Game will be in Virginia near DC at their on campus arena about the size of Savage. they had over 5000 for their home opener but last 2 games less than half that. on a 2 game winning streak over low and mid major teams who came in with winning records. losses to ranked Auburn, BC, Buffalo and Belmont. 4-4 with an all D1 schedule.

GMU's best player is local 4th yr 6-9 235 big Oduro. gradually improved from 5/3 as a frosh to an all A10 player last yr. most of the rest of their starters and key reserves are older transfers. a couple tennessee guys who didn't really make it there. a new mexico transfer and a morehead st transfer. they have a decent 6-10 backup big who will dunk all over you but not much else.

overall, offense for them has been on and off. free throw shooting terrible until 19-23 in the last game an OT win over Hofstra. They have good athletes and will defend. no dominant rebounders but they will be bigger and have some guys who will attack the glass. if we play our typical good efficient offense and avoid too much homer ref foul trouble we should outscore them over 40 minutes, but this is a competitive opponent on their home court.

Keep this as the game update thread if you like

For those in the DC area who can’t make it to the game, MASN is covering it.

(12-03-2022 11:14 AM)Old Rocket Wrote:  For those in the DC area who can’t make it to the game, MASN is covering it.

ESPN+

Sloppy half. Ray J having a tough time. Made only 2 shots maybe. JT with 2 fouls. Mason killing us in the paint. We are not shooting well, but they seem to be. Too many turnovers.

GM up 35-32 at the half.

Rockets ran out to a 15-6 lead quickly, then not so much after Shumate picked up his 2nd foul. GM 3-10 from the line keeping UT in it so far.

Cochrane was limping and looked slow. Rockets are slow on defense and out of synch on offense. Edu looks good on defense. RayJ can't find the hoop. Rockets getting killed on the offensive boards

Blew this one. Missed free throws and turnovers down the stretch.

Mason athletic and has our rotation beat by a few inches and length at every position and got points from 5 of 6 off the bench. Got great shooting game from Cooper. And they were missing a player and they know how to play. Their coach has done a good job integrating in new players.

I hear the "bad day shooting" for this player or that. I thought it was Moss having the off day. His D just wasn't in it's normal spot, he looked a little lost on offense.

It was a good game at their home against a team that matched up very well. Could have been a LOT worse on the score.

I thought they forced to many shots inside that weren't there. Not enough passing. I'm surprised the rebounds were this close. We had no answer for Cooper. Ray J with a tough day. The refs sure liked the whistles as both teams had foul trouble. Moss fouled out with a couple of minutes left, JT and Milner both had 4. Kind of an ugly game.

(12-03-2022 04:40 PM)Screwball Wrote:  I thought they forced to many shots inside that weren't there. Not enough passing. I'm surprised the rebounds were this close. We had no answer for Cooper. Ray J with a tough day. The refs sure liked the whistles as both teams had foul trouble. Moss fouled out with a couple of minutes left, JT and Milner both had 4. Kind of an ugly game.

I think sometimes that's what mirror images can do. More fouls because players are similar speed and quickness.

The announcer also mentionied the lack of passing. I don't know his usual games to judge whether that was relative or absolute. Take your word for it. As I mentioned, I thought Moss looked out of sync. One player not quite where they are expected to be when they are can throw passing and rotation way off. I'm sure it will be addressed in practice.

This team is going to improve through the season I think, if all are buying in and enjoying their roles.

Being in a better position to win the games in Cleveland remains the thing that matters most.

(12-03-2022 05:21 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  Being in a better position to win the games in Cleveland remains the thing that matters most.

I agree with this. Of course I've said ad nauseum that takes a deeper bench that can come in and run with the first team. Having Edu and Loritsen (can we just say "Swede?") in at the same time was a nice surprise. I hope K can find a line-up with them that works smoothly.

I wish EDu can find some offensive game, I don't think he is confident out there. Play him in spots where defensive stop is neccessary. Dennis and Maddox was off their game, if not, UT wins. I hope Cochran's injury isn't worst than stated. Another big one on the road against NIU, that is Northern Iowa. NIU coming off a easy victory at home against Evansville Aces.