I typically wait until a good 4-5 game stretch to start coming to some early analysis/conclusions on the team and players. So here we go.
Burton - playing well. Still adjusting I think to being the focal point and this year is different for him because he doesn't have experienced players making his life easier on offense to get him open shots or opportunities to drive. Confident he will continue to get better and figure this out and become first team all A10 - possibly A10 POY as I expect him to have some big nights given our lack of production on offense elsewhere.
Grace - steady for the most part. Him being out in the Wichita game I think shows how much we need him. He can shoot, he can pass, and I think his knowledge of the offense and where to go helps keep things moving on that end of the floor. I think the Charleston game is the ceiling for Grace, but I don't see any reason why he can't be a guy who scores 10-12 a night on a consistent basis.
Quinn - I didn't expect Quinn to start the season and thought maybe later in the year he would. Right now - he is not playing bad, but he is producing enough I think to be a starter. I think most people expected him to come right in and be scoring double digits, grabbing 7-8 rebounds, handing out 3-4 assists from the top, etc. But fact is - he is slow, has no shot from the outside, and really is only a weapon on the block - which we need, but Mooney usually has someone who can score on the block AND shoot/play off the top - which he struggles with. I think he is a key piece to this team, but for now - I would have him come off the bench and start Bigelow.
Goose - Issue with Goose right now is we are getting nothing from him on offense. And that was okay in years past - when we had enough weapons, but this year - its difficult. I thought he would be able to score 8 a game, maybe 10. But he is not doing that right now and that is where we are having issues - on offense. I think he continues to play 28-30 minutes simply because we need his defense and I don't think Mooney trusts Roche or Bailey enough yet to swap them out.
Nelson - playing as expected for me. I take this as his frosh year, and I think there will be times he will be very good, and other times where he will make mistakes. The good thing is that I think Mooney is letting him play through these, getting the experience, getting the minutes and I think the beginning of the A10 might be an adjustment period for him - but hopefully by mid-A10 season - we see some high level consistency out of Nelson. Like what I see so far and future is bright for him.
Roche - fire and ice. He is coming off the bench to shoot and nothing else. That is not a bad a thing. He will have games where he makes 4 three pointers, and others where he makes none. Still think he is learning the offense and defense is a struggle for him - but he will be a key piece off the bench if this team is to be successful.
Bigelow - someone else said it and it fits. He is a jack of all trades, but master of none. Almost like a Cayo mold, but can shoot. RIght now he is probably our 2nd option on offense behind Burton. Not sure if that is sustainable - but I think the way he is playing, when Grace returns, we might need to try him in starting lineup.
Bailey/Randolph - who knows. I think Bailey gets more minutes as time goes on, but Randolph does bring some energy. But I see close games like where these guys hardly play, and then others where they get 10 minutes or more.
Noyes/Walz - based on last night, with no Grace - and they get 0 minutes - I think the writing is on the wall. They are not a part of the rotation.
richmondspiders.com
