The addition of Jarred Reuter was supposed to rejuvenate George Mason’s post presence and add a new element to the Patriot offense. Just no one expected that it would take 19 games for him to have a major statistical impact.
In the preseason head coach Dave Paulsen labelled the University of Virginia transfer as having “the chance to be one of the five best players in the league.” His potential could carry the team to being a contender in the Atlantic 10.
Needless to say, the beginning of the season was rough for the junior. He only reached double figures four times in the first 12 contests of the season. Showing polished footwork and impressive moves against players that were larger in size, everyone knew he had talent. He served as a big 6-7 point guard in the paint with his passes and ball handling ability. The only problem was that he couldn’t finish regularly. And, Reuter couldn’t make it much longer than five minutes of play at a time.
That all has taken a turn toward the latter stretch of conference play.
Against Dayton, George Washington and VCU he reached 10-plus points, the first such three-game stretch of his career. His fantastic post moves finally paid dividends. The shots are starting to fall. During that three-game stretch he shot a combined 17-25, the highest of the team. However, most of that was glossed over due to recent 0-2 stretch.
That positive momentum though carried over in a 84-76 victory over La Salle where he dropped 16, his second highest total of the season.
In the win he was pivotal to the team’s victory. The early 13-4 Patriot spurt saw Reuter back-into La Salle’s Jared Kimbrough twice, once for a hook shot and the other for a turnaround jumper. Those two plays not only gave Mason an early lead but established their command of the lane.
It is not just his scoring, though, that benefited George Mason. The Patriots had to retake the lead five times in the second half, via a tie score or lead change. Three of those resulted from Reuter.
Right out of halftime, and after Mason tied up the game, Reuter once again found himself under the basket. An easy converted layup, where he also drew the and-one foul, gave Mason the lead back.
Later an offensive rebound led to a put-back bucket and the lead once again at 63-62. After a La Salle 3pter to tie up at 65 two possessions later, it was Reuter once again with a beautiful post move to give Mason the lead for good.
With those 16 points he finished 5-for-9 shooting, including a 6-for-7 clip at the free throw line. He also added five boards, four of which were offensive, and an assist.
Alright, everyone has to officially delete all their negative tweets about Jarred Reuter from earlier this season.
— Tyler Byrum (@theTylerByrum) February 10, 2019
Consistently he is playing full rotation minutes with the starters. He hasn’t fewer than 20 minutes since Jan. 16. Something that, whether it was because of foul trouble or endurance, consistently alluded him early in the season.
Since that Jan. 16 game against the Massachusetts Minutemen, he’s only reached three fouls once. On Sunday he had 23 minutes and zero fouls.
It would be hard to qualify Reuter’s 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists a game as top-five worthy. However, it is much improved from what was seen in nonconference play and coming to fruition at the right moment for the Patriots.
POSTGAME POD: Tyler and Bryan recap the La Salle game, plus discuss Jarred Reuter’s play
