spiderman said:

Walz will be physical and could possibly exceed Quinn on blocks and rebounds. there's no way he'll be a better offensive player in scoring or assist rate. I'd bet Ulla's ranch.

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agree on this but with a few additions. Quinn wasn't a big shot blocker but he was an excellent post defender. One of the reasons we were so much better defensively last year was how good he was taking post play away from other teams. If Walz can just do that as well, we will be in good shape. Quinn also wasn't a big offensive rebounder but did a good job as a defensive rebounder and was a big reason we were much improved there too. Again, if Walz can be as good there we are in good shape. I'd hope Moon loosens the reigns a little on the offensive glass too because I think we have centers that might be able to do it a little bit.

I do think Walz can (and will) be better than Quinn with both the elbow jumper and from three!

8legs1dream said:

unreal. Them already committing to another elite MTE for next season was bad enough but now they have the year after next locked down as well?? Just a bad joke at this point.

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We share the same city and conference but that's where it ends. They are light years ahead of us as a program and nothing pains me any more than admitting that.

So...less than 7 weeks until the Gulf Coast event...I think they've exhausted all the options, we have certainly detailed the lack of them here. So what are they doing or waiting for? Trying not to get sued for breach of contract, I suppose.

Between us and Rhody's event, total MTE mess for some A10 teams here.

SFspidur said:

Still waiting on our 2024 MTE details, and VCU has their 2026 one almost filled out.

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unreal. Them already committing to another elite MTE for next season was bad enough but now they have the year after next locked down as well?? Just a bad joke at this point.

I know ppl who went to Albany and supposedly their coach was a nightmare.

Lot of Tanner talk, hope he takes advantage of his opportunities. Whereas Noyes seemed to be in "run the offense" mode when he started last year and overthinking what he was supposed to do every play, rather than just playing loose.

Also, protect the ball or the quick hook (TM: Moon) will find you.

I agree with the Spider 23 lineup and with the sentiment that it would really be better if someone else emerged on the wing besides GW3 starting. I think we can get away with this lineup for the OOC portion of the schedule because its (the schedule) so bad, we won't get exploited playing three undersized guys at the 3 guard spots, but I really worry come conference time. Unless GW3 is a very good defender who plays bigger than his height, this lineup will be exploited in conference I fear.

Hunt and Dusan seem safe bets but after that I am less sure. I think Tyne really emerges as the next great small guard for us this year and think he is a safe bet to start too but that's far from clear with B. Artis and GW3 (in a more conventional lineup) as possibilities. I like Walz over Beagle (and by the way - - did we ever discuss why Beagle left Albany last year with like 10-15 games still to go??) but guessing that could go either way and will be a timeshare no matter who starts. Which leaves the 3 spot (or however you'd like to describe it in a positionless world) . Lots of possibilities that lead to very different lineups. we need to hit big on this spot to be good this year IMHO.

spider23 said:

Quinn gave us a good two years, but IMO Walz can be better, not just b/c of physicality - but just being more decisive. It was mentioned they gave him that foul line jumper in the scrimmage and he just turned around and shot it. Quinn would drive me absolutely mad by either A) not looking at the basket or B) looking at a wide open 12 footer and trying to make it a contested 8 foot push shot. I think Walz has more confidence to shoot the ball then Quinn. Whether that translates into consistent scorer or not is to be seen.

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Walz will be physical and could possibly exceed Quinn on blocks and rebounds. there's no way he'll be a better offensive player in scoring or assist rate. I'd bet Ulla's ranch.

Section9.RowD said:

Along these lines here is what I texted my friends about my thoughts on starting lineup after the scrimmage … I am going out on a limb on with Robinson I realize but he is not an average freshman I don’t think ..

Starting lineup prediction : Hunt, mikkel or b artis , dusan , Jaylen Robinson , Walz with GW off the bench to start but with good minutes and may start by conference time

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I thought this was real stretch. Read it as Hunt, Tyne, Artis, Dusan, Robinson as starters.

Walz and GW off the bench.

Takeaways from the press conference:

• Mooney emphasized that we have a lot of speed, intelligence, and shot making at guard. Potentially an elite defensive backcourt. DeLonnie, Tyne, GW3, B. Artis, and Graham mentioned in that order.
• D-Lo reiterated the youth/inexperience of this roster being a challenge compared to last year's team of mostly seniors.
• Walz is stepping into a more significant role, of course. Unlike previous centers we've had, likes to play physically and through contact.
• D-Lo says it's not his specific role to be the #1 scorer w/ the other 4 starters gone. His role is to do whatever the team needs to win that night. Coach is not worried about scoring being an issue with all of the newcomers.
• Between Walz and Beagle, Mooney is not worried about replacing Quinn's production at the 5. Also mentioned Tanner unprompted as someone who has improved and will have an impact in the frontcourt.

spiderman said:

just confirming what we know ...
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As noted below, there are additional games. And does this include location?
Not that either point matter…

Yup.

That said, f VCU, now and forever. Like CATS. I think we can all agree on that.

It appears the teams with the most Friday games are the ones with first place votes?

Still waiting on our 2024 MTE details, and VCU has their 2026 one almost filled out.

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48 DAYS
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Quinn gave us a good two years, but IMO Walz can be better, not just b/c of physicality - but just being more decisive. It was mentioned they gave him that foul line jumper in the scrimmage and he just turned around and shot it. Quinn would drive me absolutely mad by either A) not looking at the basket or B) looking at a wide open 12 footer and trying to make it a contested 8 foot push shot. I think Walz has more confidence to shoot the ball then Quinn. Whether that translates into consistent scorer or not is to be seen.
Going into my write up on Walz, had the same concern as Philly about Walz' fouls, b/c it did seem to me he picked them up pretty rapidly. But he only averaged 4 fouls per 40 minutes. It sounds like the plan will be to turn both Beagle and Walz loose a bit on the boards, so he may fould at a higher rate, but have a good tandem so not that much of a concern.

97spiderfan said:

Agreed, I also think Walz could be a dominant interior presence that we have lacked particularly on the defense end of things. On offense, we will have to adjust things if he starts because he is not the gifted passer out of the high post that Golden/Quinn were. Yes, he can do it, but it is not his strength. His strength will be more on the low block, using his significant size/strength to play a little bully ball.

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Let him offensive rebound, get fouled because he's tough and relentless and most importantly make his foul shots. Turn him loose.

8legs1dream said:

Even more alarming (for the conference outlook in general) that there are two teams even worse than our schedule!

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idk but I doubt they are factoring in our fabulous Gulf Coast MTE, because our 1st opponent isn't even known, or factoring in possible 2nd or 3rd games of A10 teams in ther MTEs. So we could actually look worse. A couple teams like Ball State or EKY would lower our average Torvik rank. Tho LA Tech or So. Illinois would raise it slightly. I don't know what Florida Southwestern State College would do.

But a number of other teams have likelihood to improve based on other MTE possible opponents, while we largely do not at all. So the gap could only get worse for us.

I can get onboard with that lineup Sec9. Especially if Tyne and Walz can hit the 3 ball solidly. My concern would be if it has enough shooting. But if they do it has balance and physical strength. Robinson would just be an un-Mooney like thing to do though with the roster as is. So yeah I agree a stretch but I'd view as a big positive if we have a fresh starter ready to go day 1.

Officially official with VCU as favorite. Surprisingly I took some heat for predicting that from VT4700 and others. We are ostriches when it comes to VCU. Especially those over in Robins.

The good news is this is preseason. While VCU very rarely underachieves we have some say in that especially with 2 H2H games.

MDspider8 said:

Takeaways from Mooney and DeLonnie's interview on Field of 68. D-Lo essentially answered every question, he's really good at this:

• D-Lo is focusing on working with the younger guys as they had a very senior-led team last year. Not changing much about his leadership strategy, but trying to lead even more by example since there's so much turnover.
• Going to have to find a new way of winning with Jordan gone. Expecting a much more balanced scoring attack, multiple guys averaging low double digits.
• Mooney does not think Richmond has lost its identity or compromised its process in the portal/NIL era. Would still prefer to have guys for 4-5 years, but is very confident in how they are able to attract transfer players.
• Still very invested in recruiting, developing, and retaining high-school talent. Expecting a spring-back of sorts across all of CBB with more emphasis on high school players vs. transfers compared to present-day.
• GW3 is an incredible guy, good learner, coachable and a gym rat. Can really shoot. Mooney wants him to build his game off of his three-point shot, potentially an elite shooter.
• AP is doing well, still finding his way a bit. Getting more comfortable by the week. A good shooter, but an underrated passer.
• Mikkel is extremely talented, trying to get him to understand how to be a PG. He would call certain plays last year b/c they were the first ones that would come to mind. Now, he's calling plays based on what he sees transpiring on the court.

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thx for the write-up - a bit too busy of work day for me to listen to the press conference .. will do tonight.

brooklyn brownstone said:

wow, bold prediction Sec. 9

I hope you're correct bc freshmen starters under Moon usually work out well.

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yeah probably a stretch but while I am very optimistic about Dusan in terms of scoring and being a good and tall ball handler, not sure how defensively he will fair in the A10 and think we need someone a strong body playing next to Walz as well. Not a whole lot of options really if you think about it.

Takeaways from Mooney and DeLonnie's interview on Field of 68. D-Lo essentially answered every question, he's really good at this:

• D-Lo is focusing on working with the younger guys as they had a very senior-led team last year. Not changing much about his leadership strategy, but trying to lead even more by example since there's so much turnover.
• Going to have to find a new way of winning with Jordan gone. Expecting a much more balanced scoring attack, multiple guys averaging low double digits.
• Mooney does not think Richmond has lost its identity or compromised its process in the portal/NIL era. Would still prefer to have guys for 4-5 years, but is very confident in how they are able to attract transfer players.
• Still very invested in recruiting, developing, and retaining high-school talent. Expecting a spring-back of sorts across all of CBB with more emphasis on high school players vs. transfers compared to present-day.
• GW3 is an incredible guy, good learner, coachable and a gym rat. Can really shoot. Mooney wants him to build his game off of his three-point shot, potentially an elite shooter.
• AP is doing well, still finding his way a bit. Getting more comfortable by the week. A good shooter, but an underrated passer.
• Mikkel is extremely talented, trying to get him to understand how to be a PG. He would call certain plays last year b/c they were the first ones that would come to mind. Now, he's calling plays based on what he sees transpiring on the court.
  

Just like in years past we always say before the season - this is a deep team, we have lots of depth, and then it turns out - we really don't, I am "cautiously optimistic" at the idea and reports that we are more physical. Part of me wants to believe it, but part of me also says - lets not forget this was an intra-squad practice scrimmage. So while they may appear physical against each other - not sure how that measures up against a real opponent, who may be really physical.

I think Walz can be a good player for us. I like his intensity. Agreed - don't need him to be a star for us right now. But if he could get UR 8 points a night, grab 5-6 rebounds, and play about 20-25 minutes - that would be very good progression for him.

My car has a CD player (yes, it's old). This morning I listened to Steve Forbert's "Alive on Arrival" on the way to the park where I take my dog. On the way home I fired up a Bob Seger's greatest hits CD, the one that begins with "Roll Me Away."

Saw so many good bands at the Coliseum when I was at UR: Elton John, Doobies, Allman Brothers ... and Springsteen at the Mosque and at the Memorial Gym at UVa in Nov. 1974. Grinderswitch and Doc Watson and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at the Robins Center and the New York Dolls at the Keller Hall Gym my freshman year.

Plus Dan and Van and Oldy Be Goldy at the Tempo Room on Patterson Avenue. There were some great cover bands at parties at the Greek Theatre and Millhiser Gym, at rush parties throughout fraternity row and at the old block party up on new fraternity row that ended rush. One of my Pika frat brothers played sax in a band named "Cadilac" that was outstanding.

And some good bands at the Pass, our go-to place in the Fan the last year or two once we got wheels and it was easier to get off campus.

There was even outstanding music at the mixers we went to at Longwood and at Mary Washington, a great college tradition that has undoubtedly gone by the wayside. Nothing more fun that road-tripping to Farmville or Fredericksburg to meet ladies who were much more interested in us than Westhampton coeds of my era ever seemed to be.

8legs1dream said:

Well done Bernadette, you keep on "talking" while the power conferences run away from mids and shut us out.

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Right. Straight out of Hardt's playbook. Excuse making 101. What about the MWC deal they had going a few years back that I think Covid killed. Why are we still in the "talking" page? Have you seen our conference OOC schedules, Bernadette? Cause if you had, you'd realize how way too little and way too late it is to "still being open to having conversations" really is. Leaders get stuff done, they don't talk about getting stuff done or why stuff didn't get done.