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#Post#: 34259--------------------------------------------------
Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: Checkmate
Date: November 3, 2021, 9:51 pm
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GEORGE MASON (0-0)
Last Game with SBU: First meeting
Checkmate Unofficial Line: George Mason -7.5
NET Ranking: TBA
KenPom Rating: Stony Brook 185, George Mason 212
KenPom Prediction: George Mason 72, Stony Brook 70
Watch:
HTML https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/97d15211-cff1-4188-9e87-2ad2128f9d83
Listen:
HTML https://gomason.com/showcase?Live=391
Olaniyi Point Watch: 1,135
All-time: Currently 18th. Next up: Yves Simon (1987-91) 1,156;
Steve Hayn (1988-1991), 1,157
Notables (2020-21 stats):
6-4/200 gr G DeVon Cooper 12.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, .787 FT%, .366 3-pt
FG% (at Morehead State)
6-9/235 jr F Josh Oduro 9.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, .503 FG%
6-7/230 gr F D'Shawn Schwartz 9.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, .400 3-pt FG%
(at Colorado)
5-10/155 sr G Jamal Hartwell III 5.7 ppg, .368 3-pt FG%
6-8/210 jr F Joel Kabimba 5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .489 FG% (at
Stetson)
It's go time, fellas! Here's to a successful year.
We get out of the gate with a real good test and one that, if
all goes right, is a winnable one.
It's interesting what's happened here with the transfer portal,
and what will likely continue well into the future. Here we have
two teams that feel like they're brand new, yet with a lot of
experience, going toe to toe.
One guy not listed above is key: new GMU head coach Kim English,
who's a former NBA guy is being billed as a rising star in the
coaching ranks (see here:
HTML https://www.si.com/college/2021/09/10/kim-english-george-mason-basketball).<br
/>I mean, who wouldn't want this being said about the guy
leading
their program: "I haven’t been around anybody I believe in more
than Kimmie in terms of being successful as a head coach.” –
from Tulsa head coach Frank Haith, who coached English at
Missouri. English already got a couple huge commits in 2022 with
four-star G Justyn Fernandez and three-star G Devin Dinkins.
Must be nice being in the A-10.
As is the case with many coaching changes, the whole team got up
and left when Dave Paulsen was ousted after six years. Four of
their five top scorers from last year hit the transfer portal
and went to high major albeit middling schools—Miami, Marquette,
South Carolina and South Florida. It's not unlike the exodus we
saw at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
English has brought in some good ones though—Cooper, a second
team All-OVC guard, as well as two likely contributors from his
past two coaching stops—Schwartz from Colorado and Davonte
Gaines from Tennessee. His HS highlight reel is pretty cool:
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-fLXT_kHH4
He starred upstate before finishing up at Hargrave (he missed
Moor by a year) and ended up playing minimal minutes at
Tennessee. He should at the very least be a defensive presence,
as will Schwartz. It sounds like English is big on defense and
effort, so even if the GMU offense is running on all cylinders,
they'll at least make the opposition work for every bucket. As
for returnees, Oduro's a third-team preseason all-conference
selection and looks a lot like Sayles—big and thick but with a
little bit more athleticism. He's more of a complementary piece
than a double figure guy every night, a la Sayles.
I'll start the year with my usual format. Questions I hope to
have answered:
1. Can we rebound? Can we bang inside?
2. Without guys like Gueye and Otchere, can we prevent opposing
offenses from attacking the rim at will? I know we have size
coming in with Muratori and Nahar but they're young and a year
away.
3. Of the group of incomers and incumbents, who's the
distributor?
4. Can Christie be an adequate backup center? Or is it Sayles
and nobody else?
5. Has Policelli found his shooting stroke? Reminder: .319 from
three last year
6. How often do we go with the undersized backcourt of Jenkins
and JRod?
7. Will any of the freshmen contribute? Given our experience,
will any of them redshirt?
I'm really looking forward to seeing how/if things change
offensively. Last year, we didn't really have shooters, slashers
or distributors. We just had a bunch of guys, and I'll give the
program a pass considering what happened with the portal. But
still, we have reason to be skeptical about Geno's ability to
scheme offensively. Some of that, yes, has to do with the horses
in the stable, but I have not been wowed by the rhythm of our
offense under him. I'm looking for open shots even if they don't
go down. I'm looking for guys who can go by guys and then draw
others to them. I'm really hopeful that Jenkins and Roberts are
those guys, maybe even more of the offensive focus than we might
expect Olaniyi to be.
KenPom has this as a two-point game, but I see a slightly bigger
gap. English helped the Vols finish in top 5 nationally in
adjusted defense and I think he's just going to get maximum
effort out of his guys. We have some good transfers, but they
may have even better ones. They were picked to finish eighth in
the A-10. I could see higher though.
But maybe not! I'm glad to be getting them now. I'm really
excited to see that we're a year older, we kept last year's
nucleus together aside from Gueye, and brought in guys with a
ton of experience alongside them. Jenkins scored 1,700 points at
FDU and has tournament experience. Roberts averaged 13 a night
in the MAC and is billed to be able to score on all three
levels. Geno called him "electric" and I think Jenkins is in
that mold too.
Whatever the result, it's good to be back.
#Post#: 34260--------------------------------------------------
Re: Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: Chairman of the Board
Date: November 3, 2021, 10:00 pm
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thank you, thank you, thank you! as always. your efforts are
appreciated.
GO SB
#Post#: 34263--------------------------------------------------
Re: Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: NoVA_Seawolf
Date: November 4, 2021, 2:38 am
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This one is in my backyard. I have to attend this one. GO SB!!
#Post#: 34265--------------------------------------------------
Re: Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: iBOsbu
Date: November 4, 2021, 8:27 am
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Wonderfully written preview. Nice research. Always appreciate
the work Checkmate. Really hoping we start on a winning note.
#Post#: 34292--------------------------------------------------
Re: Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: Chairman of the Board
Date: November 7, 2021, 7:12 am
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checkmate- found a job for you:
HTML https://www.basketballforum.com/threads/%F0%9F%9A%A8-looking-for-america-east-writers-%F0%9F%9A%A8.692697/<br
/>
#Post#: 34295--------------------------------------------------
Re: Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: OldSeawolf
Date: November 7, 2021, 9:12 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks Checkmate as always! Really looking forward to Tuesday!
If you take that CoB-posted job, remember you are under a
non-written contract for the next 20 years, to continue
providing us with game day analyses :)
CoB, hold onto your hat, big guy! This is going to be a
run-and-gun-and-spot-up-for-3 team! I'm predicting a record #
of 3 attempts this year, and hopefully, an analogous # of 3
makes. This is a small, but athletic team. Upgraded in talent
in shooting ability from last year (Elijah, Roberts, and
Jenkins). I think this new core will take the pressure off guys
like Policelli, who I think will have a better 2nd year with us.
Who's gonna play center?????? Clearly, Sayles isn't a natural
5, but will be asked to play that role. Also predict that we
will see Christie for 5-10+ minutes per game (perhaps more if
Sayles can't play 30+ minutes or gets in foul trouble). Davis
is a big body for Vermont, pre-season All-Conference, and I
think we'll need a guy like Christie to eat up some minutes
against teams like that. Maybe he can take the leap forward
that Petras did his senior year.
Go SBU!
#Post#: 34296--------------------------------------------------
Re: Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: OldSeawolf
Date: November 7, 2021, 9:16 am
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For those of you who don't have Newsday subscriptions, this was
a story on Elijah in today's Newsday:
Elijah Olaniyi returns to SBU with winning attitude
By Roger Rubin
roger.rubin@newsday.com @rogrubin
Updated November 7, 2021 12:09 AM
Apparently, you can go home again.
It was 18 months ago when Stony Brook star junior Elijah Olaniyi
decided he didn’t want to stay home. After leading the Seawolves
in scoring, he craved better competition, a bigger stage and a
brighter spotlight for his senior season. He transferred to
Miami, expecting to sit for a year per NCAA rules before suiting
up for the 2021-22 season.
When the NCAA changed the rules and the Hurricanes suffered
injuries, Olaniyi found himself in Miami’s starting lineup. And
by most accounts, he had a fine season, averaging 10.5 points
and 5.1 rebounds in 32 minutes.
But when the NCAA granted athletes an extra year because of the
COVID-19 pandemic, Olaniyi did not sign up for another year in
the ACC.
He transferred back to Stony Brook.
"I went to Miami and the season I played there looked good, but
it wasn’t really what I went there to do," Olaniyi said. "Given
another year, I thought I would come back and complete the
unfinished business. I knew I’d play right away and there would
be a chance to go out a champion."
Olaniyi envisioned sitting for one season and then becoming a
central scorer the following year. The NCAA rule change making
transfers immediately eligible opened the door for him to play
last season, and Hurricanes injuries necessitated it.
"They needed me to be the team’s jackknife and do a lot of
things," Olaniyi said. "The coach had to play me because it was
in the best interests of the team. I went to the ACC to sort of
showcase what I can do. But I come back confident, having
affirmed that I can play on that level. Now I want that to rub
off on my teammates."
Now a grad student playing a fifth season, Olaniyi enjoys being
back in familiar surroundings. Still he concedes "I am a little
nervous and need to play that first game to get comfortable."
"I’ve done just about everything here except win a
championship," he added, "and I didn’t come back here for us to
have an average season."
The 6-5 shooting guard is part of a major influx of talented
guards that has transformed the Seawolves. Stony Brook — 9-14
overall and 7-9 in the America East last season — will play an
all-new up-tempo style and unleash an array of speedy players
who can score from all over the floor.
The Seawolves were tabbed as the conference favorite in a
preseason poll of America East coaches, and SBU coach Geno Ford
said, "Obviously, to see the talent we’ve added, we feel we
should have a shot to win a championship."
Joining Olaniyi in the new wave of Seawolves guards are
cat-quick FDU transfer Jahlil Jenkins and athletic St.
Bonaventure transfer Anthony Roberts.
Jenkins averaged 16.8 points and 3.2 assists at FDU last season
and Ford called him "the most dynamic guard I’ve been around in
25 years in the game." Roberts was a standout at Kent State
before becoming a Bonnie but played in only three games last
season.
They will mix with point guard Juan Felix Rodriguez, who led the
Seawolves with a 13.3-point average, and wing Frankie Policelli,
who averaged 10.7 points, to make an army of players who can get
their own shot.
SBU is likely to start 6-9 Jaden Sayles at center, but the 6-5
Policelli could slide down to that spot for a five-guard look.
"The key is that all of them are wired to get their own shot,
but we are going to need them at times to do other things like
pass, facilitate, rebound and defend," Ford said. "Those things
and getting used to playing together may take some time, but
what will come out on the other side is a very exciting team to
see on the floor."
Newsday sports reporter Roger Rubin
By Roger Rubin
roger.rubin@newsday.com @rogrubin
Roger Rubin covers high school and college sports for Newsday.
#Post#: 34309--------------------------------------------------
Re: Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: Chairman of the Board
Date: November 7, 2021, 8:00 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: OldSeawolf link ---
>
> Thanks Checkmate as always! Really looking forward to
Tuesday! If you take that CoB-posted job, remember you are
under a non-written contract for the next 20 years, to continue
providing us with game day analyses :)
>
> CoB, hold onto your hat, big guy! This is going to be a
run-and-gun-and-spot-up-for-3 team! I'm predicting a record #
of 3 attempts this year, and hopefully, an analogous # of 3
makes. This is a small, but athletic team. Upgraded in talent
in shooting ability from last year (Elijah, Roberts, and
Jenkins). I think this new core will take the pressure off guys
like Policelli, who I think will have a better 2nd year with us.
>
> Who's gonna play center?????? Clearly, Sayles isn't a natural
5, but will be asked to play that role. Also predict that we
will see Christie for 5-10+ minutes per game (perhaps more if
Sayles can't play 30+ minutes or gets in foul trouble). Davis
is a big body for Vermont, pre-season All-Conference, and I
think we'll need a guy like Christie to eat up some minutes
against teams like that. Maybe he can take the leap forward
that Petras did his senior year.
>
> Go SBU!
>
--- End Quote ---
hey oldie- i've more than deserved any friendly ribbing that
comes my way on this topic. ;D
THIS is a very, very bad omen: "all of them are wired to get
their own shot"
so if i need to buckle up, i will! BUT, i reserve the right to
1) diagnose, 2) complain, and then 3) offering my enduring
support. GO SB!
#Post#: 34312--------------------------------------------------
Re: Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: NoVA_Seawolf
Date: November 7, 2021, 8:48 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I can't wait for Tuesday. Will be nice to actually be hyped
about an SBU program again given the disastrous free fall
football seems to be in.
Looking forward to see the boys live.
#Post#: 34317--------------------------------------------------
Re: Game 1: at George Mason, 11/9 7pm
DIR By: OldSeawolf
Date: November 8, 2021, 5:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Chairman of the Board link ---
>
> [quote author=OldSeawolf link=topic=893.msg34295#msg34295
date=1636297967]
> Thanks Checkmate as always! Really looking forward to
Tuesday! If you take that CoB-posted job, remember you are
under a non-written contract for the next 20 years, to continue
providing us with game day analyses :)
>
> CoB, hold onto your hat, big guy! This is going to be a
run-and-gun-and-spot-up-for-3 team! I'm predicting a record #
of 3 attempts this year, and hopefully, an analogous # of 3
makes. This is a small, but athletic team. Upgraded in talent
in shooting ability from last year (Elijah, Roberts, and
Jenkins). I think this new core will take the pressure off guys
like Policelli, who I think will have a better 2nd year with us.
>
> Who's gonna play center?????? Clearly, Sayles isn't a natural
5, but will be asked to play that role. Also predict that we
will see Christie for 5-10+ minutes per game (perhaps more if
Sayles can't play 30+ minutes or gets in foul trouble). Davis
is a big body for Vermont, pre-season All-Conference, and I
think we'll need a guy like Christie to eat up some minutes
against teams like that. Maybe he can take the leap forward
that Petras did his senior year.
>
> Go SBU!
>
--- End Quote ---
hey oldie- i've more than deserved any friendly ribbing that
comes my way on this topic. ;D
THIS is a very, very bad omen: "all of them are wired to get
their own shot"
so if i need to buckle up, i will! BUT, i reserve the right to
1) diagnose, 2) complain, and then 3) offering my enduring
support. GO SB!
[/quote]
Of course, but your omen quote says it all. It's going to be
bombs away this year (again!). Hopefully, with better shooters
we at least hit that 33.3% mark. The NBA has certainly set the
tone for this style of play, and with the shorter arc in NCAA,
they've readily adopted. And with virtually no bigs on our team
and current coach, we know what to expect.
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