Welcome Giovanni Emejuru

[FreeGunston12]

Gio was a Kenpom MVP in 2 games this year, although Siena lost both. Only .595 on FTs for the season (roughly halfway between Malik and Amari but 27/35 in his last 7 games.

Hope that is a sign of genuine improvement and not just a fluke, as he was 16th nationally in FT rate (Baraka was 6th, DaRon Holmes was 20th).

Sienna had their worst season in school history with a 4-28 record. Lets hope Gio wasn't just a garbage man on a garbage team. He definitely has the size and skill set to step into Malik's role.

 

[Patriotsince81]

Sienna had their worst season in school history with a 4-28 record. Lets hope Gio wasn't just a garbage man on a garbage team. He definitely has the size and skill set to step into Malik's role.

26.8 minutes per game. 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds.

 

[jruby]

Sienna had their worst season in school history with a 4-28 record. Lets hope Gio wasn't just a garbage man on a garbage team. He definitely has the size and skill set to step into Malik's role.

Plenty of bad teams have great players. Mason had Miller, Josh and Kolek along with a few others and still managed to have a pretty bad season.

I hope in time instead of some viewing 2024 as a disappointment it’s viewed as the beginning of the Skinn era and realizing he got more out of his team than we all realized.

I think Skinn totally gets what he’s doing, he’s connected to the game, the kids and isn't affarid to Realize where the weaknesses are. If it goes down that Keyshawn was nothing more than a bridge to get mason’s name back out there and headed towards winning more games than so be it.

Day 1 he went out and recruited A10 level PG’s something that the previous coaches failed to do. In some ways he may have failed to land an extra big last year but given the injuries and lack of time formulating a roster he had a pretty good first year.

I truly think Skinn is a star in the making, he’s going to achieve more than the previous coaches have simply because he has more passion and cares more about the school. No one is going to be able to sell it more than Lamar and Skinn, they are first hand examples of what can be achieved if you just give someone a chance.

 

[mkaufman1]

Plenty of bad teams have great players. Mason had Miller, Josh and Kolek along with a few others and still managed to have a pretty bad season.

I hope in time instead of some viewing 2024 as a disappointment it’s viewed as the beginning of the Skinn era and realizing he got more out of his team than we all realized.

I think Skinn totally gets what he’s doing, he’s connected to the game, the kids and isn't affarid to Realize where the weaknesses are. If it goes down that Keyshawn was nothing more than a bridge to get mason’s name back out there and headed towards winning more games than so be it.

Day 1 he went out and recruited A10 level PG’s something that the previous coaches failed to do. In some ways he may have failed to land an extra big last year but given the injuries and lack of time formulating a roster he had a pretty good first year.

I truly think Skinn is a star in the making, he’s going to achieve more than the previous coaches have simply because he has more passion and cares more about the school. No one is going to be able to sell it more than Lamar and Skinn, they are first hand examples of what can be achieved if you just give someone a chance.

Agree with this completely. Keep in mind Tony did recruit Nicholas Pavrette as a 3rd big/depth but he left the program before the year started.

100% correct.

 

[FreeGunston12]

Plenty of bad teams have great players. Mason had Miller, Josh and Kolek along with a few others and still managed to have a pretty bad season.

I hope in time instead of some viewing 2024 as a disappointment it’s viewed as the beginning of the Skinn era and realizing he got more out of his team than we all realized.

I think Skinn totally gets what he’s doing, he’s connected to the game, the kids and isn't affarid to Realize where the weaknesses are. If it goes down that Keyshawn was nothing more than a bridge to get mason’s name back out there and headed towards winning more games than so be it.

Day 1 he went out and recruited A10 level PG’s something that the previous coaches failed to do. In some ways he may have failed to land an extra big last year but given the injuries and lack of time formulating a roster he had a pretty good first year.

I truly think Skinn is a star in the making, he’s going to achieve more than the previous coaches have simply because he has more passion and cares more about the school. No one is going to be able to sell it more than Lamar and Skinn, they are first hand examples of what can be achieved if you just give someone a chance.

I agree. Happy with the signing. I just see him as a backup that could be an improvement over what Malik was able to give.

26.8 minutes per game. 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Ojiako 2.0? 27.3 minutes per game. 12.6 points and 10.6 rebounds.

It's a good start and addresses a major need.

 

[gmujim92]

Plenty of bad teams have great players. Mason had Miller, Josh and Kolek along with a few others and still managed to have a pretty bad season.

I hope in time instead of some viewing 2024 as a disappointment it’s viewed as the beginning of the Skinn era and realizing he got more out of his team than we all realized.

I think Skinn totally gets what he’s doing, he’s connected to the game, the kids and isn't affarid to Realize where the weaknesses are. If it goes down that Keyshawn was nothing more than a bridge to get mason’s name back out there and headed towards winning more games than so be it.

Day 1 he went out and recruited A10 level PG’s something that the previous coaches failed to do. In some ways he may have failed to land an extra big last year but given the injuries and lack of time formulating a roster he had a pretty good first year.

I truly think Skinn is a star in the making, he’s going to achieve more than the previous coaches have simply because he has more passion and cares more about the school. No one is going to be able to sell it more than Lamar and Skinn, they are first hand examples of what can be achieved if you just give someone a chance.

Wish I could like this more than once. It’s that good.

 

[GMUgemini]

There were a few common opponents last season.

Richmond: 13pts (6-10; 1-1 FT shooting), 4 rebounds
Cornell: 8 pts (1-7; 6-10 FT shooting), 6 rebounds
St. Bonaventure 8 pts (2-4; 4-4 FT shooting), 5 rebounds
UMass: 10 pts (4-8; 2-2 FT shooting), 11 rebounds

 

[EXpatriot13]

There were a few common opponents last season.

Richmond: 13pts (6-10; 1-1 FT shooting), 4 rebounds
Cornell: 8 pts (1-7; 6-10 FT shooting), 6 rebounds
St. Bonaventure 8 pts (2-4; 4-4 FT shooting), 5 rebounds
UMass: 10 pts (4-8; 2-2 FT shooting), 11 rebounds

To me, this is exactly the type of complimentary production we need behind Haynes.

Add to that his size and ability to defend in the paint, great pick up by the staff.

 

[jruby]

There were a few common opponents last season.

Richmond: 13pts (6-10; 1-1 FT shooting), 4 rebounds
Cornell: 8 pts (1-7; 6-10 FT shooting), 6 rebounds
St. Bonaventure 8 pts (2-4; 4-4 FT shooting), 5 rebounds
UMass: 10 pts (4-8; 2-2 FT shooting), 11 rebounds

Picking up 11 rebounds vs Umass a team that out rebounded us by 14 is pretty promising. Sienna actually out rebounded them for the game too, it wasn’t just him picking up the only rebounds.

 

[JPgmuswim]

Agree with this completely. Keep in mind Tony did recruit Nicholas Pavrette as a 3rd big/depth but he left the program before the year started.

100% correct.

I think when recruited he also thought Haynes would get a waiver.

 

[Jack Strop]

I think when recruited he also thought Haynes would get a waiver.

Has Haynes received his waiver yet? As far as I know, he needs it to play in 24-25.

 

[psyclone]

Haynes could have played THIS season once the courts ruled against the NCAA with respect to requiring athletes transferring a second time to sit out a year before playing. Hence, guys like vcu's Basimile became immediately eligible and started playing .

When Tony was asked about this, he indicated the we would stick to the plan of not playing Haynes this season so he would retain 2 full years of eligibility.

 

[Pablo]

Haynes could have played THIS season once the courts ruled against the NCAA with respect to requiring athletes transferring a second time to sit out a year before playing. Hence, guys like vcu's Basimile became immediately eligible and started playing .

When Tony was asked about this, he indicated the we would stick to the plan of not playing Haynes this season so he would retain 2 full years of eligibility.

Haynes was ineligible this season due to a recruiting violation related to the hiring of
Mark Bialkoski.

13.8.3.3 Individual Associated with a Prospective Student-Athlete -- Men's Basketball. In men's basketball, during a two-year period before a prospective student-athlete's anticipated enrollment and a two-year period after the prospective student-athlete's actual enrollment, an institution shall not employ (either on a salaried or volunteer basis) or enter into a contract for future employment with an individual associated with the prospective student-athlete in any athletics department staff position other than a countable coach who may contact or evaluate prospective student-athletes off campus. (Adopted: 1/16/10, Revised: 6/13/11, 1/18/23 effective 7/1/23)

13.8.3.3.1 Application. A violation of Bylaw 13.8.3.3 occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete (see Bylaw 13.02.20) is employed by the institution and, at the time of employment, a student-athlete who enrolled at the institution in the previous two years (and remains enrolled at the institution) was a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete. A violation of Bylaw 13.8.3.3 also occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete is employed and, within two years after such employment, a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete enrolls as a full-time student in a regular academic term at the institution. In either case, the student-athlete becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition unless eligibility is restored by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. (Adopted: 6/20/13)

 

[psyclone]

Haynes was ineligible this season due to a recruiting violation.

13.8.3.3 Individual Associated with a Prospective Student-Athlete -- Men's Basketball. In men's basketball, during a two-year period before a prospective student-athlete's anticipated enrollment and a two-year period after the prospective student-athlete's actual enrollment, an institution shall not employ (either on a salaried or volunteer basis) or enter into a contract for future employment with an individual associated with the prospective student-athlete in any athletics department staff position other than a countable coach who may contact or evaluate prospective student-athletes off campus. (Adopted: 1/16/10, Revised: 6/13/11, 1/18/23 effective 7/1/23)

13.8.3.3.1 Application. A violation of Bylaw 13.8.3.3 occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete (see Bylaw 13.02.20) is employed by the institution and, at the time of employment, a student-athlete who enrolled at the institution in the previous two years (and remains enrolled at the institution) was a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete. A violation of Bylaw 13.8.3.3 also occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete is employed and, within two years after such employment, a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete enrolls as a full-time student in a regular academic term at the institution. In either case, the student-athlete becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition unless eligibility is restored by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. (Adopted: 6/20/13)

I stand corrected.

 

[TweederGMU]

Great size, shooting touch and moves well all around, great pickup!

 

[jruby]

that’s not why Haynes did not play this year. There was no recruiting violation, no matter how much people want to post it on every single topic.

Ughh…. Why does This subject keeps coming up? The plan was never for Haynes to play this year. Can people just let it go…..

To actually answer this breaks the rules of this page. So everyone should let it go!

 

[Patriot8]

that’s not why Haynes did not play this year. There was no recruiting violation, no matter how much people want to post it on every single topic.

Ughh…. Why does This subject keeps coming up? The plan was never for Haynes to play this year. Can people just let it go…..

To actually answer this breaks the rules of this page. So everyone should let it go!

You are incorrect.

 

[Falco]

To me, this is exactly the type of complimentary production we need behind Haynes.

Add to that his size and ability to defend in the paint, great pick up by the staff.

I know we are all tantalized by Haynes, but I would not be surprised if Emejuru gets the start.

I see on twitter that Skinn is targeting even more bigs, just seems odd that Skinn is going after so many bigs knowing he has Haynes on the roster. Maybe he knows something we don’t.

Is there an eligibility issue with Haynes? Or is that over now?

 

[Patriot8]

I know we are all tantalized by Haynes, but I would not be surprised if Emejuru gets the start.

I see on twitter that Skinn is targeting even more bigs, just seems odd that Skinn is going after so many bigs knowing he has Haynes on the roster. Maybe he knows something we don’t.

Is there an eligibility issue with Haynes? Or is that over now?

1) We need atleast 3 bigs
2) Haynes may be the starting 4

 

[gmubrian]

Haynes was ineligible this season due to a recruiting violation related to the hiring of
Mark Bialkoski.

13.8.3.3 Individual Associated with a Prospective Student-Athlete -- Men's Basketball. In men's basketball, during a two-year period before a prospective student-athlete's anticipated enrollment and a two-year period after the prospective student-athlete's actual enrollment, an institution shall not employ (either on a salaried or volunteer basis) or enter into a contract for future employment with an individual associated with the prospective student-athlete in any athletics department staff position other than a countable coach who may contact or evaluate prospective student-athletes off campus. (Adopted: 1/16/10, Revised: 6/13/11, 1/18/23 effective 7/1/23)

13.8.3.3.1 Application. A violation of Bylaw 13.8.3.3 occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete (see Bylaw 13.02.20) is employed by the institution and, at the time of employment, a student-athlete who enrolled at the institution in the previous two years (and remains enrolled at the institution) was a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete. A violation of Bylaw 13.8.3.3 also occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete is employed and, within two years after such employment, a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete enrolls as a full-time student in a regular academic term at the institution. In either case, the student-athlete becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition unless eligibility is restored by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. (Adopted: 6/20/13)

I was told by a person very high up on the team that, while someone reported us for that violation, it was determined to be unfounded. I don't know if that is true or not, but in reading the bylaws, it seems like it would be the case.

While the reading of 13.8.3.3 and 13.8.3.3.1 above make it sound like it would be a violation, if you read the definition of an "individual associated with a prospective student-athlete" (see Bylaw 13.02.20), there is an exception: "This definition does not include an individual who maintained (or directed others to maintain) contact with the prospective student-athlete, the prospective student-athlete's relatives or legal guardians, or coaches only while employed in the athletics department at a four-year institution". That exception would apply to Mark because he was an assistant coach at East Tennessee State prior to coming to Mason.