Interview with George Mason Head Coach Tony Skinn

[sbrand]

Hey guys,

I will be interviewing Tony Skinn next week and it will be a Rhody-Centric interview.

I would like to know how the NIL and transfer portal is treating him, talk about our two games against GMU, and delve into the schools recruitment of Ben Hammond.

Do you have any questions?

[reef]

Just his overall impressions on the URI program and what he thinks about Coach Arch

[sbrand]

Thx as always Reef.

[Jersey77]

His thoughts on the NIL and portal and how it is affecting the A10.

How is Jalen Haynes and the decision to RS in 23-24.
Overcoming the losses of Hall, Okojie, and Polite.
Impact of returning guard Maddox.
His portal additions Emejuru, Johnson, Quigley, and O'Connor.

[Jdrums#3]

Hi Scott, not directly related to Rhody but I think indirectly impactful:

1. What is his present scheduling strategy with the P6 and is he satisfied with how it is working ?

2. What’s his stance on the size of the A10 ? Is it good as is or would he like to see further expansion ?

I would like to include contraction in the question above also but I don’t think he would be comfortable answering that unless you think otherwise ?

[Jersey77]

Scott, maybe you can bring this up.
Mason fans seemed a little bummed about his departure.

[sbrand]

Damn these are great questions.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Damn these are great questions.

Well...this is the best damn message board in all of sports, so..... (shrug emoji )

[reef]

Ask him about the thrill of playing in the final 4 and his relationship with J Larranga ?

[sbrand]

That’s what I say. Greatest basketball minds of all message boards. And it’s hilarious at times.

[RhodyKyle]

Ask him about the thrill of playing in the final 4 and his relationship with J Larranga ?

Ask him if Larranaga and Boeheim have ever been seen in the same room at the same time.

[steveystuds06]

That’s great you’re interviewing him Scott congrats

[sbrand]

Thanks Stevey. I once interviewed Coach L Larranaga so that got my foot in the door.

[reef]

He was an assistant under Coach Willard @ S Hall and Maryland , what philosophies did he take from him ?

[ramster]

1. You lost 2nd Team A10 Keyshawn Hall to UCF of Big12. Hall did not play in the A10 loss to St Joe’s. Some talk about Hall not being hurt so much as already checked out to go for the P5 NIL, some talk also of Hall issues with HC/team. What happened with Hall?

2. Next March A10 Tourney moves from Brooklyn to Washington DC. Does that help with recruiting? How do you, your Coaches, players and fans feel about the A10 Tournament so close to home?

3. How does your team look for next season?


Thank you Scott

[sbrand]

Thx Ramster. I am on standby for tomorrow’s interview. I am thinking he may have a recruit visiting.

[Jdrums#3]

Scott, can you call Archie and ask him for an interview ?

Please let us know if he declines because he has recruiting visits scheduled, like your post above about coach Skinn.

I don’t need particulars on who’s visiting. I just would like to know if we have any visits scheduled so I can raise my level of confidence, at this point, in adding some help in the front court.

Just kidding, Scott. But, the quiet around here regarding potential roster additions is concerning.

[sbrand]

I agree. My first call would be to Shane. I think they have some polite controlled response which basically says it ain’t going to happen.

I once was at a practice before the Davidson game per a David Cox invite and asked him if I could meet Dan. Dave said he is busy with his extensive pregame rituals.

URI head coaches are very hard to interview. I would have to be a beat writer from the Projo. The last coach I interviewed was JB a long time ago over the phone.

The press conferences or A10 media day are the closest way to talk to him for someone like me.

Personally I think they have a plan for the remaining spots which requires the highest level of privacy like David Fuchs.

[sbrand]

My only strategy is to never publicly criticize him.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Personally I think they have a plan for the remaining spots which requires the highest level of privacy like David Fuchs.

"highest level of privacy like David Fuchs'....

Translation?

[sbrand]

I didn’t read one word about him from anyone and marketing announced if my memory serves me. We can be in Finland right now looking at a Davidson like 7 footer. I think we should go hard overseas like so many other teams.

[ramster]

Thx Ramster. I am on standby for tomorrow’s interview. I am thinking he may have a recruit visiting.

Scott,
Not sure if you have done the Tony Skinn interview yet, but I came across this article about Hall. I did not realize Hall played 4 minutes in the A10 game as I thought he did not play at all. Rumors were that Hall was already checked out for the upcoming Portal.

Good article at any rate knowing you have the upcoming interview.

What we know about the confusing end to Keyshawn Hall’s season

https://www.a10talk.com/2024/03/what-we ... ls-season/

[sbrand]

Thx Ramster. You are a monster finding great articles. I read them all. Tony has been in Florida recruiting and I was supposed to get together with him in Miami. So it has stalled. But when he comes back to Miami this weekend I might be able to set something up. It could be a few weeks. The recruiting is so intense right now. Thx again.

[sbrand]

Finally is live.

What you will like most is Tony Skinn's comparison of David Green to a cross between Rajon Rondo and Jayson Tatum.

[Jersey77]

Finally is live.

What you will like most is Tony Skinn's comparison of David Green to a cross between Rajon Rondo and Jayson Tatum.

Just listened, another great job Scott. Thanks

Skinn is a classy guy and feel he will be a very successful head coach.

I predict GM to finish in the middle of the A10 but again like others including us are capable of being in the top tier.

They return a star in Maddox along with Billups who started all 32 games
Haynes who redshirted last season was a multi-transfer and can be one of the better bigs in the conference, an immediate major impact player.
Skinn said he was their top player in practice.

They added 5 transfers at all positions and who should all be solid rotational pieces.