Quality and Depth of players

[UR80sfan]

There has been a lot of discussion about the quality and depth of players on the team and I think one of the most difficult things the coaching staff is going to have to do is manage everyone's playing time. This team has a lot of quality players that have the potential of being at least above average starters in the A10 during their time at Richmond. We potentially could go 10 deep this year.

Obviously these minutes do not add up, but below is how many minutes each player could potentially get, although there could be a number of positive surprises as we head into the season.

1. Jacob Gilyard Top 10 Players in A10 35 minutes
2. Grant Golden Top 10 Players in A10 30 minutes
3. Nathan Cayo Top 50% A10 starter 30 minutes
4. Nick Sherod Top 50% A10 starter 28 minutes
5. Blake Francis Top 50% starter in A10 32 minutes
6. Souleymane Koureissi potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 15 minutes
7. Matt Grace potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 10 minutes
8. Andre Gustavson potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 15 minutes
9. Jake Wojcik potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 15 minutes
10. Tyler Burton looks good on paper 10 minutes
11. Tomas Verbinskis ??
12. Connor Crabtree Ineligible Top 50% starter in A10

 

[BuckinghamPalace]

Can you please explain what you mean by top 50% starter? Not sure I agree with some of them if you are saying they would start on 50% of A10 teams.

 

[UR80sfan]

Can you please explain what you mean by top 50% starter? Not sure I agree with some of them if you are saying they would start on 50% of A10 teams.

There are 13 teams and 65 starters in the A10. To be a top 50% A10 starter you need to rank in the top 32 of all starters. It does not mean you would start for every team.

 

[SpiderRick]

Potentially 10 deep? I must have fallen asleep, when did we get a new coach?

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

There are 14 teams in the A10, unless someone left while we weren't paying attention.

But yes, that is how I interpreted your Top 50% A10 starter opinion - top half of the starters in the conference.
It might be a bit premature to anoint Blake a Top 50% A10 starter before he's even played an A10 game.

I hope you're right. A team with two Top 10s, and all of the starters above average for the conference, should finish no lower than 2nd.
They certainly shouldn't be playing on Wednesday at the A10 tournament, even with an injured starter.

 

[97spiderfan]

There has been a lot of discussion about the quality and depth of players on the team and I think one of the most difficult things the coaching staff is going to have to do is manage everyone's playing time. This team has a lot of quality players that have the potential of being at least above average starters in the A10 during their time at Richmond. We potentially could go 10 deep this year.

Obviously these minutes do not add up, but below is how many minutes each player could potentially get, although there could be a number of positive surprises as we head into the season.

1. Jacob Gilyard Top 10 Players in A10 35 minutes
2. Grant Golden Top 10 Players in A10 30 minutes
3. Nathan Cayo Top 50% A10 starter 30 minutes
4. Nick Sherod Top 50% A10 starter 28 minutes
5. Blake Francis Top 50% starter in A10 32 minutes
6. Souleymane Koureissi potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 15 minutes
7. Matt Grace potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 10 minutes
8. Andre Gustavson potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 15 minutes
9. Jake Wojcik potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 15 minutes
10. Tyler Burton looks good on paper 10 minutes
11. Tomas Verbinskis ??
12. Connor Crabtree Ineligible Top 50% starter in A10

I'm not disagreeing with the minutes breakdown but Matt Grace doesn't start for any A-10 team. He wouldn't even be on scholarship at any of the Top A-10 schools. I love how Verbinskis is been here for 2 plus years and the best anyone can say about him is ?????. How he didn't get the D-3 transfer treatment from Mooney is beyond me?

 

[GaySpider]

Yeah, No, depth is a major problem. We have to play GG so much that he's afraid to foul out.

 

[UR80sfan]

I'm not disagreeing with the minutes breakdown but Matt Grace doesn't start for any A-10 team. He wouldn't even be on scholarship at any of the Top A-10 schools. I love how Verbinskis is been here for 2 plus years and the best anyone can say about him is ?????. How he didn't get the D-3 transfer treatment from Mooney is beyond me?

When I say potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond, it might not happen to their senior year. I thought Grace played well as a freshman and was one of the better back up centers we have had in a long time. He seems to have good coordination for a big guy. If he puts on more weight and gets more experience he could be good. We will see.

Verbinskis, was one of the highest rated players we have recruited over the past decade. Mooney must see something that we have not seen over the past 2 years. He definitely deserves ??

 

[spiderman]

Verbinskis, was one of the highest rated players we have recruited over the past decade.

I agree with most of what you say, but this is a case of mistaken identity.

I'm still hopeful Tomas can help. he looked good before getting injured last year.

 

[97spiderfan]

When I say potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond, it might not happen to their senior year. I thought Grace played well as a freshman and was one of the better back up centers we have had in a long time. He seems to have good coordination for a big guy. If he puts on more weight and gets more experience he could be good. We will see.

Verbinskis, was one of the highest rated players we have recruited over the past decade. Mooney must see something that we have not seen over the past 2 years. He definitely deserves ??

Ok, on Grace. But comparing him to our other recent back-up centers is a pretty low bar (Kweisi and JMA).

Verbinkis was offered by two other schools Valpo and I believe Florida Gulf Coast. He was not high on any recruiting radars. But agree, he is deserving of ???? He is certainly a giant question mark as to why he is still on our roster.

 

[urmite]

I think I remember that Verbinskis was rated pretty good by 1 scout (high 3 star). So when that was averaged in with a handful of no ratings, he moved up to above average for us.

What his ability is when healthy I have no idea...

 

[SpiderTrap]

We are not going 10 deep. We will go 8 at most.

Gilyard
Francis
Sherod
Cayo
Golden
Sal
Wojcik
Andre or Burton - might depend on opponent and matchups and in game foul trouble.

 

[urmite]

As I see it right now we have 11 players.
2 Centers - Golden & Grace
3 guards- Gilyard, Francis, & Wojcik
3 forwards - Sherod, Cayo, & Koureissi
2 unknown forwards - Burton & Verbinskis
1 versatile player - Gustavson
If Golden is out, Grace is in. If Sherod is out, a forward shooter is in. Goose will fill in at any position he can.
We may only have 7 or 8 play significant minutes, but we may need 9 to play, even if 2 only play a few minutes sporadically.

 

[97spiderfan]

We are not going 10 deep. We will go 8 at most.

Gilyard
Francis
Sherod
Cayo
Golden
Sal
Wojcik
Andre or Burton - might depend on opponent and matchups and in game foul trouble.

Have to add Grace in there because he is our only big man sub for Grant. That actually gets us to 10. Of course, you know Mooney is gonna forget a couple of these guys some games and then tell us in the postgame that he has to find minutes for them. Memo to the players who get that mention, don't expect more time the next game.

 

[spiderman]

... then tell us in the postgame that he has to find minutes for them.

I don't know why this bothers you so much. get used to it. with at least 10 solid players this year, 1-2 guys will be lost each game. so yes, you're going to keep hearing it.
but CM never "forgets" to play someone. he'll play the guys that he thinks gives us the best chance to win that night. then he'll say he needs to get someone more time to make pleasant conversation in an interview, but he didn't forget to play anyone.
if you're waiting for CM to say "I didn't get X in the game tonight because he gave shit effort in practice yesterday", he won't do that. if nothing else, he protects his players extremely well in the media. he's always positive about them all.

 

[97spiderfan]

I don't know why this bothers you so much. get used to it. with at least 10 solid players this year, 1-2 guys will be lost each game. so yes, you're going to keep hearing it.
but CM never "forgets" to play someone. he'll play the guys that he thinks gives us the best chance to win that night. then he'll say he needs to get someone more time to make pleasant conversation in an interview, but he didn't forget to play anyone.
if you're waiting for CM to say "I didn't get X in the game tonight because he gave shit effort in practice yesterday", he won't do that. if nothing else, he protects his players extremely well in the media. he's always positive about them all.

I'm not waiting for Chris to anything different than he has ever done in the past. He's gonna feed us the same ole lines he has fed us for the past 14 years. I'm just tired of listening to them, especially when even his defenders know they are a crock of shit.

I just can't wait until we get a new coach and you are going to be so amazed at how differently things look with someone who knows what they are doing, knows how to recruit, knows how to market, knows how to motivate players. A coach who has confidence in his own leadership abilities. Instead, we have insecure Mooney to feed us the same canned BS he has been feeding us the past 14 years.

S-man, you are going to be so much happier too. I know you are.

 

[spiderman]

if we're not losing 20 games, I'll be happier.
I'm hoping I'm happy this season with CM still here.

 

[Gospiders06]

History has proven over the years with Mooney to play about 2-3 players from bench. Usually our starters get tired after playing 30+ minutes. And so we substitute for a few minutes. I see Golden/Gilyard/Cayo being starters in the A-10 the rest are a total mystery.

 

[GKiller]

I'm ok with playing a solid 8 man rotation. But you want to pick the best 8 out of 12-13. That's real depth. Not be forced to choose your 8 because that's all you have. And that's what we've done for years unfortunately. And then you have an injury and you're screwed. I do think we have the best depth relative to Richmond in a long time. There is potential depth. But is that really enough against our comp? Not using the 13th ship is a problem...what we're saving it for "next years's once in a decade bid". Please.

I see Sal listed as 6th or first sub on some lists. He played less than 5 minutes a game last year on a bad team, including 9 games Mooney didn't even play him. Now granted he looked like he could handle things to me when he played, and certainly should have played more when you factor in last year wasn't going anywhere AT ALL. But Mooney would have played him a lot more if Mooney thought he would help us win. So that's on my mind. I'll be rooting for him of course and guys can make a jump but at this point I have to be convinced with Sal.

Also Tyler Burton says he's a guard not a forward.

 

[Spider2020]

I'm ok with playing a solid 8 man rotation. But you want to pick the best 8 out of 12-13. That's real depth. Not be forced to choose your 8 because that's all you have. And that's what we've done for years unfortunately. And then you have an injury and you're screwed. I do think we have the best depth relative to Richmond in a long time. There is potential depth. But is that really enough against our comp? Not using the 13th ship is a problem...what we're saving it for "next years's once in a decade bid". Please.

I see Sal listed as 6th or first sub on some lists. He played less than 5 minutes a game last year on a bad team, including 9 games Mooney didn't even play him. Now granted he looked like he could handle things to me when he played, and certainly should have played more when you factor in last year wasn't going anywhere AT ALL. But Mooney would have played him a lot more if Mooney thought he would help us win. So that's on my mind. I'll be rooting for him of course and guys can make a jump but at this point I have to be convinced with Sal.

Also Tyler Burton says he's a guard not a forward.

I’d be willing to bet Jake will be first off the bench this year. Mooney likes him. I think the hope is Sal has made the jump (with a year of practice and an unlimited meal plan) and can contribute, since we could use his size and athleticism.

 

[GKiller]

I’d be willing to bet Jake will be first off the bench this year. Mooney likes him. I think the hope is Sal has made the jump (with a year of practice and an unlimited meal plan) and can contribute, since we could use his size and athleticism.

I agree. and he played Wojcik as freshman a lot all year and right from the start, clear distinction from Sal, and there was opportunity for both.

My personal #1 fav off bench is definitely Gustavson but you're right Mooney's is Wocjik.

 

[Gospiders06]

Maybe actually give guys minutes. And less time on the bench.

 

[MrTbone]

I agree with most of what you say, but this is a case of mistaken identity.

I'm still hopeful Tomas can help. he looked good before getting injured last year.

Is this based on something you observed in practices? The one game he was in he looked lost I thought.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

Maybe actually give guys minutes. And less time on the bench.

The 14-year track record provides evidence that disputes this tongue-in-cheek "wish."

Player management (in game) = D-. It is hilarious that some on here expect it to be any different this season.

I do agree that there is experienced talent on hand, but Mooney managing it to a large number of wins and a "great" NCAA season = No.

Will the Spiders lose less than the 20 games per year of the last 2 seasons, YES. This will be due to player improvement (experience plus Blake Francis), not improvement in Mooney's performance.

 

[97spiderfan]

I agree. and he played Wojcik as freshman a lot all year and right from the start, clear distinction from Sal, and there was opportunity for both.

My personal #1 fav off bench is definitely Gustavson but you're right Mooney's is Wocjik.

I like Andre better than Jake for bench minutes. Jake is a better shooter, but Gustavson is a better defender and athlete and I think we will need more defense than shooting this year. But agree, Mooney likes Jake better and that is all that matters.

 

[VT4700]

There has been a lot of discussion about the quality and depth of players on the team and I think one of the most difficult things the coaching staff is going to have to do is manage everyone's playing time. This team has a lot of quality players that have the potential of being at least above average starters in the A10 during their time at Richmond. We potentially could go 10 deep this year.

Obviously these minutes do not add up, but below is how many minutes each player could potentially get, although there could be a number of positive surprises as we head into the season.

1. Jacob Gilyard Top 10 Players in A10 35 minutes
2. Grant Golden Top 10 Players in A10 30 minutes
3. Nathan Cayo Top 50% A10 starter 30 minutes
4. Nick Sherod Top 50% A10 starter 28 minutes
5. Blake Francis Top 50% starter in A10 32 minutes
6. Souleymane Koureissi potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 15 minutes
7. Matt Grace potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 10 minutes
8. Andre Gustavson potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 15 minutes
9. Jake Wojcik potential top 50% A10 starter while at Richmond 15 minutes
10. Tyler Burton looks good on paper 10 minutes
11. Tomas Verbinskis ??
12. Connor Crabtree Ineligible Top 50% starter in A10

Best way to guess bench minutes would be to give Golden and Grace 40 minutes and go from there. You did this by giving Grant 30 and Grace 10, although I could see Grant getting 32 or more if he stays out of foul trouble.

Now, we need to look at the other minutes. If we give Jacob 36 minutes, and the other three starters a combined 94, that leaves 30 minutes out there. I would love to see two of the four remaining guys separate themselves from the other two before A-10 play starts and get the most minutes, even if it means very little minutes for the other two.

 

[Eight Legger]

Hardt indicated that Burton will be a big rebounder for us, so I guess he's going to get 20 minutes a game or so. Not sure whose minutes he will be taking though.

 

[LongTimeLurkerFirstTimePoster]

I like Andre better than Jake for bench minutes. Jake is a better shooter, but Gustavson is a better defender and athlete and I think we will need more defense than shooting this year. But agree, Mooney likes Jake better and that is all that matters.

is it possible that because AG was in the finnish army all summer (and missed all of the summer practices) , plus battled an injuries for part of the pre-season, that JW was just plain better than him when the season started? Now who was better at the end of season was debatable, but by that time, they were playing different positions.

 

[97spiderfan]

is it possible that because AG was in the finnish army all summer (and missed all of the summer practices) , plus battled an injuries for part of the pre-season, that JW was just plain better than him when the season started? Now who was better at the end of season was debatable, but by that time, they were playing different positions.

Yes, that makes sense. It will be interesting because I see Blake as being an upgrade and having a similar game to Jake, while Andre with his length, athletcism and ability to play really anything from PG to a 3 as being a more functional bench player for us than Jake. He brings something different to the game.

We will have to see how both of these players have grown in the offseason though.

 

[Eight Legger]

The amount of pressure Mooney and Hardt are placing on Francis's shoulders is somewhat unprecedented. This kid is being portrayed as our savior. I hope he's as good as advertised, but at this point he is being made out to be a Wooden Award candidate.

 

[SpiderVol]

I believe Francis will show up well in the box score, but I'm not sold that it will ultimately translate to wins. I think he and Gilyard are dynamic players, but unless we get much better defensively it will only yield so much in terms of wins.

While both Gilyard and Francis are very good individual defensive players. I think their size, especially when both are on the court together, and the fact we do not have a Darius Garrett type player to protect the paint is going to continue to make us a subpar defensive team. Without significant improvement to our team defense we are going to continue to struggle winning games.

 

[VT4700]

The amount of pressure Mooney and Hardt are placing on Francis's shoulders is somewhat unprecedented. This kid is being portrayed as our savior. I hope he's as good as advertised, but at this point he is being made out to be a Wooden Award candidate.

They have not come close to saying this. He is a good shooter, is quick, and can play some defense. What is wrong with saying that?

 

[urmite]

Hardt indicated that Burton will be a big rebounder for us, so I guess he's going to get 20 minutes a game or so. Not sure whose minutes he will be taking though.

I may be wrong, but maybe he gets 20 of the 220 minutes in the first post even if it says 10...

 

[spider23]

Yes, Mooney is hyping Francis a little bit absurdly. Pushing his stack of Francis Chips to the middle.

Vol, that is my primary concern - even with Gilly/Francis very quick and disruptive - can we compete with the physical teams - especially if Sherod is a bit tentative off injury. And Golden afraid to foul. That is the challenge to overcome.

 

[wr70beh]

So if Mooney or Hardt doesn't say it, but if Bob Black and the social media team says it, means it's not hype.

 

[Spider2020]

This has got me thinking about starting Andre, with Nick being the 6th man. Don’t get me wrong, Nick is very good, but starting Andre would mask some of the defensive issues I see coming if we start Francis, Sherod (coming back from ACL), and gilyard. Nick could still play 20+ minutes a game as sixth man, and would give the second unit a proven scorer. He could be a Lou Williams type of guy for us

 

[keefusb]

Hardt indicated that Burton will be a big rebounder for us

This statement will guarantee that Burton's a$$ will be glued to the bench. Rebounding in CM's system is verboten.

#NoMoreMooneyTruthing

 

[GKiller]

So if Mooney or Hardt doesn't say it, but if Bob Black and the social media team says it, means it's not hype.

Bob hyped Francis on radio the other day more than I’ve heard him hype any Richmond player before.

 

[VT4700]

Bob hyped Francis on radio the other day more than I’ve heard him hype any Richmond player before.

So, maybe he likes what he's seen so far? The guy has been here since last year.

 

[spider23]

Franchise