Congrats to our team

[UR80sfan]

Down 3 starters and one of the first guys off the bench and you almost pulled off the 2nd win in the NIT. I thought the defense was terrific, Gilly played like an All-American and Grace was very impressive. It was great to see everyone get a lot of minutes and many different people contributed. I am very excited about next year.

Go Spiders!

 

[ur2K]

Will this year get its own banner?

Top 25 (in December) & NIT elite 8

 

[wr70beh]

You know for all of your bucks, you could go and ruin another college. Why mess with this school, Paul? Why mess with this school?

 

[Gospiders06]

Almost pulled off a win. Seems like a review for the season. Almost winning. Just close enough

 

[KE Spider]

Down 3 starters and one of the first guys off the bench and you almost pulled off the 2nd win in the NIT. I thought the defense was terrific, Gilly played like an All-American and Grace was very impressive. It was great to see everyone get a lot of minutes and many different people contributed. I am very excited about next year.

Go Spiders!

Often do not agree with your (overly, IMO) rosy outlook, but mostly agree with you on this one. The team played hard. Guys who seldom get many minutes played their hearts out and made significant contributions. Missing Grant and Blake and we hung with a SEC team with a lot of long athletic bodies. Spider team and Spider fans should not hang their heads over the effort tonight.

On to next year....believe we will be better than many here expect.

 

[Eight Legger]

We lost. There's nothing to celebrate. Gilyard and Grace played their asses off, but we lost, and it wasn't good enough.

 

[Gallipoli]

This was a phenomenal team. Congrats on everything you have done for this school. Thanks for everything. Your futures are bright. May blessings shine on you.

 

[Gospiders06]

Losing is okay on this board. Everything is brighter on the other side. I see the same story being written over and over again. Compete, Win some games. Lose at the most pivotal moments.

 

[SpiderK]

We lost. There's nothing to celebrate. Gilyard and Grace played their asses off, but we lost, and it wasn't good enough.

Can’t agree with this thought more.

Our players are just not coached well enough to do the little things it takes to beat bigger better athletes.

 

[urfan1]

Losing is okay on this board.

Really????

 

[Gospiders06]

Zero standards and no goals for a season.

Really????

 

[ncspiderfan]

Interesting that Gilyard was ask in tournament post game interview if he had decided about coming back and he responded he would know by Sunday.

Next reporter ask if he had unfinished business here? answer was Yes

Sunday could be interesting, depending on how it goes, I have to wonder what the underclassman do.

 

[Eight Legger]

I hope Gilyard comes back. Without Francis, we have seen the real Gilyard. Nothing against Francis, but he turned Jacob into a defense-only player. This is the Jacob we needed and need again.

 

[MrTbone]

Disappointing end to a disappointing season. Hope these guys take that frustration and harness it into next year. Perhaps we’ll actually get to attend a game in person.

 

[ur2K]

I hope Gilyard comes back. Without Francis, we have seen the real Gilyard. Nothing against Francis, but he turned Jacob into a defense-only player. This is the Jacob we needed and need again.

totally different Gilly when he’s assertive, he doesn’t play that way when he’s in the backcourt with Francis.

 

[Eight Legger]

With Francis and Gilyard vs. someone else and Gilyard, either way you're getting about the same number of total points per game. It's just that when Jake is scoring, he's also having a much greater impact on the entire game. When Francis is scoring, it's mostly just him scoring points. Francis was a strength that we didn't really need. Gilyard can do all the things Francis can do and then some. We need a bigger 2 guard who can drive to the hoop and complement Jake instead of limiting him.

 

[wr70beh]

Really????

Losing is not acceptable for the sane.

 

[UR80sfan]

The great play of our team during the NIT increases the probability of seniors returning.

 

[Eight Legger]

The great play of our team during the NIT increases the probability of seniors returning.

The great play of our team during the NIT perhaps occurred because two of our seniors weren't playing...

 

[SpiderK]

With Francis and Gilyard vs. someone else and Gilyard, either way you're getting about the same number of total points per game. It's just that when Jake is scoring, he's also having a much greater impact on the entire game. When Francis is scoring, it's mostly just him scoring points. Francis was a strength that we didn't really need. Gilyard can do all the things Francis can do and then some. We need a bigger 2 guard who can drive to the hoop and complement Jake instead of limiting him.

We sure missed Sherod. He was such a huge X-Factor for other coaches to deal with. Kid could score and rebound.

 

[GKiller]

The end of the most disappointing, underachieving season in the history of Richmond basketball.

 

[MrTbone]

The great play of our team during the NIT increases the probability of seniors returning.

Well, we won one game.

 

[8legs]

Disappointing end to a disappointing season. Hope these guys take that frustration and harness it into next year. Perhaps we’ll actually get to attend a game in person.

16 “next years” but hope you are right

 

[Ferrum Spider]

I hope Gilyard comes back. Without Francis, we have seen the real Gilyard. Nothing against Francis, but he turned Jacob into a defense-only player. This is the Jacob we needed and need again.

I know most are down on this class not returning but I have a pretty good feeling that Cayo, Golden and Jacob are coming back. Would't be suprised to see Nick come back either despite what he said earlier in the season. Body language on the sideline from that group gives me the impression they have unfinished business.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

I hope Gilyard comes back. Without Francis, we have seen the real Gilyard. Nothing against Francis, but he turned Jacob into a defense-only player. This is the Jacob we needed and need again.

I hope Gilyard comes back, too. It was great to see him be such a stud in the NIT.

However - nothing against Gilyard - but his record

• Without Francis, 30-42
• With Francis, 33-12

 

[spiderman]

I'm glad we played this NIT. we played hard and fast and with maximum effort. we played for each other and had fun out there.

I'm happy for Jacob. I'd love him to come back but if that's his last game as a Spider, that's the way we want to remember him. he was awesome.

and I'm happy for Matt. The last few games when given the chance, he's been really good. That has to be a huge relief and confidence builder to have everyone see what he and probably the entire team already know he's capable of.

I feel awful for Goose who probably blames himself.
and for Nathan who just couldn't find it tonight.
and for Tyler. MSU did a great job on him.

I know this board blames Mooney for everything but the team played hard for him and I think he coached a great game. same with the Toledo game.

 

[spiderman]

I think we'll know more soon:

 

[Eight Legger]

I hope Gilyard comes back, too. It was great to see him be such a stud in the NIT.

However - nothing against Gilyard - but his record

• Without Francis, 30-42
• With Francis, 33-12

Not a fair comparison. We sucked Gilyard’s first two years and would have with Francis, too.

 

[nathanw19]

With Francis and Gilyard vs. someone else and Gilyard, either way you're getting about the same number of total points per game. It's just that when Jake is scoring, he's also having a much greater impact on the entire game. When Francis is scoring, it's mostly just him scoring points. Francis was a strength that we didn't really need. Gilyard can do all the things Francis can do and then some. We need a bigger 2 guard who can drive to the hoop and complement Jake instead of limiting him.

Really liked what I saw from Dji and Wilson as a compliment to Gilyard. Both are a little raw and could definitely use some time working on a consistent three point shot, but both are also very assertive, attack the ball on rebounds, and play tough defense.

I don’t mean to go full Gallipoli here, but I do think the future is bright for those two kids and our program with them.

Obviously we need more pieces and I don’t want to wait until they are upperclassmen for success, but seeing them in the NIT did give me more hope going into the off-season than I thought I would have.

 

[spider23]

I would like some type of proclamation of goals from Mooney for next season. This secretive, under wraps method is not working, AND does not convey confidence in public perception or most importantly recruits.

Next year we have 4 back court/wing players with P6 offers (Nelson/Wilson/Dji/Burton) and likely Gilly, one of our greatest players ever. Expectations should be very high, but Mooney will low ball it and treat as a transition year probably.

 

[GKiller]

 

[OneVone]

With Francis and Gilyard vs. someone else and Gilyard, either way you're getting about the same number of total points per game. It's just that when Jake is scoring, he's also having a much greater impact on the entire game. When Francis is scoring, it's mostly just him scoring points. Francis was a strength that we didn't really need. Gilyard can do all the things Francis can do and then some. We need a bigger 2 guard who can drive to the hoop and complement Jake instead of limiting him.

To say Francis had zero impact on winning when he was the leading scorer on a team that won a regular season conference championship before transferring to Richmond. Just to come to Richmond and lead the team in scoring that finished #2 in the a10 is quite possibly the worst take I've ever read. I know Jacob is beloved by everyone on this board which he should be, he is a great player. But that does not mean we need to sit here and act like Francis did nothing for this program while he was here. That's coimical.

 

[OneVone]

I hope Gilyard comes back, too. It was great to see him be such a stud in the NIT.

However - nothing against Gilyard - but his record

• Without Francis, 30-42
• With Francis, 33-12

Correct. Numbers don' lie. Jacob and Blake both benefited from each other. Not going to take a two game sample size to say that the team was better without Francis. What's next, are people going to say UR didn't need Grant because Grace finally showed a pulse?

 

[spider fan]

Thanks to the players for their efforts. The Athletic Department should spell out precise goals instead of nebulous "we compete" euphemisms. Otherwise "more of the same" is our fate. If you have no precise goal it is easy to give yourself credit for achieving or exceeding a non specified "whatever".

 

[DTSpider]

I’m pretty sure the athletic department goals all relate to fundraising.

 

[Eight Legger]

To say Francis had zero impact on winning when he was the leading scorer on a team that won a regular season conference championship before transferring to Richmond. Just to come to Richmond and lead the team in scoring that finished #2 in the a10 is quite possibly the worst take I've ever read. I know Jacob is beloved by everyone on this board which he should be, he is a great player. But that does not mean we need to sit here and act like Francis did nothing for this program while he was here. That's coimical.

Never said any of that. My point is that Francis and Gilyard are both scorers. Blake scored a lot of points that Gilyard would have scored otherwise, as we saw before Blake arrived and as we have seen in the past few games. Our backcourt is going to put up 25-30 points a game regardless of who’s in it most nights, it’s just a question of how we get there. Is Blake scoring 20 and Gilyard 10, or is Gilyard scoring 20 and two or three other guys combining for 10?

I think our offense benefits from Gilyard being a more aggressive scorer, which he really wasn’t most of this year. I attribute that to the fact that he deferred to Blake more often than not from a scoring perspective. Blake is a great player but his game is as a scorer. Gilyard is a scorer and distributor who is more able to involve other teammates and open up the court, that’s all I’m saying. He seemed to lose that most of this year and turned into just a normal point guard who was there only to distribute.

 

[UR Fan 2]

Thank you to all of the seniors. I loved watching you play. Would love to see any or all of you back. I would also like to see Mooney have more confidence in the bench next year. The bench showed us what they are capable of in the NIT.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

To say Francis had zero impact on winning when he was the leading scorer on a team that won a regular season conference championship before transferring to Richmond. Just to come to Richmond and lead the team in scoring that finished #2 in the a10 is quite possibly the worst take I've ever read. I know Jacob is beloved by everyone on this board which he should be, he is a great player. But that does not mean we need to sit here and act like Francis did nothing for this program while he was here. That's coimical.

Francis gave us something we had not had: a fearless attacker and defender. He was that pressure guy who could create shots with little time on the clock. Now was he the best decision maker out there? Well in a close game with 20 seconds on the shot clock and taking a shot from 25 feet, is not the best option. Blake is the dagger we needed.

 

[OneVone]

This UR team wins maybe a10 games without Francis and Golden.

Never said any of that. My point is that Francis and Gilyard are both scorers. Blake scored a lot of points that Gilyard would have scored otherwise, as we saw before Blake arrived and as we have seen in the past few games. Our backcourt is going to put up 25-30 points a game regardless of who’s in it most nights, it’s just a question of how we get there. Is Blake scoring 20 and Gilyard 10, or is Gilyard scoring 20 and two or three other guys combining for 10?

I think our offense benefits from Gilyard being a more aggressive scorer, which he really wasn’t most of this year. I attribute that to the fact that he deferred to Blake more often than not from a scoring perspective. Blake is a great player but his game is as a scorer. Gilyard is a scorer and distributor who is more able to involve other teammates and open up the court, that’s all I’m saying. He seemed to lose that most of this year and turned into just a normal point guard who was there only to distribute.

Blakes game is as a scorer because that was his role on the team if you watch them play. Blake can score on his own vs a guy like Jacob who scores within the offense. Just two different styles of play which is ok. But there's no need to put Blake down to lift Jacob up. Jacob scored a ton of points in a ton of losses his first two years. Also URs last two seasons were much better than the two seasons prior to that which is something the team and the program can be proud of.

 

[spider23]

I did like the more aggressive Gilly in the NIT, hope he comes back and does that again next season. He needs to be aggressive no matter who is on the floor with him. I do think we are better with threats at all five positions. Really wondering who can be that shooter next to him in the back court next season?? Wilson and Nelson look like PG's. Wilson hit a few threes and has most experience, I am guessing he is our starting 2 guard next season. Goose brings a lot to the table, and nailed a nice corner three last night, but overall just not a great shooter, more of a slasher. Hopefully Nelson heals quick and can force himself into the lineup some.

Wing position is going to be a free for all with Burton commanding most minutes, Dji, Noyes, Randolph, Dread, and Mooney likes to play Goose here when Burton is out. Huge log jam. Thinking either Dread or Dji can play some guard.

Most concerning is the front court. Unless Cayo comes back, looking at a Grace and Sal combo, with ZERO competition for PT once again. Not great for development. Grace had a very nice offensive game again, but just wilts on the interior defense and rebounding. Sal looks close to making a jump, but never quire there. Let the offseason speculation begin. I wonder why we are reaching out to Kolek and the like? Seems Mooney has similar concern at 2 guard spot.