The Paul Hewitt Thread

[Patriotfan49]

Call me negative, but even with all that we are still losing...

 

[gmubrian]

Tom, I would agree that some of the changes have been somewhat promising (putting in the guys that are actually performing, doing things to get the teams attention like the haircut thing). The Gray thing still puzzles me, but maybe that is next.

His adjustment with putting in Corey for MM was good.

Those are some of the positives and it will give me a lot more hope, though, when we start to see better outcomes as well.

While the Corey move was a good in game adjustment, I would argue that since MM appears to be our future at point guard, that there should have been opportunities for him to get back into the game more.

It seems to me that Hewitt's in game adjustments seem to revolve around individual players and substitutions more than they do adjusting the plan of attack. The vcu game would seem to be a good example of that. We started off good and had a good game plan. vcu seemed to adjust in the second half, and we did not seem to counter the adjustment.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

What argument ARE you making? That Merten should haven given coach L 1.5 million a year to stay? Because we all know that was never going to happen.

Nope. It was just a conversational item - How do you think we would've done if L had stayed - or at least that's how I took it. In his zeal to punish anyone that would give Paul Ball the sads, TomGmu did his usual create a new argument and supported with made up facts. I call it pulling a Tommy.

I agree w/you that L shouldn't have gotten 1.5 to stay - we're not that level of a money making program to justify the expenditure. I don't blame him for leaving or TOC for not keeping him either. Maybe it could have been handled better by either/both parties, but after 14 years and a last chance to coach at a BCS level, I don't blame the guy for taking it or the admin for not being able to retain him.

Sorry for my part in de-railing, just trying to add to an ongoing conversation. Some people just can't stand alternative points of view though.

 

[gmutom]

Call me negative, but even with all that we are still losing...

Nobody disputes that. But other than the Iona and Oklahoma games, we've pretty much been in every game. Sure, the point differential at the end of games like vcu and Iowa State look got more lopsided after the wheels came off, but I don't see this team as being far off from turning some of those frustrating losses into wins.

As an Orioles fan, I can tell you the difference between them making the playoffs two years ago and not making it last season was how they performed in 1-run games. They set a MLB record in 2012, and they were horrible in 2013.

One of my favorite stories is the coach who gave this pre-game speech to his players: "One or two plays will determine who wins and loses tonight's game. I can't tell you what those one or two plays will be, so you're just going to have to play all of them like they matter."

When the coaches and players get to that point, we will eventually see less losses.

 

[Yossarian]

Tom, I would agree that some of the changes have been somewhat promising (putting in the guys that are actually performing, doing things to get the teams attention like the haircut thing). The Gray thing still puzzles me, but maybe that is next.

His adjustment with putting in Corey for MM was good.

Those are some of the positives and it will give me a lot more hope, though, when we start to see better outcomes as well.

While the Corey move was a good in game adjustment, I would argue that since MM appears to be our future at point guard, that there should have been opportunities for him to get back into the game more.

It seems to me that Hewitt's in game adjustments seem to revolve around individual players and substitutions more than they do adjusting the plan of attack. The vcu game would seem to be a good example of that. We started off good and had a good game plan. vcu seemed to adjust in the second half, and we did not seem to counter the adjustment.

Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes. I'm no hoops wizard, but I share the same sentiment that Hewitt seems only capable of making REACTIVE adjustments during play. I keep hoping I'll see him proactively rattle opponents by initiating rather than reacting; by seizing the game's momentum and controlling tempo rather than becoming hostage to it.

Instead, I keep getting the feeling that upticks in our play last only as long as it takes our opponents to make one or two substitutions, and then we're stuck in another five minutes of points-free offense.

In other words, I'm not sure our staff is very good at seeing the entire chessboard for the entire game. Perhaps if they traded seats with me they'd get a better perspective...

Again, I'm one of the worst candidates for a decent sideline coach, but I do think my observations on the pattern of reactive coaching are accurate (and disturbing).

 

[GMUgemini]

Hear hear Brian. I was willing to give him until this season I turn it around and with the step up into a new conference would have accepted an NIT season so long as the team looked like it was getting better and they were battling vcu, UMass, St. Louis, GW AND Dayton for the top half of the league. But it appears we are going to be battling Duquesne, Fordham and URI for the bottom.

I'm ready for the short-term pain to get in a guy who can turn this thing around.

 

[Pablo]

Even if there is no further improvement during the rest of this season, I could accept Hewitt returning for a 4th season provided he shakes up his staff during the offseason. If there is no further improvement and he declines to make staff changes, then I hope that he's terminated.

But, I also hope that the next hire can coach and isn't just an outstanding recruiter.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

As long as recruiting is good - and Jenkins, Holloway, Moore, and Marko are a pretty solid core - I could deal with another season even if the budget numbers work out.

I'm in it for the long term, so even if we have to stomach another craptastic season after this one, give the next coach a full budget to recruit and a good base of talent to work from.

 

[Pablo]

I'm expecting Brian's group to properly address the funding issue so that the new coach has sufficient resources to compete in the A10, irrespective of when Coach Hewitt is replaced. If it is necessary to retain Coach Hewitt for a 4th season, then I can certainly live with the decision and renew my season tickets accordingly.

 

[gmutom]

It seems to me that Hewitt's in game adjustments seem to revolve around individual players and substitutions more than they do adjusting the plan of attack.

You are right about this, Brian, and I think it's about his stubbornness as much as anything. He convinces himself something is working or is going to work to the point where there is no return when it's not. Sometimes he keeps trying to ram a round peg into a square hole and you just want to scream. "It's not going to fit!"

I remember one of his first Mason games a few years ago in the preseason NIT at Virginia Tech when he insisted on trying to press Isaiah Thomas' team despite not having the players to do so. You and I were there, and I kept saying, "Why does he insist on pressing when we keep giving up uncontested layups the other way?"

Hewitt is actually a very smart man who actually knows more about basketball than he's given credit for. He just tends to over-think too much, which unfortunately leads to dumb decisions.

 

[GMUgemini]

We should have definitely gone zone against them. Even in the half court we couldn't stay in front of them. They just basically went 5 out and carved us to pieces.

He waited too long to take Pearson off Burgess and move DJ to the point and it cost us a chance at beating vcu that year too. Pulling Pearson is a tough choice but when you're getting destroyed by a mismatch you're getting destroyed by a mismatch

 

[KAOriginal]

Here's a bone to ponder....

Besides the on court results.....is another problem the collective "WE" are not liking Hewitt because his lack of PR with the fans?

Even though he could be a prick....OCM loved being a part of the university and interacting with fans and students. So even in lean times...people still liked OCM.

I don't get the feeling that is going on anymore. Locals care to comment?

Its a tough road when you don't have the hearts of the fans when things go awry....

 

[Dawgs99]

Here's a bone to ponder....

Besides the on court results.....is another problem the collective "WE" are not liking Hewitt because his lack of PR with the fans?

Even though he could be a prick....OCM loved being a part of the university and interacting with fans and students. So even in lean times...people still liked OCM.

I don't get the feeling that is going on anymore. Locals care to comment?

Its a tough road when you don't have the hearts of the fans when things go awry....

KA, this is a great point and makes total sense. Doesn't seem like Hewitt glad hands enough. Also think some people were upset with the new staff due to lack of "inside" information. Seems as if this coach and his staff keep things pretty tight lipped. Maybe if we knew a little more about what Hewitt and staff were thinking we would feel a bit different.

 

[GSII]

One can only wonder what they are thinking. And by their results, knowing this, could incite a riot.

 

[gmutom]

The assistants are willing to talk to fans if you reach out to them. I called Chris Kreider last year when we hadn't signed any recruits, and he reassured me that it was early in the process and that we had our sights on some good players.

I would encourage people use the numbers and emails in the link below to check in with them. As long as you are courteous, I'm sure they will be as forthright as possible.

http://www.gomason.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=25200&ATCLID=205082171#basketball-m

 

[Pablo]

Here's a bone to ponder....

Besides the on court results.....is another problem the collective "WE" are not liking Hewitt because his lack of PR with the fans?

Even though he could be a prick....OCM loved being a part of the university and interacting with fans and students. So even in lean times...people still liked OCM.

I don't get the feeling that is going on anymore. Locals care to comment?

Its a tough road when you don't have the hearts of the fans when things go awry....

Has anyone attended any of Hewitt's practice sessions? I attended some of Larranaga's, and he always made me feel welcomed.

I would encourage people use the numbers and emails in the link below to check in with them. As long as you are courteous, I'm sure they will be as forthright as possible.

So, do you think Raider will ever get a response to his email?

 

[gmutom]

So, do you think Raider will ever get a response to his email?

From Hewitt? I doubt it. Coach L was always good about responding if you sent him a positive email, but I can't imagine there are many DI coaches who would respond to an email from a fan questioning the job they are doing.

Regarding practices, I've been to a few, and Hewitt has always come over to talk to us about what they are doing. Of course, those were planned events. I don't think you can just walk off the street and attend a practice, because what would stop opposing teams from sending scouts?

 

[Pablo]

Regarding practices, I've been to a few, and Hewitt has always come over to talk to us about what they are doing. Of course, those were planned events. I don't think you can just walk off the street and attend a practice, because what would stop opposing teams from sending scouts?

Well, that's exactly what I would do for Larranaga's practices. I would just call ahead to obtain the time and location from Carolyn Marsh.

 

[GSII]

I always walked into OCM practices. Beat Terrance Nixon in 3pt shooting contest after a practice. Very family oriented program that old fart ran.

 

[gmubrian]

Hewitt is actually a very smart man who actually knows more about basketball than he's given credit for.

I agree with this statement. Anyone who does not think he knows basketball is just plain wrong. For someone to say that he doesn't just diminishes their credibility.

It is translating that knowledge into results on the floor is where the problem seem to lie.