The defense we played in SD was head scratching. I think we made an adjustment last night that kept defenders from over sagging....or maybe I was delusional from the 10 mojitos I had. Regardless, we have some pretty damn good transfers and unless they don't wanna play D, then in my opinion, it's the scheme.

I didn't have 10 mojitos but I felt like I saw the same thing with regards to the defense.

 

[gmujim92]

Some of you guys are expecting way too much of Jones. No matter what competition he has faced in the past, he is still a freshman and a big guy at that. It almost always takes taller/bigger guys a bit more time to adjust to the faster pace of college games. Remember, that as well as Oduro is playing now, he averaged less than 5 points a game as a freshman.

I think Blake moves pretty damn well for a 6-10 guy. High basketball IQ and can shoot the 3 … we’re lucky to have him and anyone who says otherwise is probably a vcu fan.

 

[sleeperpick]

I think Blake moves pretty damn well for a 6-10 guy. High basketball IQ and can shoot the 3 … we’re lucky to have him and anyone who says otherwise is probably a vcu fan.

His passing is better than every point guard we currently have on the roster. He needs work getting it into Oduro but our pgs can’t begin to be able to do that. He also was the victim of some strange foul calls yesterday. I am a huge Blake fan. This kid would be a redshirt candidate any other year than this due to us needing him and him being so much better than any other freshman we have