Game Thread: Mason (11-1) vs. TCU (8-3), Monday, Dec. 30th, 9:00 PM

[GMUYoda]

They lick their chops at everything, though, McRib, tasty exotic vape flavors, mens genitals, etc.

Well played and great response. Hat tip to you sir

 

[gmutom]

I think what frustrated me the most was how long we stuck with our full-court traps. I don’t recall us generating any steals from the press, and it put us on our heels defensively. We struggled to find their shooters and gave up a ridiculous amount of threes (they made 14 on 58% shooting).

Dave should have realized it wasn’t working earlier and made an adjustment to get back on defense. We could be in for another long day Sunday if we try to press vcu the same way.

 

[mkaufman1]

They lick their chops at everything, though, McRib, tasty exotic vape flavors, mens genitals, etc.

cant wait to see what our friend Vinay has to say lol

 

[Patriotsince81]

Anyone else think Hartwell has been the biggest disappointment since Cayman Islands? Since New Mexico State, from 3 he's shot 0-3 against JVSt, 0-6 against American, 2-7 against UMBC, and is currently shooting 1-4 in this game.

He is just too small. I don't question his heart.

 

[By George.]

Can't wait to hear how great we practiced this week.

Apparently we had 4 straight days of great practices, gots to love it.

 

[By George.]

Hopping on the flight back to DC now, that game was uninspiring. It’s shitty we have vcu at home at noon on a Sunday. No way we play as bad Sunday as we did last night, that much is clear.

Listen about our trip here, also included is a postgame interview with Dave Paulsen, he blamed our defensive struggles on players getting discouraged with their offensive struggles. Essentially: we struggled

https://giantkiller.co/ByGeorge/2019/12/31/giant-killers-storm-fort-worth/

 

[Copes4Three]

How about that it only counts as 1 loss and not 3?

That was embarrassing. But give TCU credit, they did what you are supposed to do when you are bigger and faster than your opponent.

I agree but this was supposed to be the "best squad hes ever had", you dont expect an 11 win team to get wiped out the way they did. How come everytime we lose to a big time school it's because they are faster and stronger, why cant we get players that match up? So far Mason hasn't lost to a bad opponent but they dont have a good win either.

 

[gmujim92]

So far Mason hasn't lost to a bad opponent but they dont have a good win either.

Actually we have one.

13 games into the season, we have one good win and zero bad losses ... and we still have no clue what kind of team we really have.

Hopefully we add a second good win on Sunday, but I’m not optimistic about our chances.

 

[Bricker]

Last night was tough to watch. But if we have to lay an egg, I'm glad it was against TCU (as opposed to a team like UMBC or our A-10 opener, the team which shall not be named). Now there's five days to work to make sure we see a competitive performance on Saturday.

 

[gmujim92]

Last night was tough to watch. But if we have to lay an egg, I'm glad it was against TCU (as opposed to a team like UMBC or our A-10 opener, the team which shall not be named). Now there's five days to work to make sure we see a competitive performance on Saturday.

Sunday

 

[Walter]

That's the kind of beatdown that can make a team question itself.

 

[Mason32]

Hopping on the flight back to DC now, that game was uninspiring. It’s shitty we have vcu at home at noon on a Sunday. No way we play as bad Sunday as we did last night, that much is clear.

Listen about our trip here, also included is a postgame interview with Dave Paulsen, he blamed our defensive struggles on players getting discouraged with their offensive struggles. Essentially: we struggled

https://giantkiller.co/ByGeorge/2019/12/31/giant-killers-storm-fort-worth/

You went all the way there and didn't get any Grayer comments?

 

[Herndon]

Last night was tough to watch. But if we have to lay an egg, I'm glad it was against TCU (as opposed to a team like UMBC or our A-10 opener, the team which shall not be named). Now there's five days to work to make sure we see a competitive performance on Saturday.

This is me, too. That was rough, for sure, but hopefully it was just a bad game. Bad games happen sometimes. Still hoping for a 20 win season

 

[gmujim92]

That's the kind of beatdown that can make a team question itself.

Like when Rocky got his a** kicked by Clubber Lang and realized he had been beating up on a bunch of tomato cans after becoming heavyweight champ.

Hopefully our guys got a reality check last night and now understand that they can’t get away with lazy defense against quality opposition.

If so, the loss could be a valuable learning experience.

 

[GMUgemini]

Like when Rocky got his a** kicked by Clubber Lang and realized he had been beating up on a bunch of tomato cans after becoming heavyweight champ.

Hopefully our guys got a reality check last night and now understand that they can’t get away with lazy defense against quality opposition.

If so, the loss could be a valuable learning experience.

Yes, but you’d think they’d have learned that last season after giving up 96 points to Georgia Southern, almost all layups...

I want to see Kier and XJ in the starting lineup on Sunday.

Also don’t buy the Hartwell is “too small” argument. Gilyard is freaking 5’9, Dunn-Martin is probably around the same size.

 

[sleeperpick]

Yes, but you’d think they’d have learned that last season after giving up 96 points to Georgia Southern, almost all layups...

I want to see Kier and XJ in the starting lineup on Sunday.

Also don’t buy the Hartwell is “too small” argument. Gilyard is freaking 5’9, Dunn-Martin is probably around the same size.

Dunn Martin could fit in your pocket. I’m not kidding. That dude makes Hartwell look like a center.

 

[sleeperpick]

Change it up. I agree Gemini. XJ and kier in for Greene and Hartwell. Both are trending down even before this game. Just change it up a little. Maybe keep Oduro in if he gets 4 rebounds in 7 seconds. And then if he starts sucking in the second half again maybe take him out?!! Idk seems smart to me

 

[mkaufman1]

Change it up. I agree Gemini. XJ and kier in for Greene and Hartwell. Both are trending down even before this game. Just change it up a little. Maybe keep Oduro in if he gets 4 rebounds in 7 seconds. And then if he starts sucking in the second half again maybe take him out?!! Idk seems smart to me

The four guards ability to score and defend are very much one of the keys to Masons success. Greene looked great against UMBC but couldn’t get in a rhythm last night. Once he had two fouls that was it for him. Need him to defend and use his length. Not sure what’s going on with Hartwell, but his ability to score and run the offense is also a big key. Can’t just rely on XJ and Kier at the point.

Oduro had some great moments last night rebounding, and had a few nice scoring touches. Kid has to work on his jumper and just get stronger. I think it’ll come, he’s much less raw for a freshman big than I thought he’d be. Hopefully he can defend Silva and get enough help from Mar/Miller/AJ.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Like when Rocky got his a** kicked by Clubber Lang and realized he had been beating up on a bunch of tomato cans after becoming heavyweight champ.

Hopefully our guys got a reality check last night and now understand that they can’t get away with lazy defense against quality opposition.

If so, the loss could be a valuable learning experience.

Now I forecast a vcu player kills Paulsen in pregame intros, we lose badly. And then Chubbs Peterson is named interim coach and then we slowly build ourselves up, training in California, and get 'em in the rematch.

And then in an exhibition against a Russian team next year....

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Change it up. I agree Gemini. XJ and kier in for Greene and Hartwell. Both are trending down even before this game. Just change it up a little. Maybe keep Oduro in if he gets 4 rebounds in 7 seconds. And then if he starts sucking in the second half again maybe take him out?!! Idk seems smart to me

The good thing about this team is we have enough depth to change things up when players are trending up and down.

The bad thing is it makes us fans feel a lot less certain than we would if we had a rock solid starting lineup.

vcu suxks