Matt Grace is key - next year

[RichmondNative]

Article on Matt Grace in RTD yesterday.

Definitely sounds like Money has some work to do if he wants him in the mix next year.

It is going to be interesting to see if the “Hotel California” trend continues or not with the current Seniors.

Astrophysics and astronomy? Spider Matt Grace isn't your typical hoops player.

The Spiders (10-6, 1-2 A-10) host Davidson (13-2, 3-0 A-10), a winner of 12 straight, Friday at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.

richmond.com

 

[97spiderfan]

Mooney is gonna have to get on his knees and beg Matt Grace to come back next year, so we have some semblance of a front court. Who else do we have on our roster. I know we have a freshman big man coming in, but really, are we going to throw a freshman big out there as our starter next year, if Grace doesn't return.

 

[8legs1dream]

Mooney is gonna have to get on his knees and beg Matt Grace to come back next year, so we have some semblance of a front court. Who else do we have on our roster. I know we have a freshman big man coming in, but really, are we going to throw a freshman big out there as our starter next year, if Grace doesn't return.

I don't think the rest of the A10 would have any issues with that strategy.

 

[Eight Legger]

Our new coach will be familiar with this thing called "the transfer portal," which Mooney knows nothing about.

 

[SpiderRick]

You need to remember that last year when Golden was out with an injury, Grace did a solid job filling in because he got more than 13 minutes a game. Almost no Mooney recruits come in ready to play as freshmen in his system, especially big men. Cline was, but he wasn't a freshman and hardly played until it became painfully obvious that Mooney HAD to start him. Really, other than 4 or 5 star recruits (which we get none of), how many big men come in as 18 year-olds and are ready to start on a D-1 team? You guys who are always bashing Grace better HOPE he comes back. But in that article, he said that he will probably be playing "somewhere", and that doesn't sound promising for Richmond.

 

[Gospiders06]

Next year? We are barely on the bubble this year. Next year we are way outside the bubble.

 

[spiderman]

interesting last paragraph. sounds like he'll look. I'm sure a few guys who were supposed to be main guys this year but got pushed back by the super seniors were inwardly frustrated. but I don't think he'll find a better playing time situation if that's the priority. could be he wants a bigger graduate program.

I know some will say Mooney doesn't hit the transfer portal much, but this year will have a ton of players including all the Ivy big man seniors who can't stay there. we already have one spot that we don't seem to be trying to fill too hard outside of Buchanan.

 

[Spiders4ever]

We can just keep holding on to the older guys until they retire.

 

[MrTbone]

I think MG has developed into a serviceable backup 5 but it’s definitely an indictment of our recruiting/retention that there is no other option there other than him and Sal.

 

[spider23]

You guys who are always bashing Grace better HOPE he comes back.

Or else, or else we will miss the ncaas again.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

It would be smart for Grace to find a good team in a 1/2 step down conference (Big South, CAA, and others) that has a big man as a missing ingredient.

That would provide Grace the same amount of playing time that he will get at Richmond next year, but, more importantly, it would give him a legitimate chance at playing in the NCAA tournament.

 

[spider23]

I think MG has developed into a serviceable backup 5 but it’s definitely an indictment of our recruiting/retention that there is no other option there other than him and Sal.

Yes Tbone, hit the nail on the head here. Grace has progressed very nicely, especially on offense. But no big or biggish man recruits since him and Sal, and they are not defensively suited to be 30 minute guys on a team with NCAA aspirations. Mooney has continually missed out on PF types. So next year, unless moon does the unexpected and gets a legit interior player in the portal, we have to hope Burton comes back and doesn't mind playing some inside minutes, and pray that Walz is better than expected, and Grace and Sal take the next step and both are back. Mooney roster management over and over. Hope and a prayer.

 

[SpiderGuy]

Yes Tbone, hit the nail on the head here. Grace has progressed very nicely, especially on offense. But no big or biggish man recruits since him and Sal, and they are not defensively suited to be 30 minute guys on a team with NCAA aspirations. Mooney has continually missed out on PF types. So next year, unless moon does the unexpected and gets a legit interior player in the portal, we have to hope Burton comes back and doesn't mind playing some inside minutes, and pray that Walz is better than expected, and Grace and Sal take the next step and both are back. Mooney roster management over and over. Hope and a prayer.

Agree with your post.

I read the article yesterday. Let me add one more thing. I wouldn't over-read in spite of what he said. Grace knows he'll start if he comes back & get probably 30 + mins a game. That's just about a sure thing. So is he going to transfer to a lower conference than A10? I might be wrong, but better conferences & better teams than UR don't seem like a good landing spot for him for substantial game minutes. But then again, these are young 20 something students, and their decision making might be different.

 

[97spiderfan]

It would be smart for Grace to find a good team in a 1/2 step down conference (Big South, CAA, and others) that has a big man as a missing ingredient.

That would provide Grace the same amount of playing time that he will get at Richmond next year, but, more importantly, it would give him a legitimate chance at playing in the NCAA tournament.

I think this is a huge factor. We are not a NCAA tourney team next year, Grace knows that, so does he want a shot to dance, if so, he will need to look elsewhere.

I wish us fans could have a transfer year that would allow us to experience the joys on the NCAA.

 

[SpiderGuy]

I think this is a huge factor. We are not a NCAA tourney team next year, Grace knows that, so does he want a shot to dance, if so, he will need to look elsewhere.

I wish us fans could have a transfer year that would allow us to experience the joys on the NCAA.

Rumor has it that beginning next year, the NCAA will be giving scholarships to the best posters on Rivals who wish to transfer for better opportunities. An entire new concept with a new portal to come.

 

[spiderman]

I think this is a huge factor. We are not a NCAA tourney team next year, Grace knows that, so does he want a shot to dance, if so, he will need to look elsewhere.

I wish us fans could have a transfer year that would allow us to experience the joys on the NCAA.

I think the odds of Grace transfering to a place where 1) he plays and 2) he dances are incredibly small.
We obviously don't have post grad astronomy or astrophysics. If that's his interest then he'd have to leave.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

I think the odds of Grace transfering to a place where 1) he plays and 2) he dances are incredibly small.
We obviously don't have post grad astronomy or astrophysics. If that's his interest then he'd have to leave.

I noticed that Grace specifically did not say that he was looking forward to his extra year at UR. Who knows what might change between now & then, but, if he was definitely planning on being one of UR's main guys next season it seems likely that he would have said something to that effect.

 

[urmite]

I think the odds of Grace transfering to a place where 1) he plays and 2) he dances are incredibly small.
We obviously don't have post grad astronomy or astrophysics. If that's his interest then he'd have to leave.

If he wants to play & dance, he should shoot for the stars...

 

[spider23]

Steve Pikiell....Pounding Nails!

Matt Grace....Shooting for Stars!

Have a Birthday, bar mitzvah, special occasion? HMU @ CAMEO

This is JANUARY!!!

 

[SpiderGuy]

If we wants to play & dance, he should shoot for the stars...

Maybe he plays football for the USFL Philadelphia Stars?

 

[SpiderDad75]

interesting last paragraph. sounds like he'll look. I'm sure a few guys who were supposed to be main guys this year but got pushed back by the super seniors were inwardly frustrated. but I don't think he'll find a better playing time situation if that's the priority. could be he wants a bigger graduate program.

I know some will say Mooney doesn't hit the transfer portal much, but this year will have a ton of players including all the Ivy big man seniors who can't stay there. we already have one spot that we don't seem to be trying to fill too hard outside of Buchanan.

I know there are a couple of irons in the fire in regards to the portal. But that’s all I can say.

 

[urfan1]

he did not say staying at UR was an option either