Welcome Justin Kier

[sleeperpick]

Not trying to pick a fight, but if our coaches were not good at their jobs, Kier never would have played at Mason in the first place. He would’ve ended up at Radford or Campbell and people would’ve asked how we missed out on such a talent.

He played public HS ball in the Shenandoah Valley and for an off the beaten path AAU team. The D-I school literally in his back yard didn’t think he was worthy of a scholarship.

Four years later, he is being sought after by a group of high majors to come in and play right away.

DP, Simpkins, Fischer and Kelly DID do a lot for Justin by giving him a chance to play in the A-10 and working with him day after day to develop from a “scrawny kid from Grottoes” into our best player and a second-team all-A10 selection.

I’ve gone round and round about it over the past few days, feeling like maybe Kier owes his teammates and coaches enough loyalty to stick it out and help make the most of a very important season. I’m sure Dave and Duane are feeling particularly gutted right now.

But the reality is, Kier’s going to do what he thinks is best for himself and his family, just like we all do. As much as I’d like to privately begrudge him for that, I can’t.

3-4 cases of our coaches doing something exceptional in 5 years does not make them good at their jobs IMO. Paulsen certainly needs work in game and I would never consider him "good at his job" coaching in game at the A10 level. Some of that always falls on their players but way too often have we had a great 1st half or great second half and then totally look new to basketball the rest of the game. He also does not adapt at all when the opposing coach throws out a new game plan mid game (see Bona game last year)

He has managed to wrangle some great under the radar recruits in Otis, Kier, Miller and XJ while also competing to bring in the likes of AJ and Boyd but for me that is not enough in a 5 year period to be considered anything above average at his job.

He also treats the transfer portal like it is 1995 rather than getting with the times like modern college basketball works these days. Most of the A10 outside of Fordham seems to get it but Paulsen does not and that is also part of his downfall. Maybe he is used to transfers not having the grades/credits to get into Bucknell, but that is not how the rest of CBB generally works.

 

[tblack33]

Are you claiming to know his thought process in deciding which school he’s going to play for next?

Duh, clearly. Can't you tell from how right he was about Kier staying?

 

[PoorManProfit]

Be happy for the kid. He’s going to a P5 school with fans in the stands and much more exposure. 4 years with Frumpy Dave is enough.

 

[Masonfan3]

If he believes that he is increasing his earning potential by spending a year at a P5, whether that is true or not, then it would be putting his family in a better situation. If he averages 18 ppg in one last season at Mason then that's great, he'll play low Euro ball. If he does it at a P5, he's guaranteed high Euro ball at the minimum, and will probably get some workouts for the NBA/G League.

Not saying it's going to happen at all, but I think you look at it in terms of potential.

I get what you are saying, obviously if he averages 18pts a game in the Big Ten he will get more looks. But if he averages 18pts in the A10 he will be 1st Team Conference (maybe conference player of the year) and people will know who he is. I don't think he is going to score that much considering his highest season average is 14.5 but I hope he does. I mean hell, Obi Toppin only averaged 20pts a game and was National Player of the year and is going to be a top 15 pick in the draft. Do you think that if he played at Michigan that his stock would be any higher...I don't. But I hope Justin starts every game next season, scores a lot of points, and gets looks at the NBA.

 

[GMU1983]

It will be interesting when he averages 9.2 ppg. What will that do for him? The guy isn't going to the league. Not happy about it. mason could have finally been set up for a good year...

 

[sleeperpick]

I get what you are saying, obviously if he averages 18pts a game in the Big Ten he will get more looks. But if he averages 18pts in the A10 he will be 1st Team Conference (maybe conference player of the year) and people will know who he is. I don't think he is going to score that much considering his highest season average is 14.5 but I hope he does. I mean hell, Obi Toppin only averaged 20pts a game and was National Player of the year and is going to be a top 15 pick in the draft. Do you think that if he played at Michigan that his stock would be any higher...I don't. But I hope Justin starts every game next season, scores a lot of points, and gets looks at the NBA.

all about the fits really. Michigan just lost their best guard to graduation and have had two 5 star caliber kids decommit for professional ball in the past week. Him going to a school like Minny, Gtown or Nc St doesn't make sense but Michigan, Iowa St and Georgia certainly do. Halliburton leaving for the draft at Iowa St gives up like 36 mins of playing time that a redshirt senior would love to get his hands on.

I wish him well and am glad to have watched him play healthy hard nosed basketball for 3 years. Best situation for him would be to play for a coach with outstanding connections that can get him into a mid tier Euro league. Kids game has no chance at NBA but I could see him making a nice career in Europe and get some life changing money for playing a sport he loves.

I love Otis but he is playing in Fordham like gyms for an obscure professional team. Kier probably doesn't want to do that

 

[tblack33]

I get what you are saying, obviously if he averages 18pts a game in the Big Ten he will get more looks. But if he averages 18pts in the A10 he will be 1st Team Conference (maybe conference player of the year) and people will know who he is. I don't think he is going to score that much considering his highest season average is 14.5 but I hope he does. I mean hell, Obi Toppin only averaged 20pts a game and was National Player of the year and is going to be a top 15 pick in the draft. Do you think that if he played at Michigan that his stock would be any higher...I don't. But I hope Justin starts every game next season, scores a lot of points, and gets looks at the NBA.

I get where you are coming from here, but the Toppin/Dayton example is a bad comparison because they were one of the best teams in the country this year and were one of the front runners to win it all. Would Toppin have gotten those accolades/looks if he played for a team last season that wasn't going to make the tournament? I agree with all of your points, but from a players standpoint, he's betting on himself to be able to play at a high level against better competition which he think will better position him for a pay day in the next year. I don't know if it will work the way he thinks it will, but that's probably what he's being told and what is going through his head when he's looking at where he wants to play next year.

 

[Bricker]

Wishing Justin luck -- he deserves this. It was an honor to have him at Mason and he should be commended for sharing his story and overcoming so much to play D1 ball. I'll be rooting for Michigan to make a run next March.

 

[Masonfan3]

I get where you are coming from here, but the Toppin/Dayton example is a bad comparison because they were one of the best teams in the country this year and were one of the front runners to win it all. Would Toppin have gotten those accolades/looks if he played for a team last season that wasn't going to make the tournament? I agree with all of your points, but from a players standpoint, he's betting on himself to be able to play at a high level against better competition which he think will better position him for a pay day in the next year. I don't know if it will work the way he thinks it will, but that's probably what he's being told and what is going through his head when he's looking at where he wants to play next year.

Can't disagree with anything you said here.

 

[IzzyWikis]

Be happy for the kid. He’s going to a P5 school with fans in the stands and much more exposure. 4 years with Frumpy Dave is enough.

Concur. Selfishly, of course, I want Kier back in a Mason uniform but if I had a chance to end my career playing for a P5 program, I'd do the same thing. I'll be rooting for Kier wherever he ends up at the same time silently sobbing as we struggle to win 15 games next year.

 

[GSII]

Concur. Selfishly, of course, I want Kier back in a Mason uniform but if I had a chance to end my career playing for a P5 program, I'd do the same thing. I'll be rooting for Kier wherever he ends up at the same time silently sobbing as we struggle to win 15 games next year.

I wanted Grayer to stay too. But he went to elsewhere and did what? Nothing.

 

[IzzyWikis]

I wanted Grayer to stay too. But he went to elsewhere and did what? Nothing.

Sure, but that was his choice... I'm not saying leaving Mason to a P5 will be a wise/better decision. I think some guys would rather be a small fish in a big pond and get to say I played at 'Bigger Name Basketball Program'

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Are you claiming to know his thought process in deciding which school he’s going to play for next?

In fairness, he could be one of those people they shave their heads and submerge in water who can forecast crimes in advance.

 

[Masonfan3]

I wanted Grayer to stay too. But he went to elsewhere and did what? Nothing.

He played on a better team, in a better conference, and started 27 of 32 games. Did he light it up..no But I wouldn't say that he did nothing.

 

[p8triotfan4life]

Phil Martelli is at Michigan. I give Martelli the advantage of landing Kier because of the A10 connection.

 

[gmujim92]

Phil Martelli is at Michigan. I give Martelli the advantage of landing Kier because of the A10 connection.

Juwan Howard and DP go way back. That’s the Michigan connection, although I’m sure having Martelli on staff can’t hurt.

 

[sleeperpick]

Phil Martelli is at Michigan. I give Martelli the advantage of landing Kier because of the A10 connection.

swim mom is at mason... I give Swim mom the advantage of giving Eskimo kisses to any player in the A10 that wants one.

 

[KAOriginal]

We see good coaches "move up" all the time...more money, more resources, more prestige.

Why would we not expect good players to do the same when the opportunity arises?

 

[JimP]

I'd think of he stayed at Mason and put up good numbers he'd get the same opportunities in Europe that he'll get from Michigan. Transfer portal really sucks for mid-majors these days. P5 teams can be assured of bringing in another stud to replace the one leaving.

 

[sleeperpick]

I'd think of he stayed at Mason and put up good numbers he'd get the same opportunities in Europe that he'll get from Michigan. Transfer portal really sucks for mid-majors these days. P5 teams can be assured of bringing in another stud to replace the one leaving.

Benefits A10 schools often as well if they have coaches that are willing to utilize it.

Blake Francis, Ryan Daly, Lasalle will have two studs next year off it, Bishop for St Joe's... we just have someone that doesn't believe in it or is just living in the past... definitely easier for P5's... but other A10 schools can benefit too