Coppin State Game Thread

[flyder19]

Happy Holidays Spider Fans! Below is some information on our next opponent, Coppin State

Opponent: Coppin State (5-10) --> Preseason 5th in MEAC

Key Results:

• George Mason - L: 53-91 --> A-10 Opponent
• Georgetown - L (OT): 89-99
• NC State - L: 72-94
• James Madison - W (2OT): 107-100

Team Stats:

• Points Per Game: 76.2 (117th)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 87.2 (Worst in Nation)
• 2 PT Shooting: 52.9% (125th)
• 3 PT Shooting: 34.4% (152nd)
• FT Shooting: 71.5% (145th)

Key Player:

Sam Sessoms

• PPG: 23.5 (Leads team)
• 3PT Percentage: 38.4% (Leads starters)
• 2PT Percentage: 61.5% (Leads team)
• FT Percentage: 84.8% (Leads starters)
• APG: 5.4 (Leads team)

Sessoms, a star transfer from Penn State, is going to give Richmond all we can handle. He is their entire offense, so controlling Sessoms will all but guarantee a Spider victory. The rest of the team is fairly average, but watch out for Rojas off the bench as their 3 point specialist and Tarke, who was chosen to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team. Should be an easy victory, but Sessions can't go off like other star players have this year, or else it will be closer than we want.

Coppin State RPIM's

Player	RPIM	RPIM/Game
Sam Sessoms	499.92	33.33
Nendah Tarke	210.70	14.05
Justin Winston	122.08	12.21
Justin Steers	165.73	11.05
Kam'Ron Blue	108.26	7.22
Mike Hood	106.74	7.12
Alex Rojas	100.64	6.71
Isaiah Gross	70.84	5.90
Malik Battle	24.21	3.46
Daniel Titus	42.38	3.26
Christian Sutton	24.84	2.76
Luka Tekavcic	13.07	0.93
Greg Spurlock	0.46	0.46
CJ Scott	0.89	0.15

 

[SFspidur]

Goose will have the assignment on Sessoms.

 

[Eight Legger]

Beating JMU was a surprise. Pretty interesting article a couple years ago, or maybe last year, about Coppin State basketball, I think on The Athletic? Someone might be able to find it faster than I can, but it followed them through a ridiculous OOC schedule where they played pretty much all road game against P5 after P5. Juan Dixon was doing the laundry and 100 other things because they had no budget for other positions. Respect the grind.

 

[SFspidur]

SI: https://www.si.com/college/2021/12/15/coppin-state-basketball-road-schedule-daily-cover

 

[Eight Legger]

Thanks SF, I guess they didn't pay exclusively P5s, but it was still a crazy trip. I heard recently that Maryland alumni are starting to donate in large numbers to Coppin in honor of Dixon. Hopefully they can boost their bank account a bit.

 

[AnnapSpider]

If you ever read about what Coppin State goes through just to play at D-1 level, you’d
give them a lot of credit.
For example, they ride a bus no matter how far away. Airplane- what’s that?

 

[97spiderfan]

Goose will have the assignment on Sessoms.

View embedded media

As a Penn State fan, can tell you Sessoms is legit. He will score because he is going to take a lot of shots. Very crafty player, who if you allow to get hot, will torch you.

I see the RTD has bought into the Mooney narrative of Goose being this elite defensive stopper. Let's hope this game isn't close at the end, less we get a chance for Goose to foul Sessoms on a 3 pointer when the game is on the line.

 

[SFspidur]

If you ever read about what Coppin State goes through just to play at D-1 level, you’d
give them a lot of credit.
For example, they ride a bus no matter how far away. Airplane- what’s that?

That's contradicted by the SI article, which talks about waiting in TSA lines at BWI rather than flying charter. I'd be willing to bet money they didn't drive to Chicago last year, though they were efficient on that trip, playing Loyola and DePaul on back-to-back nights to collect two checks.

(They may not be flying anywhere this year though...aside from a 9.5-hour drive to Tennessee Tech and an 8-hour drive to SC State for a MEAC game, every other game on their schedule is within 7 hours.)

 

[spiderman]

As a Penn State fan, can tell you Sessoms is legit. He will score because he is going to take a lot of shots. Very crafty player, who if you allow to get hot, will torch you.

looks like he was a 10 ppg guy mostly off the bench at PSU.
he's a 2,000 point scorer on lower level teams when he's the #1 option though.
must have decided that was more fun in choosing Coppin St.

 

[urmite]

looks like he was a 10 ppg guy mostly off the bench at PSU.
he's a 2,000 point scorer on lower level teams when he's the #1 option though.
must have decided that was more fun in choosing Coppin St.

Despite so much scoring, am I seeing his assists increasing as well?

 

[GKiller]

As a Penn State fan, can tell you Sessoms is legit. He will score because he is going to take a lot of shots. Very crafty player, who if you allow to get hot, will torch you.

I see the RTD has bought into the Mooney narrative of Goose being this elite defensive stopper. Let's hope this game isn't close at the end, less we get a chance for Goose to foul Sessoms on a 3 pointer when the game is on the line.

He's our defensive stopper that's a fact. I didn't see the RTD calling him elite, but an article focused on his assignment. Another fact is Goose gets those assignments regularly now & in past seasons, for a reason. I've always wanted Goose to be more aggressive on O but what we ask him to do on D may affect that (won't call that one a fact). So I don't see this one as a Mooney narrative, I watch basketball I've watched Goose for years he's very good defensively. Of course he'll still get beat or even make a bad foul, but that only feels like a gratuitous shot. Perhaps like someone saying Ped State should have got the death penalty.

 

[VT4700]

He's our defensive stopper that's a fact. I didn't see the RTD calling him elite, but an article focused on his assignment. Another fact is Goose gets those assignments regularly now & in past seasons, for a reason. I've always wanted Goose to be more aggressive on O but what we ask him to do on D may affect that (won't call that one a fact). So I don't see this one as a Mooney narrative, I watch basketball I've watched Goose for years he's very good defensively. Of course he'll still get beat or even make a bad foul, but that only feels like a gratuitous shot. Perhaps like someone saying Ped State should have got the death penalty.

I was ready to say something similar about Goose, but you could not have said it any better. So, I will just say great post.

 

[urmite]

We appear to be a 14 point favorite tonight.
A few analytics Say we start 2-3 in the A-10 (I hope better)
then 10-3 the rest of the way in the A-10 (I hope we could do that without hiccups)
At least that might be momentum...

If we go into Brooklyn 12-6, 19-12, starting from where we are now, what would the opinions be?

 

[97spiderfan]

He's our defensive stopper that's a fact. I didn't see the RTD calling him elite, but an article focused on his assignment. Another fact is Goose gets those assignments regularly now & in past seasons, for a reason. I've always wanted Goose to be more aggressive on O but what we ask him to do on D may affect that (won't call that one a fact). So I don't see this one as a Mooney narrative, I watch basketball I've watched Goose for years he's very good defensively. Of course he'll still get beat or even make a bad foul, but that only feels like a gratuitous shot. Perhaps like someone saying Ped State should have got the death penalty.

It would be a cheap shot if Goose had not fouled several 3 point shooters during crunch time already this season. One would think that our best defensive player would not be making the cardinal defensive sin when the game is on the line multiple times.

It's like saying this guy is an elite shooter but every time the team needs a bucket, the guy misses. Is he still a great shooter. To be a great defender, you need to make big defensive plays at critical times. I don't see him doing that.

 

[97spiderfan]

looks like he was a 10 ppg guy mostly off the bench at PSU.
he's a 2,000 point scorer on lower level teams when he's the #1 option though.
must have decided that was more fun in choosing Coppin St.

He averaged 28 minute per game last year at Penn State, 3rd most on the team. Think he left because Penn State has Jalen Pickett playing same position and Pickett is probably gonna be a first team all Big 10 player. Coppin State he can be the man. Sam Sessions love himself some Sam Sessions. He will dribble the ball for 27 seconds if it means he gets himself a shot.

 

[urmite]

Looks like Winston hasn't played the last few games, but did play against us 1 of his 2 years with the Bonnies.

Meanwhile Kam'Ron played against us for Fordham last season but this year changed schools, and his last name...

 

[GKiller]

It would be a cheap shot if Goose had not fouled several 3 point shooters during crunch time already this season. One would think that our best defensive player would not be making the cardinal defensive sin when the game is on the line multiple times.

It's like saying this guy is an elite shooter but every time the team needs a bucket, the guy misses. Is he still a great shooter. To be a great defender, you need to make big defensive plays at critical times. I don't see him doing that.

Well the Charleston one was a weak foul call imo, I didn't see the other. We lost those games about 10 different ways but yes Goose bears his responsibility. But that's the proof of him not making big defensive plays? He's locked down some very good players in his career. He's made plenty at crucial times. So I don't get your analysis. It's like saying if u r a fan of Penn State u must be a fan of pedophiles.

I'm not attributing these to u...but just in recent past we've had the dji/Nelson 20/20 split, that we can sub for Goose with better athletes, the A10 will be much better this year, the Sal Kouriessi love, all things I've disputed. To me feels like Goose defensive abilities some r on the wrong side of that too. It's a message board so none is out of the realm of discussion tho. Hey I've missed too but my point is, player eval and/or eye test is not a strong suit of this board overall imo.

 

[VT4700]

It would be a cheap shot if Goose had not fouled several 3 point shooters during crunch time already this season. One would think that our best defensive player would not be making the cardinal defensive sin when the game is on the line multiple times.

It's like saying this guy is an elite shooter but every time the team needs a bucket, the guy misses. Is he still a great shooter. To be a great defender, you need to make big defensive plays at critical times. I don't see him doing that.

So, you will look at 2 defensive possessions out of hundreds so far this year, and many more in his career, and make those the tell all? Interesting. What about the numerous times Goose got a steal, forced a turnover, or caused a missed shot with the game on the line? Or, just shut down an offensive weapon all game? Steph Curry has missed lots of possible game winning shots. Guess he sucks as a shooter.

 

[97spiderfan]

Well the Charleston one was a weak foul call imo, I didn't see the other. We lost those games about 10 different ways but yes Goose bears his responsibility. But that's the proof of him not making big defensive plays? He's locked down some very good players in his career. He's made plenty at crucial times. So I don't get your analysis. It's like saying if u r a fan of Penn State u must be a fan of pedophiles.

I'm not attributing these to u...but just in recent past we've had the dji/Nelson 20/20 split, that we can sub for Goose with better athletes, the A10 will be much better this year, the Sal Kouriessi love, all things I've disputed. To me feels like Goose defensive abilities some r on the wrong side of that too. It's a message board so none is out of the realm of discussion tho. Hey I've missed too but my point is, player eval and/or eye test is not a strong suit of this board overall imo.

My point is Goose doesn't pass the eye test for being a "great" defender. I don't see him locking dudes down, forcing lots of turnovers, steals to the point where he would would label him, as he has been some great defender.

Granted eye tests for defense are a lot more difficult to gauge than on offense, but I just personally don't see it.

Also the Penn State pedophile thing is just juvenile. Yes, that is a cheap shot. Saying Goose is not as an elite defender as Moon and company have hyped him to be and presenting evidence as to key situations when he is not, seems more like a critique of his game. If you'd like to point out evidence, stats, whatever to him being a great defender, I'm all ears.

 

[97spiderfan]

So, you will look at 2 defensive possessions out of hundreds so far this year, and many more in his career, and make those the tell all? Interesting. What about the numerous times Goose got a steal, forced a turnover, or caused a missed shot with the game on the line? Or, just shut down an offensive weapon all game? Steph Curry has missed lots of possible game winning shots. Guess he sucks as a shooter.

It's more than two but yes please compare Goose's defense to the greatest shooter of all time. Lol.

 

[GKiller]

My point is Goose doesn't pass the eye test for being a "great" defender. I don't see him locking dudes down, forcing lots of turnovers, steals to the point where he would would label him, as he has been some great defender.

Granted eye tests for defense are a lot more difficult to gauge than on offense, but I just personally don't see it.

Also the Penn State pedophile thing is just juvenile. Yes, that is a cheap shot. Saying Goose is not as an elite defender as Moon and company have hyped him to be and presenting evidence as to key situations when he is not, seems more like a critique of his game. If you'd like to point out evidence, stats, whatever to him being a great defender, I'm all ears.

He has locked dudes down. Goose not passing your eye test would just be in line with some other player evaluations on here. If u don’t want to call him great that’s fine but at minimum he’s very good imo.

& Jerry Sandusky penn st. is a cheap shot I agree. Thought it might open your eyes (more eye test) to your own cheapie. I was wrong. If u go back & read your post u invented something that was never said in the article re: elite defender. It was a pregame article about goose defensive assignment that he’ll get & his approach to it. U then used 2 defensive plays that don’t define what he is or isn’t as defender. In the context it definitely read as a cheap shot more than a critique. Don’t think vt4700 point was really only about Steph. I mean u can get out 7 out of 10 times & be in the mlb hall of fame. Goose will get beat plenty that is the nature of it esp when he’s earned the tougher assignments for us.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

Goose is a very good defensive player. Positioning, deflections, ball denial and more. I'd personally rather have him contesting and making occasional mistakes on foul calls than as a general rule not contesting for fear of fouling. He held Jimerson to zero for last 20 minutes of last year's SLU game, that's pretty lock down and most of it was off ball defensive work.

Not sure why we're having this debate? Goose is shooting 39% from 3 and prob should get more looks this season. I do think he buys so fully into the Moon system that he thinks pass first even when pretty well open or when he gets into the lane and I fault the offensive system for not instilling more aggression bc of the "run the offense" nature of the whole thing. But his playing time - 26 mpg - is basically where it should be IMO and I can't imagine who else we think should be there.

Penn St. should not now nor in the future be allowed to field a football team.

 

[Eight Legger]

Meanwhile, I hope we see more of Baseline-Driving Goose and Lane-Slashing Goose on offense this season. Just as long as he finishes.

 

[97spiderfan]

He has locked dudes down. Goose not passing your eye test would just be in line with some other player evaluations on here. If u don’t want to call him great that’s fine but at minimum he’s very good imo.

& Jerry Sandusky penn st. is a cheap shot I agree. Thought it might open your eyes (more eye test) to your own cheapie. I was wrong. If u go back & read your post u invented something that was never said in the article re: elite defender. It was a pregame article about goose defensive assignment that he’ll get & his approach to it. U then used 2 defensive plays that don’t define what he is or isn’t as defender. In the context it definitely read as a cheap shot more than a critique. Don’t think vt4700 point was really only about Steph. I mean u can get out 7 out of 10 times & be in the mlb hall of fame. Goose will get beat plenty that is the nature of it esp when he’s earned the tougher assignments for us.

Will see how many Sessions put up on him tonight. I'm gonna track him more closely tonight and see how much he locks down who he is defending vs how much he gives up.

And they were two pretty damn huge plays. The one cost us the game in Charlestown, so yeah, I think that is a relevant stat to bring up, not to mention some big FT misses in OT that also hurt.

Just don't see the Goose love, he is a good 6th man, in my opinion. Shouldn't be starting on a team that wants to play postseason ball, which I guess fits the bill for this team, cause right now we aren't playing postseason ball. So carry on.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Maybe the person that Sessions covers on D, should be seeing if he can get him to pick up some early fouls

 

[Long Island Spiders]

Will see how many Sessions put up on him tonight. I'm gonna track him more closely tonight and see how much he locks down who he is defending vs how much he gives up.

And they were two pretty damn huge plays. The one cost us the game in Charlestown, so yeah, I think that is a relevant stat to bring up, not to mention some big FT misses in OT that also hurt.

Just don't see the Goose love, he is a good 6th man, in my opinion. Shouldn't be starting on a team that wants to play postseason ball, which I guess fits the bill for this team, cause right now we aren't playing postseason ball. So carry on.

What a terrible take. I’m putting you in timeout for the rest of tonight’s game.

 

[plydogg]

I think we come out fast and never look back.

Spiders - 82
Coppin - 58

 

[whampas]

I think we come out fast and never look back.

Spiders - 82
Coppin - 58

Came out fast but unfortunately looked back. Playing like pillars of salt.

 

[bullfrog91]

I think we come out fast and never look back.

Spiders - 82
Coppin - 58

Xmas book end games are often light on energy and today is no different.....sloppy

 

[Spider B]

Be nice to have your 7 foot center on the block once in a while. Also be nice to tell him to shoot it the very few times he has had the ball on the block.

 

[I-M-UR]

Lucky to have a lead. What is wrong with this team?

 

[whampas]

We better be careful as these guys are every bit as good as William and Mary.

 

[Gospiders06]

We better be careful as these guys are every bit as good as William and Mary.

Another L here and kiss the season goodbye

 

[spiders13]

Who gets the credit for the second half surge and adjustments?

 

[flyder19]

A very classic Richmond game against lackluster competition. Suck in the first half and then play like they should in the second. Luckily, they shut down Sessoms, Goose overall played well. As I said above, that was the key regardless of how we played.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

Goose 26 minutes, 8 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, some very nice plays like the rip steal, and the tip ahead to secure possession of the ball that led to a Grace secondary fast break layup that basically sealed the game. Zero turnovers. Team high plus 18. Plus, only a handful of Sessoms 13 were on him I think - will wait for 97s full breakdown on that. But Goose makes lots of winning plays - even a play in 2nd half where Sessoms had a step on a drive but Goose is strong enough and quick enough to recover and force him too far to the baseline to be able to get a look at the hoop. Little things, lots of them.

I say it once a week but please can we continue to get Roche as many shots as he can handle?

 

[SpiderK]

We beat a bad team by 20 at home. That’s what this team is supposed to do. Can’t gripe much about this one.

 

[flyder19]

Goose 26 minutes, 8 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, some very nice plays like the rip steal, and the tip ahead to secure possession of the ball that led to a Grace secondary fast break layup that basically sealed the game. Zero turnovers. Team high plus 18. Plus, only a handful of Sessoms 13 were on him I think - will wait for 97s full breakdown on that. But Goose makes lots of winning plays - even a play in 2nd half where Sessoms had a step on a drive but Goose is strong enough and quick enough to recover and force him too far to the baseline to be able to get a look at the hoop. Little things, lots of them.

I say it once a week but please can we continue to get Roche as many shots as he can handle?

#FREEROCHE

 

[PASpider]

Trevor Smith can’t arrive soon enough.

 

[Spider B]

Solid 2nd half. Really need to get Quinn the ball in scoring position on the block and then to have him look for the shot. When he is scoring in the paint it opens up more quality shots for guys like Burton, Randolph, and especially Rosch. Defense also much better in 2nd half. Coppin is a decent low major team. Nice to pull away in the 2nd half.