Next Year

[PhillySpider]

With this year a total write-off at this point, I am on to next year.

I am hopeful that this year's dismal performance combined with the players we will have next year might combine to serve as an impetus for - - dare I say it - - change!

Someone in another thread noted that it seemed the systems/coaching style seem to have worn out this group of seniors and I agree with this. ANO's decision says the same as well. Hopefully Chris sees that and recognizes that he needs to change etc. In fact, a significant system change might be a great way to reinvigorate energy in the program and buy-in from the players.

Next year we are also going to be woefully short of bigs after TJ (and MW is NOT a big) and the new freshman are going to have to play. We very well might have to go the Dayton and Villanova route and play very small which would seem to require some sort of different approach at least defensively.

The biggest thing to me is we have to find some way of generating some energy from our players because it is woefully lacking this year. Looking at our guys next year - - TJ, SDJ, and KF seem to be energy guys (MW not so much) and new guys (NS and DB) also seem to be energy guys. We need to play to their strengths and build on that. A guy like TD was an energy guy but he lost that along the way somewhere and TA and DT were never "energy" guys. Next years squad appears poised to have a different vibe and some new systems to believe in and buy into will feed into that.

It will be big trouble in my mind if we come out doing the same old things and you see signs that SDJ and TJ are worn down mentally and losing that energy side!

 

[SpiderK]

With this year a total write-off at this point, I am on to next year.

I am hopeful that this year's dismal performance combined with the players we will have next year might combine to serve as an impetus for - - dare I say it - - change!

Someone in another thread noted that it seemed the systems/coaching style seem to have worn out this group of seniors and I agree with this. ANO's decision says the same as well. Hopefully Chris sees that and recognizes that he needs to change etc. In fact, a significant system change might be a great way to reinvigorate energy in the program and buy-in from the players.

Next year we are also going to be woefully short of bigs after TJ (and MW is NOT a big) and the new freshman are going to have to play. We very well might have to go the Dayton and Villanova route and play very small which would seem to require some sort of different approach at least defensively.

The biggest thing to me is we have to find some way of generating some energy from our players because it is woefully lacking this year. Looking at our guys next year - - TJ, SDJ, and KF seem to be energy guys (MW not so much) and new guys (NS and DB) also seem to be energy guys. We need to play to their strengths and build on that. A guy like TD was an energy guy but he lost that along the way somewhere and TA and DT were never "energy" guys. Next years squad appears poised to have a different vibe and some new systems to believe in and buy into will feed into that.

It will be big trouble in my mind if we come out doing the same old things and you see signs that SDJ and TJ are worn down mentally and losing that energy side!

We better be playing at least 9 players next year.

 

[MrTbone]

We better be playing at least 9 players next year.

We only have 6 who have logged enough time to be considered likely for a 9 man rotation:
TJ
SDJ
KF
MW
JJ
JP

We have 2 who will have seen limited floor time and may or may not be ready for more playing time:
PF
KD

We have 3 who are new:
RunDMB
NS
GG

So you basically have to find 3 men out of the last 5 guys to make a 9 man rotation.

I'd be happy with an 8 man rotation given that scenario.

 

[Spiderbymarriage]

It will be big trouble in my mind if we come out doing the same old things and you see signs that SDJ and TJ are worn down mentally and losing that energy side!

Have you seen anything that indicates they won't come out doing the same old things? CM has explored zone defense a little bit this year, but that's been pretty minor. Otherwise, he's been extremely consistent (rigid?) through the years. For better or worse, we have what we have, and that will be the same next year.

 

[SpiderGuy]

Have you seen anything that indicates they won't come out doing the same old things? CM has explored zone defense a little bit this year, but that's been pretty minor. Otherwise, he's been extremely consistent (rigid?) through the years. For better or worse, we have what we have, and that will be the same next year.

X2

News clips & radio / TV interviews where it is said things might be explored or will be different are meaningless. Proof will be what happens on the court. Until we see real change then expect more of the same. I hope for changes that can propel us, but am holding my breadth.

 

[Eight Legger]

We only have 6 who have logged enough time to be considered likely for a 9 man rotation:
TJ
SDJ
KF
MW
JJ
JP

We have 2 who will have seen limited floor time and may or may not be ready for more playing time:
PF
KD

We have 3 who are new:
RunDMB
NS
GG

So you basically have to find 3 men out of the last 5 guys to make a 9 man rotation.

I'd be happy with an 8 man rotation given that scenario.

I'll be shocked if Dominaus is back next year. I hope Paul is ready to play at least 15 minutes a game, but I have no clue what his strengths will be. I feel like providing a dominating defensive presence won't really be one of them. Nick and Buck should be ready to give us meaningful minutes right away.

 

[MrTbone]

Do you think Kovien would leave because he wants to, or because he is encouraged to? I actually don't see that happening, mostly because I don't see where we have recruiting depth to fill his spot (at least not with a 2016 upgrade) and if I'm him, I'd be reticent to try a lower tier program.

I don't get overly emotional about guys leaving, usually there's a reason if this happens, but I don't think just because a guy doesn't see much floor time his freshman year, that it's a foregone conclusion.

 

[urmite]

Do you think Kovien would leave because he wants to, or because he is encouraged to? I actually don't see that happening, mostly because I don't see where we have recruiting depth to fill his spot (at least not with a 2016 upgrade) and if I'm him, I'd be reticent to try a lower tier program.

I don't get overly emotional about guys leaving, usually there's a reason if this happens, but I don't think just because a guy doesn't see much floor time his freshman year, that it's a foregone conclusion.

I don't know what to make of Kovien getting exactly 1 minute in order to use up his freshman eligibility.

 

[Eight Legger]

I just see him as this year's Tim Singleton/Chandler Diekvoss/Kadeem Smithen. He was a very late recruit, not really sought after by anyone else at our level, is buried behind everyone else on the roster, seems to be several years away from having the body to compete at this level, etc. I could be totally wrong, but I have watched this movie many times.

 

[Eight Legger]

I don't know what to make of Kovien getting exactly 1 minute in order to use up his freshman eligibility.

He was the sacrificial lamb as retribution against ANO transferring for a fifth year. Mooney decided that won't happen again.

 

[TBSpyder]

KoVien is gone, he probably won't be alone. I can't imagine what he did that CM felt justified in playing him a minute to cost him a year of eligibility. I think he joins a long list of recruits who will play in D2. But whose fault is it that we gave a scholarship to a player who didn't possess D1 talent. I wish KoVien well, and hope he has a successful life.

 

[spiderwriter]

I expect next year will start the full rebuild despite returning TJ and SDJ. The short-term future of this program, if there is one, turns on the recruits for the next two seasons. Therefore, not sure why we would expect any meaningful success for at least 2 seasons, when KF will be a senior and Buck, Sherod and Golden are seasoned. This is the reality of life under Mooney. Too many problems to fix in 8 months.

 

[Captain Anderson]

I expect next year will start the full rebuild despite returning TJ and SDJ. The short-term future of this program, if there is one, turns on the recruits for the next two seasons. Therefore, not sure why we would expect any meaningful success for at least 2 seasons, when KF will be a senior and Buck, Sherod and Golden are seasoned. This is the reality of life under Mooney. Too many problems to fix in 8 months.

It will be interesting to see where everyone's expectations are if this scenario plays out. That would be 7 years without an NCAA bid.

 

[I-M-UR]

He was the sacrificial lamb as retribution against ANO transferring for a fifth year. Mooney decided that won't happen again.

I'd forgotten Mooney playing KD for one minute, what a waste. If the kid can't play why waste one of his years of eligibility for 1 minute. Horribly unfair to the kid. I know it was early, Stetson, but come on. Either horrible planning or just plain uncaring frankly makes me want him fired even more.

 

[Eight Legger]

I don't actually know the rule – can you ask for a redshirt after the season if you have not played at all, or do you have to announce your redshirt intention before the season starts? (Obviously injury redshirts are different, like Khwan last year.)

 

[MrTbone]

You don't have to declare, essentially if you go the whole season without playing they declare it a redshirt.

 

[coachfezz]

I think can we rwdshrt Coach then bring him back the next year?

 

[Ulla1]

You guys know so much more basketball than the Ulla. Amazing! OSC

 

[SpiderK]

We only have 6 who have logged enough time to be considered likely for a 9 man rotation:
TJ
SDJ
KF
MW
JJ
JP

We have 2 who will have seen limited floor time and may or may not be ready for more playing time:
PF
KD

We have 3 who are new:
RunDMB
NS
GG

So you basically have to find 3 men out of the last 5 guys to make a 9 man rotation.

I'd be happy with an 8 man rotation given that scenario.

Forgot about Moran being a senior, thought he would start next year.

 

[urmite]

I'd forgotten Mooney playing KD for one minute, what a waste. If the kid can't play why waste one of his years of eligibility for 1 minute. Horribly unfair to the kid. I know it was early, Stetson, but come on. Either horrible planning or just plain uncaring frankly makes me want him fired even more.

Same thing happened with Singleton, 3 minutes in a season. Difference is there was a rumor that Mooney emphatically urged Singleton to Redshirt and he flat out refused. I've heard nothing of the sort with Dominaus so it is a bit bewildering.

 

[32counter]

Will Cline have completed his undergraduate degree requirements by the end of this academic year?Unlike ANO,he has real basketball abilities that other big time programs would enjoy having as a postgraduate transfer.Mooney better keep his eye on this one.If he doesn't we will be lucky to win 5 games next season.

 

[Eight Legger]

Will Cline have completed his undergraduate degree requirements by the end of this academic year?Unlike ANO,he has real basketball abilities that other big time programs would enjoy having as a postgraduate transfer.Mooney better keep his eye on this one.If he doesn't we will be lucky to win 5 games next season.

That would be the ultimate kick to the nads. I would cry if that happened.

 

[ur2K]

32, go wash your mouth out with soap.

 

[32counter]

Sorry but I don't write with my mouth although a novel idea.Could be the start of a very big trend.2K show us the way.

 

[SpiderK]

I was cautiously optimistic at the beginning of this season. 3 seniors and 3 juniors should have been a peak year for UR or any mid-major team. The first home loss to the CAA-Flight B conference set me straight very quickly.

I have a different feeling for next year. We certainly may not be world beaters, but I will like the team we put on the floor. They will be an energetic and exciting team that plays next year. I don't see where Mooney has taken the life out of SDJ and TJ yet like he has this year's seniors. I would love to see a rebounding and shooting specialist hired as an assistant. Obviously we don't have one now. Very much looking forward to the new crop of young men and hope Pistol stays.

 

[wr70beh]

Will Cline have completed his undergraduate degree requirements by the end of this academic year?Unlike ANO,he has real basketball abilities that other big time programs would enjoy having as a postgraduate transfer.Mooney better keep his eye on this one.If he doesn't we will be lucky to win 5 games next season.

This is a realistic possibility, which I would hope Gill would consider when thinking about next year.

 

[Eight Legger]

Looks like part of our coaching staff was on a liquid diet last night to get ready for tonight's game...

At the rivers casino with @M2Third and @MillerLite team! #ItsMillerTime
– Ryan Butler (@rdbutler44)

 

[PASpider]

With this year a total write-off at this point, I am on to next year.

I am hopeful that this year's dismal performance combined with the players we will have next year might combine to serve as an impetus for - - dare I say it - - change!

Someone in another thread noted that it seemed the systems/coaching style seem to have worn out this group of seniors and I agree with this. ANO's decision says the same as well. Hopefully Chris sees that and recognizes that he needs to change etc. In fact, a significant system change might be a great way to reinvigorate energy in the program and buy-in from the players.

Next year we are also going to be woefully short of bigs after TJ (and MW is NOT a big) and the new freshman are going to have to play. We very well might have to go the Dayton and Villanova route and play very small which would seem to require some sort of different approach at least defensively.

The biggest thing to me is we have to find some way of generating some energy from our players because it is woefully lacking this year. Looking at our guys next year - - TJ, SDJ, and KF seem to be energy guys (MW not so much) and new guys (NS and DB) also seem to be energy guys. We need to play to their strengths and build on that. A guy like TD was an energy guy but he lost that along the way somewhere and TA and DT were never "energy" guys. Next years squad appears poised to have a different vibe and some new systems to believe in and buy into will feed into that.

It will be big trouble in my mind if we come out doing the same old things and you see signs that SDJ and TJ are worn down mentally and losing that energy side!

Villanova can afford to do go small when they've got a 6'11" stud center defending the hoop and putting back shots. We have nothing like that. Cline is not that tall and is a horrible defensive player, Friendsuh can't find the court, MW can't defend the post, and I don't have faith in a freshman to solve our big man woes.

 

[urfan1]

Cline is not that tall and is a horrible defensive player

That's pretty strong language. He may not be all league, but he is far from horrible

 

[SpiderGuy]

That's pretty strong language. He may not be all league, but he is far from horrible

I think he's quite the player and has had a quality year. We are very fortunate to have him! Very court savvy & versatile. Looking forward to see him do good things - a pleasure to go to RC and watch him play.

 

[MrTbone]

Since when is 6'9" not that tall? Maybe for an nba 5, but across most of the ncaa it's plenty tall.

 

[Ulla1]

Amen, Tbone. TJ is a very good big man. Watching him yesterday get rebounds and bring the ball easily up the court speaks to his skill. His enthusiasm is contagious. OSC

 

[urmite]

Since when is 6'9" not that tall? Maybe for an nba 5, but across most of the ncaa it's plenty tall.

True, unless he meant this literally.
"a 6'11" stud center defending the hoop ... Cline is not that tall"

 

[MrTbone]

True, unless he meant this literally.
"a 6'11" stud center defending the hoop ... Cline is not that tall"

True, I could have misread that upon further review.

 

[bongturk]

That's pretty strong language. He may not be all league, but he is far from horrible

He is a bit streaky on offense. When he is on he is very good. He is (most of the time) a good to very good passer. On defense I have watched every game and been at every home game and cannot recall one single game where I felt he had played a good defensive game. He does not move his feet. He has zero quickness on defense. He makes many bad decisions on when to go for a steal and thus gets these really silly fouls. I think his effort is good but his fundamentals and decision making need some work. He also does make an effort to go to the defensive boards and rebound. Overall he has probably been as valuable or more valuable than Terry Allen (who has appeared very tired to me) in the second half of the season.

 

[fan2011]

He is a bit streaky on offense. When he is on he is very good. He is (most of the time) a good to very good passer. On defense I have watched every game and been at every home game and cannot recall one single game where I felt he had played a good defensive game. He does not move his feet. He has zero quickness on defense. He makes many bad decisions on when to go for a steal and thus gets these really silly fouls. I think his effort is good but his fundamentals and decision making need some work. He also does make an effort to go to the defensive boards and rebound. Overall he has probably been as valuable or more valuable than Terry Allen (who has appeared very tired to me) in the second half of the season.

I don't understand how TJ could be called streaky on offense. Maybe from 3, but everyone is streaky from 3. He has been in double figures in 31 of his past 34 games. He shoots 64% from 2, by far one of the best in the country. The average 2FG% is 48%, TJ has shot over that in all but 3 games this year. He is a model of consistency near the basket. He did struggle from 3 for a stretch, but he is still averaging 38% from 3.

 

[97spiderfan]

I have zero issues with anything TJ is doing this year (save working on his FT's). Our offense runs through him and he is scoring from all areas of the court and has the second most assists in the country for players taller than 6'9, trailing only Ben Simmons. Defensively, he holds his own, he is not all league or anything and has for the most part stayed out of foul trouble.

If we had 5 players playing at the level TJ is playing at, we would probably be ranked right now.

 

[spiderman]

I don't know why TJ has this reputation of being a poor defender. no, he's not going to shut down a guard on a switch. not many big men can. but when I watch, I think he's very solid and the best defensive big we have. better then Marshall and Deion, and probably better than Terry. not the 1st time I feel like I'm watching a different team than some on this board!

 

[coachfezz]

I don't know why TJ has this reputation of being a poor defender. no, he's not going to shut down a guard on a switch. not many big men can. but when I watch, I think he's very solid and the best defensive big we......
yes they say this bad defense bc they like block the shot only......i like score the point instead.. i agree with what you say

 

[MrTbone]

TJ is a fine defender. He seems to get stuck on the perimeter against guards a lot. Not really his fault in those instances. I think he's fine in the post. I don't think he's as good as TA, mostly based on rebound rate and steals, but probably does better against guys posting him up.

 

[iSpider]

I think that we will struggle again next year, but when those of the incoming class become juniors, we will again have a NCAA team. Unfortunately I believe that it will take that long. I also think that our best chance to maximize the potential of the team with Monte, Nick and Grant is to sign another forward, the taller and more physical, the better. Like most all of us, I'd take a 6'6" or 6'7" kid with good athleticism and great springs in a heartbeat believing that we have the best recruiting class in the conference. I also like Godwin and Schneider, and I am thinking that both will fill out physically before they get here and that Marquis, just looking at his body, might grow another inch or two.

I posted a few months ago that it would be a shame if we did not sign a big man to complement those already committed, and then felt that it would almost be tragic. Having read the extensive posts on this board, I no longer believe that we need to sign a big man this year, and that even should we sign a big to complement the incoming class, it will still take three years to get to where we want.

On the other hand, I do believe that we will have to sign one or two bigs next year. I also believe that CM realizes this and will do what it takes to recruit such player(s) next year while continuing to seek the services of one or more this year.

On another note, I've seen a three or four practices (both pre-season and after the season started) as well as every game, whether at the RC or on TV, and while I have not seen much of him during game time, I really like Paul Friendshuh because of what I observed in the practices. I do not have a BB background and cannot analyze his skills as many others on this board, but it appears to me that he has a lot of desire and potential. I think that he will contribute next year which may be the cause for my change of mind regarding the lack of necessity of signing a big this year. The Duquesne game highlights from Spider TV show Paul’s move and basket at the end of the game. I don’t know how to do it, but it would be cool if someone could capture that small portion of the highlights and post the video here, perhaps starting a different thread relating to the potential of Paul and others on the team. Then again, it may be better to wait till the season ends to start such a thread.