Philly Gym Rat (The Perry “QM” McMullin Story)

[PointGuard]

Game #8; Dec. 9, 2016: George Mason Patriots (2-3) at CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (6-1)

George Mason’s primary defense is the 2-3 zone. We practiced against it but this will be our first test in a game situation against that defense.

We shot well but otherwise seemed out of synch early in the game. After holding a small lead for about 10 minutes, we got sloppy and the Patriots took a 4 point lead. Our good shooting continued allowing us to move back into the lead and in the last 5 minutes of the half we surged ahead to forge a 44-32 halftime lead. We dropped in 55% of our shots but allowed the Patriots to hit 50% of their FG attempts. Our leading scorer was Awvee Calton with 12 points, but Brett Holt added 10 also.

We played a strong 2nd half and steadily pulled away from the Patriots to win easily.

Final Score: CSU Bakersfield-80, George Mason-51. CSU Bakersfield season record: 7-1.

Scoring leaders: Holt-18, Calton-18, Yearwood-9.

Rebound leaders: Calton-6, Pastner-5.

Assist leaders: Yearwood-4, Holt-4, Benjamin-4.

Player of the Game: SG Brett Holt-18 pts, 4 reb, 4 assists, 3 steals.

Coach’s Pat on the Back Award: PF Awvee Calton-18 pts, 6 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal.

Other notes: George Mason shot better than we did, 53% to 49%. But they turned the ball over 28 (yes 28) times. We had just 9 turnovers.

[PointGuard]

Mark Saunders and Marcelle Pastner picked up where they left off last season with their loud arguments. I bring each on in to “counsel” them yet again and both say they will try to do better. But I think the two may in some perverted way enjoy going after each other verbally. Overall, team chemistry seems pretty good and while these two guys aren’t the most popular guys on the team, they have good relationships with other players. So, I guess unless this escalates beyond the “loud argument” stage, there’s not much use in getting heavy handed with these two yayhoos.

[PointGuard]

We assess where we are as a team at today’s meeting.

As expected the strength of this year’s team is inside and at the point.

Both Awvee Calton at power forward and Jeff Gilbert at center have played well. Together they are averaging over 20 ppg but more importantly they have combined for 14-1/2 rpg. Also, Marcelle Pastner has provided a quick scoring infusion coming off the bench. Mike Dotson and Mark Saunders have not been doing as well as expected subbing at PF and C, though.

At the point, Jerry Yearwood and Lionel Benjamin have been productive scorers (combining for nearly 21 ppg), but need to increase their number of assists. Yearwood has been hitting a high percentage of his shots. Brett Cook has not yet been productive in the limited time he’s been on the court at the point position.

At the SG position, after a slow start Brett Holt has increased his offensive production plus he’s been doing some nice work feeding the ball to others for scores. Holt has also stepped up to play some solid defense thus far. Although not impressive, Edmund Little and Harold Masters have played reasonably well coming off the bench. They both just need more experience.

Mitchell Jarmand has run hot and cold at the SF position, but he’s still learning to play the position since he played mostly PF in high school and with us before this year. Tyson Morris and Jermaine Vershaw have yet to impress coming off the bench at the 3 position, although Vershaw has hit a high percentage of the few shots he has taken.

Overall, rebounding has been our biggest area of strength. We presently are averaging as a team the 2nd most rebounds in the country. We also have controlled the ball well in most games and are averaging just 10-1/2 turnover per game (4th best in the nation).

We’re weak far outside, shooting very few 3’s…and with good reason since we only hit 34% of our 3 point attempts. That may create some problems for us when we go up against good zone defense teams. I think this year, though, we will just have to figure out ways to get people free inside and drive to the bucket frequently. Jerry Yearwood has been the lone player to shoot well from beyond the arc, but he’s not particularly comfortable shooting from out there so hasn’t put up all that many 3’s so far.

[PointGuard]

Here's how the "Roadrunner 5" are doing in their rookie season in the NBA's Development League (through games of Dec. 11, 2016):

[CoachC]

ooh! our first CB/PB crossover post! congrats PG! you win a suite at any of our fine hobo camps located throughout many of the states that have them!

[CoachC]

OOC: not sure which one you rats it was, but something either you or Wayne said tonight, caused me to spend 6 hours of my life interviewing Missouri Valley Conference fans, and then St. Louis Billiken fans about what might have happened if the MVC hadn't dropped the ball and not gone after St. Louis the moment the "Catholic 7" and Creighton were mentioned in the same sentence. The end result was... SLU would have accepted while wating to get invited into the new Big East like everyone else. Which is pretty much what I thought all along. Shame on both of you for putting thoughts in my head i have to follow up on. I don't like thoughts in my head!

[CoachC]

And shame on the Missouri Valley Conference for not asking me what to do in the first place!

[Wayne23]

Not me! No thoughts here except that I hope UConn manages to find a home in a major conference. I am still lamenting the death of the Big East, killed by the #1 American disease, greed.

[CoachC]

I formally invite UConn to join the MVC. They may even have a chance to win a conference football title there!

[Wayne23]

Hm...