Seeing that Gohlke, The tree point shooter, from Oakland is possibly leaving Oakland and going to get $250,000 in NIL money at a power school. I was wondering if Burton helped himself going to Nova? Was it a NIL deal? Thoughts?

"Hard to imagine the Tribe doing much better than Shafer. Really tough admissions standards. He was a great mentor and teacher for the Tribe players over the years."

I unfortunately think it is a low probability that U of R will ever be in a major conference due to the size of our school, but I would be in favor of playing in the best possible conference.

I like being in the A10 despite the lower probability of making the NCAA. The conference offers very high quality basketball outside of the power conferences. We were the 2nd best non power conference this year and had an impressive 9 teams ranked in the top 100 NET. There is also incredible parity at the top half of the conference, which was demonstrated by all top 4 teams losing their 1st game in the A10 tournament.

I like Richmond basketball, because I enjoy watching our team play. Every game I watch gives me more happiness in my life. I also like to get to know the players over time and follow their progress after U of R. Sure, I want us to make the NCAA, but that is a small reason I follow U of R, which is similar to most fans, which is why we have the highest attendance of any school are size. I also enjoy going to the Robin Center and seeing my friends. Watching high quality basketball is much more important to me than playing in a mediocre league where we would have a much better chance of winning the conference tournament.

Over the past 5 years we have seen terrific basketball from our team and arguably the best in the history of our program. I believe Mooney has significantly improved as a coach and has built a wonderful family oriented culture, where past players stay involved in the program and help the current players. This culture along with great player development are significant benefits in keeping top talent and getting top talent in the transfer portal. Going forward I am very excited about our program which will be further aided by a strong mid-major NIL program.

And the same result while we remain mired in mediocrity and it’s not because of our players most of whom will join us as fellow alumni.

Alex, I’ll take VCU for $100

Let's end the season with a Power 6 run .. Spiders 72-65.

This needs it's own thread! Congratulations ladies! Fantastic season! Keep it rollin in the A10 tourny and NCAAs!

Awesome to see you make it back from the Bonnies and celebrate your championship at the vcu game! Really happy about the warm reception!

What happened the last 3 games for these Spiders? Won 6 games in a row following a loss to UMASS, which included wins over St. Joes and VCU, and then we lose to Mason by 18, lost to St. Joes in A10 tourney, and then lose in NIT to VA Tech. What happened these last 3 games.

Initially - I shrugged off the Mason loss, saying the team was coming down off their high of winning the A10 regular season title. Then we knew the St. Joes game would be tough, as they played us a tough recently with a limited roster, and had guys back from injury. Then we lay an egg vs in state ACC rival - VA Tech. I know the NIT can be a downer, but I thought when we drew VA Tech, that might be all the team needed to get up for this game - beat an in-state P6 team on their home court. But it never happened.

So what happened these last 3 games? Just bad games by King? Bad coaching? Team ran out of steam. Didn't want to play in NIT?

If the season were to end today Mooney would have a good chance of being selected A10 Coach of the Year based on preseason expectations of 11th ranked and currently 1st due to tiebreaker. Dayton's coach is also in the running due to their NET ranking, but I think Mooney edges him out.

Tough draw as the #1 seed. We either get George Mason who just embarrassed us, or St. Joe’s who has a lot of offensive fire power. Hope it’s not an early upset as we need to at least make the finals to have a shot at a bid.

I am really proud of this team. From last to first in so many ways. You did so many great things this season. Thank you guys.

How would you rank the 4 players below on the quality of professional basketball positions coming out of college?

Isaiah Bigelow
Tyler Burton
Jordan King
Neal Quinn

This should be a strong year for Richmond alumni basketball players moving on to professional basketball, which should help us in the portal. I would rank Isaiah and Jordan at the top with Neal and Tyler below them. Both Neal and Isaiah had very strong seasons, which should help them significantly. Tyler on the other hand, might have made a lot of NIL money, but his transfer probably significantly hurt is initial value as a pro.

Okay, fess up…who ordered these from Quentin? Kid’s got some talent.

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First ones are out, and the Spiders check in at #85. Colorado is #54, Wichita #88, and BC is #96.

UNI is #212, and Florida is #65. Charlotte is #110, Buffalo is #360, and Lafayette is #331.

Siena is dead last at #362.

42. Dayton
62. Mason
79. St. Joe's
85. Richmond
86. GW
91. Duquesne
94. UMass
121. Davidson
125. Loyola
127. Bona
138. VCU
181. La Salle
186. Fordham
192. Rhode Island
258. SLU

Do you think the NCAA should expand the tourney field.

The Spiders are far and away the most important thing in my life outside of family. Yet, they continue to destroy me. I have had a miserable weekend after our team crapped on a very promising season. If it weren't for the women's success and the excitement over traveling to support them in the NCAAs to temper my devastating feeling from the men's side, I may be in a mental hospital now. I'm sure somehow the players are more disappointed than me, but honestly I don't know how. I have no motivation to get anything done or enjoy time with family. As much as I absolutely love my Spiders and can't imagine anything to replace them, they literally make me ill. In the end, the Spiders may be the worse thing in my life - a horrible addiction worse than any drug I could imagine.

My two favorite schools with deep family ties to both. Techs two guards can lit it up on any given night. DB, show’em what happens against a wall!

Duquesne is in the same position we were in 2 years ago. The Duke have won 9 of the last 10 games. They have beaten VDU on Broad Street, Dayton, St. Louis, the Bonnies and George Washington in the last 5 games. Now the need to shut down VCU in the finals of the A10. GO DUQUESNE, BEAT VCU.

DRatings site projected us as a 1 seed in the NIT along with Villanova. No way we get left out and yes I want our group to play to win and make memories for themselves.

Not including Tyler in this thread since assume we will continue to use the dedicated thread for TB that was started a while back .. Think the list below is complete but if I have missed anyone, please let me know. Assume Andre and Marcus will start and maybe Isaiah if he is fully recovered from last year's injury. Haven't followed VCU closely and will be interested to see how it works out for Jason Nelson ..

Outbound transfers

• Andre Weir - Junior - FGCU
• Isaiah Wilson - Senior - Winthrop
• Marcus Randolph - Junior - St. Peter's
• Malcolm Dread - Sophomore - Mt St Mary's
• Jason Nelson - Redshirt Sophomore - VCU

Brothers and Sons of former Spider greats

• Nikolas Gustavson - Redshirt Sophomore - U. of Texas Tyler (D2) - had been at U of North Alabama last year but never played
• Jarin Stevenson - Freshman at Bama
• Curtis Blair III - Redshirting this year at Liberty

Every year it's wild. So far some if the wildest story lines
1. Dan Monson. Let go as the Long Beach State coach last week. Stayed on until the end and just won conference tourney. DANCING.
2. Temple hoops. Flagged for potential point shaving (and they certainly played like it), in title game today to possibly dance.

It’s that time of year again and great to get outside and not have to fret about any NCAA men’s basketball.
Rick can I join your grumpy Spiders club