Sorry, had to do it. We are playing for the A10 tourney now, need to get Dji 20 to 30 minutes a game.
#FreeDji
- Thread starter spider23
- Start date
This is a rallying cry that i think we can all get behind.
#FreeDji
#FreeDji
Play Dji like Baylor did Matthew Mayer the last two years when he wasn't starting ... clearly different level players at this point but we could maybe learn just a bit from Scott Drew and Chris Beard in using our talent more effectively ..
2 first half minutes for a kid who has been showing well = great job Mooney.
Waiting for the patented “I guess I have to figure out how to get him more minutes” from Coach for Life.
Waiting for the patented “I guess I have to figure out how to get him more minutes” from Coach for Life.
Mooney is incompetent, he admits he doesn’t go to the bench enough…..duhhh it only took how many years for him to figure that out? He should go now, any assistant can take over and give the players a chance
Agree with this sentiment. Like 97 and others, I called for him to start at the 2 from the beginning. The reason is his upside.
Said at the time that we would have to be patient as he gained experience. Currently have the same situation with Wilson now, but Wilson's 1/2 year experience hasn't resulted in much gain.
If Bailey had gained the same 1/2 year experience as Wilson at this point, we would be seeing more productivity from a player who is bigger and is as good, if not better defensively. I also believe that once Bailey settles in, he will show a better outside shot, and I'm certain he will be more effective going to the rim.
Having watched Mooney for 17-years, it is my opinion that Bailey is a victim of the Mooney "risk averse" playing time trap. We all know that Mooney prefers players who "make less mistakes, and follow his system to the letter." Mooney has a long history of this, Deion Taylor being the most prominent example. The play it safe, don't take too many chances, and follow the company line type of player has historically gained favor with Mooney.
Most of us realize that gutsy, smart risk takers (if they are good enough) will ultimately have more success. High risk, high reward isn't just an empty tag line. I see Bailey's best game as creativity, hustle, and instinct. You see him take chances (risks) out there now. I, and others like it, and see a big possible upside. This is primarily why fans say that he has high potential and should be playing more.
I suspect that what he likely doesn't understand is that risks make Mooney very uncomfortable. Inexperienced players who take risks will make mistakes as they grow. Bailey comes in giving it 110%, makes a mistake and Mooney focuses on the error and not the gain that could come from his type of effort and mindset. Mooney tightens up, and goes with someone who he feels is less risky. Seen it time and time again from this coach.
Mooney has got to "stop forgetting" to get Bailey off the bench and get him additional time so that he can develop.
Said at the time that we would have to be patient as he gained experience. Currently have the same situation with Wilson now, but Wilson's 1/2 year experience hasn't resulted in much gain.
If Bailey had gained the same 1/2 year experience as Wilson at this point, we would be seeing more productivity from a player who is bigger and is as good, if not better defensively. I also believe that once Bailey settles in, he will show a better outside shot, and I'm certain he will be more effective going to the rim.
Having watched Mooney for 17-years, it is my opinion that Bailey is a victim of the Mooney "risk averse" playing time trap. We all know that Mooney prefers players who "make less mistakes, and follow his system to the letter." Mooney has a long history of this, Deion Taylor being the most prominent example. The play it safe, don't take too many chances, and follow the company line type of player has historically gained favor with Mooney.
Most of us realize that gutsy, smart risk takers (if they are good enough) will ultimately have more success. High risk, high reward isn't just an empty tag line. I see Bailey's best game as creativity, hustle, and instinct. You see him take chances (risks) out there now. I, and others like it, and see a big possible upside. This is primarily why fans say that he has high potential and should be playing more.
I suspect that what he likely doesn't understand is that risks make Mooney very uncomfortable. Inexperienced players who take risks will make mistakes as they grow. Bailey comes in giving it 110%, makes a mistake and Mooney focuses on the error and not the gain that could come from his type of effort and mindset. Mooney tightens up, and goes with someone who he feels is less risky. Seen it time and time again from this coach.
Mooney has got to "stop forgetting" to get Bailey off the bench and get him additional time so that he can develop.
I'm fine with Bailey getting more minutes, but I don't think it's why are 0-2 in a10 play, either. Today, Cayo and Golden missed 14 shots, 13 of which were around the basket. That was why we lost.
Well the good news is we have plenty of front court subs to switch in for those guys.
most coaches say they can live with errors of commission but not errors of omission -- not sure Chris feels the same
This team needs more than a simple one player switch. I am sure SpiderDad wants to see his son play more, but whatever is happening in practice is not turning into more playing time.
Obviously, Dji has gotten even less time in the last 2 games, but he has looked just as shaky as Wilson in that time to me. I don’t know what it is but both of them seem to hit the floor after every drive to the basket. He also got T’d up in the St. Joe’s game, which was surprising.
At this point, I do think it makes sense to the younger players more experience, but we all know that isn’t something that Mooney does. In fact, it seemed like today was a throw back to previous years with starters getting all the minutes.
Obviously, Dji has gotten even less time in the last 2 games, but he has looked just as shaky as Wilson in that time to me. I don’t know what it is but both of them seem to hit the floor after every drive to the basket. He also got T’d up in the St. Joe’s game, which was surprising.
At this point, I do think it makes sense to the younger players more experience, but we all know that isn’t something that Mooney does. In fact, it seemed like today was a throw back to previous years with starters getting all the minutes.
Agree with more than a 1 player switch thought. I can say I don’t think practice really matters imo & thats all I’ll say. The rotation was set a while ago and I personally believe it’s loyalty at this point…cool bc you can’t control that. I agree he was shaky today but 2 min is not a lot of time to adjust either. As far as the T goes…(it was a double tech)didn’t have a problem with it bc he’s not going to let someone talk trash and him not say something back, it’s in the culture of the game and we didn’t raise him that way. What he said certainly didn’t warrant a T either but hey it was Teddy Valentine & crew. Now if that becomes a reg thing then it’s an issue. That being said I agree heart of your post✊🏼😀
Yes Dji has been a little up and down, but has not gotten opportunity to get in a flow. Native, not sure if you ever played the game but how the hell can Dji look any more shaky than Wilson when he plays for 30 seconds and gets the "Mooney Look" for any slight error. Meanwhile we have year 8 guys making hideous plays and staying in. We need to at least give Crab and Dji some burn and see what happens. I have seen enough positive to give it a try. Mooney seems to br getting worse and worse and more entrenched in his losing ways.
besides gilly's steal record and Mooney's steal record, we could also break the records for falling down after drives and players bitching to the refs.
This x 1000. Mooney has clearly shown a deference for bench players who go in and don't make mistakes. They might not make plays either but any guy on the bench who watches the game understands this.
The quickest way to get your ass yanked as a reserve is to go in, be aggressive and make a mistake. This same stipulation of course does not apply to starters who can make as many mistakes as they want, without much consequence at all.
1. Dji getting 2 minutes yesterday is criminal. He is in the classic, I need to find more time for this guy, but I never do from Mooney.
2. I frickin loved Dji standing up for himself during the St. Joes games Mooney bleeds this passion out of players, it was refreshing to see one in a blowout like, say eff this, I'm not going to let these guys treat us like b*tches out there. Rest of our team seems content to whine at the refs and lets us get dunked on and punked for 40 minutes and never stand up for themselves or their teammates. Just like Mooney, soft, comfortable with competing. That play upped his already high standing in my eyes.
#freedji, #makejosephactingHC
Dji is a laid back guy. A lot of times in the early recruiting process coaches thought he wasn’t playing hard, but they soon came to realize he was. It’s his demeanor & personality and they actually loved that about him. I was guilty of it too early in his growth but it’s absolutely just a calm and cool demeanor. But when someone tries to get at him very rarely does he lose his cool. I wouldn’t even say he lost it during St Joes it was more of what you described. Ultimately we have (mom and I) that this season is what it is. I tell him to keep working & of course there is frustration but ultimately he’s like a Fr again, he also gets that free year. But more importantly to keep his Faith in God. He brought you to Richmond for a reason and we must be patient as difficult as it is esp for me and mom. To many times we see kids jump in the portal immediately and run from adversity instead of being patient and ready when your time comes. Again, extremely frustrating when you perceive or think that your child is better than some(skill/talent wise) but that’s the game. Saying all of this I still scratch my head at things and get frustrated like a lot of you guys. Frankly, don’t understand it but we are trusting in God. Dji has 3 years if he wants that extra year and can achieve his goals within this time period. Def will have a convo with staff at end of yr as too where they see Dji moving forward and I expect that answer to be the same as they have said, and by most accounts they have been honest. My only issue is telling someone something and doing something else(things from practice)…I know one poster who thinks that’s me being a whiny dad but I’ll let him continue to assume. I truly believe there will be a time where Dji will be getting all that he desires. 🕷🏀
Well, next year Dji is getting a ton of time. The extra year of eligibility and with so many of our seniors taking advantage of that means that the underclassman are getting screwed this year. His time will come for him to be a major part of this team, like you I think he could and should be playing a more major roll right now, but if you've been around Mooney for any period of time, that is not how he runs things around here.
Agree. He has too much talent no not be playing a lot next year.
As I was trying to say he has too much talent not to be playing a lot next year.
He has too much talent to not be playing more this year. Crabtree too.
Waaay too much experience and talent on this team to be 9-6.
Waaay too much experience and talent on this team to be 9-6.
This team coached properly is 13-2 at a minimum. 9-6 is flat out shameful and inexcusable.
I thought that going in, but after watching I just don't think we're all that good.
So we were 24-7 two seasons ago with the same starters and a much shallower bench. The only real difference is a healthy Nick and Blake.
I’d argue that Tyler has made up for at least one guys scoring. Was the other that instrumental to our success? Perhaps.
As currently coached, you are correct. We are not. But with someone like JB coaching this team? 13-2 would be the floor right now.
we'll never know but both coaches require perimeter shooters. we're not playing Sherod much because of his knees. that means we have a non-perimeter shooter at the 2 ... no matter who we choose. Golden's shot has come a long way but Gilyard lost his last year and it's only gotten worse. Cayo never had one. so we have 2 shooters on the floor when we need 4, and one of those is a guy we'd rather have attacking inside.
I thought the roster was constructed fine based on what I thought we had. I thought we had shooters. I thought Gilyard was being held back by Francis. I htought our oufense would overcome any defensive issues, but I was wrong. we aren't hitting open shots.
Blake was a key player. One of a very small number on the team with toughness.
We don't have shooters, we don't play defense, we don't rebound and we don't shoot free throws well, sans Burton. We don't transfer, we don't (team) bad mouth Mooney, we don't turn the ball over, we don't manage the bench or games very well, we don't win league championships, we don't go to the dance, we don't state CLEARLY defined goals, we don't measure ourselves against those goals because we can't, we don't fire coaches. We don't do crap. Somebody over their do something. Please.
SpiderDad - This is exactly why I said him getting a technical was surprising. I didn’t infer that he shouldn’t stick up for himself, I simply just expected him to ignore the jabber.
I definitely would expect Dji to get lots of playing time next year and really hope he gets more significant time this year. My point was I don’t think simply swapping Zay for Dji is the answer. I obviously have no idea what happens at practice or what he is being told. I just have to assume that CM is not seeing whatever he needs to see.
I really hope Dji doesn’t go to the portal because transferring is no cup of tea. I know because I did it and my only piece of advice to my athlete was go to the best school for them and not the best team/coach. The coach could leave or be fired, players graduate or get hurt, or these days leave. There is also no guarantee that the new place is any better. Glad you are a faith filled family because that definitely counts TONS.
I do agree with your loyalty point and expect that is what we are going to see even if it isn’t the best path forward for the future. It was very surprising that CM moved Zay in as the starter over Nick as soon as he did even though everyone saw Nick wasn’t the same. I have to guess that the reason is simply that Nick thought it was best. That being said, Goose is not close either and at least CM isn’t trying to force him into the game.
Hang in there Dji and Go Spiders!
Correct. We have two preseason first team A-10 players AND a player who wasn't preseason first team but probably is one of the front runners for A-10 POY (he won't win it because we are going to finish middle of the pack). On top of that we have 2 more 5th year seniors AND deep bench. All of our players have played together multiple years. And yet, we are 9-6.
If that is not an indictment of Mooney's coaching skills, I don't know what is. The players have to be so frustrated, they know this. They came back to do something special and instead are rerunning last year which was one of the most underperforming teams of all time. St. Joes they just quit on the game plan and chucked 3's. St. Louis they executed the game plan, played really hard, and still lost comfortably.
The team has a mentality at this point, in that they expect for something to go wrong because guess what it always does.
Again, all of this directly points back to the head coach. If he had any damn pride, he would just step aside and let Joseph take over, and then maybe these kids have a chance. Otherwise, we are just playing out a string at this point.
We are just very bad defensively. Our offense is hot/cold at the moment - and with that, your asking this team to outscore opponents with a Princeton light offense. This makes it very difficult. We are giving up 70 points a night and I think everyone would agree - we are not playing the offensive studs of college basketball with our schedule. And on the flip side - we are only scoring 72 a night. So little margin for error there.
Think back to the NCAA days with Anderson and Harper and company - we were getting about 70 points a night but only giving up 61 - gives us a cushion for those cold shooting nights to keep the game close and try to pull one out at the end.
We shoot well and score near 80 - we will be fine. Other than that - we are looking at .500 in the league and middle of the pack.
Think back to the NCAA days with Anderson and Harper and company - we were getting about 70 points a night but only giving up 61 - gives us a cushion for those cold shooting nights to keep the game close and try to pull one out at the end.
We shoot well and score near 80 - we will be fine. Other than that - we are looking at .500 in the league and middle of the pack.
I mistakenly thought this team would be better without Blake and his shoot first mentality. I thought Gilly would step up and be the alpha on this team in his absence. He hasn't. Blake was one of the few guys during Mooney's tenure, that Mooney was not able to bleed the fire out of him. We miss that.
97, I guarantee none on the team are blaming Mooney for these loses. I know coaches make a difference but end of the day the players have to make plays and shots and get stops. as always it's the Jimmy's and Joe's.
as for Dji and Zay ... they can both play and will keep getting better but I'm not sure they can play together. we can't run 2 defense first guards out there together for 25 mpg next year. one of those 2 guard spots needs to net us about 14 ppg next year. maybe one of those two will, but the door certainly looks to be open for one of Nelson, Randolph, Dread or Noyes.
as for Dji and Zay ... they can both play and will keep getting better but I'm not sure they can play together. we can't run 2 defense first guards out there together for 25 mpg next year. one of those 2 guard spots needs to net us about 14 ppg next year. maybe one of those two will, but the door certainly looks to be open for one of Nelson, Randolph, Dread or Noyes.
Posted this In October before season started,
"Hope the focus off season has been on defense. If we can get back to where we were the first year we switched from match up to man to man, with the offensive weapons we have, Spiders will be a challenge for most any team."
Obviously, this did not happen. That is on coach. Defense is desire and technique. As with most Mooney teams, we are lacking in both.
"Hope the focus off season has been on defense. If we can get back to where we were the first year we switched from match up to man to man, with the offensive weapons we have, Spiders will be a challenge for most any team."
Obviously, this did not happen. That is on coach. Defense is desire and technique. As with most Mooney teams, we are lacking in both.
Guarantee, Guarantee (in my Mora playoffs voice 😀), what are you on staff with 4700 now?
DJi is not getting more time. That would be planning for the future, and right now Mooney is trying to stay alive (if he wants to) for his next deal at UR.
Expect Gilly to play 39-40 minutes a night. I would then expect him to extend starters minutes as much as possible. Even though last game they all played over 30 minutes, so not much room there - but I could see Burton get near 39-40 minutes as well. And then I would see him play Sherod even more. Sounds counter-productive, since Sherod is a step slow on defense. But he will be searching for someone to get us out of this shooting slump and I could see him and even Crabtree getting more opportunities to shoot.
Expect Gilly to play 39-40 minutes a night. I would then expect him to extend starters minutes as much as possible. Even though last game they all played over 30 minutes, so not much room there - but I could see Burton get near 39-40 minutes as well. And then I would see him play Sherod even more. Sounds counter-productive, since Sherod is a step slow on defense. But he will be searching for someone to get us out of this shooting slump and I could see him and even Crabtree getting more opportunities to shoot.
I know Dji is known for his defense, but I like what I see on offense too. He is fluid and confident.
