Games 10 - 12: Diamond Head Classic, Dec 22nd through Dec 25th

[mkaufman1]

Its unfortunate it is what it is at this point. I think during dead periods it does suck for us fans, but we have to remember that the team are students (first) and need to focus on doing well on their finals so they still can play etc. It seems like even Coach Kreider who uses social media pretty well has gone relatively quiet these days as well. I won't beat the dead horse with the other writers on the team, since they may be tied up with their own personal lives or higher priorities.

Fortunately the next game is next Sunday, and I am sure we'll start to see and hear things when its closer. I hope the team took the break from basketball as a time to figure out what is wrong and work hard at fixing them. I hope they see the opportunity against Iowa State to forget about the first 9 games and see the opportunity to grow and come together.

 

[Pablo]

I hope the team took the break from basketball as a time to figure out what is wrong and work hard at fixing them. I hope they see the opportunity against Iowa State to forget about the first 9 games and see the opportunity to grow and come together.

IMO, this is the time when senior leadership must step up and resolve any doubts or loss of confidence in the locker room.

 

[mkaufman1]

IMO, this is the time when senior leadership must step up and resolve any doubts or loss of confidence in the locker room.

Completely agree. I'm hoping we see a refreshed, focused, determined group against Iowa State. And even if they lose (Which most likely will occur), I hope we all see the effort and willingness to do what it takes to be a quality team.

 

[Washingtonian]

Steven Goff ‏@GMUWashPost 2m
Anali Okoloji, suspended for Oklahoma game, will travel with team to Hawaii but unclear when indefinite suspension will be lifted #masonmbb

 

[Pablo]

Steven Goff ‏@GMUWashPost 2m
Anali Okoloji, suspended for Oklahoma game, will travel with team to Hawaii but unclear when indefinite suspension will be lifted #masonmbb

To me, it seems like such a long time ago that Anali started the first 18 games of last season.

 

[Five Two]

Steven Goff ‏@GMUWashPost 2m
Anali Okoloji, suspended for Oklahoma game, will travel with team to Hawaii but unclear when indefinite suspension will be lifted #masonmbb

If Tony Skinn only got a one game suspension for punching a player in the nuts, I think AO has served his time.

Like the rest of you, I don't like this two week break. While they are students first (I think.....), there were a lot of games played this weekend by schools who are in the middle of finals. I wonder if we tried to get a game this weekend and just couldn't.

 

[gmujim92]

If Tony Skinn only got a one game suspension for punching a player in the nuts, I think AO has served his time.

Like the rest of you, I don't like this two week break. While they are students first (I think.....), there were a lot of games played this weekend by schools who are in the middle of finals. I wonder if we tried to get a game this weekend and just couldn't.

I heard Hewitt offered to play at Rupp Arena, but UK was too scared to face the juggernaut that is George Mason University men's basketball.

 

[gmutom]

I heard Hewitt offered to play at Rupp Arena, but UK was too scared to face the juggernaut that is George Mason University men's basketball.

Maybe Calipari didn't have the money in his budget to pay his players for an additional game.

 

[gmujim92]

Maybe Calipari didn't have the money in his budget to pay his players for an additional game.

Tom, Tom ... we all know there's no salary cap at UK.

 

[Pablo]

If Tony Skinn only got a one game suspension for punching a player in the nuts, I think AO has served his time.

I assume most of us would agree that a 1-game suspension is sufficient. But, how much quality PT should he getting at this point in the season, and is he now primarily a "3" or a "4"?

 

[Bricker]

I assume most of us would agree that a 1-game suspension is sufficient. But, how much quality PT should he getting at this point in the season, and is he now primarily a "3" or a "4"?

I've seen enough of him. He should enjoy his scholarship from the end of the bench until the rest of the team fouls out.

 

[PoorManProfit]

I've seen enough of him. He should enjoy his scholarship from the end of the bench until the rest of the team fouls out.

This.

 

[Pablo]

Anali has to be so frustrated. Last season, he began his career at Mason starting 18 consecutive games. Not only hasn't he started since, he was benched for 5 games last season including both CAA tourney games and the Finals Game 3 of the CBI vs. Santa Clara.

And, the only game that he's played more than 10 minutes this season was the Princeton game.

 

[gmujim92]

Anyone who thinks Okoloji should be glued to the bench is in serious denial about the talent on our roster.

Now, I do think he's been seriously miscast as a SF -- shocker! -- because his jumper isn't consistent and he struggles to keep quicker players from driving by him.

But if I was coach, I'd give him a chance to back up Marko at the 4. He's the same height as J2, but more explosive and athletic, and certainly plays harder.

J2 would never get suspended for stepping on an opposing player because he'd be too busy escorting him to our basket for 2 more easy points.

 

[Dawgs99]

Totaly agree Jim. Anali has been playing out of position since he arrived. His best attributes are hustle and rebounding. Anali should be getting some minutes at the 4 and told to only block out and rebound. Only shoot if you're within 5-6 feet. He def has a better motor than J2.

 

[gmujim92]

Totaly agree Jim. Anali has been playing out of position since he arrived. His best attributes are hustle and rebounding. Anali should be getting some minutes at the 4 and told to only block out and rebound. Only shoot if you're within 5-6 feet. He def has a better motor than J2.

Yep, he may not have the handle or jumper to fill the role Hewitt envisioned for him as a long, mismatch-causing wing, but that doesn't mean AO can't have any role whatsoever.

It's not like we have a roster chock full of guys who are willing to really get after it.

But re-deploying AO would require Hewitt to acknowledge that he made a mistake and adjust accordingly. I'm not holding my breath on that one.

 

[Pablo]

I agree that Anali has a role on the team, primarily for his rebounding and defense. To me, he's a bigger version of Richard Tynes. If you recall, Tynes was limited in his offensive skills, but you could count on him on the boards and defensively.

He's evidently a good kid and I love his hustle and intensity, but he continues to pick up foolish fouls. Counting his redshirt season, this is his 4th season of D-I ball and he should be playing a lot smarter than he is. I remember reading that a former coach of his predicted he would be a real impact player by the end of his junior season. Well, I'm waiting!

So, while I believe that he should be getting PT at the "4", I'm also concerned that he doesn't take too much PT away from a player like Jalen Jenkins whose upside IMO is significantly higher than Anali.

 

[gmujim92]

Pablo, if he takes 1 second of PT away from Jalen, that's a monumental blunder.

But I could see a scenario where Jenkins effectively plays the 5 and AO takes minutes away from J2 and Copes, neither of whom are giving us anything on either end of the floor right now.

If I got to set our rotation, here's what I'd go with:

STARTERS
C -- Jenkins
PF -- Marko
SF -- Wright
SG -- Allen
PG -- Moore

NEXT 5
C -- Copes/J2, whoever is sucking less
PF -- Okoloji
SF -- Gray
SG -- Holloway
PG -- Edwards

 

[gmutom]

Our big man rotation should consist of Jenkins and Marko starting and then Copes, J2 and Okoloji fighting for the rest of the time off the bench. I never want to see Okoloji playing the 3 again, because he can't shoot outside and he's not very good at penetrating or posting up. If we do want to go big, we can move Marko out to the 3.

Sherrod and Gray should get all of the minutes at the 3, with Allen and Holloway splitting time at the 2. PG duties would obviously go to Moore and Edwards.

 

[Pablo]

Pablo, if he takes 1 second of PT away from Jalen, that's a monumental blunder.

But, less be realistic - as much as we love Jalen, he's still learning the game. I think there's a reason that Hewitt played Anali 21 minutes vs. 6 minutes for Jalen in the Princeton game.