Game Thread: Long Island University (0-2) at Mason (2-0), Wednesday, November 13th, 7 PM (ESPN+)

[Patriotsince81]

It wasn't pretty but I'll take 3 - 0 at home after a very pedestrian 38 - 28 under DP the previous 4 years.

 

[Five Two]

I had forgotten Tre Wood, the kid we recruited out of St John's in DC that went to UMass, transferred to LIU and sitting out this season.

 

[patriotchild]

Winning games we should win. Not gonna get hyped about it. Things to work on for sure, but they are winning. We should be 5-0 come next week.

Won’t really know what direction this season is headed until we play ODU and go to the islands.

 

[GMUgemini]

He was 2-12 or close? Hardly happy about that but I guess I understand the point. Played far too much. Calixte getting dogged like AJ last year

Mar was 2-9 but at least most of his shot selection was good. He played some extended minutes with Calixte on the floor in the first half because AJ picked up his second found at the 11:20 minute mark, so I don't think he was taking any of Cali's minutes. AJ took them in the second half is what happened, with Mar playing where AJ would normally play.

I think what you're going to see with Calixte is if the game is tight and we are ahead late in a game, he's not going to see much of the floor because of his free throw shooting.

One thing I didn't like tonight was the lazy defense off screens. Led to too many easy points.

 

[GMUgemini]

I had forgotten Tre Wood, the kid we recruited out of St John's in DC that went to UMass, transferred to LIU and sitting out this season.

I hope he liked losing to Mason for the 3rd time tonight (would it be wrong to hate schedule LIU every year just to dunk on a player).

 

[p8triotfan4life]

Thankfully, I'm now 19 wins away from my 22 win prediction.

I am feeling good about this win except the careless backcourt turnovers. vcu and others will review tape on this game and shred us. We have got to fix the carelessness.

Loved Hartwell and XJ and Miller tonight.

Mar took great shots, they will fall eventually.

 

[JPgmuswim]

Here’s a positive, how about Hartwell with only 1 turnover in the first 3 games combined. That’s 1 turnover in 112 minutes this season.

 

[The Great PATSby]

Here’s a positive, how about Hartwell with only 1 turnover in the first 3 games combined. That’s 1 turnover in 112 minutes this season.

I love and miss Otis (Not as much as Fairfax Mom), but man Hartwell is making it easy to forget about him.

 

[mkaufman1]

Here’s a positive, how about Hartwell with only 1 turnover in the first 3 games combined. That’s 1 turnover in 112 minutes this season.

excellent point guard play. Bringing back kier can only help the position and provide depth and experience at the 1/2. It also allows XJ and Hartwell to not be leaned on as much.

Hopefully they’ll play a little better against JMU.

 

[Herndon]

Not pretty, but a w beats an l.

Who goes to the bench when Kier comes back?

I don't think it's realistic for Kier to come off the bench (maybe in the first game or two while he works his way back in, but eventually he's a starter).

Miller is probably our second best player.

It would seem like the answer is either Greene or Calixte, but the way Greene is playing I wouldn't want to screw that up, and I wouldn't want to screw work Calixte's head.

I guess probably Greene, and hope he doesn't mind being a killer sub.

 

[gmujim92]

Not pretty, but a w beats an l.

Who goes to the bench when Kier comes back?

I don't think it's realistic for Kier to come off the bench (maybe in the first game or two while he works his way back in, but eventually he's a starter).

Miller is probably our second best player.

It would seem like the answer is either Greene or Calixte, but the way Greene is playing I wouldn't want to screw that up, and I wouldn't want to screw work Calixte's head.

I guess probably Greene, and hope he doesn't mind being a killer sub.

I find this question fascinating. Mostly because there’s no easy answer. Glad I don’t have to choose.

Miller was going to be the sixth man until Kier got hurt, but I think he has proven he needs to be on the floor. He’s our second-best player.

We need AJ’s shot blocking and energy, Jamal’s ball handling and perimeter shooting and Javon’s defense and rebounding.

Unfortunately for him, I think it could be Calixte but then we have to put AJ back at the 5 and that’s not ideal either.

Any way the NCAA will let us play with 6?

 

[Herndon]

I find this question fascinating. Mostly because there’s no easy answer. Glad I don’t have to choose.

Miller was going to be the sixth man until Kier got hurt, but I think he has proven he needs to be on the floor. He’s our second-best player.

We need AJ’s shot blocking and energy, Jamal’s ball handling and perimeter shooting and Javon’s defense and rebounding.

Unfortunately for him, I think it could be Calixte but then we have to put AJ back at the 5 and that’s not ideal either.

Any way the NCAA will let us play with 6?

I understand the attractiveness of Miller as the sixth man. You can realistically sub him in for any other guy in the lineup (except maybe point guard, but even then), and the team can still function smoothly.

That said, it's ludicrous not to start him.

 

[Falco]

Not pretty, but a w beats an l.

Who goes to the bench when Kier comes back?

I don't think it's realistic for Kier to come off the bench (maybe in the first game or two while he works his way back in, but eventually he's a starter).

Miller is probably our second best player.

It would seem like the answer is either Greene or Calixte, but the way Greene is playing I wouldn't want to screw that up, and I wouldn't want to screw work Calixte's head.

I guess probably Greene, and hope he doesn't mind being a killer sub.

My concerns as well.

 

[Falco]

I find this question fascinating. Mostly because there’s no easy answer. Glad I don’t have to choose.

Miller was going to be the sixth man until Kier got hurt, but I think he has proven he needs to be on the floor. He’s our second-best player.

We need AJ’s shot blocking and energy, Jamal’s ball handling and perimeter shooting and Javon’s defense and rebounding.

Unfortunately for him, I think it could be Calixte but then we have to put AJ back at the 5 and that’s not ideal either.

Any way the NCAA will let us play with 6?

Maybe the simple answer is that Kier is the 6th man.

 

[gmujim92]

Maybe the simple answer is that Kier is the 6th man.

I’m inclined to agree. His minutes will need to be managed carefully anyhow — and it might help integrate him into the rotation without messing up everyone else.

It certainly would be an amazing luxury to be able to use your best player as the sixth man.

 

[mkaufman1]

I find this question fascinating. Mostly because there’s no easy answer. Glad I don’t have to choose.

Miller was going to be the sixth man until Kier got hurt, but I think he has proven he needs to be on the floor. He’s our second-best player.

We need AJ’s shot blocking and energy, Jamal’s ball handling and perimeter shooting and Javon’s defense and rebounding.

Unfortunately for him, I think it could be Calixte but then we have to put AJ back at the 5 and that’s not ideal either.

Any way the NCAA will let us play with 6?

I think you probably go with Hartwell, Kier, Javon, AJ, Calixte, and have Miller be first guy off the bench. I think you have 7 guys at minimum who are going to play starters minutes (30+ minutes a game) depending on match ups and performance. It could always be mixed and matched if you have a team that is very tall and athletic, and you would rather have Miller start.

Its a good problem to have but I hope nobody gets down on themselves if they are playing as 6th man instead of starting.

Even if Kier doesn't play 30+ minutes a game to start, I don't see how you don't start a senior but thats just me. I think the depth will help ensure that starters minutes are 30 mins a game, not 38.

 

[Bricker]

I’m inclined to agree. His minutes will need to be managed carefully anyhow — and it might help integrate him into the rotation without messing up everyone else.

It certainly would be an amazing luxury to be able to use your best player as the sixth man.

I like this too. However, after watching last night's game, I think our guys also need a calming force out there on the court as well to help mitigate some of the mental mistakes. Especially against a disruptive or pressing defense.

 

[gmujim92]

I think you probably go with Hartwell, Kier, Javon, AJ, Calixte, and have Miller be first guy off the bench. I think you have 7 guys at minimum who are going to play starters minutes (30+ minutes a game) depending on match ups and performance. It could always be mixed and matched if you have a team that is very tall and athletic, and you would rather have Miller start.

Its a good problem to have but I hope nobody gets down on themselves if they are playing as 6th man instead of starting.

Even if Kier doesn't play 30+ minutes a game to start, I don't see how you don't start a senior but thats just me. I think the depth will help ensure that starters minutes are 30 mins a game, not 38.

The not getting down on themselves part is one of the reasons I’m intrigued about Kier coming off the bench.

He knows he’s the man on this team. Playing as our Super-Super-6 wouldn’t mess with his ego like it could for some of the young guys who are still building confidence in their new roles.

It’s at least interesting to talk about, and as you noted, a good problem to have for once.

 

[By George.]

Mars step mom has something on paulsen. He’s back in the game after being 1-10 and looking horrible on defense. Not an Oduro guy but f*ck put him in instead

Pretty crazy to not be an Oduro guy yet, he has all the tools.

 

[By George.]

And I swear to god if Paulsen gives us any line about LIU being a good team that’s going to win a lot of games this year in the post-game, I will lose my shit.

Survey says: that’s exactly what happened