FIRE MOONEY

[64Spider]

Jesse and JJ both make their shots in practice/warm ups but not in game. It looks like they rush their shots in game. Need to let game come to them and not rush to shoot. Good example was Jesse's shot from the corner. I also think JJ needs to make some moves to drive the lane but with intention to finish instead of looking to pass.
They both look really uncomfortable and out of synch. Too bad they never got enough playing time to be comfortable with their instinct for the game.

 

[coachfezz]

Jesse and JJ both make their shots in practice/warm ups but not in game. It looks like they rush their shots in game. Need to let game come to them and not rush to shoot. Good example was Jesse's shot from the corner. I also think JJ needs to make some moves to drive the lane but with intention to finish instead of looking to pass.
They both look really uncomfortable and out of synch. Too bad they never got enough playing time to be comfortable with their instinct for the game.

yes i agree with this . Coach should have game time for them for this season. team is one injury away from bad times.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Jesse missed his two foul shots due to nerves and he swished his 3 because he did not have to think about it. JP looks smoother
on offense then defense. As his time increased in game, his movement was more and more, and he can cut very quick.

 

[SpiderRick]

Now 6,600 views, 243 posts, and 7 pages. I think in an ad firm I'm now up for partner.

 

[Eight Legger]

Jesse and JJ both make their shots in practice/warm ups but not in game. It looks like they rush their shots in game. Need to let game come to them and not rush to shoot. Good example was Jesse's shot from the corner. I also think JJ needs to make some moves to drive the lane but with intention to finish instead of looking to pass.
They both look really uncomfortable and out of synch. Too bad they never got enough playing time to be comfortable with their instinct for the game.

Sounds like Josh Jones, until he got to play regularly the second half of last season, too. Sounds like a lot of freshmen (and sophomores) we've had here, actually.

 

[spiderman]

when Josh's play improved, he earned more time. when Jesse and Julius improve, they will too. but they need to make it happen soon. there's serious competition on the way for those minutes.

 

[Eight Legger]

It's a chicken-and-egg thing, and I don't know who is to blame. These guys need to play more to get better, but they need to get better in order to play more.

They come in as fairly highly-regarded, then get into games and look totally lost. Is it because they aren't as good as we thought? Is it because Mooney doesn't play them enough for them to get comfortable and into a rhythm on the court? Is it because they don't get enough reps in practice?

 

[97spiderfan]

I think Jesse has shown he can play when he is out there. He is involved in the offense, has a nice looking shot. Yeah, he looks like he needs to "relax" a bit a times, but that will come with experience and playing time. Julius has a bit of Josh Jones in him right now, where he doesn't want to do anything other than occasionally heave a 3 pointer.

And you can talk about showing it in practice and earning your time until you are blue in the face, as some posters are prone to do, but if these guys aren't playing, we are running a 7 man rotation and that plain and simple is not sustainable.

 

[keefusb]

It's a little disappointing because Julius was evidently our number one recruitment target for this freshman class. I think we lucked out with Jesse backing out of the UNC Charlotte decision, and I have no idea what the deal was with Kovien other than we all figured that he was something of a project player and a recruitment gamble. I still don't understand why we didn't redshirt him unless the coaching staff decided he wasn't worth red-shirting. Hoping that this year's true freshmen can make some progress and contributions if not this year, then next year.

If we can't get more meaningful minutes out of JJ, JP, and PF in the coming weeks, our other players will be toast by A10 tourney time.

 

[coachfezz]

HA when coach answers question and touches ear or chin he is just kidding but now he will fix this habit ha so i look for the other signals that are useful in interrogation

 

[Not-A-Homer]

HA when coach answers question and touches ear or chin he is just kidding but now he will fix this habit ha so i look for the other signals that are useful in interrogation

Sounds like you believe that he will realize something is not working & that he will make a timely adjustment

 

[SpiderK]

Jesse and JJ both make their shots in practice/warm ups but not in game. It looks like they rush their shots in game. Need to let game come to them and not rush to shoot. Good example was Jesse's shot from the corner. I also think JJ needs to make some moves to drive the lane but with intention to finish instead of looking to pass.
They both look really uncomfortable and out of synch. Too bad they never got enough playing time to be comfortable with their instinct for the game.

They kind of look like every player we have had since Dick Tarrant started. They make one mistake or miss a shot and they know the hook is coming. Tough way to play a hand eye coordination game with the fear of only one try.

 

[SpiderGuy]

I

They kind of look like every player we have had since Dick Tarrant started. They make one mistake or miss a shot and they know the hook is coming. Tough way to play a hand eye coordination game with the fear of only one try.

I never understood negative reinforcement. It certainly doesn't instill confidence.

 

[coachfezz]

the freshman should come in game , never shoot , pass right away , and coach will like that so they wil play more.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Is Mooney UR's version of Va Tech's Seth Greenberg? Remember Greenberg always had pretty good Va Tech teams, but could never get them over the hump and into NCAA. Sometimes it was just bad scheduling and late season collapses, other times they just needed to win one/two more games - but always seemed to win about 19-20 games a year and be on the bubble.

Right now - our OOC schedule doesn't look great. Its not bad of course, but with your bad start to the A10 - its certainly not enough to carry us.

JMU loss - not terrible, but still need them to be in the top 2 of the CAA. Right now they are holding on with a 4 way tie for first at 5-2. They slide to the middle of the CAA and this becomes a bad loss.
Wake win - looked like it might be good in the OOC, but once they enter the ACC, they are now 1-5 and at the bottom and with games against UVA, Notre Dame, and a hot Clemson team - they are looking at 1-8 right in the face and this win will do nothing for us.
WVU loss - not bad - they will be ranked or near ranked at the end of the year.
Cal - our signature win.
Florida - not a bad loss other than we got embarrassed.
UNI - not helping at all - 2-5 in the league and 10-10 overall. Once was thought to be a good game, might be nothing.
ODU - hopefully they can stay in top half of C-USA and help us a little.

Right now our RPI hovers around 100 - no where near auto bid or bubble territory. And we could easily rack up 17-18 wins before A10 tourney - win a game and get to 19. But with no realistic shot at a bid and sniffing NIT.

 

[SouthJerseySpiderFan]

Pertaining to the "except' in my post, from my son attending UR starting in 2003 I always got the impression that success at sports wasn't as vital to the UR's academia higher ups as at other universities. Many other universities rely on a sport(s) to get their name recognition out there. The ones that aren't as prestigious as Richmond in the intellectual way are limited it doing it only through athletics. Example say could be ..... that school across town. Lol.

Unless the AD has final say I don't see CM being replaced until his contract runs out in 2021 even if (God forbid) no more NCAA tourny appearances are attained. Consecutive sub .500 season might do it but the football program is successful year-in-year-out on a 2nd tier level, the baseball program looks like it will improve under ex-MLer Woodson, and the less prominent sports always seem to do better than average at UR.

College athletics is so big these days (show me the money) in America that plenty of university presidents are all for doing what it takes to enhance the success of their football and basketball programs. Nobody would say no to getting more money but UR sure doesn't need the money.

I along with others here would like to see greater success with the b-ball team that it could become like a Gonzaga of the East. If telling CM he is no longer needed earlier than 2021, then so be it.. Greater b-ball success I think would put Richmond more in the national limelight which would in turn create even more non-sport smart students wanting be a Spider after seeing all it has to offer. I don't think the UR higher ups share my view. I think Spider b-ball is the best national advertisement UR has available.

Just my limited point of view from afar. I could never have graduated from UR let alone be accepted there so if some of my posts are hard to understand or make little sense, take it for what's it worth.

 

[keefusb]

I think the past NCAA appearances helped put UR on the national radar like nothing else could have. I will tell strangers in my business travels all over the US that I was a Spider athlete, everyone remembers the NCAA runs of 84 and 88, and the win over Syracuse. I would think that regular NCAA appearances (say on average every two or perhaps 3 years) would be a vital component of the school's marketing and public relations planning. Hence, it would make sense to invest in the success of the program for that reason alone.

We are close to being that type of program, I think a sustained improvement in recruiting, and perhaps a new coaching staff at some point would put us over the hump.

 

[64Spider]

We are close to being that type of program, I think a sustained improvement in recruiting, and perhaps a new coaching staff at some point would put us over the hump.

Recruiting is best it's been in years. Keep Mooney and a few years of better luck on close games and injuries and we should be just fine.

 

[I-M-UR]

Where do you find Offensive Efficiency, I'd like to see it by opponent. Without the film all I can tell you is it appears when dieon and Trey are in the game they seem to sag and double up post player when they get the ball, With Wood they defender does not seem to leave him in the same situation because they know he will hit the kick out 3.

 

[keefusb]

"Sustained" recruiting improvement is the key word here. The CM era has been full of recruiting misses, and really only a handful of legitimate hits. I am bullish on next year's class, but:

1.) Will the Class of 2016 recruits pan out and live up to their hype/reputations?

2.) If next year's class does live up to the hype, can we sustain or even improve on our recruiting on a multi-year basis?

Time will tell. We need better Johnnies and Joes.

 

[I-M-UR]

"Sustained" recruiting improvement is the key word here. The CM era has been full of recruiting misses, and really only a handful of legitimate hits. I am bullish on next year's class, but:

1.) Will the Class of 2016 recruits pan out and live up to their hype/reputations?

2.) If next year's class does live up to the hype, can we sustain or even improve on our recruiting on a multi-year basis?

Time will tell. We need better Johnnies and Joes.

We had the same hopes for Alonzo, Trey, Deion and Terry? In fact one of my biggest complaints with CM is he doesn't seem to help players develop.

 

[KWeaver]

Pertaining to the "except' in my post, from my son attending UR starting in 2003 I always got the impression that success at sports wasn't as vital to the UR's academia higher ups as at other universities. Many other universities rely on a sport(s) to get their name recognition out there. The ones that aren't as prestigious as Richmond in the intellectual way are limited it doing it only through athletics. Example say could be ..... that school across town. Lol.

Unless the AD has final say I don't see CM being replaced until his contract runs out in 2021 even if (God forbid) no more NCAA tourny appearances are attained. Consecutive sub .500 season might do it but the football program is successful year-in-year-out on a 2nd tier level, the baseball program looks like it will improve under ex-MLer Woodson, and the less prominent sports always seem to do better than average at UR.

College athletics is so big these days (show me the money) in America that plenty of university presidents are all for doing what it takes to enhance the success of their football and basketball programs. Nobody would say no to getting more money but UR sure doesn't need the money.

I along with others here would like to see greater success with the b-ball team that it could become like a Gonzaga of the East. If telling CM he is no longer needed earlier than 2021, then so be it.. Greater b-ball success I think would put Richmond more in the national limelight which would in turn create even more non-sport smart students wanting be a Spider after seeing all it has to offer. I don't think the UR higher ups share my view. I think Spider b-ball is the best national advertisement UR has available.

Just my limited point of view from afar. I could never have graduated from UR let alone be accepted there so if some of my posts are hard to understand or make little sense, take it for what's it worth.

Really, I understand what you are saying. But, in general, the move to the A-10 was done with essentially one thing in mind, if I am not mistaken -- to raise our profile in basketball. Since we joined the A-10, we have made the NCAA's 3 times. Once under Jerry Wainwright and 2x under Mooney, already 5 years ago. Compared to our 86-92 run in the CAA, plus the one time we made the NCAAs in 1998, we really haven't seen the success that this move was made for, at the expense of our other sports. We made the NIT a couple of times, but the way the CAA progressed, it would not have surprised me to have made the NIT a few more times in the CAA too. Obviously, the recruiting situation would have differed greatly (I would bet on this, but you can't know either way).

Ultimately, I don't think we have made the NCAA tournament nearly at the rate that was expected when switching to the A-10. This is where the Mooney frustrations ultimately lie.

 

[fan2011]

Really, I understand what you are saying. But, in general, the move to the A-10 was done with essentially one thing in mind, if I am not mistaken -- to raise our profile in basketball. Since we joined the A-10, we have made the NCAA's 3 times. Once under Jerry Wainwright and 2x under Mooney, already 5 years ago. Compared to our 86-92 run in the CAA, plus the one time we made the NCAAs in 1998, we really haven't seen the success that this move was made for, at the expense of our other sports. We made the NIT a couple of times, but the way the CAA progressed, it would not have surprised me to have made the NIT a few more times in the CAA too. Obviously, the recruiting situation would have differed greatly (I would bet on this, but you can't know either way).

Ultimately, I don't think we have made the NCAA tournament nearly at the rate that was expected when switching to the A-10. This is where the Mooney frustrations ultimately lie.

Are you seriously advocating for us to be in the CAA in basketball? The college athletics landscape has changed drastically since the late 80s. Power has concentrated. Only the top 9ish conferences can get at large bids. Do you want our NCAA bid to depend on winning a conference championship every year? That is why Davidson left the SoCon, they NEVER got an at large bid in the SoCon, even when they had Steph Curry. If they didn't win the conference tournament they had no chance. I want our team to compete at the highest level they can, I don't want to watch us dominate in a scrub conference only to constantly lose in the 1st round of the NCAAs when we finally play a decent team (which is what Davidson has done under McKillop.)

 

[KWeaver]

Are you seriously advocating for us to be in the CAA in basketball? The college athletics landscape has changed drastically since the late 80s. Power has concentrated. Only the top 9ish conferences can get at large bids. Do you want our NCAA bid to depend on winning a conference championship every year? That is why Davidson left the SoCon, they NEVER got an at large bid in the SoCon, even when they had Steph Curry. If they didn't win the conference tournament they had no chance. I want our team to compete at the highest level they can, I don't want to watch us dominate in a scrub conference only to constantly lose in the 1st round of the NCAAs when we finally play a decent team (which is what Davidson has done under McKillop.)

Not at all. I am a HUGE A-10 guy. I am just saying that our move from the A-10 hasn't delivered as many bids as we figured to have when we made the move. We had a similar run in the CAAs for a time. And, our non-revenue sports did suffer for the move.

 

[SpiderGuy]

Not at all. I am a HUGE A-10 guy. I am just saying that our move from the A-10 hasn't delivered as many bids as we figured to have when we made the move. We had a similar run in the CAAs for a time. And, our non-revenue sports did suffer for the move.

X2. Agree with you.

What makes it even more frustrating is that the A-10 is a multi bid conference for NCAA tournament. Upgrades in conference affiliation, salaries, facilities, etc. don't seem to have seen the payback or return on investments associated.

 

[97spiderfan]

Disagree that cm doesn't develop players. Terry, KA, gonzo, Kendall, harp, butler, sdj, cEd all got a lot better under cm. I'm sure I'm missing others but that is a nice mix of guards and big men.. Yes, Trey and Deion have not developed as we liked but I think that is more to do with injury in Deion's case and we are just seeing treys ceiling as a player.

 

[Spideroldie]

I have not read any of the posts above, mostly because I see this as an "unproductive" thread. We have pretty well settled the fact that our coaching staff has some long-term job security, and that they are likely to be with us for a few more years. This thread was also likely started right after the VCU game, and we know how passionate (and negative/frustrated) following an emotional loss.

I prefer to focus on the positives, and I see many of those. First, our recruiting is much stronger, and we have some great commitments for 2016 and 2017. Second, our offensive efficiency is "through the roof," and the best I have seen in 20+ years. Third, this team has become FUN TO WATCH again, after several years of personal frustration. I like seeing these guys play. Fourth, our road performance is better. And, fifth, I don't see us "falling apart" at the 7-minute mark anymore. We have had some nice comeback-victories.

I won't check back to see all the likely responses to the above "positives," because I believe the positives to be self-evident, for any fan who is paying attention.

The major "corrections" I see being needed are to 1) add more quality depth, and 2) to bring in more guys who can play "defensive stopper" roles. It is great to have TD and DT available this season, but our defensive stoppers need to play fewer minutes than we have been pushed into. The depth has begun to be addressed, with the excellent recruiting, and the recruitment of strong future defenders remains to be seen. Why don't we focus on what the current Staff, and CM, can do, to improve the team rather than do "saber-rattling" about something that is not going to happen?

 

[McSpider67]

Agree plus add an option to our match up zone which displays our hoops IQ but has mismatch issues in conference play with people who know it.

 

[bongturk]

I have not read any of the posts above, mostly because I see this as an "unproductive" thread. We have pretty well settled the fact that our coaching staff has some long-term job security, and that they are likely to be with us for a few more years. This thread was also likely started right after the VCU game, and we know how passionate (and negative/frustrated) following an emotional loss.

I prefer to focus on the positives, and I see many of those. First, our recruiting is much stronger, and we have some great commitments for 2016 and 2017. Second, our offensive efficiency is "through the roof," and the best I have seen in 20+ years. Third, this team has become FUN TO WATCH again, after several years of personal frustration. I like seeing these guys play. Fourth, our road performance is better. And, fifth, I don't see us "falling apart" at the 7-minute mark anymore. We have had some nice comeback-victories.

I won't check back to see all the likely responses to the above "positives," because I believe the positives to be self-evident, for any fan who is paying attention.

The major "corrections" I see being needed are to 1) add more quality depth, and 2) to bring in more guys who can play "defensive stopper" roles. It is great to have TD and DT available this season, but our defensive stoppers need to play fewer minutes than we have been pushed into. The depth has begun to be addressed, with the excellent recruiting, and the recruitment of strong future defenders remains to be seen. Why don't we focus on what the current Staff, and CM, can do, to improve the team rather than do "saber-rattling" about something that is not going to happen?

I have watched every game this year and have seen plenty of examples of our "defensive stoppers' being driven around, shot over, faked out of their jocks, etc. etc. Enough with that label for anyone on this team. There isn't a single player who plays good defense, and our best all around player, terry Allen, has become more of a sieve than a wall.
it is a bit early to say that " depth has begun to be addressed" None of those recruits are here yet.
Optimism is fine, but sometimes it has to be taken with at least a pinch of realism.
I love watching the games when the team clicks on all cylinders, unfortunately those games or even games close to them seem to be happening less and less as the conference schedule has gone on. How well have Allen and Cline been shooting from outside this month??????-

 

[fan2011]

I have watched every game this year and have seen plenty of examples of our "defensive stoppers' being driven around, shot over, faked out of their jocks, etc. etc. Enough with that label for anyone on this team. There isn't a single player who plays good defense, and our best all around player, terry Allen, has become more of a sieve than a wall.
it is a bit early to say that " depth has begun to be addressed" None of those recruits are here yet.
Optimism is fine, but sometimes it has to be taken with at least a pinch of realism.
I love watching the games when the team clicks on all cylinders, unfortunately those games or even games close to them seem to be happening less and less as the conference schedule has gone on. How well have Allen and Cline been shooting from outside this month??????-

Allen and Cline shot much better outside of this month than inside of this month.

eFG%
TJC: 63.9% OOC, 55.1% in conference
TA: 55.1% OOC, 57.7% in conference

 

[Marley13]

Clever.

 

[SpiderRick]

Oldie, our road performance is better? Better than what? We've won one road game since thanksgiving, against Fordham, and probably would have lost that had Marshall Wood not caught fire when we were down by 15. Optimism is fine but make believe not so much.

 

[urmite]

Oldie, our road performance is better? Better than what? We've won one road game since thanksgiving, against Fordham, and probably would have lost that had Marshall Wood not caught fire when we were down by 15. Optimism is fine but make believe not so much.

Well...better than last year. Our first road win last year was the last day of January and we had two losses on the road to teams in the bottom half of D1. So it is minimally better. We should know more in the next week.

 

[bongturk]

Allen and Cline shot much better outside of this month than inside of this month.

eFG%
TJC: 63.9% OOC, 55.1% in conference
TA: 55.1% OOC, 57.7% in conference

three point shooting??

 

[urmite]

three point shooting??

TJ since 12/17 2-18 from 3
TA since 1/3 4-12 from 3

 

[Ulla1]

This thread now has nothing to do with "Fire Mooney". OSC

 

[SpiderHoops32]

This thread now has nothing to do with "Fire Mooney". OSC

Good, it was hurting our recruiting

 

[fatherspider]

Are you seriously advocating for us to be in the CAA in basketball? The college athletics landscape has changed drastically since the late 80s. Power has concentrated. Only the top 9ish conferences can get at large bids. Do you want our NCAA bid to depend on winning a conference championship every year? That is why Davidson left the SoCon, they NEVER got an at large bid in the SoCon, even when they had Steph Curry. If they didn't win the conference tournament they had no chance. I want our team to compete at the highest level they can, I don't want to watch us dominate in a scrub conference only to constantly lose in the 1st round of the NCAAs when we finally play a decent team (which is what Davidson has done under McKillop.)

I dont see how he advocated that. He is saying that we moved to A10 to have a better chance to get to dance and that has not reaped those rewards.

 

[KWeaver]

I dont see how he advocated that. He is saying that we moved to A10 to have a better chance to get to dance and that has not reaped those rewards.

This is absolutely what I was saying.

 

[KWeaver]

What is strange to me is that we continue to harp on our best players being the guys that we had in the CAA. Anderson, Anthony, Harper, and probably Gonzalvez are our top 4 guys post CAA. Otherwise, our big-time players were CAA recruits, or transfers. I bring this up because our recruiting is also not up to snuff since we have come to the A-10. Our all time team would probably have 1-2 of these guys.

The point is that our recruiting hasn't gotten much better, either. You would assume that we would get one or two 3-4 star guys, but truthfully, we haven't . We get the same "major upside, underscouted" type guys. These guys obviously have value, but we haven't really started to compete with the big leagues, either.

THese are the things that frustrate me.