Welcome Otis III

[Copes4Three]

Just adding, Paulsen likes to run a man defense that switches very often. They are often on point with their switches and from what I've seen like to double the opposing center to get a turnover or make the opponent shoot a 3. So I get the need for having athletic wings to cover ground quickly. I do believe that sometimes the constant switching and having to run to contest is a reason why sometimes our dribble hand off motion can be a little sloppy and we fall behind because the kids get gassed easily. So a big body center that could come in and eat up minutes so doubles arent needed to conserve energy is something the team could use imo.

 

[gmujim92]

How so? I like the kid henry, I think hes a solid option to replace AJ moving forward. After calixte (who I'm not that high on) leaves and oduro takes the spot at the five, is that something you are comfortable with? Because personally some of the centers in the a10 are large and mason is lacking a big body over 6.10 imo

Oduro is 6-9 and about 240 as a true freshman. That is plenty big. And while he was overmatched on D at times, he showed more than enough to think we can build around him for the next 3 years.

Calixte is good enough as a backup and Henry is going to push for minutes either at the 4 or 5.

The situation has at least solidified enough that we don’t have to stick AJ at the 5. That’s progress.

 

[sleeperpick]

How so? I like the kid henry, I think hes a solid option to replace AJ moving forward. After calixte (who I'm not that high on) leaves and oduro takes the spot at the five, is that something you are comfortable with? Because personally some of the centers in the a10 are large and mason is lacking a big body over 6.10 imo

I was asking him why he doesn’t think we need a big man. I totally agree that we do. Jim also said we did like yesterday but now we don’t and we signed a wing. So I’m confused

 

[gmujim92]

I was asking him why he doesn’t think we need a big man. I totally agree that we do. Jim also said we did like yesterday but now we don’t and we signed a wing. So I’m confused

I was (and am) thinking we will need another big if/when Calixte transfers after the rule change takes effect. There is no way this staff is carrying 3 centers. That’s just not happening.

 

[Copes4Three]

I was (and am) thinking we will need another big if/when Calixte transfers after the rule change takes effect. There is no way this staff is carrying 3 centers. That’s just not happening.

I get Oduro is a good size but he's a tweener, he's a 4/5. I'm talking about a legit 5, 6.11 0r 7fter that could redshirt or bringing in someone more talented than oduro and calixte. I guess I just see some of these other schools get transfers from other large schools or that already have talented bigs and it makes me wonder if oduro will be the starting 5 moving forward after calitxe leaves.

 

[JPgmuswim]

I was (and am) thinking we will need another big if/when Calixte transfers after the rule change takes effect. There is no way this staff is carrying 3 centers. That’s just not happening.

Jim, I didn’t think about Calixte, I was wondering the if/when Greene transfers after the rule change that we may not have a full roster again in a matter of 4 weeks.

We could definitely see a second wave of transfers once things become a little more clear after that vote.

 

[gmujim92]

I get Oduro is a good size but he's a tweener, he's a 4/5. I'm talking about a legit 5, 6.11 0r 7fter that could redshirt or bringing in someone more talented than oduro and calixte. I guess I just see some of these other schools get transfers from other large schools or that already have talented bigs and it makes me wonder if oduro will be the starting 5 moving forward after calitxe leaves.

A. Oduro was the starter at the 5 by the end of last season. He goes into the summer as the presumptive starter for 2020-21.

B. As long as DP is our coach, we’re not going to have a big, traditional low-post center. Don’t need one because his offense doesn’t rely on post-ups.

 

[gmujim92]

Jim, I didn’t think about Calixte, I was wondering the if/when Greene transfers after the rule change that we may not have a full roster again in a matter of 4 weeks.

We could definitely see a second wave of transfers once things become a little more clear after that vote.

Purely guessing here, but I would think a lot of the danger of Javon leaving went away when Kier left. The starting SG job is his to lose — hopefully that’s enough to keep him.

 

[GMUgemini]

Jim, I didn’t think about Calixte, I was wondering the if/when Greene transfers after the rule change that we may not have a full roster again in a matter of 4 weeks.

We could definitely see a second wave of transfers once things become a little more clear after that vote.

There is no way they will vote in May to allow one-time waives in the very next season...way too much upheaval. It'll be for 2021 at the earliest.

 

[Herndon]

I get Oduro is a good size but he's a tweener, he's a 4/5. I'm talking about a legit 5, 6.11 0r 7fter that could redshirt or bringing in someone more talented than oduro and calixte. I guess I just see some of these other schools get transfers from other large schools or that already have talented bigs and it makes me wonder if oduro will be the starting 5 moving forward after calitxe leaves.

A10 Starting Centers (source realgm)

Davidson-Brajkovic 6'10
Dayton-Toppin 6'9
Duquesne-Hughes 6'8
Fordham-Soriano 6'9
GW-Parr-6'9
Lasalle-Kimbrough 6'8
UMASS-Mitchell 6'9
Rhody-Harris/Langevine, both 6'8
Richmond-Golden 6'10
St Joes-Edwards 6'8
St Louis-Bell/French 6'10, 6'7
Bonnies-Osun-6'10
vcu-Santos-Silva 6'7

By your definition, there were exactly zero legit 5's starting in the entire A10 last year.

Look at that list. Oduro is slam bang average sized for a starting A10 center.

He's PLENTY big.

https://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/conferences/Atlantic-10-Conference/10/vcu/126/depth-charts

 

[sleeperpick]

A10 Starting Centers (source realgm)

Davidson-Brajkovic 6'10
Dayton-Toppin 6'9
Duquesne-Hughes 6'8
Fordham-Soriano 6'9
GW-Parr-6'9
Lasalle-Kimbrough 6'8
UMASS-Mitchell 6'9
Rhody-Harris/Langevine, both 6'8
Richmond-Golden 6'10
St Joes-Edwards 6'8
St Louis-Bell/French 6'10, 6'7
Bonnies-Osun-6'10
vcu-Santos-Silva 6'7

By your definition, there were exactly zero legit 5's starting in the entire A10 last year.

Look at that list. Oduro is slam bang average sized for a starting A10 center.

He's PLENTY big.

https://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/conferences/Atlantic-10-Conference/10/vcu/126/depth-charts

First time I have ever read that Obi Toppin was a center. Interesting

 

[gmujim92]

First time I have ever read that Obi Toppin was a center. Interesting

He was their de facto center even though they usually played without one.

 

[ephoops]

Nobody is more plugged into DMV hoops than Marcus Helton.....not even sleeperpick.

https://mobile.twitter.com/MarcusHelton/status/1253101705056661504

I like that Helton is bullish on Otis.

The 2021 recruiting class needs at least on big man.

 

[p8triotfan4life]

this kid has some definite swag, but doesn't look too cocky....He looks like he can get to the rim effortlessly, and has nice arc on his 3's.

Love the size to compete in the A10. Glad to see as of today we have a full-13 man roster heading into next year.

 

[dr. gunnie]

Was really hoping I would wake up to an article from someone about his commitment... nothing yet. I’m fascinated to find out how this whole recruitment took place and if he ever made it to campus. It would be interesting to see how our staff had to adjust to get this done.

Any chance the By George guys can reach out to either Otis or our staff? I know our staff can’t comment specifically about Otis, but an interview about how the stay-at-home order has changed the landscape of recruiting could be interesting... and maybe give us fans some content during this crap!

 

[mkaufman1]

A10 Starting Centers (source realgm)

Davidson-Brajkovic 6'10
Dayton-Toppin 6'9
Duquesne-Hughes 6'8
Fordham-Soriano 6'9
GW-Parr-6'9
Lasalle-Kimbrough 6'8
UMASS-Mitchell 6'9
Rhody-Harris/Langevine, both 6'8
Richmond-Golden 6'10
St Joes-Edwards 6'8
St Louis-Bell/French 6'10, 6'7
Bonnies-Osun-6'10
vcu-Santos-Silva 6'7

By your definition, there were exactly zero legit 5's starting in the entire A10 last year.

Look at that list. Oduro is slam bang average sized for a starting A10 center.

He's PLENTY big.

https://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/conferences/Atlantic-10-Conference/10/vcu/126/depth-charts

Well said. I think its also a difference when your starting center is 6'8-6'10 but your 4 is 6'4 to 6'5 versus when you have your 4 being 6'6 or 6'7. Having two guys ( or more) is much different than just having a big. For example, running a lineup with Miller/AJ/Calixte is much different than a Boyd/Grayer/Calixte lineup.

Does Mason still need a big to either backup or be some depth for Oduro? absolutely. Does it have to be more of a traditional big? I would agree. But if it ends up being a 6'9 athletic center who can shoot , I'd be fine with that too.

 

[By George.]

Was really hoping I would wake up to an article from someone about his commitment... nothing yet. I’m fascinated to find out how this whole recruitment took place and if he ever made it to campus. It would be interesting to see how our staff had to adjust to get this done.

Any chance the By George guys can reach out to either Otis or our staff? I know our staff can’t comment specifically about Otis, but an interview about how the stay-at-home order has changed the landscape of recruiting could be interesting... and maybe give us fans some content during this crap!

Spoiler: there’s multiple members of Giant Killer with pregnant wives, content has been tough to get going, especially after the ending to the Brooklyn trip. Completely uninspired.

These are good questions that we all have though, I think we can get Simpkins on a podcast. Stay tuned!

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

Spoiler: there’s multiple members of Giant Killer with pregnant wives

Old Jollay would run with this comment with a "follow up spoiler" comment but I've decided that as I near 50 I should try to be more ma-toor.

 

[Herndon]

Well said. I think its also a difference when your starting center is 6'8-6'10 but your 4 is 6'4 to 6'5 versus when you have your 4 being 6'6 or 6'7. Having two guys ( or more) is much different than just having a big. For example, running a lineup with Miller/AJ/Calixte is much different than a Boyd/Grayer/Calixte lineup.

Does Mason still need a big to either backup or be some depth for Oduro? absolutely. Does it have to be more of a traditional big? I would agree. But if it ends up being a 6'9 athletic center who can shoot , I'd be fine with that too.

Exactly so.

I'll note that I think Miller could be more than a passable 4 for small stretches of minutes against certain lineups, particularly as an upperclassman.

I'll further note that Miller is one of my favorite Patriots in recent years.

 

[Mason32]

The situation has at least solidified enough that we don’t have to stick AJ at the 5. That’s progress.

Oduro played 16 minutes a game last year, we'll see