Scouting reports & video are all any team needs. Playing psychological games won't make an iota of difference.
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Francis update
- Thread starter Gallipoli
- Start date
Anyone else notice the sizeable splint or pretty much a cast that was on Grant's hand during the game? Maybe he had surgery a week or so ago? If so, not sure how much time/rehab is necessary post surgery, but clearly wouldn't expect it to be anywhere near as that required for ACL.
In my opinion - no reason to play Francis or Grant. If this was the NCAA tourney - totally different story. But since this is the NIT, and a scaled down NIT at that - I think we just say they are injured and not returning and the end result is some younger guys get minutes. I don't suggest doing this for healthy guys like Gilyard or Cayo - but since they are injured and not 100% - might as well go with the younger guys.
Travis Ford probably handed Ben Howland the "How to Own the Spiders" playbook immediately after their game.
Didn't see the game, just the photos. That's why I asked (and prefaced it that way).
Blake and Grant both on the left side of this photo walking away from the huddle.
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but why would you? I get the impression he has a very close relationship with the program and players. if that info hurts the team in any way (even if you feel it didn't) then why release it? what does he gain?
I think he’s navigating a course that’s somewhere between PR rep and journo. It manifests in decisions that aren’t always guided by either.
If Francis or Grant or both are ready to play, they should play, they earned it
Every reason to play them if they're healthy -- presumably we're trying to win the NIT, and this is still this season, not next season. They are unlikely to be here next season, so play them if they are ready to go.
He's working for ESPN Richmond as their "UR beat reporter," probably unpaid but still. In theory, he's trying to report news, not make friends with the players, though I agree that he seems more interested in the latter sometimes.
Noah does a podcast with Nick that rehashes each game. They are great and insightful but yes he straddles a very uncomfortable fence between reporter and friend of the players/PR mouthpiece for UR MBB. I think he really want to be the former but generally performs as the latter.
At least we are getting some Spiders Men's BB "news/commentary" in the Richmond market.................
Even if Blake plays, looks like Mooney doesn't anticipate him starting.
anyone else a little surprised Mooney went Wilson over Goose with Francis out? Isaiah's been good given the chance. but I assumed he's have to be clearly better than Goose to get that starting nod. maybe he is clearly better. maybe he's shown in practice to be a better shooter? or maybe Mooney likes the more experienced vet off the bench?
Goose hasn't really taken the step I think we would thought he would take this year, perhaps the groin injury set him back. I wouldn't say Wilson has ceased the opportunity but he plays really hard and aggressively, kind of like Blake in that respect and perhaps Mooney sees value in that espicially with Blake out.
Noah asked Mooney about reported interest in Tyler Kolek. Not sure why he thought he'd get answer on that.
SF, but do u know is it illegal as Mooney said? There r definitely rules about not commenting on hs recruits. I don't know but I thought heard once that with the new transfer portal rules, once you are officially in the portal you r fair game and could be recruited and even spoken of. I might be thinking of grad transfers. Bc I'm pretty sure I've seen some articles where a coach has publicly confirmed interest in a grad transfer. Tho I could be misremembering and it was just general interest in a position.
Obviously even if u could, in practice it would be very very rare and not make the most competitive sense anyway, or could create some bad blood especially in conference. But just curious if technically illegal.
The two processes are entirely separate, so it would not surprise me if the rules were different, but I really don't know what's permitted with transfers.
It's definitely illegal, and Mooney could go to federal prison for talking about it. So good job to Noah trying to get him to do that.
Well, the billboard didn't work, so the question is how much did the FMM pay Noah to try to entrap him?
I'm almost 100% sure you can never talk about recruits including transfers until they're committed. Noah should know that.
I wish he asked a more general question about whether Mooney himself has been able spend time talking with players in the transfer portal while still playing in the post season. we wouldn't get any details but maybe a feel.
I thought Mooney handled everything in that interview well.
I wish he asked a more general question about whether Mooney himself has been able spend time talking with players in the transfer portal while still playing in the post season. we wouldn't get any details but maybe a feel.
I thought Mooney handled everything in that interview well.
They can't talk about high school recruits until they're signed, not just committed. Transfers don't sign in the same sense.
The rules have gotten really strict...
"I'm almost 100% sure you can never talk about recruits including transfers until they're graduated from your institution" 😁
I like Goose but he has been turnover prone and a bit out of control on offense since returning from injury. Perhaps that factors in?
Agree with the TO prone. Don't believe he has been in the flow enough to feel comfortable. He seems to be constrained by the "system". Believe he would contribute much more if he said F the system and just played to his strengths.
Maybe. Although I think his perceived strength is dribble drive and my observation over the past few games is he’s dribbling into a collapsing defense and often looking for a bailout pass that isn’t there.
Doesn’t feel so much a system issue as it is a goose issue.
I still like him and want him in there. He's there only guy we have as a guard who can attack the hoop regularly, and it's a look our offensive needed desperately at times this year.
He’s arguably the best suited to it, he just looks out of control to me so I’m cringing more than I care to when I see him going to the paint.
After watching the press conference, I must agree that State is way taller than UR. Height, especially at the guard position, gives us trouble.
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