Play to win
- Thread starter Gallipoli
- Start date
Watching the Spiders I see playing not to lose. Everything is tight. I think this has to be why the Spider bench is hardly making any noise and other teams are cheering loudly. This season is simply not fun.
According to some on this board, it is all about next year and we should just play everyone and give up on this year.
Tight? Who exactly was tight last night? Blake with that clutch 3? Tyler with the go ahead jumper? Or the steal and dunk? Grant hooking up with Nate on the pass and layup? Grant 3-3 from 3? Getting huge stops defensively after they took the lead? Closing on a 19-8 run. Shooting 57% from the field, 50% from three, and 83% from the line is tight? Only 9 turnovers, 7 from the starters is playing tight? My goodness, you would think we lost by double digits last night. It's just incredible what is being said on here after such a great win.
Lol. Then, they must have fun losing because we are 7-2. "Hey everyone, we beat Davidson, but their bench had more fun than ours". Wow, just wow.
Slipping past a team projected into the bottom shouldn’t be the hallmark of a team with the best class ever and a very highly compensated coach. My comment was simply that our guys don’t seem to have the same fun/energy as I’d expect a team loaded with seniors labeled as the best class ever to be. With our schedule you’d expect us to be 8-1 right now.
While I do agree with the OP...play the best players I don’t agree with some up here that say the players aren’t into it on the bench and we are playing not to lose. We did win guys! College basketball is tough and we have not done some of the things that we have needed to do as a team. Players play and the coaches coach. I think we haven’t guarded up top good enough or rebounded well and the last several games, teams have lit us up from outside, whether we had a hand in their face or they shot over the two smaller guards. I’ve been around high level basketball for a long time and to say those on the bench aren’t having fun may be a little short sided. Would I like my son to play?...absolutely, and I understand why he isn’t...for the most part and he’s like any 18yr old that has played this game their entire life and now has to watch and learn...he wants to play as do all those guys but I believe those guys know their role on this team. We came to UR bc of academics and a solid program and the size was similar to Wakes among other things. We as fans get caught up, I know I still do, esp as a dad. I have been to 6 games so far and the bench is into it but obviously when teams make runs...they are going to be more vocal...this is a crazy year and one that no one wanted but I’m thankful we are playing the game we all love so much. Just my two cents! I love following the board and Go🕷🏀
Enjoyed the post dad. You’ve got a better insight than I do so I’ll defer to you.
Hope that your son enjoys UR as much as I did.
Hope that your son enjoys UR as much as I did.
Play to win! This year is about this year, not next. My goodness we have a bunch of fans that just love complaining. We are Richmond, enjoy the success. This is not life or death. It’s college basketball of a small private University. Coach will play the guys to win each individual game. It’s all that can be asked.
I agree play to win, work the young guys in when you can. Worry about next year next year -- except for recruiting.
I would never fault CM for playing to win, he absolutely should trot out the best five guys as much as he needs to secure the W. That said, this team should be superior enough that we can get minutes to the bench in a good number of games. We haven’t been good enough to do that in some games where we should have. Slightly troubling.
But I’ll take the wins.
But I’ll take the wins.
The problem with forums is people read lots into what is typed and of course you often don’t know who is responding to what. All that being said, glad you like reading the Forum SpiderDad. I want the Spiders to win, I just don’t think that everything is rainbows and unicorns like some on here. Just offering opinions on what I see during the games. It is definitely much different watching the games from home than in person. I definitely miss the Robins Center.
This is definitely a strange year and I am glad the team is getting to play and the coaches get to coach. I know that the players are having to deal with all sorts of new stresses. I have two college students of my own, one being a Spider, so I know firsthand too.
Of course, the best players play (at least in college sports) and the underclassmen have to pay the dues. I am simply comparing what I saw early in 2020 to now. The same players are on the floor except for Nick Sherod. Nick is a great Spider player, but I do not think his absence is the reason that the play is so different. I see a regression on defense and a lack of energy on the court, neither of which are things that should disappear with one 3 point shooting stud out.
In yesterday’s game, I saw and heard one excited team and one that seemed to be going through the motions. I saw some freshman mistakes - one was pulled from the game immediately (in the first half) and one made mistakes at the end and gained some valuable experience. One team was selected as the preseason favorite and the other was picked to finish 7th. What I saw was one team growing and another trying to hold on. Maybe that is why one team has performed well in the A10 tournament and one hasn’t. Just an opinion, the purpose of a forum.
You and 4700 are so simple when it comes to Mooney. You can do both, but Mooney is not a good enough coach to create opportunities to work the younger players in, like he should be doing. U 2 keep up your agenda and the real fans will provide commentary as we see fit.
my only advice is if your son is truly on the basketball team, it is in your interest, but more importantly YOUR SONS best interest to get off this board and stop posting. Nothing good could come of it. No question you love and support your son, but this is not the place to do it. GO SPIDERS!
I believe he can make his own decisions -- knowing who he is I believe he has been around sports a long time and knows there are idiots supporting every team, idiots that often speak from their heart
SpiderDad75, I am truly embarrassed by some of the comments on this board. I enjoy hearing your view points and hope you keep it up. I also want to thank you for the sacrifice your family and son have made to this program. It is unfortunate that there are a number of people on this board that are extremely negative and nothing is going to change that. Be thankful you are not one of them, because that is a miserable way to go through life.
If it wasn't for Covid-19, most home games would be sellouts. I am sorry your son is not able to experience that this year, but at least he is part of one of the best teams the school has every had.
If it wasn't for Covid-19, most home games would be sellouts. I am sorry your son is not able to experience that this year, but at least he is part of one of the best teams the school has every had.
My son as a DI soccer player was told as a recruit they needed him for a position on the team. He had recovered from
a PCL tear but tweaked his meniscus his freshmen season and coach became nervous over his physical health. My son for next two years had great practices, no more knee issues and yet no increased playing time. When senior ahead of him left school, he was given starting position over some highly touted freshman with national stardom. My son started all but one game till his senior season was over and this freshmen was so frustrated with lack of play, he transferred out.
Point coaches like experience over raw talent and believe me my son got jerked off the pitch when he made mistakes in first couple of years. Maturation can be very hard on the psyche of a young player and players family.
a PCL tear but tweaked his meniscus his freshmen season and coach became nervous over his physical health. My son for next two years had great practices, no more knee issues and yet no increased playing time. When senior ahead of him left school, he was given starting position over some highly touted freshman with national stardom. My son started all but one game till his senior season was over and this freshmen was so frustrated with lack of play, he transferred out.
Point coaches like experience over raw talent and believe me my son got jerked off the pitch when he made mistakes in first couple of years. Maturation can be very hard on the psyche of a young player and players family.
JOC reading the board again
“They need to do their best, and I need to give them those opportunities,” said Mooney. “I need to be clear with them that I’m doing that, and then hold myself to it because those guys can help. They’re good players, and we’re going to need them.”
“They need to do their best, and I need to give them those opportunities,” said Mooney. “I need to be clear with them that I’m doing that, and then hold myself to it because those guys can help. They’re good players, and we’re going to need them.”
Agree with Lurker
we took a hit with expected depth. But we have 6 elite to very good players that deserve almost all the time. I think majority of coaches with our roster would get them all the PT too. While depth is ideal, I'd still rather have out top 6 than a weaker top 6 for another depth or two guy. Cedrick Lindsay avg 16+ mpg as a frosh on a S16 team. Mooney will play a frosh on a good team. I just think we don't have a Cedrick Lindsay right now.
Goose will hopefully get more minutes as he should, near starter minutes. Sal/Grace will give Golden a rest whoever is playing better. I do think Wilson can take on a few more mins, he looks like he belongs, so I can see his increasing but likely still low. Beyond that we need to have the game locked up in last 10 mins.
This is an all in year. I'm a little surprised myself by any need for development and next year talk. haven't we been doing that for a decade. Supposed to get the payoff sometime. Next year is probably a rebuilding year too.
You know what will be the best for the long term outlook of the program? A great reg season and NCAA postseason. That's what we need badly. Not a few extra minutes to only potentially get closer to the NIT bubble next year. Frankly if we don't make it with all our studs Mooney shouldn't be making the decisions next year anyway, if our school had any accountability.
we took a hit with expected depth. But we have 6 elite to very good players that deserve almost all the time. I think majority of coaches with our roster would get them all the PT too. While depth is ideal, I'd still rather have out top 6 than a weaker top 6 for another depth or two guy. Cedrick Lindsay avg 16+ mpg as a frosh on a S16 team. Mooney will play a frosh on a good team. I just think we don't have a Cedrick Lindsay right now.
Goose will hopefully get more minutes as he should, near starter minutes. Sal/Grace will give Golden a rest whoever is playing better. I do think Wilson can take on a few more mins, he looks like he belongs, so I can see his increasing but likely still low. Beyond that we need to have the game locked up in last 10 mins.
This is an all in year. I'm a little surprised myself by any need for development and next year talk. haven't we been doing that for a decade. Supposed to get the payoff sometime. Next year is probably a rebuilding year too.
You know what will be the best for the long term outlook of the program? A great reg season and NCAA postseason. That's what we need badly. Not a few extra minutes to only potentially get closer to the NIT bubble next year. Frankly if we don't make it with all our studs Mooney shouldn't be making the decisions next year anyway, if our school had any accountability.
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I'm sure he knows how some people are, especially on message boards. Look how Blake and Grant get treated on here, and that is after they play good or even great games. I enjoy his posts and hope he keeps posting, now and in the future when his son lights up the scoreboard for us.
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Lighten up Frances, we don't support posters name calling other posters...
Fan, i will disagree w/ you respectfully. He is not a fan, he is a parent....
I can handle the message boards, after all they are just our opinions and I’m old enough to understand that we all have them. Plus, I understand the game whereas some not all posters not so much. I enjoy this board and at the end of the day we are all fans that are wanting success for the Spiders. As I have said... I’ve been around the game a long time and these young men, no matter how we criticize them have busted their tails to get too where they are...1% of HS kids play D1 ball and 7% play any level of college bball. This MB is no where near the level of vitriol from the WF boards. I have and will continue to read and enjoy this board. For anyone who thinks we shouldn’t be playing those amazing upperclassmen, they should probably watch bball more. We will go as far as they take us...you play the young guys when you can and it’s not like they are not learning in practice...which is another thing..we are not in practice daily to see what these young guys do whether right or wrong. Again love being here and excited for my son and GO Spiders! 🕷🏀
Rick, valid point, but note that I included myself as one that can be an idiot. I am convinced with RARE exception we all love the Spiders and will support them until the day we die. As I have said before I compare us to a bunch of brothers,, we can disagree, we can bicker, but don't let anyone from outside the family challenge us, we will stand together. We love and will support our own.
I am sorry that VT4700 equated some posters advocating for more minutes for the youngsters, including your son, with "giving up on this year."
There’s more than one way to skin a cat (or so I’ve been told). Would think there are different ways to approach it all. Just because you’re not 1000% in agreement with everything Mooney does doesn’t mean you don’t like him or don’t want him to succeed. Personally, I know any coach we have will have flaws as will our players. I’ll root to death for them to win as much as they can on & off the court but don’t expect me to praise every action. It’s a message board...it would be darn boring if there wasn’t debate.
Too much BS and self back patting on this thread. Fan1, I wish we all had a chance to meet up in Brooklyn this past March, was really looking forward to it. Some of us idiots are not just message board warriors and would love to meet up and chat about Spider hoops in person. Spider Dad, wish the best for Dji, based on Moon's past treatment of freshman, really hope Dji gets opportunity here and we are not having to watch him be all conference at a different school.
Or just about any other college basketball message board. But our "Mooney can do no wrong" posters are very soft and love 18 win seasons with no jerks and zone match up. It defines Richmond basketball in the Mooney era.
I am calling that bluff. Name one single poster on here who says “Mooney can do no wrong”. One.
just because you don’t call for the coaches head when you lose to Hofstra doesn’t equate to “Mooney can do no wrong”.
what you do see is about 4 or 5 of us, including me, saying “chill the f$ck out, we are 7-2.” That is a far, far cry from “Mooney can do no wrong” or “we have nothing to work on”, etc.
OMG,Mr. Literal, there are about 30 posters over the last 7 years that have defended Mooney to no end despite sub par recruiting, failure to change, and overall mediocrity. But you got me bro, I can't do a search and find posts with exact phrase "Mooney can do no wrong". Congrats on your literal interpretation. Hang another top 100 banner while you are at it.
