Game Thread: Mason (5-0) AT #6/#7 Univ. of Maryland (4-0), Friday, Nov. 22nd, 7 PM (Big Ten Network)

[Washingtonian]

Maryland beat Fairfield on Tuesday night by a score of 74-55 to get to 4-0 on the season. Their wins are against Holy Cross, Rhode Island and Oakland.

Maryland's schedule is here: https://umterps.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
Maryland's roster is here: https://umterps.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster
Maryland's 2018-19 stats are here: https://umterps.com/documents/2018/11/10/1819_combined.pdf
Maryland's 2019-20 stats are here: https://umterps.com/documents/2019/11/5//1920_combined.pdf?id=9492

Returning players from the 2018-19 team: Jalen Smith is averaging 14.3 PPG/9.7 RPG (11.7 PPG/6.8 RPG last season), Anthony Cowan is averaging 12.3 PPG (15.6 PPG/3.7 RPG last season), Darryl Morsell is averaging 11.0 PPG/5.3 RPG (8.5 PPG/3.1 RPG last season), Aaron Wiggins is averaging 10.7 PPG/6.7 RPG (8.3 PPG/3.3 RPG last season), and Eric Ayala is averaging 10.3 PPG (8.6 PPG last season).

It looks like their game thread/pre game discussion will be here: https://247sports.com/college/maryland/board/maryland-terrapins-message-board-forum-53/

Opponents are 18-36 from the free throw line this season.

 

[Patriotsince81]

The pessimist in me says this is a total blowout. Maryland 90 - GMU 40.
The optimist in me says we hang tough for the first 36 minutes. We're down 4 with 4 minutes to go only to lose by 10 because we have to foul at the end.
The realist in me says they are bigger, stronger, and better at every position. Maryland 80 - GMU 60. I just hope we compete and don't back down.
This will be a good test to see how far we have come and possibly give us a glimpse into how good we can be in the future.

 

[GreenLantern]

Us - 58
Them - 70
OT

 

[Five Two]

I'm a bit surprised we haven't played a little zone in our first 5 games because I've not seen anything to demonstrate we can play man-to-man against Maryland. Maybe DP didnt want to show it in a game as to not tip his hand. I'm hopeful we keep it under 20.

 

[sleeperpick]

I'm a bit surprised we haven't played a little zone in our first 5 games because I've not seen anything to demonstrate we can play man-to-man against Maryland. Maybe DP didnt want to show it in a game as to not tip his hand. I'm hopeful we keep it under 20.

This. Absolutely need to play zone and gang rebound to have a chance. We will score in the 60’s I think which gives us a legitimate chance. Our bigs are going to need to stay out of foul trouble or it could get ugly. Our perimeter defenders will need to cut the ole defense crap out of their repertoire. We can not afford cheap fouls on AJ, Jordan or Greg because a guard can’t stay with their man.

Play zone

 

[Bricker]

Not very hopeful about the outcome but I'm curious to see how the team plays up to superior competition without a senior on the floor. It does feel like this team is more mentally tough/fearless than other squads DP has fielded over the past few years. We'll see how that translates. I hate moral victories but a 20 pt loss or less with some good moments will have me feeling a bit more confident about conference play.

 

[PDGL Hoops]

Just show up - don't need a W - just need to see us work.

 

[JimP]

Fairfield lost by 19 - no reason GMU can't do better than that. Also, GMU has looked a lot better during stretches than they did last night. Just hoping they show fight, which I'm sure they will. Nothing to lose.

 

[mkaufman1]

This one is going to be a tough one, but I am hoping they show some good glimpses and leave it all on the court. No 8 minute stretches of not scoring, playing tough d, and make them as uncomfortable as possible.

Maryland 82
Mason 62

 

[Haxormax]

When do we get our injured guys back?

 

[Pablo]

AJ vs. Jalen "Stix" Smith:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1196990599225724929

 

[gmutom]

AJ vs. Jalen "Stix" Smith:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1196990599225724929

Does anybody else find it odd that we run no ally-oop passes to AJ? Coach L was a very conservative coach, but he must have run a few dozen alley-oop plays that resulted in a Gabe Norwood or Luke Hancock dunk. Just seems like an obvious play that we never seem to utilize.

 

[sleeperpick]

Does anybody else find it odd that we run no ally-oop passes to AJ? Coach L was a very conservative coach, but he must have run a few dozen alley-oop plays that resulted in a Gabe Norwood or Luke Hancock dunk. Just seems like an obvious play that we never seem to utilize.

Maybe one of the thirty back screens Loyola set for Kostecka might inspire Paulsen but for some reason I doubt it

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

I've watched Maryland a couple of times this year. They really get after you defensively and are long at every position. I totally agree on going zone. Our only chance is to pack it in and hope they are off from deep otherwise we will get boatraced on the boards. I would not be surprised to see Maryland end up in the top 5 in rebounding at the end of the year. They pound the glass....I think if we keep it within 15, it's a a huge win especially without Kier.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

Hopefully, there is a strong showing of the GMU fandom up there. Be loud and proud. Remember March 15 2001!

 

[mkaufman1]

I've watched Maryland a couple of times this year. They really get after you defensively and are long at every position. I totally agree on going zone. Our only chance is to pack it in and hope they are off from deep otherwise we will get boatraced on the boards. I would not be surprised to see Maryland end up in the top 5 in rebounding at the end of the year. They pound the glass....I think if we keep it within 15, it's a a huge win especially without Kier.

FWIW Maryland is only shooting 27% from deep this year but knowing Mason's luck they'll probably shoot 65% from 3 on Friday.

Going to take 2-3 guys going after boards to help keep them off the glass.

 

[psyclone]

Rhode Island, the best team they played, lost by 18 even though they have pretty good size (e.g. Langevine) and got a similar number of rebounds. URI was about 30%, both from 2 and 3, and Dowtin and Fats Russel were something like a combined 3-18.

As for strength of schedule, we're at 337 and UMd at 316 according to Kenpom.

Kenpom still has the spread at 17. I'd be ok if we came that close.

 

[GMUgemini]

All I care about is our players battle for 40 minutes, regardless of the final score.

 

[Falco]

I'm a bit surprised we haven't played a little zone in our first 5 games because I've not seen anything to demonstrate we can play man-to-man against Maryland. Maybe DP didnt want to show it in a game as to not tip his hand. I'm hopeful we keep it under 20.

I was wondering if Paulsen is holding Oduro back because he doesn't want to tip his hand until conference play. I am half kidding, but I'm surprised he didn't get more minutes last night.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

I was wondering if Paulsen is holding Oduro back because he doesn't want to tip his hand until conference play. I am half kidding, but I'm surprised he didn't get more minutes last night.

He had two early fouls in the first half and DP was forced to bench him. Then he got a foul early in the second half and went to the bench again. But I agree and still thought he could've provded valuable minutes late in the game.