Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
Bill Koch, bkoch@enquirer.com 4:38 p.m. EDT May 29, 2014
Niagara guard Antoine Mason averaged 25.6 points last year, making him the second-highest scorer in the country behind Creighton's Doug McDermott.(Photo: USA Today)
Jermaine Lawrence's decision to transfer might turn out to be a break for the University of Cincinnati basketball program.
With Lawrence gone, the Bearcats have a scholarship to give for next season and reportedly are one of a number of major programs in pursuit of guard Antoine Mason, who is leaving Niagara to play one more season, presumably at a major program. Because Mason has already graduated, he won't have to sit out a year and will be eligible to play next season.
He could be just what the doctor ordered for a team looking to add perimeter scoring following the departure of All-American guard Sean Kilpatrick.
Multiple sources have reported that UC is among the schools interested in Mason but the Bearcats will have plenty of competition. St. John's, Seton Hall, Oklahoma State, Providence, Auburn, Wake Forest, Maryland, Missouri, Texas A&M, Boston College and UCLA all have been linked to Mason.
The 6-foot-3 Mason, from Queens, N.Y., is a hot commodity after averaging 25.6 points last year, making him the second-highest scorer in the country behind Creighton's Doug McDermott. The son of former NBA forward Anthony Mason, Antoine shot 44 percent overall, 28.6 percent from 3-point range, and 72.8 percent from the free throw line. He scored 846 points last season.
Mason's strength is attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. He attempted 612 shots last year, including 168 from 3-point range. He shot 357 free throws. By contrast, UC All-American Sean Kilpatrick attempted 506 shots overall, including 267 from 3-point range and attempted 213 free throws.
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
I dont think he comes here. from his comments he wants to get more playing time and score more points. He shot the ball 100 more times than SK did. I do like how he got to the free throw line over 300 times, but for that many shots and free throws the ball is in his hands the entire time on offense.
Mick is not, or atleast has not been a coach to promise anything. You work for your PT. I dont see him promising or telling him yea you will play 38 minutes a game and have the ball in your hands to do whatever you please when we are on offense.
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
A player such as Mason could be the final piece of the puzzle for Mick to build a pretty amazing team for next season. With Mason's offer list one has to hope there is some sort of draw or connection to bring him to Cincinnati. It's great to compete with top programs for talent but it's time to harvest a few more high profile players to take the Bearcats to the next level.
The AAC has produced the last two national champions so it's not as if there is a lack of exposure, TV coverage or opportunity in Cincinnati.
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
Almost like to see our young guys play this year. I don't think we are one veteran away from a national championship. And it seems like this kid is a volume scorer who would want the ball all the time.
As much as I loved SK it seemed like he was relied on too heavily last year amd it showed late in the season.
I'm ready to see more of a team approach to offense this year and I think we have the guys to do it.
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
(05-30-2014 12:29 PM)Marcus Wrote: I think I'd rather have Justin Martin. Has that ship sailed?
Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein Xavier transfer Justin Martin will visit SMU next weekend + West Virginia on June 6th + 7th, source told @CBSSports. Visited FSU Wednesday.
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
Considering all the whining during last season about how Mick needed to recruit a scorer, and then the second leading scorer in the country last year becomes available, I would think going after him, as opposed to a guy like Justin Martin, is a no brainer unless there's some baggage I'm unaware of.
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
(05-31-2014 09:55 AM)JackieTreehorn Wrote: Considering all the whining during last season about how Mick needed to recruit a scorer, and then the second leading scorer in the country last year becomes available, I would think going after him, as opposed to a guy like Justin Martin, is a no brainer unless there's some baggage I'm unaware of.
The biggest problem with last years team wasn't the lack of a scorer, SK was a scorer and a phenomenal one at that. The problem was that when good defenses dialed in on SK and JJ UC had no way to make them pay with shooting for distorting their defensive structure. It is shooting that this team needs, not scoring, and Mason is not a shooter. His effective field goal percentage never went above 50 percent in any one season, his shooting from deep topped out at a Ge`Lawn Guyn like 31.5 percent and he is a Dion Dixon like 28.7 percent for his career. Despite those poor percentages he averaged 4 attempts from deep per game for his career. He wasn't among the nations scoring leaders because he was an ultra efficient scoring machine with a deeply sophisticated game.
In short Mason found himself among the nations leaders in scoring because he consumed possessions at a Doug McDermott like level and shot a full third of his teams shots for the year on a team that played the 8th fastest pace in the country. Its a bit of fantasy to think that he can be an effective player at all playing off the bench, and off the ball on a team like UC that will finish 300th or worse in pace as they have in almost every season of Mick's tenure. Hell Mason's offensive rating was 106.8 last year which is barely above average. In fact four of the Bearcats nine rotation players had better efficiency numbers than Mason. He is simply not what the Bearcats need in any respect. At best he will be an above average offensive player who is only going to take minutes, shots and reps away from guys like KJ and Morman at a time when they need to take reps and they need experience. I'll pass.
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
(05-31-2014 11:17 PM)Mopper Wrote:
(05-31-2014 09:55 AM)JackieTreehorn Wrote: Considering all the whining during last season about how Mick needed to recruit a scorer, and then the second leading scorer in the country last year becomes available, I would think going after him, as opposed to a guy like Justin Martin, is a no brainer unless there's some baggage I'm unaware of.
The biggest problem with last years team wasn't the lack of a scorer, SK was a scorer and a phenomenal one at that. The problem was that when good defenses dialed in on SK and JJ UC had no way to make them pay with shooting for distorting their defensive structure. It is shooting that this team needs, not scoring, and Mason is not a shooter. His effective field goal percentage never went above 50 percent in any one season, his shooting from deep topped out at a Ge`Lawn Guyn like 31.5 percent and he is a Dion Dixon like 28.7 percent for his career. Despite those poor percentages he averaged 4 attempts from deep per game for his career. He wasn't among the nations scoring leaders because he was an ultra efficient scoring machine with a deeply sophisticated game.
In short Mason found himself among the nations leaders in scoring because he consumed possessions at a Doug McDermott like level and shot a full third of his teams shots for the year on a team that played the 8th fastest pace in the country. Its a bit of fantasy to think that he can be an effective player at all playing off the bench, and off the ball on a team like UC that will finish 300th or worse in pace as they have in almost every season of Mick's tenure. Hell Mason's offensive rating was 106.8 last year which is barely above average. In fact four of the Bearcats nine rotation players had better efficiency numbers than Mason. He is simply not what the Bearcats need in any respect. At best he will be an above average offensive player who is only going to take minutes, shots and reps away from guys like KJ and Morman at a time when they need to take reps and they need experience. I'll pass.
Good points Mopper, but I think you mostly missed a key one - this kid likes to take the ball to the basket (which is still something we need) and he seems to have a knack for getting fouled in the process. In fact, he was 6th in the nation in fouls drawn/40 minutes with 8.0. Obviously that gets his team to the bonus quicker, but all those fouls drawn have some less tangible but no less real benefits. He doesn't just get the guy guarding him in foul trouble (typically making him less aggressive on offense and defense AND often forcing him to the bench for a less talented player, etc.) but at that rate he probably also gets guys NOT primarily guarding him into foul trouble as well (with the same benefits).
And let's not forget that at least 20 programs (many of them quality ones) inquired about him. I trust Mick will do his due diligence on Mason and if he decides to go after him, I'm all for it.
(This post was last modified: 06-01-2014 12:13 AM by Bearhawkeye.)
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
SMU for next year:
- Returns top 5 players
- Adds Niagara transfer Antoine Mason and his 26 pts/game, I’d say Larry Brown will get scouts to watch him at SMU, found this quote…"I think the NBA is within reason," said his father former NBA player Anthony Mason. "He's the No. 1 scorer in the country. Somebody's watching." So far, only one NBA scout has made it to a Niagara game this season.”
- Adds Justin Martin from Xavier…”Martin, a 6-6, 205-pound forward who averaged 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds last season as a junior, will be eligible to play immediately because he has already graduated. He finished last season as Xavier's second leading scorer, posting double figures in 18 games, including 16 of 20 Big East contests. He had 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds against Creighton.”
- Signed freshman Emmanuel Mudiay…”arguably the top point guard in the class of 2014 and will almost certainly be a one and done player. Under the tutelage of Larry Brown at SMU his decision making will undoubtedly improve and he will learn how to run a team in the half court. With his size and quickness Mudiay has the potential to be a top 10 pick and with an improved jump shot could become a future NBA All Star. NBA comparison = John Wall.”
If Larry Brown can get all this new talent integrated into what was already a very good team they should be a Top 5 team.
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
(06-06-2014 08:21 AM)nachoman91 Wrote: SMU for next year:
- Returns top 5 players
- Adds Niagara transfer Antoine Mason and his 26 pts/game, I’d say Larry Brown will get scouts to watch him at SMU, found this quote…"I think the NBA is within reason," said his father former NBA player Anthony Mason. "He's the No. 1 scorer in the country. Somebody's watching." So far, only one NBA scout has made it to a Niagara game this season.”
- Adds Justin Martin from Xavier…”Martin, a 6-6, 205-pound forward who averaged 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds last season as a junior, will be eligible to play immediately because he has already graduated. He finished last season as Xavier's second leading scorer, posting double figures in 18 games, including 16 of 20 Big East contests. He had 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds against Creighton.”
- Signed freshman Emmanuel Mudiay…”arguably the top point guard in the class of 2014 and will almost certainly be a one and done player. Under the tutelage of Larry Brown at SMU his decision making will undoubtedly improve and he will learn how to run a team in the half court. With his size and quickness Mudiay has the potential to be a top 10 pick and with an improved jump shot could become a future NBA All Star. NBA comparison = John Wall.”
If Larry Brown can get all this new talent integrated into what was already a very good team they should be a Top 5 team.
? he hasnt signed yet. I didnt think they were even pursuing him
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
(06-06-2014 08:21 AM)nachoman91 Wrote: SMU for next year:
- Returns top 5 players
- Adds Niagara transfer Antoine Mason and his 26 pts/game, I’d say Larry Brown will get scouts to watch him at SMU, found this quote…"I think the NBA is within reason," said his father former NBA player Anthony Mason. "He's the No. 1 scorer in the country. Somebody's watching." So far, only one NBA scout has made it to a Niagara game this season.”
- Adds Justin Martin from Xavier…”Martin, a 6-6, 205-pound forward who averaged 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds last season as a junior, will be eligible to play immediately because he has already graduated. He finished last season as Xavier's second leading scorer, posting double figures in 18 games, including 16 of 20 Big East contests. He had 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds against Creighton.”
- Signed freshman Emmanuel Mudiay…”arguably the top point guard in the class of 2014 and will almost certainly be a one and done player. Under the tutelage of Larry Brown at SMU his decision making will undoubtedly improve and he will learn how to run a team in the half court. With his size and quickness Mudiay has the potential to be a top 10 pick and with an improved jump shot could become a future NBA All Star. NBA comparison = John Wall.”
If Larry Brown can get all this new talent integrated into what was already a very good team they should be a Top 5 team.
RE: Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
(06-06-2014 08:47 AM)Marcus Wrote:
(06-06-2014 08:21 AM)nachoman91 Wrote: SMU for next year:
- Returns top 5 players
- Adds Niagara transfer Antoine Mason and his 26 pts/game, I’d say Larry Brown will get scouts to watch him at SMU, found this quote…"I think the NBA is within reason," said his father former NBA player Anthony Mason. "He's the No. 1 scorer in the country. Somebody's watching." So far, only one NBA scout has made it to a Niagara game this season.”
- Adds Justin Martin from Xavier…”Martin, a 6-6, 205-pound forward who averaged 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds last season as a junior, will be eligible to play immediately because he has already graduated. He finished last season as Xavier's second leading scorer, posting double figures in 18 games, including 16 of 20 Big East contests. He had 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds against Creighton.”
- Signed freshman Emmanuel Mudiay…”arguably the top point guard in the class of 2014 and will almost certainly be a one and done player. Under the tutelage of Larry Brown at SMU his decision making will undoubtedly improve and he will learn how to run a team in the half court. With his size and quickness Mudiay has the potential to be a top 10 pick and with an improved jump shot could become a future NBA All Star. NBA comparison = John Wall.”
If Larry Brown can get all this new talent integrated into what was already a very good team they should be a Top 5 team.
When did Mason to SMU happen?
It hasnt, He is set to visit Auburn, Providence and BC
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Niagara transfer Antoine Mason being pursued by UC?
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