The Paul Hewitt Thread

[gmujim92]

How many times have we seen a Freshman light it up behind the 3 point line only to go into a Sophomore slump?

I don't recall very many at Mason, but I'm sure Pablo will be able to help us out with this one.

 

[GMUheckler]

Wish Hewitt would say this in a press conference.

http://deadspin.com/siu-coach-blasts-mamas-boys-players-in-exquisite-ran-1485614485

 

[Pablo]

How many times have we seen a Freshman light it up behind the 3 point line only to go into a Sophomore slump? I don't think Hewitt had anything to do with Patrick's slump.

The name that comes to mind is Vertrail Vaughns after he sustained a wrist injury during his redshirt sophomore season. I don't think that he's ever been the same shooter. Of course, with his aim for the clouds' arc on his shots, there is very little margin for error.

Conversely, is Patrick's shot too flat for optimal effectiveness?

 

[JimP]

How many times have we seen a Freshman light it up behind the 3 point line only to go into a Sophomore slump? I don't think Hewitt had anything to do with Patrick's slump.

Of all players struggling, I see Holloway as the one most likely to come out of it. Just a hunch. Perhaps because we've waited so long to see better play from Williams and Copes and it hasn't happened.

 

[mkaufman1]

Not saying he is Lamar Butler, but didn't Butler struggle at some point at his Mason career and come out of it by just being encouraged to "keep shooting?" Maybe thats all he needs?

 

[GMUSSTN]

The name that comes to mind is Vertrail Vaughns after he sustained a wrist injury during his redshirt sophomore season. I don't think that he's ever been the same shooter. Of course, with his aim for the clouds' arc on his shots, there is very little margin for error.

Conversely, is Patrick's shot too flat for optimal effectiveness?

I remember Hewitt [when he first got here] saying something about how Vertail's shot was so unorthodox that you can't even coach it. He's just going to shoot how he shoots and you can just hope it goes in.

 

[GSII]

How many times have we seen a Freshman light it up behind the 3 point line only to go into a Sophomore slump? I don't think Hewitt had anything to do with Patrick's slump.

How many players has Hewitt "coached" that entered his program as a great shooter AND maintained it throughout his years under Hewitt? I can only think of VV as someone who came in and shot the rock, then regressed when Hewitt arrived. Any GT players come to mind? His U19 national team shot it pretty bad too. Btw, his U19 team had tied its worst finish under Hewitt in 15 years. Then we hired him. LOL.

 

[GSII]

Not saying he is Lamar Butler, but didn't Butler struggle at some point at his Mason career and come out of it by just being encouraged to "keep shooting?" Maybe thats all he needs?

Lamar had a foot issue. But overall he grew as a player and person each year. Don't see that much these days. Hopefully, Hewitt is cultivating his players to be great life leaders. Too bad that isn't his primary job initiative.

 

[gmutom]

Lamar had a foot issue. But overall he grew as a player and person each year. Don't see that much these days. Hopefully, Hewitt is cultivating his players to be great life leaders. Too bad that isn't his primary job initiative.

Do you have anything to really add here, or do you just like to groan like one of the old men in the balcony on The Muppets? First, Hewitt had already committed to coaching the U19 team before we hired him, so your dig that we hired him after the tournament was over is false.

Second, coaches really have no control over making shooters better. They can run plays to get them better shots — which we actually do quite often for Holloway —and help them work on fundamentals, but Holloway isn't going to change his stroke for anybody. And asking him to do so would be stupid. He just needs to take better shots and focus on hitting them.

Brian Miller is one of the most prolific shooters in Mason history (he shot 51 percent from 3 his senior year), and he had one of the most unorthodox shots around. He almost shot it from his chest, but it obviously worked for him.

 

[GSII]

I remember Hewitt [when he first got here] saying something about how Vertail's shot was so unorthodox that you can't even coach it. He's just going to shoot how he shoots and you can just hope it goes in.

Yes I remember that. And right after he said that I thought, great he just jinxed the kid. Think about what a new coach saying that really does. Actually, you don't have to think about it b/c we watched those words kill VV's confidence in his shot and he left as soon as he could. Prime example of Hewitt's holier than thou attitude that turns kids off. Another example is during the Rhode Island post game, BA accidently reffered to the win as an A10 win. Hewitt corrected him by laughing at him and saying it wasn't. A smart coach would of said nothing and kept his players back. Then in private point out the mistake and how important it is to know what you are talking about. Can't wait til he leaves Mason.

 

[GSII]

Yes I like to groan. Watching the program go down the drain does that to people in the real world.

Btw, what world are you in saying this......

Second, coaches really have no control over making shooters better.

 

[Dawgs99]

In what world do coaches make shooters worse.....?

 

[GSII]

In what world do coaches make shooters worse.....?

La-la la-la
La-la la-la
Tommy/Hewitts world

 

[Pablo]

Yes I remember that. And right after he said that I thought, great he just jinxed the kid. Think about what a new coach saying that really does. Actually, you don't have to think about it b/c we watched those words kill VV's confidence in his shot and he left as soon as he could. Prime example of Hewitt's holier than thou attitude that turns kids off. Another example is during the Rhode Island post game, BA accidently reffered to the win as an A10 win. Hewitt corrected him by laughing at him and saying it wasn't. A smart coach would of said nothing and kept his players back. Then in private point out the mistake and how important it is to know what you are talking about. Can't wait til he leaves Mason.

If I remember correctly, Hewitt made his comments before his first season here (Vertrail's redshirt sophomore season) & Vertrail got off to a great start behind the arc. Then, he sustained the wrist injury, and he was never as consistent again.

Let's be honest - Vertrail worked very hard to become an effective shooter and I seriously doubt that anything that anyone said about his shooting technique (including Hewitt) would affect his confidence.

 

[GSII]

If I remember correctly, Hewitt made his comments before his first season here Vertrail's redshirt sophomore season) & Vertrail got off to a great start behind the arc. Then, he sustained the wrist injury, and he was never as consistent again.

Let's be honest - Vertrail worked very hard to become an effective shooter and I seriously doubt that anything that anyone said about his shooting technique (including Hewitt) would affect his confidence.

That could be true too. But Hewitt isn't known for having snipers on his teams. I think his heavy concentration on PG penetration sucks the life out of everyone else.

Lets agree to disagree.

 

[GMUgemini]

Dre Smith was never the same after his 10 for 10 JMU game.

39.1% from 3 his first year (sophomore).
26.5% his senior season

 

[gmutom]

In what world do coaches make shooters worse.....?

Haha, no kidding. Next GSII will be blaming Hewitt for the stale popcorn at the Patriot Center. I agree to disagree with him.

 

[GSII]

I think he had knee surgery after his third year. I wouldn't doubt that had something to do with his 3pt% dropping in senior year.

 

[GSII]

Haha, no kidding. Next GSII will be blaming Hewitt for the stale popcorn at the Patriot Center. I agree to disagree with him.

I think I'll stick to blaming him for the stale program he's going to leave behind.

 

[gmutom]

Getting back to Patrick, I think his biggest adjustment is probably on the mental side rather than physically. It can't be easy going from playing most of the game in high school and constantly having a green light to becoming a reserve with a shorter leash.

In his defense (and Gray's as well), it makes it very hard to get into a shooting grove in limited minutes. A good baseball analogy would be an every-day player who gets five at-bats a game compared to a pinch hitter who might only get one. Much easier to work out of a slump when you are getting more opportunities.

I agree with the sentiment that the more he focuses on his defense, the more his minutes will increase and his shooting will improve. My guess is he will be playing 25-30 minutes a game next season, so he just needs to focus on getting better on both ends of the court between now and then.