GKiller said:

I’d say vcu has def been a little more consistent than Dayton in a10. More NCAAs. Goes further in a10 tourney. vcu is regularly going to a10 finals. Dayton has that high water mark of 19-20 when in line for national 1 seed. Counts for something but kinda like us we don’t know what was going to happen. Idk how they compare to vcu with A10 reg season finishes but likely correlates to the other things.

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I was really only gauging last 5 years when it has seemed A10 has been a 1-2 bid league most years (often getting 2 because of A10 tourney upset.)

VCU has been to 2 ncaas since 19-20 and they weren't an at large hopeful in at least one of those NCAA seasons where they finished 4th in the A10 (weirdly I cannot recall how they were viewed 2 years ago and if they won the tourney or got at large, or were even in conversations.)

But those 5 seasons reinforces the case that VCU are playing good, but not great overall basketball - not consistently high-level or in ncaa at large consideration most years. That's the case for most A10 schools. Dayton was a stone lock for NCAA at large in 2 seasons of the last 5 (last year and in 19-20) so I'll give them the nod.

97spiderfan said:

Yep, this the new normal for the A-10. A one to 2 bid conference most years and the top team better not win the A-10 tourney or you are looking at 1 bid only. For us, with our putrid OOC schedule, we are gonna have to win the A-10 tourney to dance this year. This will save this board having to do a lot of bubble watch discussion cause our name isn't gonna be on it.

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Oh I'm still planning to enjoy the bubbly debates .. after our 11-1 or 10-1 or 9-1 or 8-1 non conference D1 schedule.

brooklyn brownstone said:

Too much instability at the top of the A10. Dayton has been mostly consistent, but the wheel of the rest of the league hasn't lately led to consistently up years from teams who should have consistent at large hopes in UR, SLU, VCU.

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I’d say vcu has def been a little more consistent than Dayton in a10. More NCAAs. Goes further in a10 tourney. vcu is regularly going to a10 finals. Dayton has that high water mark of 19-20 when in line for national 1 seed. Counts for something but kinda like us we don’t know what was going to happen. Idk how they compare to vcu with A10 reg season finishes but likely correlates to the other things.

agree with all of that. still a good conference though.

the teams the A10 competes with for 3rd or 4th (haha) bids are Nevada, Utah St., Colorado St. and the like. SDSU is the usual lock from that conference. Lately, they've been good in that conference, the A10, not so all the extra bids the A10 once got have shifted there.

Too much instability at the top of the A10. Dayton has been mostly consistent, but the wheel of the rest of the league hasn't lately led to consistently up years from teams who should have consistent at large hopes in UR, SLU, VCU.

Severe dropoff from Saint Joe's and recent struggles of SLU and Davidson (2 years) have not helped, nor has Bonas middling results while still being dangerous enough to beat anyone.

Loyola still new enough to get a pass.

Lasalle and Fordham remain who they are, GooMoos seem forever middle class, UMass is a shell of what it was and Rhody has been a mess except when Hurley was there. GW and Duquesne don't seem committed enough long term and don't draw well.

UR is as guilty as any program for where the A10 currently is in the hoops landscape. Good results for last 5 years but only 1 year that was remotely in the at large discussion.

urfan1 said:

And Trump's solution is to give it to Putin. No wonder Putin supports him.

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Yes, no consequential American but Trump called Putin "genius" and "savvy" when Putin invaded Ukraine. Trump now leads the party of Putin, he's already made 7 calls to Putin after leaving the presidency (not denied by Trump) and sent covid tests to Putin back when he was President and Americans could not get them (also has not been denied by Trump to my knowledge).

RichmondNative said:

In other words, it is basically like last year. Like it or not, the new normal for the A10 is competitive conference games with 1-2 teams going to the NCAAs. I guess this year there is some “hope” that it could be 3 teams, but I don’t see it happening. There are too few “open spots” in the field. The power conferences keep getting bigger and will take the majority of the spots and then you have the Big East and everyone else competing for something like 10 spots. I can’t recall which article I read that had the 10 number, but I believe it.

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Yep, this the new normal for the A-10. A one to 2 bid conference most years and the top team better not win the A-10 tourney or you are looking at 1 bid only. For us, with our putrid OOC schedule, we are gonna have to win the A-10 tourney to dance this year. This will save this board having to do a lot of bubble watch discussion cause our name isn't gonna be on it.

UR issued notes

spiderman said:

if all of our home conference games are ranked in the top 160, worst we can get is a Q3 loss.
if all of our road conference games are ranked in the top 135, worst we can get is a Q2 loss.

so that's good.

but with no weak teams in the conference, I expect a lot of teams within a few games of .500
while fun, that's not the formula for multiple bids.

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In other words, it is basically like last year. Like it or not, the new normal for the A10 is competitive conference games with 1-2 teams going to the NCAAs. I guess this year there is some “hope” that it could be 3 teams, but I don’t see it happening. There are too few “open spots” in the field. The power conferences keep getting bigger and will take the majority of the spots and then you have the Big East and everyone else competing for something like 10 spots. I can’t recall which article I read that had the 10 number, but I believe it.

Gallipoli said:

You are projecting again.
The invasion of Ukraine and the plundering of Ukrainian resources are a direct result of the Biden Doctrine. It has nothing to do with Trump. Russia is making a hard push towards the lithium mines in Ukraine, because Russia knows that lithium is one of the metals that Biden is not allowing to be mined in the US. Lithium is most directly used in EV batteries, which Biden has mandated to be produced in great quantities by 2027. This triples US demand for foreign mining.

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Trump is the only one that has suggested Ukraine should just give the land up to Russia. That is stating facts, not projecting.

urfan1 said:

And Trump's solution is to give it to Putin. No wonder Putin supports him.

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You are projecting again.
The invasion of Ukraine and the plundering of Ukrainian resources are a direct result of the Biden Doctrine. It has nothing to do with Trump. Russia is making a hard push towards the lithium mines in Ukraine, because Russia knows that lithium is one of the metals that Biden is not allowing to be mined in the US. Lithium is most directly used in EV batteries, which Biden has mandated to be produced in great quantities by 2027. This triples US demand for foreign mining.

And Trump's solution is to give it to Putin. No wonder Putin supports him.

if all of our home conference games are ranked in the top 160, worst we can get is a Q3 loss.
if all of our road conference games are ranked in the top 135, worst we can get is a Q2 loss.

so that's good.

but with no weak teams in the conference, I expect a lot of teams within a few games of .500
while fun, that's not the formula for multiple bids.

This post explains in a nutshell Russia's reasons for invading Ukraine- riches and natural resources. The Ukrainians simply want freedom. If Biden and Harris want to support green initiatives, they must help Ukraine.

While the invasion and annexation of Crimea was focused to obtain the hydrocarbon resources in these areas, the invasion of Ukraine's East focus on obtaining the ore deposits, specifically the huge lithium ore deposits, which are crucial for battery production.

There are currently three known sites which contain an extraordinary high amount of lithium ore, plus a fourth site where it is suspected. Those are:

1.) Polokhivka (Kirovohrad region)
2.) Shevchenko (Donetsk region)
3.) Dobre (Kirovohrad region)
4.) Kruta Balka (Zaporizhzhia region) - unconfirmed

When checking my maps, you will see that Russians are heading for the Shevchenko lithium deposits site, almost directly. This is certainly no coincidence.


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yes, but still need more top teams. 2 in top 50 is in line but only 3 in 50-100 is a couple short of historical it seems. A10 unable to keep the quality at the top while improving the middle/bottom simultaneously is an issue for quality wins and "bad" losses since we know that any 100+ loss by a non P4 team is always flagged, regardless of circumstances. Lose @109 Wake Forest and it's overlooked bc of quality wins opportunities cashed in the ACC. A10 doesn't have that luxury.

Trump just canceled an upcoming interview with CNBC. He's been pulled off the road. After last night's clear proof of his complete mental decline, they can't allow him to appear in public.

If he were a dog, Black Hills Barbie Kristi Noem, who moderated the "event," would have taken him outside and shot him.

so projections say the bottom of the A10 is stronger than ever.
no gimmies. should be a very competitive fun season. probably plenty of upsets.

I hope the Dems can find a few more like him. I’m afraid the days of moderate Dems may be in the rear view mirror. If I recall correctly, his administration was the last time the US had a balanced budget.

Agree that the much maligned Ryan Butler should get some consideration. That group of players, along with K Smitty, KA and Gonzo were all just so mentally tough. Butler worked himself into a very very good all around player - and he was not afraid to take and make a big shot or pass. And he hates VCU, and maybe according to reports on here not so nice to Richmond fans. But he was a winning player.

Kevin Smith was the ultimate tone setter and competitor. And to 97's point was just a highlight reel that could motivate the fans and his teammates. SMitty would definitely by in my top 20. Oh i see he is in JOC's but I'll have to take a stab at mine.

Ferrum Spider said:

Of all the players Mooney has had trouble replacing or finding, I think a player like Gonzo is his biggest struggle. Tall lanky SG who can handle, defend and has range. Put him on any of those teams that were close to NCAAs and would elevate them to a NCAA lock. You could argue maybe Darien Brothers, but there is quite a gap in that talent level that isn't present with KA2/KA3/CL/JK, TEEJ/Grant, etc.

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And I would say another player that's been tough to find is the Ryan Butler type. Not a prolific scorer, but a good shooter, ballhandler, passer and a great defender who with his length could guard all 5 positions on defense back when the defense was switching on every screen.

1. Anderson
2. Harper
3. Cline
4. Gilyard
5. Golden
6. Allen
7. Ced L
8. Shawndre Jones
9. K Anthony
10. Gonzalvez
11. Geriot
12. Brothers
13. Burton(tie)
13. King(tie)
14, Francis
15. Quinn
16. Garrett
17. Bucknor
18. Sherod
19. Andre "Goose" Gustafson (best on ball defender of Mooney era)
20. Buckingham

Captain Anderson said:

I'll be there as always. Hoping we get a better crowd this Saturday but not holding my breath. VPI plays on Thursday night, UVA is at Clemson, and the weather forecast looks great so no reason not to have some local folks show up for what is a big game. Fingers crossed that we get some injured players back for this one. Back in the City Stadium days this would have been a well attended contest but my guess is that aluminum will out number actual bodies in the stands. Go spiders.

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fan2011 said:

Preseason was 126, final was 89. Not a huge swing. A10 was very, very weak last year. Kenpoms numbers are more about the conference improving than Richmond being worse.

Additionally, it is very hard for computer models to take into account every piece of info for every team. All they have is past on court performance for the players on the team, and historical team performance. When there are so many unknowns on the roster they tend to just use historical performance over the past 5 or so years. That is what is giving us these rankings.

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Do these numbers I compiled seem correct for the A10?
2019-2020
KenPom 1-50 2 teams
51-100 5 teams
101-179 3 teams average 154
180-364 4 teams average 231.8

2020-2021
KenPom 1-50 2 teams
51-100 4 teams
101-179 4 teams average 124.3
180-364 4 teams average 234.8

2021-2022
KenPom 1-50 2 teams
51-100 4 teams
101-179 4 teams average 145.3
180-364 4 teams average 230.0

2022-2023
KenPom 1-50 0 teams
51-100 3 teams
101-179 5 teams average 140
180-364 7 teams average 222

2023-2024
KenPom 1-50 1 teams
51-10 7 teams average 85.2
101-179 2 teams average 113.5
180-364 4 teams average 177.4

9 in top 102 last season?

Preseason
2024-2025
KenPom 1-50 2 teams
51-100 3 teams
101-179 10 teams average 135.1
180-364 0 teams

Wood Hall said:

Or Trump, who was totally incoherent at tonight's town meeting.

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Clinton may have lost a step or two but he still runs laps around Trump.

KE Spider said:

Anyone see the Bill Clinton video campaigning for Dem ticket? Jeez, looks/acts like he ought be sharing a nursing home room with Biden.

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Here's a summary of Trump's town hall in PA last night:

"In Oaks, Pennsylvania, tonight, Trump was supposed to take questions from preselected attendees at a town hall with North Dakota governor Kristi Noem. He did, at first, although his answers were all over the place and he urged people to vote on January 5. But then, in the hot and crowded space, two people needed medical attention. Slurring, Trump then said: “Let’s not do any more questions. Let’s just listen to music. Let’s make it into a music. Who the hell wants to hear questions, right?” And then he stood on stage and swayed for 39 minutes of songs from his personal playlist before seeming to recall that he was supposed to be talking about the election, which he suddenly told the confused crowd was “the most important election in the history of our country” before turning back to the music."

I certainly hope all the Trump voters show up to vote on January 5 as he implored them to do. Biden and Clinton in a nursing home? Trump has lost it, if he ever had it, and is in worse shape than Biden.