Individual and Team Regression

[URWilk110]

Outside of Cayo, none of the seniors have improved from last year. In fact, they have regressed. Gilyard, Francis, and Golden are all playing at a lower level than last year. The little team defense that was found last year has disappeared.

Many of you thought that there would be improvement from last year and used that as a reason to believe we would have a great year. But you forgot the most important part. Chris Mooney is an AWFUL coach in many areas, especially player development. It is rare that our players improve as their careers at UR progress.

When is this nightmare going to end?

 

[8legs1dream]

I already accepted that Moonpie isn't going anywhere this offseason no matter what and that all shortcomings for next season, of which there will be MANY, will just be blamed on losing the "greatest class ever" and covid fallout so the next honest shot at losing the guy will not be until March 2023 at the absolute soonest in my estimation 😰

 

[Eight Legger]

Think about the fact that Mooney has been our coach for so long that he is now recruiting players who were not yet born when he got the job. Jesus.

 

[mr.spider]

I have often said the coach softens our players. The raw talent, energy, aggressiveness, and competitiveness is slowly drained from them over the years. Even Burton and Gilyard show signs of it. Ocassionally, we get a Kevin Anderson, a TJ Cline, or a Blake Francis who's competitiveness can't be affected by Mooney, but generally this is how it goes.

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Terry Allen
TJ Cline
Kendall Anthony
Shawn'Dre Jones

The fact that none of these guys played in a NCAA tournament game is criminal. The fact they were all on the same team at once makes it even more infuriating. Good chance that list is going to double by the end of the season makes you want to pull your hair out. Going to be able to field an entire team of all time greats to never play in the tournament the past decade.

 

[ur2K]

That is so right, that’s what floors me about how much the dude is defended. If you separate Mooney the man, from Mooney the coach, the results as a coach are so damn underwhelming.

 

[UR80sfan]

Outside of Cayo, none of the seniors have improved from last year. In fact, they have regressed. Gilyard, Francis, and Golden are all playing at a lower level than last year. The little team defense that was found last year has disappeared.

Many of you thought that there would be improvement from last year and used that as a reason to believe we would have a great year. But you forgot the most important part. Chris Mooney is an AWFUL coach in many areas, especially player development. It is rare that our players improve as their careers at UR progress.

When is this nightmare going to end?

It is very unfortunate that people attack our student athletes. You are criticizing 3 outstanding players who have been extremely loyal to the program. Grant and Francis both decided to stay at U of R for their senior year.

The good news is that 99% percent of U of R fans recognize what terrific players they are. I am disappointed they will not be able to hear the earth shattering cheers from fans on senior night showing their appreciation for everything these players have done for the program.

 

[I-M-UR]

Cato has improved significantly. Another year may really be beneficial to him and us

 

[Spider B]

It is very unfortunate that people attack our student athletes. You are criticizing 3 outstanding players who have been extremely loyal to the program. Grant and Francis both decided to stay at U of R for their senior year.

The good news is that 99% percent of U of R fans recognize what terrific players they are. I am disappointed they will not be able to hear the earth shattering cheers from fans on senior night showing their appreciation for everything these players have done for the program.

Hes not attacking anyone. He is saying the coach hasn't developed the players. No one questions the players "loyalty to the program" as you say.

 

[SpiderGuy]

Yes, things happen, & this year was an anomaly. But the entire NCAA was impacted; we didn't have a monopoly on that. However with 4 quality seniors in the lineup + Burton, the talent is there. Sure NS would have helped, but the seasoned 4 + Burton are better than the record shows, and I squarely put the blame on Mooney. Very little ever changes with his philosophy or schemes. We have extensive history with him to back this up. The results are mediocrity. Unless we run he A10 tourney, then another year w/out NCAA appearance.

I can't help but believe that a more skilled coach couldn't have gotten more out of this team. Give us a Tony Bennett, & I have to believe we see better results. How about the job former Wofford coach did at Tech.? He has to rebuild a team and quickly turns things around to NCAA caliber. There are coaches who actually produce.

We won't be having this discussion next year because the skill level drops off & the expectations are minimal - an easier pass for Mooney other than the criticism on recruiting and lack of a legit big man.

No NCAA's in sight as long as this guy is the captain of the ship.

Hopefully we can win the tournament this year; our only chance for years to come.

 

[FRS1976]

Think about the fact that Mooney has been our coach for so long that he is now recruiting players who were not yet born when he got the job. Jesus.

Horrors!

 

[ur2K]

This team isn’t built to win a conference tournament. Too streaky and not enough good shooters, zero depth, and our best big with a broken finger. Anything is possible and it’s less of a grind with the new format, but I wouldn’t go in with a high degree of confidence.

 

[spider23]

Terry Allen
TJ Cline
Kendall Anthony
Shawn'Dre Jones

The fact that none of these guys played in a NCAA tournament game is criminal. The fact they were all on the same team at once makes it even more infuriating. Good chance that list is going to double by the end of the season makes you want to pull your hair out. Going to be able to field an entire team of all time greats to never play in the tournament the past decade.

Ferrum, part of the problem is depth - the fact that we don't have starter level players on the bench. Look at the NCAA team rosters. We had REAL depth. Mooney just cannot construct a roster to that level. Yes, we lost Sherod, that hurt. But we were basically relying on a transfer in Connor Crabtree, coming off a super long layoff and two hip surgeries to help chip in. Come on. And we should have been able to get another true guard on the roster before this freshman class. Again, bad recruiting.

 

[mr.spider]

See, last year, I felt optimistic that we had turned the corner because someone (Hardt, maybe) or something (billboard) had lit a fire under Mooney's ass. He is incapable of lighting his own fire so something had to do it. I was genuinely excited and optimistic not only because we were winning again, but it really appeared amazingly Mooney had changed fundamentally. Change of defense, more emphasis on rebounding, more toughness, even allowing young players to make a mistake and not be pulled immediately. I think he was given an ultimatum (even on coaching style) and was under pressure for his job. Now, after a contract extension, the pressure is off, and the old softening of players and de-emphasis on rebounding and defense is back again. It's not that he doesn't care and strongly wants to win, he is just really ****ing stubborn and honestly believes his severely flawed approach will work.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Ferrum, part of the problem is depth - the fact that we don't have starter level players on the bench. Look at the NCAA team rosters. We had REAL depth. Mooney just cannot construct a roster to that level. Yes, we lost Sherod, that hurt. But we were basically relying on a transfer in Connor Crabtree, coming off a super long layoff and two hip surgeries to help chip in. Come on. And we should have been able to get another true guard on the roster before this freshman class. Again, bad recruiting.

Hey if Sherod was not hurt you would have had Burton and Crabtree and Gus off the bench and unfortunately both
were hit by injury bug. Gus is slowly showing signs of getting back into flow since injury. But I am more perplexed with lack
of time for Isiah Wilson who is showing signs of being a good guard with much quickness. This is where I blame Mooney in his court management. Wilson and Gus are both good defenders and won’t hurt you if giving 2-3 minute blows for Gilyard and Francis and saving their legs for end of game. Grant playing one handed for much of game was a joke. You can say playing with guts and toughness, but not smart with increased limitations on defense. Sal should have played more, for Sal, Cayo and Burton in together is probably best rebounding combination we have.

 

[kneepadmckinney]

It's not that he doesn't care and strongly wants to win, he is just really ****ing stubborn and honestly believes his severely flawed approach will work.

This I think is exactly right. I am very sure her cares deeply, but also just as sure that he is stubborn as hell, and to 23's point, doesn't want to coach out of his comfort zone. Starters, recruiting, time out usage, substitution patterns, etc.

I very much hoped that this class of seniors would be able to implement the repetitions into winning, and they definitely did last year, but for whatever reason it isn't the same this year. Which stinks.

 

[SpiderGuy]

This I think is exactly right. I am very sure her cares deeply, but also just as sure that he is stubborn as hell, and to 23's point, doesn't want to coach out of his comfort zone. Starters, recruiting, time out usage, substitution patterns, etc.

I very much hoped that this class of seniors would be able to implement the repetitions into winning, and they definitely did last year, but for whatever reason it isn't the same this year. Which stinks.

And that's a big part of the problem - his comfort zone. He recruits for comfort zone, plays in comfort zone, & rarely goes outside / adapts from comfort zone. So the big question is this - What has the comfort zone done in 16 years. Answer - 2 NCAA's and slightly beyond .500 winning pct. In other words - mediocrity. We can do better...much better. Is this acceptable - Answer - obvioulsy to the AD's (plural), admin, & money guys - YES.