Welcome Otis Livingston

[gmutom]

Is it too early to call Otis Livingston II and Jaire Grayer the best Mason freshmen duo since George Evans and Erik Herrring in the 1997-98 season?

I love how talented and fearless these guys are, but I think it's kind of an apples-oranges comparison due to the amount of playing time they get compared to previous incoming classes. You could use any combination of Folarin Campbell, Will Thomas and Jai Lewis as great freshmen duos, and I think the duo of Mike Morrison and Ryan Pearson belong in that conversation.

 

[Pablo]

I love how talented and fearless these guys are, but I think it's kind of an apples-oranges comparison due to the amount of playing time they get compared to previous incoming classes. You could use any combination of Folarin Campbell, Will Thomas and Jai Lewis as great freshmen duos, and I think the duo of Mike Morrison and Ryan Pearson belong in that conversation.

How about Jalen Jenkins and Marquise Moore? BTW, I believe that you mean John Vaughan rather than Jai Lewis?

 

[gmutom]

How about Jalen Jenkins and Marquise Moore? BTW, I believe that you mean John Vaughan rather than Jai Lewis?

No on the first question; yes on the second (thanks for clarifying). And just to be clear, I'm not taking anything away from Otis or Jaire. They deserve major props for taking advantage of their opportunity to get a lot of minutes on a rebuilding team. I just don't think it's fair to compare them to other freshmen who might have been as good but played on better teams.

That said, I think Otis could go ultimately down as one of the best PGs in our history. He's that good. And Grayer has the potential to one day make the all-A10 team. I can't even begin to think what this season would look like had Paulsen not stolen them so late in the recruiting period.

 

[PoorManProfit]

That Livingston kid is freaking competitive. Can someone advise the last time G Mas had a player with his skill set and desire at point? McCants?

 

[G M U]

Its refreshing to see Paulsen identify Otis and Grayer as starters from day 1. I'd imagine most coaches would be hesitant to start 2 freshman out the gate but Paulsen's ability to identify talent no matter what recruit ranking or experience level is really amazing. I know originally seeing his starting 5 for the first time I was like Moore AND Otis? Marko? but they've been our best 5 players thus far this season. Good eye Paulsen.

 

[psyclone]

That Livingston kid is freaking competitive. Can someone advise the last time G Mas had a player with his skill set and desire at point? McCants?

Jason Miskiri ran the show well but was a scorer as well. That said, Otis appears to be the real deal and a nice foundation to build on. Looks like he'll bring out the best with whoever is on the court with him.

 

[gmujim92]

While Tom is correct that Otis and Jaire are playing many more minutes than freshmen from the better Larranaga teams, they are not compiling meaningless stats by jacking bad shots for a God-awful team.

Grayer averages a team-high 14.4 PPG and has hit 54 percent of his FG attempts, which is ridiculously efficient for a guy who plays mostly on the perimeter. He's been in double figures 4 times despite only attempting 4 FTs in 5 games; expect his scoring to only increase as he gets stronger and more adept at drawing fouls going to the rim.

Livingston is scoring 11 PPG on 40 percent FG shooting, which isn't awful either for a first-year player who also is our primary PG. He has 14 assists against only 7 turnovers -- 5 of which were committed in the Ole Miss and Okie State games.

Beyond the stats, though, neither look as if the game is ever moving too fast as it does for the vast majority of freshmen (non-blue blood division).

The sample size is still small, obviously, and as we've seen with other promising freshmen, a lot can happen to derail lofty projections. But I will be stunned if both of these guys aren't A-10 all-rookie selections who go on to make multiple all-conference teams.

 

[Pablo]

Short in stature, but with a big heart:

Otis Livingston II Retweeted
Chris Durlak ‏@cdurlak 17h17 hours agoGeorge Mason, VA
Thanks for the autographs @Slimm_4 @MasonMBB #MasonRising

 

[Pablo]

1. 1. 
      Otis Livingston II ‏@Slimm_4 15h15 hours ago
      Aaron Rodgers on the field; can't let my Pack down #weallwegot
      
      
      

1. Otis Livingston II Retweeted
   Jim McConnell ‏@jmcconnell70 17h17 hours ago
   Jim McConnell Retweeted Seth Greenberg
   
   It's certainly working for @MasonMBB with @quise_22 and @Slimm_4. Their talents complement each other perfectly.
   
   Jim McConnell added,
   
   Seth Greenberg @SethOnHoops
   Playing 2 point guards makes the game easy 4 the other 3 players. Duke benefitted from that. . KUHoops excelling with Mason & Graham
   

 

[Pablo]

GMU Giant Killer Retweeted
Otis Livingston ‏@OlivingstonTV 3h3 hours ago
Otis Livingston Retweeted York Street Project

Thanks! He's made s nice transition. He loves his teammates & coaching staff. More importantly he loves G Mason!

Otis Livingston added,

York Street Project @YorkStProject
@gmuhoops @OlivingstonTV Picking up right where he left off with the Tigers. Looks good with the stache!

 

[Walter]

I posted this in the game thread, but seems appropriate to repeat. The TV announcers during UNI games said, "Otis My Man" after a really cool move by Otis.

 

[Patriotsince81]

I posted this in the game thread, but seems appropriate to repeat. The TV announcers during UNI games said, "Otis My Man" after a really cool move by Otis.

This is the chant I am trying to get going in the stands. Slow progress. Doc Nix needs to have the Green Machine play Shama Lama Ding Dong during his introduction.

 

[Dawgs99]

After the game, Otis went over to Doc Nix and gave him a hug....then he slapped the hand of every band member in the first row. It didn;t seem like he was ordered to do so as he was really the only one to make that gesture. Point being he seems like a really good dude on top of looking like a building block for years to come!

 

[sigmanorm]

How long do we need to wait to do the Otis My Man t-shirts?

 

[Pablo]

After the game, Otis went over to Doc Nix and gave him a hug....then he slapped the hand of every band member in the first row. It didn;t seem like he was ordered to do so as he was really the only one to make that gesture. Point being he seems like a really good dude on top of looking like a building block for years to come!

I've been a season ticket holder for a long time, but I can't recall anyone who seemed to enjoy being a Mason men's basketball player more than Otis Livingston II. My only concern about him is all of his PT; i.e., 33.4 minutes per game which is considerable for a 162 lb. freshman.

 

[gmujim92]

I've been a season ticket holder for a long time, but I can't recall anyone who seemed to enjoy being a Mason men's basketball player more than Otis Livingston II. My only concern about him is all of his PT; i.e., 33.4 minutes per game which is considerable for a 162 lb. freshman.

He is playing a ton of minutes. Fortunately, he's 18. I remember being able to ... uh, run all day at that age.

 

[Pablo]

https://twitter.com/atlantic10/status/674395826668437504

https://twitter.com/atlantic10/status/674403636705759234

 

[sigmanorm]

Animal House font

 

[Pablo]

1. Otis Livingston II ‏@Slimm_4 7h7 hours ago
   Y'all ever wish y'all could fast forward.?

 

[GSII]

Hope that means to the next game.