Friendsuh honored on Senior Day?

[97spiderfan]

Mooney has never started his seniors so I didn't expect him to start yesterday. However, what stunned me is that Paul didn't even get on the court, given the fact that Paul has been regularly playing a few minutes nearly every game all season. And all of a sudden, senior day comes and Paul's family is in town and Mooney doesn't get him in at all. Is there some animosity with Paul, was this a last minute decision by Paul? It kind of seems that way because I just don't see any good explanation at ALL for not giving Paul 2-3 minutes yesterday.

Another thing that has not been brought up about yesterday game is that Mooney was almost antagonistically going after the officials at several times in the second half. Mooney yells at officials over bad calls as most coaches do but yesterday just seemed different, like he was trying to induce an altercation.

Personally, I think Mooney is feeling a lot of pressure. The 26 second post game interview, refusing to answer a question on his call in show about what has disappointed him this season, not playing Paul, his interactions with the officials yesterday. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you will but I think the pressure is getting to Mooney and instead of rising above it, it is almost bringing out the worst in him.

 

[SpiderPride]

Both Paul and Joe Kirby played high leverage minutes during the VCU game, which was the only game we've won in the past 7. So don't give me the "can't risk it" rationale.

I've seen JG give Coach the "STHU, I got this" look a few times as he's dribbling into the front court.

That's a really good point on the VCU game.

 

[Eight Legger]

Mooney was pretty livid yesterday, clearly feeling pressure. That said, I would have tripped that one official after his fourth blown traveling no-call in about two minutes, so Mooney had more restraint than I did. Of course even if they'd gotten all those calls correct, we probably find another way to lose by 2 instead.

 

[MidloTrader]

Agree. A travesty not to have all Seniors start or at least make sure they get a minute or two each. As bad as this team played during 1st half, any off the bench couldn't have done much worse.

 

[BillyWayne]

Absolutely no inside knowledge here, but suppose CM wanted PF to come back next year and PF said I've got one more year of eligibility, but I don't want to play here. Would that make a difference? I think it would to me.

 

[ThePhysician]

He has more skills than our last two grad transfers . I say he should go for it . Maybe Campbell or Denver ?

 

[MrTbone]

I don’t see a scenario where CM wanted Paul back. I’ve expected this since last year. There’s just no confidence there, although I see enough to think he can be a competent sub for 5 minutes a game.

 

[UFA 2006]

Absolutely no inside knowledge here, but suppose CM wanted PF to come back next year and PF said I've got one more year of eligibility, but I don't want to play here. Would that make a difference? I think it would to me.

PF was under no obligation to tell Mooney he was leaving. But maybe he confided in Mooney that he was leaving because he was loyal and he felt that was the right thing to do. And maybe he also wanted to leave with dignity with his family present on senior night. And maybe that didn't go over well with Mooney. So PF sat the bench last night from start to finish.

Or maybe I'm totally wrong, because unless someone's in the locker room and can tell us the true story, this whole thread is pure speculation. But the thread is here for a reason, and that reason is a highly paid coach on year 7 of a "no NCAA" streak.

The interest and speculation on this thread speak volumes of the state of Spider basketball and its coach.

 

[Eight Legger]

If Mooney intentionally benched him after PF told him of his decision, that would be pretty small time of him. Can't imagine he would have done that – why would he? It's clear he expects nothing of PF and wold expect nothing of him next year, either. It's not like he was counting on him to lead us to the NCAAs.

 

[whampas]

Nothing matters, other than the fact that Mooney chose to not play Paul for one second on senior night. Paul's non-appearance in the game speaks volumes of Mooney. It's shameful.

 

[Octapod]

The sad reality is in order to win the multiday A10 tourney,(pipe dream, BTW) Mooney will have to play Paul/JMA at some point. That is the reality of the situation. Sitting both of those players all game was not the right message.

 

[Spiders10]

re: Cayo, mooney has been riding him all season. This isnt anything new. For some reason Mooney always picks a player that he feels can be great, and pushes that player harder than the others. He did the same thing with Terry Allen and Justin Harper.

Years ago, I sat on the baseline right beside the bench for an ooc game against Tn-Chatt. My seat was so close I was practically on the bench with the players. Harper and KA were either Fr or Soph, I can't remember. What I do recall is that Mooney rode Harper the entire game. The tongue lashings directed at Harper were filled with profanities. On one offensive possession, Harper turned the ball over right beside the bench. Mooney walks over to Harper and says, "that was a STUPID f'in play!"

I guess the approach worked for Harper and Allen, so maybe the same result for Cayo.

 

[ThePhysician]

How could he not realize how not playing Paul on Senior Day would affect the fans?

 

[spider fan]

Spider Fan, it was Nate Cayo he was berating. Just making sure you knew who it was.

Thanks K - yes I misunderstood.

 

[SpiderK]

If Mooney intentionally benched him after PF told him of his decision, that would be pretty small time of him. Can't imagine he would have done that – why would he? It's clear he expects nothing of PF and wold expect nothing of him next year, either. It's not like he was counting on him to lead us to the NCAAs.

I am sure the same thing happened when he heard rumblings of Solly leaving after the season.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

I think it is shameful that Paul and JMA didn't get to play with their families there. I have lost all respect for mooney, I'm not even going to capitalize his name again.

I hope someone will call his stupid show tomorrow and let him have it. I would myself but will be over the Atlantic somewhere flying home from Ireland. #mooney

This is said with a hint of sarcasm, but a load of realism as well:

What if Mooney started Paul Friendshue, Kirby, and JMA as he should have, AND they performed extremely well? This scenario is not completely out of the question since all 3 are college basketball players. They could have led 9-4 after the first 3-minutes. If the 1-game starters performed better than expected, then Mooney would have to answer more questions about his player management decisions. Hum

 

[SpiderPride]

Against Texas, #5 Kansas just started their, "rarely used bench player, Clay Young, who gets the start tonight on senior night as he has put in his time for Bill Self". Dickie V - "You need those unselfish players to win."

Please start Paul in our last (and pretty meaningless) home game of the year! A game late, but it would be pretty cool and would really pump up the crowd.

 

[Eight Legger]

Bob somewhat asked Mooney about Paul not playing on the show tonight, but didn't ask "Why didn't you play him on Senior Night?" Basically Mooney gave a circuitous answer about how it was just a gameflow thing and he thought a faster lineup would help us.

 

[SpiderK]

Bob somewhat asked Mooney about Paul not playing on the show tonight, but didn't ask "Why didn't you play him on Senior Night?" Basically Mooney gave a circuitous answer about how it was just a gameflow thing and he thought a faster lineup would help us.

Have to call BS on that. There are a dozen assistants to remind him not to screw the parents over.

 

[I-M-UR]

Bob somewhat asked Mooney about Paul not playing on the show tonight, but didn't ask "Why didn't you play him on Senior Night?" Basically Mooney gave a circuitous answer about how it was just a gameflow thing and he thought a faster lineup would help us.

What cxxp. Just a plain and simple 'I got caught up in the game and forgot about it' would have been better. Either way it kind of proves how bad a game coach they are if he and his assistance can't keep something like that in mind during the game, Even starting him at the beginning of the second half would have been the right thing to do, especially when you consider the game that isn't going to make or break the season....I hope his family didn't pay a dime to get here and if they did Mooney should personally send them a check for expenses and time, with an appology note.

 

[97spiderfan]

I hope the Friendshuh's just send Hardt a nice little e-mail as to how they wish they could have seen their son play on senior day, like most other programs do.

 

[ur2K]

He's been forgetting to put Paul into the game for most of his time here.

 

[I-M-UR]

He's been forgetting to put Paul into the game for most of his time here.

I agree he could have been an bigger asset to the team.

 

[Octapod]

Bob somewhat asked Mooney about Paul not playing on the show tonight, but didn't ask "Why didn't you play him on Senior Night?" Basically Mooney gave a circuitous answer about how it was just a gameflow thing and he thought a faster lineup would help us.

Mooney's answer might be more telling than people think. "A faster lineup" appears to be Mooney's "go to" strategy. When in doubt throw a bunch of guards out there and play small ball. "Who cares if the other team is pounding us into submission in the paint? Who cares if the other team keeps rebounding and shooting shots until they get one to go in? We will rain 3s from downtown. As long as we keep the other team from raining 3s themselves, we will trade 3s for 2s and be victorious! Heck, we won't even have to rebound. We don't need no stinking Dunkiers. We don't need no stinking Friendshuhs. Just bring the thunder and lightning from long distance and make it RRRAAAAIIINNN! Who's with me?"

 

[Not-A-Homer]

Mooney's answer might be more telling than people think. "A faster lineup" appears to be Mooney's "go to" strategy. When in doubt throw a bunch of guards out there and play small ball. "Who cares if the other team is pounding us into submission in the paint? Who cares if the other team keeps rebounding and shooting shots until they get one to go in? We will rain 3s from downtown. As long as we keep the other team from raining 3s themselves, we will trade 3s for 2s and be victorious! Heck, we won't even have to rebound. We don't need no stinking Dunkiers. We don't need no stinking Friendshuhs. Just bring the thunder and lightning from long distance and make it RRRAAAAIIINNN! Who's with me?"

I love that type of game. Problem is that Mooney doesn't have the shooters to make it work.

 

[spider23]

#BringPaulBack

 

[whampas]

I don't know why Mooney is so down on Paul. Mooney recruited him, he obviously some some potential. Speaks to (1) Mooney's talent assessment abilities and (2) his ability to coach them up. Fire Mooney.

 

[Spiders10]

This program makes me want to puke.

 

[coach fezz]

Coach always with pivot trouble unless the player comes all ready loaded . Why is so hard ?

 

[spiderman]

Coach always with pivot trouble unless the player comes all ready loaded . Why is so hard ?

TJ's post game improved dramatically in his time here.
Grant is way beyond what he showed early last year.

 

[I-M-UR]

Ok I'll ask again, does anyone know why was senior day last week and not tonight? Spring break for the students doesn't start until March 9th?

 

[Eight Legger]

Ok I'll ask again, does anyone know why was senior day last week and not tonight? Spring break for the students doesn't start until March 9th?

Mooney heard Paul's parents would be in town and decided it would be easier to embarrass him then instead of waiting till tonight.

Actually, it's because the crowd is better on a weekend and they wanted the most people there, according to what Mooney actually said.

 

[spider23]

TJ's post game improved dramatically in his time here.
Grant is way beyond what he showed early last year.

Sorry spiderman, not to be contrarian (I would not do that) but TJ was pretty darn good at Niagara - all rookie. From what I could tell on social media, spent a lot of the offseason working out with Nike, NBA and other stuff. Grant is an unusual case b/c of his circumstance and very small sample size last year. The year getting in shape and stronger definitely helped. Harper's first three years were ok, then he went to Boston for the summer prior to senior season and voila. I think Mooney should have requested all big players to go to Boston for that big man camp like Harp.

 

[spiderman]

come on, 23. coach fezz made a blanket statement that big men don't improve here. I gave 2 really recent examples of big men making tremendous strides while here. I'm not saying it was magic, or that they weren't skilled. or that they didn't do things off our campus to improve. or that another coach wouldn't have seen similar improvement. I'm just calling out a fallacy.

TJ was an under recruited but talented kid. he had a nice year in the MAAC at Niagra averaging 7.9 ppg. getting from there to 18 ppg+ in the A10 is a substantial jump.

Grant last year didn't look anything like the guy we see here today. small sample size? ok. but that doesn't change the fact that he's at a whole new level. and he's still just a freshmen with more room for improvement.

 

[SpiderK]

TJ’s improvements were helped tremendously by his mother sending him to NBA camps in the off season and his own dedication. I have noticed a big improvement in GG from last year to this year. I am sure TJ had a hand it that.

 

[spiderman]

all players put it work outside of school. at least the ones who improve do. TJ's work at NBA camps and his dedication to fitness before his senior year raised him to POY level. but he was scoring 18 ppg as a junior before all of that too. I'm not buying that Mooney, DeMayo and others didn't have a huge part in TJ's development.

being around TJ of course helped Grant. you can learn a ton just watching him. not sure how much TJ was around for all of Grant's offseason work, though. our coaches deserve credit sometimes even if it pains some of you. they aren't sitting on their hands while the players get better.

 

[spiderman]

another was Terry Allen. I think his post game improved dramatically while here.

 

[spider23]

another was Terry Allen. I think his post game improved dramatically while here.

I'm not going to take your bait and bash players to help support Fezz's case. I do generally agree that players motivation and work outside of the team is a big indicator. I do think that once Harp did this he showed much improvement. I'll just say Jim Shields was a guy and Mike Wienicki also that were directly attributable to the coach. I thought Terry Allen was one of Mooney's very good recruits and super talented coming out of h.s. in Texas.

 

[spiderman]

not trying to bait at all. Terry, TJ and Grant were all super talented. not sure your point. I'm just saying these guys improved their post game while here. Fezz said that doesn't happen.

and as for Justin ... another super talented kid who came a really long way too. some people believe all the credit for that goes to a few days at the NBA camp in Boston. I don't.

 

[spider23]

Mooney truthers, the best.