#FreeDji

[97spiderfan]

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.

With all due respect, none of us know how the players really feel (well maybe SpiderDad). That said, these are all smart young men and while I'm sure they all shoulder the bulk of the responsibility for our poor play, they are certainly not tone deaf to Mooney's record of not making the NCAA's, nor the fans dissatisfaction with him.

Will they every say so publicly, of course not, that would be entirely inappropriate. Now privately, when they are in their rooms, texting, etc.., what are they saying, that was my point. Do they say, damn why do we not go aggressively for offensive rebounds ever, why is our defense leaving is so exposed on so many levels, why are inferior programs like St. Joes waxing us on our home court.

Sherod, Gilly, Grant came back specifically to go to the NCAA and wipe the bad taste out of their mouths from last year's collapse and well that whole plan is shot to hell now. I have to think their is some questioning going on, I'm sure privately in players heads or maybe in small discussions. They wouldn't be human if they weren't.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

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.

This is a sad, but I think 100 % on target. Mooney is now playing to salvage the season and prolong his career.

I think that we will see "tightening up" Mooney and "play it safe" decision-making the rest of the way. 18-14 gets him another extension, just as it has in the past.

 

[spider23]

I'd like to see some extended time with Gilly, Dji, Crab, Burton, and Golden, and let's see what happens.

 

[Eight Legger]

Crabtree's minutes need to increase. He's like Burton lite. Give him 20+ and let's see what he can do.

 

[spider23]

Agree about Crabtree. Unless he is on some kind of minutes restrictions, he should be getting some more minutes. He is very solid in many parts of the game, tries on defense, and can get hot from 3.

 

[spiderman]

With all due respect, none of us know how the players really feel (well maybe SpiderDad). That said, these are all smart young men and while I'm sure they all shoulder the bulk of the responsibility for our poor play, they are certainly not tone deaf to Mooney's record of not making the NCAA's, nor the fans dissatisfaction with him.

Will they every say so publicly, of course not, that would be entirely inappropriate. Now privately, when they are in their rooms, texting, etc.., what are they saying, that was my point. Do they say, damn why do we not go aggressively for offensive rebounds ever, why is our defense leaving is so exposed on so many levels, why are inferior programs like St. Joes waxing us on our home court.

Sherod, Gilly, Grant came back specifically to go to the NCAA and wipe the bad taste out of their mouths from last year's collapse and well that whole plan is shot to hell now. I have to think their is some questioning going on, I'm sure privately in players heads or maybe in small discussions. They wouldn't be human if they weren't.

I'm saying losers blame others.

we can blame Mooney. he recruited these players. he teaches his offense and defense. he sets the lineup and rotation. if we lose, yes it's on him.

but the players on the floor are the ones competing. if they lose, I sure hope they put it on themselves. they better or they're the wrong men. getting beat to the hole or beat for a rebound or missing foul shots ... a player better not be blaming a coach for that. and I don't think any are. they back him to a man. I don't think they're insincere. if you think they are then I think you're just projecting your thoughts on them.

 

[spiders13]

I'm saying losers blame others.

we can blame Mooney. he recruited these players. he teaches his offense and defense. he sets the lineup and rotation. if we lose, yes it's on him.

but the players on the floor are the ones competing. if they lose, I sure hope they put it on themselves. they better or they're the wrong men. getting beat to the hole or beat for a rebound or missing foul shots ... a player better not be blaming a coach for that. and I don't think any are. they back him to a man. I don't think they're insincere. if you think they are then I think you're just projecting your thoughts on them.

TJ would say you are correct.

 

[spiderman]

TJ would say you are correct.

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he's the man.

 

[8legs1dream]

the Mooney Stockholm Syndrome runs deep in this program

 

[97spiderfan]

TJ would say you are correct.

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Yeah, I get what you both are saying But damn that is some cognitive dissonance. Same shit has been happening year after year after year and yet it is always the players fault or in TJ's case the program's loss. Who runs the program, TJ??? Who is in charge? Where does the buck stop?

 

[SpiderAlways]

TJ would say you are correct.

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Ten years of the players saying it’s on them🧐

 

[Eight Legger]

The players don't know what they don't know. Mooney isn't teaching them how to play an effective defense, for example. So yeah, technically it's their fault they don't play good defense, but it's also his fault for not teaching them how to.

He also seemingly doesn't impart any sense of urgency or toughness to his teams year after year after year.

 

[SpiderDad75]

The players don't know what they don't know. Mooney isn't teaching them how to play an effective defense, for example. So yeah, technically it's their fault they don't play good defense, but it's also his fault for not teaching them how to.

He also seemingly doesn't impart any sense of urgency or toughness to his teams year after year after year.

I’m not sure about that…sure guys should still be taught defense but I’m not buying guys don’t know the fundamentals of how to play D. Regular fans can be clueless too. Hell, in fact Noah tweeted that Dji was too deep (vs St Joes) & gave up a 3 when in fact he was in perfect position in a team man defense, which left me scratching my head a bit…maybe I’m being petty if I knew how to post a pic of said D I would 😀 Sure it’s the staffs job to make these guys better defensively but I’m not buying that they(players) “don’t know how” at this level for 5th & 6th yr guys esp. Can we really teach toughness? Every player has this in different ways but if you don’t have that ”dog” you ain’t teaching that imo. Teams can take on the demeanor of their coach, this is true but does that equate for “softness” of players?

 

[Eight Legger]

Sure, they all know how to play defense, but going rogue and playing the way they know vs. playing the way Mooney wants has been earning guys pine time for 17 years. I'm sure they all want to offense rebound too, but Mooney demands that they get back on D instead for some reason. If you don't do what he says, I suspect you don't play. That's more what I was getting at.

And the toughness thing, maybe he recruits mostly finesse players, I don't know. But individually we've seemed to have a bunch of tough kids in this program but collectively they play soft year after year after year. Not sure who else to blame for that than Mooney, since he's been the only constant.

 

[SpiderDad75]

Sure, they all know how to play defense, but going rogue and playing the way they know vs. playing the way Mooney wants has been earning guys pine time for 17 years. I'm sure they all want to offense rebound too, but Mooney demands that they get back on D instead for some reason. If you don't do what he says, I suspect you don't play. That's more what I was getting at.

And the toughness thing, maybe he recruits mostly finesse players, I don't know. But individually we've seemed to have a bunch of tough kids in this program but collectively they play soft year after year after year. Not sure who else to blame for that than Mooney, since he's been the only constant.

I can get with your argument and you have valid points for sure ✊🏼

 

[SpiderTrap]

One thing JW used to say and I always like his honesty in this respect. He once told me after a W at the Robins Center. Players win games, coaches lose games. And that is just the nature of the business - we can't fire the players. And even though the coach didn't take a shot, miss a shot, miss a defensive assignment, etc - the blame for the loss always goes to the coach. This is why they get paid so much - to take the blame. So yeah this loss is on Mooney. Its nothing against Mooney, its just the nature of the sport.

 

[SpiderDad75]

One thing JW used to say and I always like his honesty in this respect. He once told me after a W at the Robins Center. Players win games, coaches lose games. And that is just the nature of the business - we can't fire the players. And even though the coach didn't take a shot, miss a shot, miss a defensive assignment, etc - the blame for the loss always goes to the coach. This is why they get paid so much - to take the blame. So yeah this loss is on Mooney. Its nothing against Mooney, its just the nature of the sport.

Fair

 

[spider23]

I get the argument that these guys are 5th and 6th year seniors, and should know how to do certain things. I know when us old guys in the 30+ league in my town would scrimmage with the h.s. guys there would be a lot of bitching about young guys not calling out picks, not finding open man, etc etc. In college coaching is super important. I saw that St Joe player continously establish deep paint/point blank position on Grant. Yes, Grant should know to push him out further, and probably does. If he was at a competitive open gym run his teammates would probably give him hell. BUT, same issue was there for ANO, and TJ, and others. That is coaching. Whether it is "we don't want him picking up fouls" or that is just the way we play, etc I don't know, but these things never get fixed.

 

[SpiderGuy]

Agree about Crabtree. Unless he is on some kind of minutes restrictions, he should be getting some more minutes. He is very solid in many parts of the game, tries on defense, and can get hot from 3.

It seems to me that he was looking to shoot more earlier in the season. Seems lately more in the offensive flow and distributing the ball. We know he’s got a good shot. Would like to see him shoot more.

 

[spiders13]

Did I miss something? Why hasn’t he sniffed the court in the second half?

 

[SFspidur]

Mooney forgot about him.

 

[whampas]

Mooney plays to not lose. That works about half the time.

 

[Gospiders06]

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.

I kept hearing how we went 24-7. How does that same group currently 10-6. One player doesn't define a team. It all goes back to coaching. This team is so inconsistent its not even funny. We have KEY moments where we can't score for 5 mins. That is a huge red flag.

 

[CH_Spider]

Was thinking the same thing. Do we really think Mooney just forgot about him?

 

[PalmTreeSpidUR]

I'm really disappointed that he seems to be the "fade to the end of the bench/I forgot to put him in" guy this year. I thought he showed a lot of promise earlier in the season.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Sure, they all know how to play defense, but going rogue and playing the way they know vs. playing the way Mooney wants has been earning guys pine time for 17 years. I'm sure they all want to offense rebound too, but Mooney demands that they get back on D instead for some reason. If you don't do what he says, I suspect you don't play. That's more what I was getting at.

And the toughness thing, maybe he recruits mostly finesse players, I don't know. But individually we've seemed to have a bunch of tough kids in this program but collectively they play soft year after year after year. Not sure who else to blame for that than Mooney, since he's been the only constant.

Look at makeup of some of Dick Tarrants teams. Not great size, but fundamentally very strong on defense like Peter Woolfolk, Kenny Wood, Kenny Atkinson and did I mention they were not bad on offense either. I believe there was a level of toughness that was a reflection of their coach.

 

[kneepadmckinney]

This game it looked like Goose got the second half minutes, and probably rightfully so. He played very well. It's pretty clear at this point that everyone gets a few minutes in the first half, and then Mooney shortens the bench in the second half to the players he thinks are playing best to give Wilson, Burton, and Cayo a rest.

 

[97spiderfan]

I blame this thread. Mooney is a spiteful little one, he says the board wanted Dji, he says I can't stand that board, I'll show them. Great job 23

 

[SpiderTrap]

DJI playing time I think is done. It may disappear at some point as well if Gustav is back to full strength and playing well. You see how Sal has disappeared, I may expect the same for DJI. And then we go with Grace, Sherod, Gustav, and Crabtree off the bench. Look for Burton and Gilyard to get near 40 minutes in tighter games. Grant will be near 30 and Cayo depends on how he is playing but expect him near 30 as well. That just leaves Wilson, who will probably go around 20 and that is where Sherod, Gustav, and Crabtree come in.

 

[spider23]

I blame this thread. Mooney is a spiteful little one, he says the board wanted Dji, he says I can't stand that board, I'll show them. Great job 23

I will take the blame, I am sorry Dji. I waited and waited.

Now if I say Mooney will not teach rebounding , he will

 

[spider23]

Trap, did think Goose and Crab looked pretty good at times. When Goose hit that 3, Bob Black said he watches him rain those in all day in practice. It was very enjoyable to see Matt Smith giving the half time report!

 

[spiderman]

that's the best Goose has looked this year. when he plays like that he gives us a better chance to win. I expect he'll play more, cutting mostly into the time that was going to Zay and Dji.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Just remember - Mooney is fighting for his extension at this point. So do you think he will go with an unproven young guy in DJI or Goose, assuming he is back to 100% and Goose looked his best last night so I think he might be close to it.

 

[3genspider]

This game it looked like Goose got the second half minutes, and probably rightfully so. He played very well. It's pretty clear at this point that everyone gets a few minutes in the first half, and then Mooney shortens the bench in the second half to the players he thinks are playing best to give Wilson, Burton, and Cayo a rest.

Well that didn't work so well last night. First half went really well then Mooney changes up the game plan. Guess instead of "if it ain't broke don't fix it", he would rather switch it up if it is working.

 

[whampas]

Well that didn't work so well last night. First half went really well then Mooney changes up the game plan. Guess instead of "if it ain't broke don't fix it", he would rather switch it up if it is working.

Mooney got a major dose of zone(s) defense in the second half and tried to adjust with players instead of strategy/system. He was lost, again.

 

[GKiller]

Like trap I just don’t see a lot of mins coming for Dji either. Not that I don’t want to see a little more but not expecting.

Goose should get the most bench minutes imo. I’ve long been a believer in Goose & know not everyone agrees but fact is we were at our best in 19-20 when he got consistent PT. Our rhythm was good when he played. Last year I think it was the injury & now he’s just getting back. Also think his jumper can be there he has good form it’s just a little flat. Now it’s just 1 game, Moon could definitely forget about him too. I just think he’s been used in ineffectively overall by Moon tho the injury likely played a role we’ll see.

Plus then u add in Sherod is going to get time, u have Grace for Golden, then also Crabtree. Moon will play Gilly as much as possible, & Burton deserves all the PT. Really not much time for Dji.

 

[97spiderfan]

Goose and Dji have very similar skill sets. Goose is more seasoned so it makes sense if he is fully healthy that he probably has a leg up. It is really sad though because I think Dji has a higher upside to his game, but he needs a chance to prove that in game action, which he is not getting right now.

 

[kneepadmckinney]

Well that didn't work so well last night. First half went really well then Mooney changes up the game plan. Guess instead of "if it ain't broke don't fix it", he would rather switch it up if it is working.

I don't disagree. Frankly, I don't love the lineups with Cayo and Wilson in together.

 

[GKiller]

Re: Goose I’ll add I also think he shoots the corner 3 well. I don’t have the stats on those but Richmond staff should! Last night he hit 3s from corner but my recollection is he’s hit those at good clip all career. He struggles on wing or top of key ones so play to strength.

there is argument to get Dji more time w his length at guard & just to see what he can do esp w us out of at large prospects. But Moon will play for the top 4 seed which has value given its our only viable yet slim path to NCAA.

 

[SpiderGuy]

that's the best Goose has looked this year. when he plays like that he gives us a better chance to win. I expect he'll play more, cutting mostly into the time that was going to Zay and Dji.

I like the fact that he's scrappy on defense & can shoot 3's as well as take it the rim on offense. If he performs the rest of the season like last night, it's a bonus for us.