Open Practice Analytics

[Mason2005]

Just making a thread for ppl who went to the open practice to put their comments.

My observation, Reuter is putting the hurt on A10 bigs this year.

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[Patriotsince81]

We should be better than last year, thats all I will say. Calixte and Grayer sat out with minor injuries. Grayer was NOT in a boot of any kind. I was impressed with all 3 freshmen. Not ready to proclaim us national champs or a total bust, that will come after the first win or loss. Great to see Mason basketball in June!

 

[psyclone]

Reuter is indeed a physical presence and has an "NBA" toughness underneath. Although he took a fair number of shots down low, I don't remember him scoring that much, though. Made 1-2 FTs.
Actually, I was impressed by AJ who guarded him most of the time (Calixte didn't play due to a hip strain; Paulsen said that it wouldn't sideline him too long. I didn't catch if he mentioned how long Jaire would be out, but the procedure was related to foot issues the last couple of months of the season).

Reuter outweighs him by 60 pounds and wasn't hesitant in using his body to get a shot off. But AJ hung in there well, drew 2 offensive fouls in the 2 8 minute periods they played. AJ looked good on offense as well--making a couple of contested jump shots inside of 10 ft against Jared.

The 3 recruits played reasonably well (they've only been on campus 3 days) and I believe each made a basket (less sure about Hartwell) or two. I think Miller may have made the only 3 of the scrimmage off of a nice pass from JDS.

Paulsen said there were 250 people at the Open House, and indicated that it was a much bigger crowd than 2 years ago when they did the same event.

First game will be Tuesday Nov 6. They have a "verbal" commitment of a game which is the last game to be arranged. Once the paperwork is signed, a schedule will be announced.

 

[Patriotsince81]

PS to my boys in 115. After looking at all new seats available, I am not moving. Part of the no fun police directly in front of me have moved or given up their seats. Progress is slow but steady. We may yet get EBA to be a rowdy and fun place; which will actually give us a home court advantage.

 

[Patriotsince81]

PSS. Normally not a huge fan of the term "athlete" but AJ was pretty impressive tonight. He held his own physically down low against Rueter , had some nice buckets, and had one block on the defensive end where I swear he took off from the foul line. There were some encouraging signs to build on.

 

[jessej]

Reuter is indeed a physical presence and has an "NBA" toughness underneath. Although he took a fair number of shots down low, I don't remember him scoring that much, though. Made 1-2 FTs.
Actually, I was impressed by AJ who guarded him most of the time (Calixte didn't play due to a hip strain; Paulsen said that it wouldn't sideline him too long. I didn't catch if he mentioned how long Jaire would be out, but the procedure was related to foot issues the last couple of months of the season).

Reuter outweighs him by 60 pounds and wasn't hesitant in using his body to get a shot off. But AJ hung in there well, drew 2 offensive fouls in the 2 8 minute periods they played. AJ looked good on offense as well--making a couple of contested jump shots inside of 10 ft against Jared.

The 3 recruits played reasonably well (they've only been on campus 3 days) and I believe each made a basket (less sure about Hartwell) or two. I think Miller may have made the only 3 of the scrimmage off of a nice pass from JDS.

Paulsen said there were 250 people at the Open House, and indicated that it was a much bigger crowd than 2 years ago when they did the same event.

First game will be Tuesday Nov 6. They have a "verbal" commitment of a game which is the last game to be arranged. Once the paperwork is signed, a schedule will be announced.

and 2 offensive fouls - both push offs

 

[jessej]

hopefully much more depth to this year's team;
potentially a 9 man rotation which could allow the team to play much more aggressively.

This was one of 10 practices allowed by the NCAA prior to the Europe Trip; which each team is allowed one every 4 years.

Seems like the freshman recruits just arrived on campus recently;

Some of the team is enrolled in summer school, which will allow a lighter academic load during the season

 

[mkaufman1]

PS to my boys in 115. After looking at all new seats available, I am not moving. Part of the no fun police directly in front of me have moved or given up their seats. Progress is slow but steady. We may yet get EBA to be a rowdy and fun place; which will actually give us a home court advantage.

Good to hear! Part of the hissing crowd moved up to the 750 seats but I'll still be in my seats...occasionally

 

[GreenLantern]

I want the season to start today!

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Some of the team is enrolled in summer school, which will allow a lighter academic load during the season

I don't know why more students do this, even if you're a good one. Let me take less classes during the year, have more time to wait tables and earn some $, have more fun, get better grades. Study abroad, too. Got two semesters of credit by going to France for a month and drinking Kronenbourg all day and singing Frera Jacque and shit.

If I was a DI athlete it would be a no-brainer.

 

[GMUSig03]

My brief observations before the kid decided he only wanted to do laps around the concourse and check out what was behind every single vendor table:

1. All 3 freshman look like they belong. Physically, JDS is very thin but you can tell he is going to be looked at as a scorer. Hartwell was aggressive at taking it to Otis and has better length than I expected. Miller had a very athletic/comfortable looking finish around the bucket, made me think he may be further along offensively than we expected. He has a very solid frame with wide shoulders and a decent build already, which means that he should be able to add bulk that will enable to be bang at the 4 and occassionally against smaller 5's.

2. Everyone was waaaaaay rusty, which is completely to be expected. Shots weren't falling in shootaround drills or in the scrimmage.

3. I asked Paulsen for an over/under prediction on Boyd buzzer beaters, he didn't give a number but the gave the expected answer that hopefully they won't have to rely on so many. Mentioned that it was hard on his heart and that during their off season strategic planning, they did not discuss buzzer beater strategy.

4. There were some slightly tough questions from the crowd - what's being done to improve shooting percentage, better inbound plays, will their be more aggressive defense. His answers in order were essentially - working on it, working on it, probably not going to extend the defense too much but that it is ultimately dependent on which players end up earning/winning which roles and their ability - he told the players they are still competing for spots.

5. Wings and Ruge burger at Brions were both on point - do they have a new cook?!

 

[Patriotsince81]

5. Wings and Ruge burger at Brions were both on point - do they have a new cook?!

Changed vendors I believe, better quality meats.

 

[dr. gunnie]

ByGeorge has most of the Q&A if you haven’t seen it:

https://twitter.com/bygeorgegmu/status/1012126447534829568?s=21

 

[Dawgs99]

Of the 3 recruits, I was most impressed with Hartwell. He went toe to toe with Otis and really didn't seem over matched. His handle is very good and he made some real nice pocket passes and one real nice behind the back pass on a pick and pop situation. Seemed like a real confident kid. AJ and Ian stood out among the returners. This team/program are light years ahead of where we were when Paulsen found it. Good shit Dave!

 

[Mason2005]

With all the chatter about getting higher star rated recruits and some worrying about it. These three recruits show that we are improving in that department. Dont let the mass media stars and rankings fool you.

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[MasonGradSquared]

Please keep the floor dry during practice this year. A couple nasty looking slip and falls...

 

[jessej]

I don't know why more students do this, even if you're a good one. Let me take less classes during the year, have more time to wait tables and earn some $, have more fun, get better grades. Study abroad, too. Got two semesters of credit by going to France for a month and drinking Kronenbourg all day and singing Frera Jacque and shit.

If I was a DI athlete it would be a no-brainer.

At some schools for some programs it is mandatory for scholarship athletes
While at Stanford the really smart athletes took advantage of this and ended up with a BS degrees in 3 years - like Mike Mussina
or a number got a BS and MS in 4 years and 1 or 2 got halfway thru an MBA

Unfortunately SOME college athletes are not their for academic reasons and the opportunity is wasted

 

[GMUSig03]

At some schools for some programs it is mandatory for scholarship athletes
While at Stanford the really smart athletes took advantage of this and ended up with a BS degrees in 3 years - like Mike Mussina
or a number got a BS and MS in 4 years and 1 or 2 got halfway thru an MBA

Unfortunately SOME college athletes are not their for academic reasons and the opportunity is wasted

Is that a Mike Mussina reference? What year is this?!

I believe most, or at least a good portion of, college athletes end up with degrees in 3 years because of summer school.

 

[psyclone]

Changed vendors I believe, better quality meats.

I've been a big fan of Tuesday half-price burger night for quite a while! I hadn't noticed a change in quality though, in the past year anyway.

 

[jessej]

Is that a Mike Mussina reference? What year is this?!

I believe most, or at least a good portion of, college athletes end up with degrees in 3 years because of summer school.

I am old