Blake Francis - Richmond commit
- Thread starter Ulla1
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I like his demeanor. Nice looking player with a nice looking shot.
This kid is a really good get. He'll show up to play. Been watching his progress. Kind of wish we'd got him now that I'm watching more closely. PJ will do though.
Perhaps I misinterpreted your original post, obviously there’s a massive amount of negativity, I thought you were saying it’s directed at players.
And no, I don’t see a lot of attacks on players. What I see are questions by posters about a variety of guys who were lightly recruited or haven’t played any meaningful time for us or haven’t lit it up when they did. Certainly the diplomacy of the commentary is questionable but I think it’s a counterpoint to what some see as an unfounded optimism about guys no one knows much about. Just an observation from someone who doesn’t tend to be at either end of the spectrum.
lol, I said nice interview by Bob, I didn’t say the kid was Obama.
Fear not, fan1; the Spiders will win at least 18-20 games. If we go, 2-24, even the Ulla would have doubts about the state of our program!
Was thinking the same thing, we could be in for an extremely long ride before this thing plays out. And I do not have confidence in Hardt. We may be staring into a 15 year abyss of Richmond basketball relevance.
Exactly. Thats why the haters need to relax if only for their health! I agree with the Ulla on the win total of 18+...so CMs not going anywhere in the near future so you may as well stop being a wellspring of discontent and try to enjoy things as they are.
Not a problem for many of us, MrT. Love our coaches and players, and look forward to the future. Roll Spide!
"...I do not have confidence in Hardt." He's been the AD for less than a year, made sure our lacrosse team
was in the NCAA tournament and continues to reconstruct what was broken by the previous AD and
you don't have confidence in him. Really?
You have nothing to base a statement like that on.
He hasn't fired Mooney yet. That is the only thing that will make spider23 have confidence in Hardt.
Unfortunately, only until 23 thinks that someone else should be fired. I think you have to let
Hardt have a chance. Everything that his history has proven is that he is a top professional
in the crazy world of college athletics. Not a fan or poster on a site.
You guys are in my head. That is a scary thought 
. Yes, I thought Hardt was going to come in and look at last 5 years and say: OUT Mooney. But then I did learn that Hardt and Quealls and Mooney are all boys, and I have low confidence. Someone prove me wrong. As much as I am painted as some single issue voter on here, I am one that is more measured than the majority on this site. I was pro Mooney for years and years, even though I had my doubts. I have watched and don't believe he is a "+" coach. Thanks for listening.
. Yes, I thought Hardt was going to come in and look at last 5 years and say: OUT Mooney. But then I did learn that Hardt and Quealls and Mooney are all boys, and I have low confidence. Someone prove me wrong. As much as I am painted as some single issue voter on here, I am one that is more measured than the majority on this site. I was pro Mooney for years and years, even though I had my doubts. I have watched and don't believe he is a "+" coach. Thanks for listening.
Certainly willing to give Hardt time. I realize it is tough to come in here and fire the head coach in the first 6 months on the job with the contractual obligations we owe to that coach, but I think he could have been much more out front on the PR angle at least stating some higher expectations for the program. He hasn't done that and that is concerning to me because our last AD didn't do that either.
97 I agree that a strong AD has a sense for what the fan base is feeling that goes beyond a "pie in the sky" program. To come out
after just a short time at UR and say specifics as to what he would like our Men's and Women's program to accomplish would have gone a long way to reassure us that he is expecting excellence just like the UR fan base.
I guess I'm in the minority here, but it makes no sense to me for an AD to publicly send "strong messages" just for the fan's benefit. one on one to a coach, sure.
ultimatums or stated minimum requirements would paint the AD into a corner when he doesn't have to do that to himself. I know I wouldn't. Can't believe you all would. I'd evaluate constantly and make my decisions whenever I saw fit. I wouldn't be told by someone "well, you said we had to do X or you'd make changes".
ultimatums or stated minimum requirements would paint the AD into a corner when he doesn't have to do that to himself. I know I wouldn't. Can't believe you all would. I'd evaluate constantly and make my decisions whenever I saw fit. I wouldn't be told by someone "well, you said we had to do X or you'd make changes".
Spiderman, I would expect him to not give a specific minimum record required or such. But I would expect him to say something like "I expect both basketball programs to be challenging for the upper echelon of the conference each and every year under normal conditions". Abnormal conditions would be key players with serious injuries or unexpected occurrences like dismissals or academic probation. I fully expect an AD to come here and improve our programs versus maintain the status quo. Why in the world would we hire Hardt, otherwise? Are you satisfied with the status quo? I am not.
I’m not looking for an ultimatum, but I would like to know what his expectations for the program are. Is it top 4 in the A-10? Is it at least NIT? Is it at least NCAA tourney? I think Hardy could announce his expectations for the direction of the program without painting himself into a corner.
Fans are alumni, season tickets holders, and your money makers. If an AD is not seeing them as one of his key constituencies, they do so at their own peril. He doesn't have to come out and say, we are winning 23 games next year and going to the NCAA tournament.
What he could be saying is: "The goal of our men's basketball program is to win the A-10 and go to the NCAA tournament. We have not me that goal for the past 7 years and that is not acceptable to me as an AD and I plan on working with our coaching staff, our athletic department, and our fans to make sure University of Richmond basketball gets back to being a program that regularly makes noise in March."
In my opinion, he literally should be saying that every single time he is asked that question.
What he could be saying is: "The goal of our men's basketball program is to win the A-10 and go to the NCAA tournament. We have not me that goal for the past 7 years and that is not acceptable to me as an AD and I plan on working with our coaching staff, our athletic department, and our fans to make sure University of Richmond basketball gets back to being a program that regularly makes noise in March."
In my opinion, he literally should be saying that every single time he is asked that question.
I'd have no problem with him saying that, obviously. not sure how or why that would appease you though. doesn't change anything. just words. but maybe he should say exactly that. then we could say "yes! we have an AD who said he wants to win more". not sure what happens next or what changes though.
Yes, exactly Spiderman. Those words are perhaps the easiest things for any AD to say. Of course we want to win championships and make the postseason in our flagship sports. They are just words but the fact that he cannot even mutter those words in a public setting is I think why 23 and others are concerned. Because if you say those words, than perhaps you are accountable to them. And that leads me back to my number 1 issues about our men's basketball program. Lack of goal setting and lack of accountability.
If we somehow win about 15 games this upcoming season. Which seems VERY possible considering all the moves that happen within the program. Let's face reality we LOST two huge impact players from the program. When you combine Buckingham and Fore's production it equals a HUGE loss. A player that contributes to the level of TJ Cline.
Don't how anyone has full confidence that a 18-20 win season is going to happen. The most I expect this season is a 16 win season. Way too many new faces learning the Princeton offense. I think we forget that Khwan Fore scored 28 points against St.Bonaventure.
Next year: Gilyard, Golden become Juniors and Sherod is a senior will result in a 20 win season going to the NIT barely miss the NCAA tournament.
I don't consider going to the NIT tournament a success. When you consistently miss the NCAA tournament. The majority of people only watch the NCAA tournament.
Don't how anyone has full confidence that a 18-20 win season is going to happen. The most I expect this season is a 16 win season. Way too many new faces learning the Princeton offense. I think we forget that Khwan Fore scored 28 points against St.Bonaventure.
Next year: Gilyard, Golden become Juniors and Sherod is a senior will result in a 20 win season going to the NIT barely miss the NCAA tournament.
I don't consider going to the NIT tournament a success. When you consistently miss the NCAA tournament. The majority of people only watch the NCAA tournament.
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Say it isn't so - could not imagine you ever losing hope about Spider basketball. There is way too much negativity in society in general and always enjoy seeing you and talking with you because of your optimism. Mrs. spider fan and I were very happy for you when you made the move so close to campus because it is easy to tell that is a big plus for you.
yeah, unfortunately the way it's set up is for another "wait 'til next year" season. we once again have few (one) senior and few (two) juniors. tough to be great that way.
but we have talent. the big 3 are really, really good. I believe Cayo takes the next step. Yates won't have trouble picking up the systems. Tomas and Bryce are "experienced" freshmen. obviously they haven't played but at least they've been seeing and running the systems all year. and I think some of the true freshmen will be ready to contribute early.
if we do at least reasonably well, and keep the team together next year unlike this past season, and add Blake ... I'll believe we're totally on track again. for a great year this season though, we'd have to hit home runs on a couple of new faces. it's possible but tough to expect.
We are confused since we have no idea what the goal is each season. Seems like the same goal to me:
1. Find a way to beat VCU
2. Have a sellout for each game.
3. Be competitive win about 18 games shoot for 20+
4. Go to the NIT every other year
5. Be in the NCAA talk but just miss making it
6. Build a new facility and find new doners.
7. Talk about the youth and hype up the team
8. By some miracle make the NCAA tournament get a matchup against Morehead State.
9. Repeat 1-8
1. Find a way to beat VCU
2. Have a sellout for each game.
3. Be competitive win about 18 games shoot for 20+
4. Go to the NIT every other year
5. Be in the NCAA talk but just miss making it
6. Build a new facility and find new doners.
7. Talk about the youth and hype up the team
8. By some miracle make the NCAA tournament get a matchup against Morehead State.
9. Repeat 1-8
He should set high expectations and die by them if they don't happen. Kinda works that way where I work...
Mop Factory. If we say make 500 mops tonight, I want 510.
Or in our case, if we never say how many mops to make and we only make 400, then 400 mops is Ok, right?
I have no doubt that I would appreciate the Ulla and his ranches much more in person than behind the keyboard. This goes for all of you, though, I think! The move close to campus for Ulla was honestly, for me, the highlight of this past season. I wish it was "up there" though, and not the main highlight!
Well here is the thing. I get hired and they have high expectations not only for me, but for anyone I hire. I don't meet them and I get sent packing. That's how it works and how it should work. We should all expect to be have to live up to high expectations or we aren't working for the right company. No one gets to slide on being average. Not on my watch.
If not living up to expectations and not succeeding is OK, by all means don't change a thing. This won't ever happen anywhere I'm the Grand Puba.
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