Fire the whole team

[plydogg]

How much would we have to pay to move back to the CAA? And after that how much to move to NAIA?

We would not even make state in Virginia highschool right now. These are adults embarrassing themselves right now.

 

[8legs1dream]

Maryland had more 3 pointers, 8 more free throws, had more steals, had more blocks, had more rebounds- do
you see a scenario where a different coach would have made a difference?

You are embarrassing yourself. If this program ever, some day, drops MoonPie and begins the long hard path back to relevance you should know that it will be totally despite the "all is well, all is well" blind fans like you and not because of you.

 

[KE Spider]

Mooney was a deer in headlights. Whenever TV feed showed him u could see it. Has to be inspiring to the players.

Yes, believe this is a major factor in our too frequent fades down the stretch through the years, regardless of roster. Mooney is the only common denominator. He would be a poor poker player. His facial expressions and body language are easy to read. Obvious, even.

There is a big difference between tense and intense. As the clock winds down with our Spids nursing a lead, our opponents become more intense as our players follow Mooney's lead and tense up. Bammo. Another victory turned into a heartbreaking loss.

 

[spiderman]

I think some of you are kidding yourselves if you think we have top 20 talent. you're giving Mooney too much credit for either recruiting or player development.

I fell for it too. we've got some really good players ... guys with big career offensive numbers. but how many are good on both sides of the ball? we have some highly skilled offensive guys who are not great defenders. our best defensive players aren't great offensively. we can't get stops at big moment in big games. so while we're fine when we hit shots, we rarely build up a big enough lead on good teams to withstand a run at the end of the game when clutch players make clutch plays.

I knew we'd lose some games when we scheduled more tough teams. I didn't think we'd drop them all though. I'll still be cheering. we can still have a great season. but I just can't see answers to what's not working right now.

 

[wr70beh]

Cmon now, 4700 busy huddling with the rest of the staff.

Either that or hitting the beach in the Bahamas before the game on Friday.

 

[Spider B]

SMan, it's coaching. It's the same issues year after year after year.

 

[Mo 2.0]

I think we overstate our talent but the reason we do that is because we were beaten over the head for 3 years with "we have incredible young talent" and "the future is bright.

It's a Princeton Jedi Mind Trick. Future very bright, it is.

 

[SFspidur]

I know we all saw this with our own eyes, but man, to see it laid out so starkly is depressing...

With the most experienced team in program history, the Spiders would appear to be set for execution in late-game situations. But against Utah State, Drake and Maryland, they failed to finish games with authority.

85-74 loss to Utah State in Annapolis, Md., on Nov. 12: The score was tied at 63 with 6:40 remaining. The Aggies outscored UR 18-5 through the next five minutes. Utah State shot 64% and scored 48 in the second half.

73-70 loss at Drake on Nov. 20: UR led by 8 with six minutes left. Spiders forward Grant Golden was assessed a technical foul for taunting after a dunk and the Bulldogs went on a 17-4 run.

86-80 loss to Maryland on Nov. 25 in Nassau, Bahamas: The Spiders led by 8 with 6:48 left and were outscored 17-3 over the next five minutes. Maryland scored 54 points in the second half, during which it shot 65%.

Fade pattern has kept Spiders, who meet Mississippi State on Saturday, from gaining traction

Richmond is 3-0 at the Robins Center and 0-3 elsewhere, with late-game stumbles in each defeat.

richmond.com

 

[GKiller]

I think we overstate our talent but the reason we do that is because we were beaten over the head for 3 years with "we have incredible young talent" and "the future is bright.

It's a Princeton Jedi Mind Trick. Future very bright, it is.

#bestclassever

 

[72Spider]

Come on, Patriot League.

Doesn't your mommy have some chores for you to do?

 

[kneepadmckinney]

I think some of you are kidding yourselves if you think we have top 20 talent. you're giving Mooney too much credit for either recruiting or player development.

I fell for it too. we've got some really good players ... guys with big career offensive numbers. but how many are good on both sides of the ball? we have some highly skilled offensive guys who are not great defenders. our best defensive players aren't great offensively. we can't get stops at big moment in big games. so while we're fine when we hit shots, we rarely build up a big enough lead on good teams to withstand a run at the end of the game when clutch players make clutch plays.

I knew we'd lose some games when we scheduled more tough teams. I didn't think we'd drop them all though. I'll still be cheering. we can still have a great season. but I just can't see answers to what's not working right now.

Honestly, I'd like to see the substitution pattern in the second half value defensive skill over offensive skill if we have a 5-10 point lead. But I'm kidding myself if I think it's going to happen. The rotation appears to get a lot tighter in the second half, with only Grace and Sherod getting meaningful minutes. Crabtree had 2 1/2 minutes in the middle of the half, then committed the one turnover where he threw it past Gilyard out of bounds, and was never heard from again.

I haven't really done a +/- exercise with the players, but (admittedly subjective) eye test tells me Crab and Dji are better defenders, but as usual, that is less valued by Mooney.

Put me down for us getting absolutely clocked by Mississippi State tomorrow. Their size is going to really punish us.

 

[MrTbone]

I know we all saw this with our own eyes, but man, to see it laid out so starkly is depressing...

Fade pattern has kept Spiders, who meet Mississippi State on Saturday, from gaining traction

Richmond is 3-0 at the Robins Center and 0-3 elsewhere, with late-game stumbles in each defeat.

richmond.com

Well at least media is calling it out. Not that it’ll move Hardt, I’m not sure he’s paying attention.

The only way this probably changes is 1) donations plummet or 2) academics tank.

I’m going to brush up on hacking into outdated transcript management systems. I think there’s a YouTube on it.

 

[712_VT]

Where you at 4700? Still haven’t heard from you. Would love to hear how you would spin the start of this season. Team too old now or something?

 

[SFspidur]

Where you at 4700? Still haven’t heard from you. Would love to hear how you would spin the start of this season. Team too old now or something?

He checked in…

https://richmond.forums.rivals.com/threads/maryland-11-25.13302/post-339368

 

[8legs1dream]

I know we all saw this with our own eyes, but man, to see it laid out so starkly is depressing...

Fade pattern has kept Spiders, who meet Mississippi State on Saturday, from gaining traction

Richmond is 3-0 at the Robins Center and 0-3 elsewhere, with late-game stumbles in each defeat.

richmond.com

how can anyone read those game details and still support Mooney

 

[SpiderRick]

I think we overstate our talent but the reason we do that is because we were beaten over the head for 3 years with "we have incredible young talent" and "the future is bright.

It's a Princeton Jedi Mind Trick. Future very bright, it is.

We have enough talent to have won all 6 games. ...lack of leadership

 

[Eight Legger]

We are living the college basketball equivalent of this.

 

[97spiderfan]

I think some of you are kidding yourselves if you think we have top 20 talent. you're giving Mooney too much credit for either recruiting or player development.

I fell for it too. we've got some really good players ... guys with big career offensive numbers. but how many are good on both sides of the ball? we have some highly skilled offensive guys who are not great defenders. our best defensive players aren't great offensively. we can't get stops at big moment in big games. so while we're fine when we hit shots, we rarely build up a big enough lead on good teams to withstand a run at the end of the game when clutch players make clutch plays.

I knew we'd lose some games when we scheduled more tough teams. I didn't think we'd drop them all though. I'll still be cheering. we can still have a great season. but I just can't see answers to what's not working right now.

We've got two All A-10 first team preseason player and Burton is on the 2nd team and possibly the leagues best NBA prospect. How much more talent does Mooney need at this point?

If he can't win with this talent, when will he ever?

 

[URWilk110]

Has anyone ever seen a team go 10 minutes plus without a single rebound? This has to be a new low for the a Mooney team which is hard to do. Every game we are treated with more evidence that even with the "most talent ever", Mooney teams can not overcome his wonderful negative influences.

 

[Eight Legger]

Has anyone ever seen a team go 10 minutes plus without a single rebound? This has to be a new low for the a Mooney team which is hard to do. Every game we are treated with more evidence that even with the "most talent ever", Mooney teams can not overcome his wonderful negative influences.

I still haven't seen it because I was watching Michigan-Ohio State today instead of Underachieving Retreads basketball.

 

[Gospiders06]

We have enough talent to have won all 6 games. ...lack of leadership

We competed and kept the game somewhat close. We reached our goal.

 

[Spider B]

Yep, Mooney said as much in the post game interview with BB. Instead of being pissed that we lost again, he said he was proud to have forced overtime against such a physical team. He clearly thought we were the underdog in this game. It's a defeatist attitude that permeates this program.

 

[Eight Legger]

Does he float through life on Adderall or Xanax or something? It's amazing that those of us on this board are more upset about the losses than he ever seems to be. Just another reason to hate everything about this pathetic program.

 

[SpiderGuy]

We've got two All A-10 first team preseason player and Burton is on the 2nd team and possibly the leagues best NBA prospect. How much more talent does Mooney need at this point?

If he can't win with this talent, when will he ever?

You can probably answer your question. I'll respond - certainly not in the next 17 years.

 

[spider23]

I think some of you are kidding yourselves if you think we have top 20 talent. you're giving Mooney too much credit for either recruiting or player development.

C'mon now!!!!!

When I have been banging the drum about missed interior recruits, and grad transfers and transfer interior players - you have stated that Golden and Cayo are so good the other guys could not get playing time. Best frontcourt we have had, etc. Did you get a seat on the private jet? Just kidding around but let's not play it both ways.

I will say this, we need to recruit better, and coach MUCH better. I'm too lazy to look now, but our inside recruits last 4 years are Walz (I like him so far, but not an immediate impact I don't believe), Weir (bench player at Gulf Coast), Grace - 1 D1 offer, has worked hard and improved offense, but defense is not major conference level at all, and Sal. This is not good. Yes, the top 100 big guys typically go p6, but there are some guys that could help us we just miss on.

I do think Golden is a major talent on offense. With better recruiting/quality depth and coaching, could be a good defender too. Mooney has let him and us fans down. Again.

 

[MrTbone]

Our talent PLUS experience should be good enough to have us at 5-2. We should have been able to split our 4 prime ooc matchups, minimum

We all know we don’t have top end talent but we have a ton of playing experience, enough to slug out wins against some moderate to good teams. Again, if we can’t win with this roster, we have to go another direction with coach/style because these chances only come around once every 4-5 years.

We can do better, plenty of other similarly situated programs do.

 

[AnnapSpider]

The solution to our problem. Make Roussell the men’s coach. Mooney can coach the ladies, though I admit that might be unfair to ladies.

 

[MrTbone]

The solution to our problem. Make Roussell the men’s coach. Mooney can coach the ladies, though I admit that might be unfair to ladies.

I think one long term experiment is enough, we need not compound it.

 

[plydogg]

I think one long term experiment is enough, we need not compound it.

I think it’s only fair if we give Rousell 10 years with the men, he just might luck into one more tournament appearance over Mooney in that span

 

[coach fezz]

C'mon now!!!!!

When I have been banging the drum about missed interior recruits, and grad transfers and transfer interior players - you have stated that Golden and Cayo are so good the other guys could not get playing time. Best frontcourt we have had, etc. Did you get a seat on the private jet? Just kidding around but let's not play it both ways.

I will say this, we need to recruit better, and coach MUCH better. I'm too lazy to look now, but our inside recruits last 4 years are Walz (I like him so far, but not an immediate impact I don't believe), Weir (bench player at Gulf Coast), Grace - 1 D1 offer, has worked hard and improved offense, but defense is not major conference level at all, and Sal. This is not good. Yes, the top 100 big guys typically go p6, but there are some guys that could help us we just miss on.

I do think Golden is a major talent on offense. With better recruiting/quality depth and coaching, could be a good defender too. Mooney has let him and us fans down. Again.

Dayton recruited player from Finnish National team

 

[spider23]

Dayton recruited player from Finnish National team

I noticed that when he signed, I think Goose retweeted or something. They have been recruiting a lot of highly sough 6'8 to 6'9 guys, they have not all panned out, but they are smart at recruiting and numbers game. Oh yes, we can't recruit like them because they have an arena full of fans. BUT, if we went to NCAA's every other year we would too.

 

[8legs1dream]

I noticed that when he signed, I think Goose retweeted or something. They have been recruiting a lot of highly sough 6'8 to 6'9 guys, they have not all panned out, but they are smart at recruiting and numbers game. Oh yes, we can't recruit like them because they have an arena full of fans. BUT, if we went to NCAA's every other year we would too.

Their fans were ready for the coach's head a couple weeks ago too.

 

[spiderman]

C'mon now!!!!!

When I have been banging the drum about missed interior recruits, and grad transfers and transfer interior players - you have stated that Golden and Cayo are so good the other guys could not get playing time. Best frontcourt we have had, etc. Did you get a seat on the private jet? Just kidding around but let's not play it both ways.

I will say this, we need to recruit better, and coach MUCH better. I'm too lazy to look now, but our inside recruits last 4 years are Walz (I like him so far, but not an immediate impact I don't believe), Weir (bench player at Gulf Coast), Grace - 1 D1 offer, has worked hard and improved offense, but defense is not major conference level at all, and Sal. This is not good. Yes, the top 100 big guys typically go p6, but there are some guys that could help us we just miss on.

I do think Golden is a major talent on offense. With better recruiting/quality depth and coaching, could be a good defender too. Mooney has let him and us fans down. Again.

our front court recruiting has been a big problem. we desperately need and have needed a frontcourt guy who is a plus defender and rebounder but can still contribute on offense. we seriously might not have landed a plus defender inside since Garrett. that's crazy. I'm hopeful with Walz, but I don't know. history says not to expect it.

has the trail gone cold on Buchanan? he's not a 5, but I see him as part of the solution as a high intensity defensive guy with size.

 

[97spiderfan]

our front court recruiting has been a big problem. we desperately need and have needed a frontcourt guy who is a plus defender and rebounder but can still contribute on offense. we seriously might not have landed a plus defender inside since Garrett. that's crazy. I'm hopeful with Walz, but I don't know. history says not to expect it.

has the trail gone cold on Buchanan? he's not a 5, but I see him as part of the solution as a high intensity defensive guy with size.

S-man, your beginning to sound a bit like an anti-Mooney guy. Come to the dark side, my friend. There is freedom here. Freedom to see what your eyes tell you. We welcome all.

 

[SpiderTrap]

We all need to realize as fans that the school does not care about athletics, especially basketball, as much as we all care.

Some common themes on this thread.

1) Fire Mooney - Mooney is under contract through 23-24 season. That means if you fire him after this season, the school will need to pay him 2 years not to coach. Given that UR has never really fired a coach over wins/losses, and we all know for sure they don't want to invest nearly 2.5 - 3 million or more into our coaching position for basketaball (2 million to Mooney and then likely another 1 million for new coach and staff) - I just don't see this happening. It didn't happen a few years ago, mainly because of money, and likely money will get in the way again. Not to mention - I still think we win 18-20 games this season, maybe get into NIT and we can all say together that we "competed".

2) Better recruits - this is just laughable at this point. JW will tried this with Merrit and Vasallo. School didn't like it - even rejecting Vasallo. In order for a school like UR to get higher ranked recruits - we need to lower admissions AND probably get a little dirty, legally, with some NIL deals for these kids to get money in their pockets. I am not even talking top 100 kids yet. I am talking 100-150 kids. We need to make the tourney before top 100 kids look at UR. But do you really think the school administration would allow this?

End of the day - the school, AD, coach have all said the same thing over and over - its not about winning at UR. Athletics are not that important. All that is important is that we "compete" and using that metric - Mooney has been very successful and therefore I think will stay under the contract runs out, or might even get an extension (2 years) when season is over.

 

[spiderman]

S-man, your beginning to sound a bit like an anti-Mooney guy. Come to the dark side, my friend. There is freedom here. Freedom to see what your eyes tell you. We welcome all.

lol. I'm not a full blown hater. I like some stuff he does. but it's not working. again.
I didn't think a buyout was a realistic option when he had too many years left. there was no point calling for it. that number has come down so now maybe it's on the table.

Trap, I don't believe better recruits always means dropping academics or getting dirty. the Hungers and Brumbaughs are out there. just have to land them. it's never easy. competition is tough for those guys. but someone has to win. needs to be us sometimes.

 

[SpiderRick]

Trap, you Debbie Downer...

 

[SpiderTrap]

You are correct - their are good academic athletes who we seem to miss out on. But the truth is - those kids go to better schools because we don't have the NCAA history.
Luke Hunger - goes to bigger conference and good academic school in Northwestern. Not a great NCAA history there, but Collins got them there in 2017. And I think he still has that DUKE lure to him, but it is wearing off if they don't dance soon. But if your picking between UR and Northwestern - you got a school who last danced in 2017 with a coach from Duke and play in Big 10 or go to A10 school, has not danced in 10 years, and coach from Air Force. Only way we win that battle - if we can say, we have been dancing consistently - more than Northwestern.

Brumbaugh - same thing since he commited to Northwestern too I believe

Point being - yes, you can get those kids. BUT - we will continue to lose them unless something changes. And only way we beat those schools right now is more NCAA appearances.

 

[SFspidur]

There was a big red flag on the recruiting front when we couldn't leverage our Sweet Sixteen appearance...in the three years following that, we only managed to land three players who amounted to anything...Allen, SDJ, and Fore. That was when we had the best chance to take things to the next level, and we completely flopped.

 

[Eight Legger]

Still a chance that Hardt, despite the fool he seems to be otherwise, negotiated the extension in such a way that we don't need to pay the full amount as a buyout if we fire him. The school had all the leverage at the time he got the extension.