He deftly non-answered the question and placed the blame on everyone but himself and the program he runs. He should run for Congress.
Mens: Fla Tech in the Gulf Coast Classic - Monday 11/25 - 6pm - on fabulous FloHoops
- Thread starter Section9.RowD
- Start date
I don't doubt the landscape has changed, especially with the transfer portal - on how these tourney's work. I would think typically in the past - these MTE events would come down to connections (knowing the right people in the industry to get you into a good event) and the ability to forecast your team is going to be pretty good based on previous years performance and roster make-up, etc.
I don't think the connections part has changed, but certainly the forecasting has become more difficult. But - you must adapt with the times. I would expect many of these events are talked about more than 1 year in advance, where maybe teams are "penciled" in or a handshake agreement is worked out. I can't imagine all 300 D1 teams are scrambling at the end of the season to determine their MTE for next year. With that being said - we should have been in a good spot for decent tourney. Look at our results the last few years.
2022 - NCAA tourney, win first round game.
2023 - 13-14
2024 - Tie for Win A10 regular season and make NIT.
So 2 out of the last 3 years, most would argue, successful seasons. And especially last year - winning the A10 regular season with a heavy transfer roster.
Then look around the A10 and ask yourself - how did these teams get in better events?
St. Joes - Legends classic - played Texas and Texas Tech.
UMASS - HOF Tipoff - play Temple and Florida State.
Loyola - Diamond Head Classic (Hawaii) - play Oakland, then winner/loser of Oregon State and Charleston.
Bonnies - NIT Tip Off - Bonnies, North Texas, Utah State, and Northern Iowa.
I wouldn't put these teams as leaps and bounds above UR the past few years, yet they were able to get into decent (not great) events. But also aside from the MTE events, you need to get probably 2 really good games on your own as well. These need to be either P5 programs, or top level mid-major programs. This year - we got Auburn. Thats it. If we had 1 more game on that level and a better MTE, I don't think there would be as many complaints about the schedule.
But I guess the question is - is this a relationship/connections program - we just don't have those in our program?
I don't think the connections part has changed, but certainly the forecasting has become more difficult. But - you must adapt with the times. I would expect many of these events are talked about more than 1 year in advance, where maybe teams are "penciled" in or a handshake agreement is worked out. I can't imagine all 300 D1 teams are scrambling at the end of the season to determine their MTE for next year. With that being said - we should have been in a good spot for decent tourney. Look at our results the last few years.
2022 - NCAA tourney, win first round game.
2023 - 13-14
2024 - Tie for Win A10 regular season and make NIT.
So 2 out of the last 3 years, most would argue, successful seasons. And especially last year - winning the A10 regular season with a heavy transfer roster.
Then look around the A10 and ask yourself - how did these teams get in better events?
St. Joes - Legends classic - played Texas and Texas Tech.
UMASS - HOF Tipoff - play Temple and Florida State.
Loyola - Diamond Head Classic (Hawaii) - play Oakland, then winner/loser of Oregon State and Charleston.
Bonnies - NIT Tip Off - Bonnies, North Texas, Utah State, and Northern Iowa.
I wouldn't put these teams as leaps and bounds above UR the past few years, yet they were able to get into decent (not great) events. But also aside from the MTE events, you need to get probably 2 really good games on your own as well. These need to be either P5 programs, or top level mid-major programs. This year - we got Auburn. Thats it. If we had 1 more game on that level and a better MTE, I don't think there would be as many complaints about the schedule.
But I guess the question is - is this a relationship/connections program - we just don't have those in our program?
The fields have been set "earlier" in the past comment is what gets me. As I recall, we were on the last D-1 teams to get into an MTE this year. So, yeah, about 325 D-1 teams were able to get into their MTE earlier but we got stuck with this crappy tournament that couldn't even fill its field and then had to invite a D2 team just to get to 6, so they could play games.
So, Mooney blames the system here when the reality of the situation is that the vast majority of programs adapted and got into a quality MTE and we did not. That is not a systems issue, it is an "us" issue.
And when I go down my laundry list of why Mooney should not be leading our program obviously his 56% win rate is at the top, but right under that is this intellectually dishonest crap he feeds us when someone forces him to answer a question about his program not meeting an expectation.
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A STRONG leader would step up and take accountability in situations like this. If you are a leader, the buck always stops with you. With Mooney, that buck is almost always some type of excuse. We have a leadership school for god sakes, and yet we let our highest paid employee with the biggest platform at UR exemplify bad leadership traits like this. It is maddening. He literally can not bring himself to say he is accountable and here is how I plan to fix it.
So, Mooney blames the system here when the reality of the situation is that the vast majority of programs adapted and got into a quality MTE and we did not. That is not a systems issue, it is an "us" issue.
And when I go down my laundry list of why Mooney should not be leading our program obviously his 56% win rate is at the top, but right under that is this intellectually dishonest crap he feeds us when someone forces him to answer a question about his program not meeting an expectation.
'
A STRONG leader would step up and take accountability in situations like this. If you are a leader, the buck always stops with you. With Mooney, that buck is almost always some type of excuse. We have a leadership school for god sakes, and yet we let our highest paid employee with the biggest platform at UR exemplify bad leadership traits like this. It is maddening. He literally can not bring himself to say he is accountable and here is how I plan to fix it.
From today's game notes:
"UR will meet D-II Florida Tech after opening its season against D-II Mount Olive, making 2024-25 the first season the Spiders have faced multiple teams outside of D-I since 1981-82 (3 - Delaware Valley, NC Wesleyan, West Virginia Tech)."
Surprised our PR department willingly put that out there.
"UR will meet D-II Florida Tech after opening its season against D-II Mount Olive, making 2024-25 the first season the Spiders have faced multiple teams outside of D-I since 1981-82 (3 - Delaware Valley, NC Wesleyan, West Virginia Tech)."
Surprised our PR department willingly put that out there.
Maybe they got tired of "Waiting on finalized version" from AD Hardt that they decided to go rogue on this one.
Key facts about Florida Tech ..
The Panthers
Melbourne, FL
Founded 1958
~ 4100 undergrads
6 or 7 astronauts have attended
The Panthers
Melbourne, FL
Founded 1958
~ 4100 undergrads
6 or 7 astronauts have attended
At least the PR department is “owning it”. Granted this is not something to be happy about.
Also don't forget "hosts" of the Gulf Coast Showcase! They are sponsoring a coffee station at the hotel to meet NCAA rules.
This might be the most empty gym I’ve ever seen. Are there more than 50 people there?
Glad to see Roche coming out hot again.
Glad to see Roche coming out hot again.
The announcers keep saying how good and tough FT are, but I think it may be how bad we really are
Painful to watch this game. We are horrible
Losing my mind - glad I stayed in the RVA for this game ...
Well, whatever the spread will be for the Louisiana tech game tomorrow, I will be betting on Louisiana tech to cover
If that’s the line, I am hammering LA tech to cover. I think it’ll probably around -12.5
Just follow the football program. You will be happier.
This is the absolute truth. Football games are fun. Tailgating with friends/family, more time on campus, etc. Spider Ws…And it’s cheaper! We’ve had great weather this home season too. Crowd will show up for Mooney and his excuses about being competitive and aggressive.
A paper recycling facility might give you that much, if you’re lucky.
