We approach what would seem to be a critical season for our program and Mooney. A string of good recruiting classes (by our fans standards), most experienced starting five (mantra for success in college hoops today is "get old". Dynamic PG and likely all time NCAA steals leader. Return of injured shooters in Sherod and Crabtree. New Robins Center, new PQ center, removal of admin restrictions (straight from poster with connection to PQ), All A10 big man in Golden, etc, etc. What needs to go right, and what can go wrong?:
Right
- Burton - great recruit, and to give Mooney credit has shown steady improvement. IF he can take another step forward and be an A10 POY contender, shoot high 30's to 40 from three, and improve his on ball defense could boost us into a season long top 25 fixture
- Shooting - Sherod, Crabtree stay on floor and shoot like they have shown capable already will make us very hard to guard. Need Dji or Zay to be a threat from three at the other guard spot too. Would be great if Cayo can knock them down. 4 shooters on the court (think St. Mary's team that knocked us out of NCAA) at once is very tough. If other defense only has to guard three on perimeter becomes easier to guard. WIth Sheron and Crabtree should be able to put some really potent line ups on the floor from deep.
- Mooney - As much as I bash him, he is young and I have some hope that he can have some self introspection and improve areas that he ignores or never addresses. Also willing to believe that previous admin was a detriment, and with some recruiting restrictions removed he can build on some pretty good recruiting classes. Yes pretty good. I am seeing some other mid majors I follow be better. Mooney has shown improvement - swooping in to land an ACC decommit is not something he would have done in the past. Need to keep this level and start landing a Burton type every two years. Mooney has a great opportunity to turn it around this year. Let's see something new. Finally went to man to man last year. Let's mix in a new defense too that can be effective and break the other teams rhythm. And let's see the Mooney fire that seems to have faded since 2012.
- Unexpected player - By this I mean do we have a player that will show a huge leap unexpectedly. I am expecting guys like Zay, Koureissi, Dji to take a step forward, but if we can get one of those guys to take a big leap, would be a big boost to our season. Could be one of the freshman too, doubt they have the opportunity but could see a guy like Nelson or Noyes ending up playing a critical role if injury bug bites.
Wrong (what could go south and derail what appears a layup NCAA season)
- Mooney - Converse to the above -at times has shown little ability to adjust when things go bad, in game, in season and over the years. If the same ol Mooney shows up, I do think we can make it to the NCAA. I don't hear him say it, but a lot of good coaches will tell you a player lead team is the best team. We have the experience and talent to have that, but usually the coach needs to be able to steer around the icebergs that inevitably pop up every season. If Mooney cannot do so could put the season at risk.
- Injuries - Goes without saying I guess. If you follow other teams in college hoops, you notice that even though we have had our share of injuries, not really uncommon. I will admit our have been pretty critical and hard to work around. Sherod and Crabtree obviously have a track record, so we have to hope against hope that they can stay on the floor. Injury to Gilyard or Golden for any period puts us in a real tough spot too. Have to hope for the best, but despite a 20 man roster, not sure we have replacements ready to make us an NCAA team if one of the key cogs goes down.
- Chemistry - This is least of my concerns probably. I do give credit for Mooney recruiting a roster of what seems to high character, positive, team first players. Would love to see someone step up and be that Gonzo / Kevin Smith type of fire.
- Covid - Let's get the booster, follow protocols, stay safe, and keep fans in the stand and players on the court. Really hope this season is pretty close to normal - if not we saw last year that we were deeply impacted despite our experience that was supposed to be a huge advantage. Didn't work out that way.
- Negative Experience - Though experienced, this team has basically seen the season go south every single time. I think the fact that these guys came back for an extra year shows they want to overcome this and go out on top. But when we hit the bumps in the road, can we keep the negative vibes at bay?
Overall, it's October, and will be focusing on the positives as the season starts. I like that we are not getting the top 15, top 25 pre-season hype. I think this team is a sweet 16 team waiting to happen.
What am I missing above for go right/ go wrong?
Right
- Burton - great recruit, and to give Mooney credit has shown steady improvement. IF he can take another step forward and be an A10 POY contender, shoot high 30's to 40 from three, and improve his on ball defense could boost us into a season long top 25 fixture
- Shooting - Sherod, Crabtree stay on floor and shoot like they have shown capable already will make us very hard to guard. Need Dji or Zay to be a threat from three at the other guard spot too. Would be great if Cayo can knock them down. 4 shooters on the court (think St. Mary's team that knocked us out of NCAA) at once is very tough. If other defense only has to guard three on perimeter becomes easier to guard. WIth Sheron and Crabtree should be able to put some really potent line ups on the floor from deep.
- Mooney - As much as I bash him, he is young and I have some hope that he can have some self introspection and improve areas that he ignores or never addresses. Also willing to believe that previous admin was a detriment, and with some recruiting restrictions removed he can build on some pretty good recruiting classes. Yes pretty good. I am seeing some other mid majors I follow be better. Mooney has shown improvement - swooping in to land an ACC decommit is not something he would have done in the past. Need to keep this level and start landing a Burton type every two years. Mooney has a great opportunity to turn it around this year. Let's see something new. Finally went to man to man last year. Let's mix in a new defense too that can be effective and break the other teams rhythm. And let's see the Mooney fire that seems to have faded since 2012.
- Unexpected player - By this I mean do we have a player that will show a huge leap unexpectedly. I am expecting guys like Zay, Koureissi, Dji to take a step forward, but if we can get one of those guys to take a big leap, would be a big boost to our season. Could be one of the freshman too, doubt they have the opportunity but could see a guy like Nelson or Noyes ending up playing a critical role if injury bug bites.
Wrong (what could go south and derail what appears a layup NCAA season)
- Mooney - Converse to the above -at times has shown little ability to adjust when things go bad, in game, in season and over the years. If the same ol Mooney shows up, I do think we can make it to the NCAA. I don't hear him say it, but a lot of good coaches will tell you a player lead team is the best team. We have the experience and talent to have that, but usually the coach needs to be able to steer around the icebergs that inevitably pop up every season. If Mooney cannot do so could put the season at risk.
- Injuries - Goes without saying I guess. If you follow other teams in college hoops, you notice that even though we have had our share of injuries, not really uncommon. I will admit our have been pretty critical and hard to work around. Sherod and Crabtree obviously have a track record, so we have to hope against hope that they can stay on the floor. Injury to Gilyard or Golden for any period puts us in a real tough spot too. Have to hope for the best, but despite a 20 man roster, not sure we have replacements ready to make us an NCAA team if one of the key cogs goes down.
- Chemistry - This is least of my concerns probably. I do give credit for Mooney recruiting a roster of what seems to high character, positive, team first players. Would love to see someone step up and be that Gonzo / Kevin Smith type of fire.
- Covid - Let's get the booster, follow protocols, stay safe, and keep fans in the stand and players on the court. Really hope this season is pretty close to normal - if not we saw last year that we were deeply impacted despite our experience that was supposed to be a huge advantage. Didn't work out that way.
- Negative Experience - Though experienced, this team has basically seen the season go south every single time. I think the fact that these guys came back for an extra year shows they want to overcome this and go out on top. But when we hit the bumps in the road, can we keep the negative vibes at bay?
Overall, it's October, and will be focusing on the positives as the season starts. I like that we are not getting the top 15, top 25 pre-season hype. I think this team is a sweet 16 team waiting to happen.
What am I missing above for go right/ go wrong?
