Game 9, Oklahoma (at Verizon Center), Dec 8th, 1 PM, MASN

[GMUgemini]

Theres no way you can use scheme as a cover up for their lack of defense. If Corey can stay in front of his many than they can too. Defense, much like rebounding is 90% effort. We can blame Hewitt for a lot of things but our guys getting beat off the dribble like a drum is not one of them. VG and SW have been terrible at man-man defense since the moment they stepped on campus.

So go zone? Why continue to play man-to-man when you don't have the personnel to play it? You certainly don't try to press with a bunch of lazy defensive players, that's for sure.

 

[Dawgs99]

Gemini, did you really say they aren't motivated to play defense? That is so damn ridiculous. Holloway's minutes have been reduced because of his piss-poor defense, so what more motivation do they need? I get the argument about scheme, but at some point the players have to be accountable. Stop the guy you're covering. period. And if you can't, sit on the bench and we'll find somebody who can.

You could make the argument that our least athletic guard CE is our best on ball defender....how do you explain that?

 

[MASONscott]

Corey's defense, hustle and ability to take charges are a bit underrated. Clearly, his height doesn't help close to the basket but when the ball is in the backcourt he is probably one of our better defensive guards.

 

[Dawgs99]

So go zone? Why continue to play man-to-man when you don't have the personnel to play it? You certainly don't try to press with a bunch of lazy defensive players, that's for sure.

You are bringing up a different point here. You blamed scheme/motivation for our guys lack of man to man defense. I totally agree that zone is the way to go. I'd love nothing more then to be zone 75% of the time or more.

 

[gmutom]

You could make the argument that our least athletic guard CE is our best on ball defender....how do you explain that?

I guess he is motivated to play better defense. Lol

 

[GMUgemini]

I guess he is motivated to play better defense. Lol

I think he prides himself on being a good defense. Remember his first ever game at Mason? He

I guess he is motivated to play better defense. Lol

I think he prides himself on being a good defender and is self-motivated in that area. I think that's the part of the game that makes most sense to Corey (it certainly isn't breaking down a defense in the half-court).

For some, the motivation comes naturally, for others they need a kick in the a**. Hewitt is not an a**-kicker.

 

[gmu2006]

Pitiful. I'm tired of this.

Start and play the following most of the game (Average over 30 minutes):

Moore
Wright
Allen
Marko
Jenkins

Those are the only ones who are productive enough "and/or" seem to care.

Play zone most the game. Our guys keep getting passed up playing man to man. Might as well have runway lights leading up to the basket. OU shot 8.3% from 3 point land. How many times do we need to get dunked on before we wake up?

Play Copes as little as possible. I was soooooo surprised when I saw Copes actually make a basket today. He only took 1 shot in 21 minutes of play time.... and actually made the basket.

 

[gmubrian]

Start and play the following most of the game (Average over 30 minutes):

Moore
Wright
Allen
Marko
Jenkins

I asked for the exact same lineup and playing time when I was pre-gaming at RFD.

 

[GSII]

So go zone? Why continue to play man-to-man when you don't have the personnel to play it? You certainly don't try to press with a bunch of lazy defensive players, that's for sure.

Lets rewind. Remember how many games last year this team fought back into? There were several and all via man to man defense. Richmond I remember we even threw in a few traps and got some easly lay ups. There were others...However, I chose to forget last year. Point is why the lack of effort/energy when you have same players? I'm telling you guys, its a classic Hewitt mind burn. Something is wrong with him and his approach to things. I caught on to it a few years back, but really noticed it when he coached the U19 U.S. national team and they couldn't get out of there own way. Finished 5th. Lowest finish since 2003.

 

[MasonFanatic]

I had the opportunity to sit behind the bench at a road game last year, and Paris Bennett did at least as much coaching during the game as any of the assistants did. He may not have been skilled enough to play big minutes for us, but he was smart.

I miss Rashad Whack. He had the making of a defensive stopper in the John Vaughan / Isaiah Tate role. We don't have anyone like that now.

 

[EXpatriot13]

I miss Rashad Whack. He had the making of a defensive stopper in the John Vaughan / Isaiah Tate role. We don't have anyone like that now.

Isaiah Tate. Dude killed it on defense and would knock down a three pointer when needed. Miss that '10/'11 team.

 

[mkaufman1]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...5cc5fe-6049-11e3-94ad-004fefa61ee6_story.html

Writeup from the Wash Post, written by Alex Pewitt who usually does the Maryland write-ups.

 

[99 Patriot]

Having made the game yesterday, it's a shame that it was never, ever a game. Closest thing to a turning point was a blocked Allen drive in the second half that could have cut it to 4 that turned into a dunk at the other end and an 8-point edge. I did like that our guys didn't give up, I like that the press generated some turnovers and easy buckets and I like Jenkins game. Makes it even more puzzling that he got so little run against South Florida.

Can't remember ever seeing a game where we gave up so many dunks. At some point you'd think pride would kick in, but it seems the only one who gets offended is BA, and he just responds by trying to go all "Kenner League" out there forcing up a lot of bad shots.

I can't see how it gets better when we have only about 2-3 guards who can stay in front of their man and no second line of defense beyond Jenkins. Royal and Porter may play a lot next year.