Game Thread: Mason (11-2) vs. vcu (10-3), Sunday, January 5th, 12:00 PM

[sleeperpick]

This is not fun. vcu not good. What does that make us

 

[FreeGunston12]

Team looks completely unprepared. Offense is non-existent. vcu has played the same way for years, and it looks like we are surprised.

I actually disagree. Looks like we were prepared well for the press for the first 10 minutes. We've just missed all our shots and worn down as the half has gone on.

vcu has had 6 team fouls for about 7 minutes now. We've stopped attacking them.

 

[MasonSAE4]

If we’re not beating this vcu team, we’re never beating them.

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

Don’t want to complain too much cause this has been the first game in a while where the refs haven’t let vcu play prison rules but that call on AJ for his second was absolutely horrendous.

Spoke too soon. The bumping after we beat the press is not being called at all.

 

[Irish44j]

Team looks completely unprepared. Offense is non-existent. vcu has played the same way for years, and it looks like we are surprised.

When it comes down to it, our team is simply lacking any legitimately good shooters. And it seems a couple of the guys on the floor basically never shoot, so the defense can key in more on the few guys who do.

 

[MasonSAE4]

We look like we practiced getting the ball over half court so much that we’ve forgotten what to do once we’ve broken the press.

 

[FreeGunston12]

To not shoot any free throws after vcu had 6 fouls midway through the half is so frustrating.

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

To not shoot any free throws after vcu had 6 fouls midway through the half is so frustrating.

It's BS is what it is. You break the press and then they're scrambling. Guys get bumped and pushed and nothing called. If the game is officiated this way in the second half, we have no chance....Our offense/shooting has sucked, but part of the strategy is to beat the press and go hard to the bucket. If you do that and don't get calls when there's contact it makes things tough.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

vcu plays really good team defense. They are a solid team. But very beatable as well.

They are also exposing us. We need to play Xavier Johnson more. And hopefully Javon Greene and AJ Wilson can do something on offense.

 

[MasonSAE4]

If not shooting a single f**king free throw after vcu got its sixth foul with 12 mins to go isn’t an indictment on Paulsen’s offense then nothing is.

 

[Falco]

When it comes down to it, our team is simply lacking any legitimately good shooters. And it seems a couple of the guys on the floor basically never shoot, so the defense can key in more on the few guys who do.

Team is lacking offense all around. No one can create their own shot. This team needs An Otis

 

[FreeGunston12]

Team is lacking offense all around. No one can create their own shot. This team needs An Otis

No thanks. Had 1, and he was terrible against vcu.

 

[hoops10]

Just an obvious lack of overall talent with Mason. Poor shooting, poor defense.
Gonar Marr has lost whatever game he had. Jovan Green has no confidence. Hartwell can't penetrate or shoot, too small. Paulson may be a decent coach, but he just has not done the job recruiting. Though his recruiting class next year looks much better.

 

[allhailme]

Mar is useless out there right now.

Not sure why Paulsen didn’t bring back AJ during that run. What are you saving him for if the game is out of hand when you bring him back?

 

[FreeGunston12]

Mar brings nothing to the table and should not play in the 2nd half under any circumstances. He can't space the floor and shoot. He can't handle the ball. He can't defend the post. There is no reason to play him.

 

[FreeGunston12]

Mar is useless out there right now.

Not sure why Paulsen didn’t bring back AJ during that run. What are you saving him for if the game is out of hand when you bring him back?

Hopefully AJ stays out of foul trouble in the 2nd and we don't have to see more Mar.

 

[JPgmuswim]

Could be worse could be better. Need shots to start falling. I’d like them to come out aggressive and try and get vcu in foul trouble, 6 turnovers in the first half is better than I thought we’d be.

 

[FreeGunston12]

Hopefully AJ stays out of foul trouble in the 2nd and we don't have to see more Mar.

And AJ picks up his 3rd one minute into the half.

 

[FreeGunston12]

Oduro can not keep Santos Silva off of the glass. If AJ is out, Greg needs to be in.

 

[JPgmuswim]

And AJ picks up his 3rd one minute into the half.

That’s pretty devastating