Bona

[SpiderVol]

Easy guys it’s a long year.... this by no means eliminates us from at large contention. I can’t believe people are already saying we have to win the tourney, that’s just silly. It’s a long year, and Bona is damn good. Maybe a top 3 team. Let’s just get the next one, and we know this team can get healthy and go on a run. Margin for error is smaller, but there plenty of easier games for us ahead.

Easier games? Like an other game vs SBU in Olean, or the 2 games against VCU and the 2 against SLU, both who look to be clearly better than us. Sure we have a couple games that look easy (Fordham, 2 LaSalle, St Joes, GW, and maybe even UMass). But the 5 games previously mentioned and games at Dayton, 2 GMU, and vs URI will all be difficult games.

Right now this is not a tournament team. Not even close. They have the talent and injuries are hurting them. but they are clearly underachieving. If they don't turn in around, and do it quickly, this team will end up in the middle of the A10 standings.

With 15 games left on their schedule (who knows about the Duquesne game), I would only put them as clear favorites in 7 with 3 more (both GMU and URI) being close calls.

Also what does get healthy mean? Nick Sherod is not walking through the door, at least not without crutches. His Richmond career is over. Crabtree is likely done for at least the regular season. The only one coming back, and hopefully soon, is Goose.

 

[Gospiders06]

Now on to Rhode Island who beat St.Bon

 

[I-M-UR]

come on we lose to a better team

A better team....weren’t we favored to win the conference?

 

[fatherspider]

Golden was too passive in this game. If you’re going to be a star in this league then you have to play like one. Can’t pass up wide open shots all night and be an afterthought on offense.

Two of our “stars” didnt show up.

 

[fatherspider]

We are sorely missing Nick on offense...the outside shooting is just not there. We're now down to 33.6% from three on the year. Burton is shooting it well, but he's not our main shooter from out there. Blake at 34% and Gilly at 27% just ain't going to cut it.

That will be the excuse to keep Moondog for another 10 years. “But sherod was hurt.”

 

[I-M-UR]

Losing Jake hurts as well.

 

[SpiderRick]

Better? I thought that Richmond is supposed to win the A10 so how could they be better?

 

[Not-A-Homer]

This whining about officiating is very unflattering. Makes the player look like an unprofessional spoiled brat, and it makes the school look bad in my opinion. A team of whiny players (see it every game from the same players) is ON THE COACHING staff. Mooney should have reeled this in long ago.

Entitlement mindset is a loser. Winners focus more on "I'm taking it" not on "You owe it to me." It is looking like too many of the current players swallowed a little too much of the greatest team in school history kool-aide. Some seem to have forgotten that you have to win the games, one-by-one on the court.

 

[KWeaver]

I’ve been otherwise occupied, but I see that we were last 4 in in last bracketology. So much for that.

 

[Gospiders06]

A win is needed against Rhode Island. Another physical opponent.

 

[Eight Legger]

Maybe Rhody will have a covid stoppage and we won't have to endure another loss.

 

[VT4700]

We just need to get to 14-4 in the A-10. Being 1-1 certainly doesn't ruin anything. Last year, we were 5-3 and finished 14-4. I don't care how we get there, but 14-4 still seems very doable to me. It won't be easy, but it is not supposed to be easy. But, we need a healthy Andre. We missed him big time today. You can't just keep losing players and expect things to be just fine.

We played a good team and lost. It happens. We will play a lot of good teams in our conference this year. It seems like some of you think we are in a terrible conference and we should just dominate it, even without Nick, and also without Crabtree, and also without Andre today. Maybe some of you expected us to roll through the A-10 unbeaten at 18-0, but I sure didn't. I still believe in these guys, and I have a feeling at the end of this month, we will be around 7-2 IC and in 1st place. Although, I also have a feeling that will still not be acceptable to many on here.

 

[64Spider]

We dont have enough scoring options. Gilly, how great of a stealer he is, is an offensive non entity and often a defensive liability.

Gilly should play the game and put the steals record on the back burner (Mentally) Clearly saw three times where his man went by him just as he made a steal attemp. Just play good defense and let the steals come to you.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

We just need to get to 14-4 in the A-10. Being 1-1 certainly doesn't ruin anything. Last year, we were 5-3 and finished 14-4. I don't care how we get there, but 14-4 still seems very doable to me. It won't be easy, but it is not supposed to be easy. But, we need a healthy Andre. We missed him big time today. You can't just keep losing players and expect things to be just fine.

We played a good team and lost. It happens. We will play a lot of good teams in our conference this year. It seems like some of you think we are in a terrible conference and we should just dominate it, even without Nick, and also without Crabtree, and also without Andre today. Maybe some of you expected us to roll through the A-10 unbeaten at 18-0, but I sure didn't. I still believe in these guys, and I have a feeling at the end of this month, we will be around 7-2 IC and in 1st place. Although, I also have a feeling that will still not be acceptable to many on here.

Of course, all is not lost at this point. HOWEVER, after 2-games one can certainly make a case that the Spiders are exactly equal to many other teams in the A-10. Not better, not worse. The problem with that theory is that a LOT of A-10 teams won't make the NCAA tournament. And, if your team is just as good (not better, but not worse) than a lot of teams that don't make the tournament, it doesn't put you in a very good place.

Yes, things COULD get better, we hope they do. But, at this moment, this isn't much more than blind faith to make one believe that things are going to get a lot better.

 

[Eight Legger]

We have to beat Bonaventure there or else they are firmly ahead of us for a bid. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Well Nuance sure is dead by judging this thread. Anyway I think people really underestimated losing Nick and how we are basically an entirely different offense without him. While not a fantastic defender he would block out and rebound. Tyler is the better player IMO, but if we want to become a team that meets expectations, the team is going to have to go through him or use the mismatches he creates. Without Nick, Blake and Gilly don't get the open shots they got last year because they're under 6' and guards can play them just a little bit closer. When Grant gets doubled in the post, he doesn't have Nick for an outlet pass to shoot a 3 that has a better than 50% chance of going in if hes uncovered. Having Nick out there practically eliminated double teams on Grant who went ahead and is easy to score 1v1. He was the quintessential kill switch for sputtering offense.

Defensively, I have no idea why we didn't show really any press down the stretch today. Maybe STB has the ball handlers but I would be willing to take a chance with it. And yes the refs were absolute trash, but we were griping about every call weather it was right or wrong. Perhaps if we spent that much energy on our actual defensive assignments we wouldn't have to worry about how terrible they were. Every time I saw Grant start complaining I just rolled my eyes.

The sky isn't falling, but this is definitely a different team than last years. And if they don't improve the effort defensively outside of Burton most our games will be like this. I have a feeling we will come out on top more often than not, especially when we get Goose back who seems to be the only player willing to stop a guard drive defensively.

 

[VT4700]

Very fair points not a homer. I do think we will have a lot of close ones this year because there are a lot of good teams out there that are certainly capable of beating us. That is just college basketball. The favorite and better team does not always win that day, and there is more and more parity out there. But, I still think we are clearly better than some others out there, and we will win more of these close ones that we lose. That would go a long way toward getting us what I think is the 14 IC wins we need.

 

[Eight Legger]

Nick was our worst defender. His loss should have improved our defense, not made it worse.

 

[Spider B]

Burton is shooting the 3 ball great and is an upgrade when it comes to rebounding. Plus, CM has had ample time to adjust his offense, if necessary, since NS got injured.

We have lost back to back home games to Hofstra and Bonnie. These are games that an experienced team wins at home. Its disappointing based on the expectations we had this year. Not to mention, Bonnie beats us the same way every year. They play us physical and crash the boards. The lack of defensive rebounding killed us down the stretch. I think there were 3 or 4 bonnie possessions in row that they secured offensive rebounds. That just can't happen, but it does to us far too often.

 

[PASpider]

I worry that we only have one freshman getting any time right now and he isn’t really having much of an impact. I think we will need to rely too heavily on next year’s incoming class.

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Nick was our worst defender. His loss should have improved our defense, not made it worse.

That’s not the argument I’m making. He at least knows how to rebound and as a result give us more possessions or at least prevent STB from 5 shot drives. He was our second best rebounder by the number IIRC. But I do agree with you the defense SHOULD of improved with him out of the lineup.

 

[Spiders4ever]

I worry that we only have one freshman getting any time right now and he isn’t really having much of an impact. I think we will need to rely too heavily on next year’s incoming class.

Hopefully it is at least our 2nd best class ever.

 

[GKiller]

Black’s comparing us to the Bonnie’s, with our facilities, weather, location is pitiful. CM has ever imaginable advantage and we’re equals??? Come on Spiders

Bob has become perhaps the top excuse maker in our program. Bona is good but that was their 4th game! Remember when Bob said it was an expectation to have every class go to NCAA at least once? We’re 2.5 times past that. Tired of the excuses.

 

[DTSpider]

I like Bob - I think he is good at his job. Of course, he is paid by UR and part of that job is to make up excuses for Mooney. We shouldn’t fault him for that.

 

[GKiller]

I like Bob - I think he is good at his job. Of course, he is paid by UR and part of that job is to make up excuses for Mooney. We shouldn’t fault him for that.

He’s a good play by play guy never said he wasn’t. We r lucky to have him. But I think he’s lost some credibility over the past few years imo. His comparison to Bona resources is kinda embarrassing imo. He also has a radio show where, to my knowledge, he’s not paid by UR.

 

[DTSpider]

GK - can’t argue that he’s losing some credibility with the excuses, I personally just don’t think he has much choice. The radio show is a tough spot for him to be in. I personally don’t think he can be impartial there either.

Back to the original comment of every class should see the NCAA tournament, I personally think that the decision makers are giving Mooney credit for last year. And I doubt they hold him accountable if he doesn’t make it this year.

 

[spider23]

DT, I'm afraid you are right. Hardt can blame covid for last year, this year and next and keep punting.

 

[RichmondNative]

Here is the bottom line. You can’t be a great team when you are bad at two out three aspects of the game. And we are bad defensively and bad at rebounding. We are a skilled offensive team, but still need to shoot the three to be able to have our offense overcome those other weaknesses. And FT shooting is going to decide a lot of games for us. Both number of attempts we get and give and how well we shoot ‘em.
Right now, last year looks like the anomaly for this group....

Right on Philly. A one year improvement isn’t going to get the Spiders in the tournament.

Right now this is not a tournament team. Not even close. They have the talent and injuries are hurting them. but they are clearly underachieving. If they don't turn in around, and do it quickly, this team will end up in the middle of the A10 standings.

Agree with this too Vol. The only good news is that basically the same guys achieved last year, so there is hope.

Entitlement mindset is a loser. Winners focus more on "I'm taking it" not on "You owe it to me." It is looking like too many of the current players swallowed a little too much of the greatest team in school history kool-aide. Some seem to have forgotten that you have to win the games, one-by-one on the court.

Homer this is exactly what I have been trying to say in previous threads. The hunger from last year has been replaced. Expectations are high and the Spiders now have a target on their back. I thought UR was going to be able to do what the Broad St boys couldn’t, but it looks like A10 history may repeat itself.

Aside from agreeing with the 3 other posters above, while watching the game, I did feel like I saw better energy from the team overall as compared to the Davidson game. A couple of FTs and 1 more 3 pt basket and we would have been repeating the Davidson thread with the “well we won” crowd and the “negative” concerned fans.

 

[VT4700]

We have to beat Bonaventure there or else they are firmly ahead of us for a bid. I'm not holding my breath.

I don't know about that. The whole season is more important than head to head. They could sweep us and finish like 10-8 or 11-7. But, that being said, let's get them back at their place!

 

[Eight Legger]

Of course. But I'm assuming they will continue to win, because they are well coached. Can't afford to get swept by a team like that.

 

[GKiller]

GK - can’t argue that he’s losing some credibility with the excuses, I personally just don’t think he has much choice. The radio show is a tough spot for him to be in. I personally don’t think he can be impartial there either.

Back to the original comment of every class should see the NCAA tournament, I personally think that the decision makers are giving Mooney credit for last year. And I doubt they hold him accountable if he doesn’t make it this year.

and that’s a problem. We joke about banners here but no joke I can totally see them putting up a covid ncaa banner.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

The whole season is more important than head to head.

Except when comparing coaches, amirite?

This team is 0-5 against St. Bonaventure, btw. So I guess that makes Schmidt...

 

[GKiller]

Except when comparing coaches, amirite?

This team is 0-5 against St. Bonaventure, btw. So I guess that makes Schmidt...

Also same amount of ncaas but in 2 less years. But not fair St. Bonaventure has as many resources as us, if not more!

 

[Eight Legger]

They have more letters in their name, which is an inherent advantage in recruiting.

 

[PalmTreeSpidUR]

We keep talking about now two home losses. On yesterday's broadcast they kept talking about how they wished the RC was full of fans. I have never heard any crowd noise in the background. Even for schools like ours that do not allow fans or only minimal fans, does the A10/NCAA/whomever allow us to pipe in crowd noise? It seems like it could help, at least a bit.

And I feel like I have heard it at other empty or nearly empty games.

 

[I-M-UR]

Bob has become perhaps the top excuse maker in our program. Bona is good but that was their 4th game! Remember when Bob said it was an expectation to have every class go to NCAA at least once? We’re 2.5 times past that. Tired of the excuses.

He’s the home team announcer and paid by the school.....what do you expect him to say? He is not the problem

 

[I-M-UR]

Very fair points not a homer. I do think we will have a lot of close ones this year because there are a lot of good teams out there that are certainly capable of beating us. That is just college basketball. The favorite and better team does not always win that day, and there is more and more parity out there. But, I still think we are clearly better than some others out there, and we will win more of these close ones that we lose. That would go a long way toward getting us what I think is the 14 IC wins we need.

Oh good another year of just being competitive......that wasn’t the reasonable expectation for a team with this many returning starters

 

[GKiller]

He’s the home team announcer and paid by the school.....what do you expect him to say? He is not the problem

He’s not. Just an observation that he’s really ramped up the excuse making over last 3 or 4 years. So less excuses. Granted mostly it comes from the radio show. Drew could play the heavy but he was let go.

 

[SpiderDogg]

Easier games? Like an other game vs SBU in Olean, or the 2 games against VCU and the 2 against SLU, both who look to be clearly better than us. Sure we have a couple games that look easy (Fordham, 2 LaSalle, St Joes, GW, and maybe even UMass). But the 5 games previously mentioned and games at Dayton, 2 GMU, and vs URI will all be difficult games.

Right now this is not a tournament team. Not even close. They have the talent and injuries are hurting them. but they are clearly underachieving. If they don't turn in around, and do it quickly, this team will end up in the middle of the A10 standings.

With 15 games left on their schedule (who knows about the Duquesne game), I would only put them as clear favorites in 7 with 3 more (both GMU and URI) being close calls.

Also what does get healthy mean? Nick Sherod is not walking through the door, at least not without crutches. His Richmond career is over. Crabtree is likely done for at least the regular season. The only one coming back, and hopefully soon, is Goose.

Yeah, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say all of those games (except the SLU games) are easier IF we have Goose. We went 1-1 @davidson and home against Bona, I think we take that without Goose. The sky is not falling yet. We have plenty of good opportunities ahead. Now, if we drop the ball over the next 5-6 games (with or without goose) I’ll eat crow. My post was mostly aimed at people declaring it’s already over and we have to win the tournament, that’s just idiotic.

 

[MrTbone]

Yeah, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say all of those games (except the SLU games) are easier IF we have Goose. We went 1-1 @davidson and home against Bona, I think we take that without Goose. The sky is not falling yet. We have plenty of good opportunities ahead. Now, if we drop the ball over the next 5-6 games (with or without goose) I’ll eat crow. My post was mostly aimed at people declaring it’s already over and we have to win the tournament, that’s just idiotic.

I think “idiotic” is a stretch. Our OOC hasn’t aged well, only marquee win is looking like a really down year for UK. So what’re we hanging our hat on? Has to be on top finish in A10. Right now we don’t look to be top4 in A10 much less top2 the way we’re playing.

Clearly the sky hasn’t fallen but the team might want to listen to chicken little.