I don't want to limit Grant. his perimeter skills give him an advantage against other bigs. I want that to continue to develop over his career here.
Random Thoughts Thread
- Thread starter SouthJerseySpiderFan
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So long as the perimeter skills don't involve bombing 3's. He is not a great 3 point shooter, takes far too many for a center. I know Mooney probably has him green lighted on this, not sure why you want your big man so far away from the basket when he is so good at scoring inside.
GG is a fine shooter, he only needs to be good enough to draw his defender out.
I’d still want him shooting 4th probably of the starting 5 though.
I’d still want him shooting 4th probably of the starting 5 though.
if we limited Grant to strictly inside, you waste what makes him so special. this isn't 1982. big men have perimeter skills.
we were only able to attract Grant because of how we used TJ. we'd never land him as a back to the basket big man, and we'd never land another like him in the future if we only used him that way.
we were only able to attract Grant because of how we used TJ. we'd never land him as a back to the basket big man, and we'd never land another like him in the future if we only used him that way.
His 15 footer is better than TJs was, and he'll be watching TJ film to see how he got his shot off I'm sure. He's a big time player just like Nick.
I'm not saying he has to be a traditional back to the basket big man and never take 3's. I'm saying when your 6'10 at the college level with his skills inside he almost always has a higher percentage shot by taking it inside. I'm saying right now until he becomes a better 3 point shooter, he should not take so many as he does. He didn't take a lot last night and that was good. You have very little chance of offensive rebounds when your big man is taking a 3 as well.
Exactly. TJ was a good 3 point shooter. Grant's has a much better 15 footer though. Just like I don't want Khwan taking 3's because he is not a good 3 point shooter. I want him taking that 15 footer though because he is money from there.
Exactly, Grant is still in his first year. He is still learning to be quicker to get his shot off, not put the ball on the floor and finish through contact. TJ was excellent at those three things his last two years. Grant is also struggling with his emotions a bit. He will be a beast the next three years.
URI, St. Bonaventure and Davidson are the best teams in the A10 right now, but they are also the most experienced and are losing a lot next year.
I am 99% sure Hurley leaves Rhode Island after this season. He has a top 25 team, but will be losing over 60% of his minutes to graduation. His stock will not be higher in the foreseeable future. The Bonnies are also poised to take a big step back next year with the loss of Adams, Mobley, and Taqqee. Davidson is losing about 50% of their minutes, most importantly Aldgridge.
Most of the rest of the A10 is very young, including us. We look like we may be the best of the young teams right now and could be poised to be a top 2 or 3 A10 team for the next 3 or 4 years. We still need to improve, it will be interesting to see how things play out.
I am 99% sure Hurley leaves Rhode Island after this season. He has a top 25 team, but will be losing over 60% of his minutes to graduation. His stock will not be higher in the foreseeable future. The Bonnies are also poised to take a big step back next year with the loss of Adams, Mobley, and Taqqee. Davidson is losing about 50% of their minutes, most importantly Aldgridge.
Most of the rest of the A10 is very young, including us. We look like we may be the best of the young teams right now and could be poised to be a top 2 or 3 A10 team for the next 3 or 4 years. We still need to improve, it will be interesting to see how things play out.
2011, I very much liked your post (above) in terms of content and the fact that you are very likely "spot-on" with regards to Hurley URI and the Bonnies. Some of our top competition is losing some major fire-power. Frankly, the same can probably be said about VDU, depending on how important their senior losses will be, but most consider Tillman to be their best player, BY FAR. So, on paper we may look like we should have a good chance to have a good year.
However, I had to cringe in reading your post because sometimes a post like this one tends to plant a seed of complacency and a sense of entitlement with younger players. Hopefully, our guys are mature enough to know that they need to go out and play the games with intensity, and that big graduation losses by our opponents don't mean a thing if we do not personally improve our game. Every team in the A-10 will be bringing in new guys, and those new guys just could be better than the guys who just graduated. The good programs "re-load."
The fact of the matter is that this UR team has something to prove, and we should have a big chip on our shoulders about THIS season. We need to prove that the REAL UR team is the one we have been seeing in the last 7 games, and not that team that played the first 15 games, at roughly 3-12. Washing the taste out of our mouths from that miserable start will only be possible if we are laser-focused on "one-game-at-a-time" from here through the end of the A-10 tournament. And, next season we will still need to strap them on and do battle, because the other teams in the A-10, will re-load, and they are not going to lay down and hand us anything. We need to fully realize that the rest of this season and all of next season is not going to get any easier, we are better off for the realization. The good news is that we have a chance to get to know the strengths of our teammates, and their tendencies and this should help us make plays that you just don't make with guys you have not played with before. We have a chance to keep getting better, but it only happens if we keep working at it.
However, I had to cringe in reading your post because sometimes a post like this one tends to plant a seed of complacency and a sense of entitlement with younger players. Hopefully, our guys are mature enough to know that they need to go out and play the games with intensity, and that big graduation losses by our opponents don't mean a thing if we do not personally improve our game. Every team in the A-10 will be bringing in new guys, and those new guys just could be better than the guys who just graduated. The good programs "re-load."
The fact of the matter is that this UR team has something to prove, and we should have a big chip on our shoulders about THIS season. We need to prove that the REAL UR team is the one we have been seeing in the last 7 games, and not that team that played the first 15 games, at roughly 3-12. Washing the taste out of our mouths from that miserable start will only be possible if we are laser-focused on "one-game-at-a-time" from here through the end of the A-10 tournament. And, next season we will still need to strap them on and do battle, because the other teams in the A-10, will re-load, and they are not going to lay down and hand us anything. We need to fully realize that the rest of this season and all of next season is not going to get any easier, we are better off for the realization. The good news is that we have a chance to get to know the strengths of our teammates, and their tendencies and this should help us make plays that you just don't make with guys you have not played with before. We have a chance to keep getting better, but it only happens if we keep working at it.
Oldie, are you getting paid by the word? Please provide me with your literary agent’s contact info. I wanna get in on this action.
Mr T, I hear George Soros pays by the word on Twitter, FB and Periscope. Not sure about college message boards.
I'm surmising players that turn PRO lower a school's graduation rate. Does anyone know if TRANSFERS also lower the rate?
Down presently to +1.15, right above West Coast Conf at +1.11. Don't like being at their level but sure would enjoy being at Gonzaga's.
Since we were discussing Hurley, good article here. I do question the accuracy of the headline and premise that he has "chilled". From my observation he still yelled at the refs on EVERY SINGLE call. I think he stays awhile. He has had some opportunity the last two years and stepped back. I do think he realizes how good he has it. Very similar to VCU and Shaka. His coaching skill is that he is out recruiting the A10 by a huge country mile. And he gets those guys to buy in and play hard. Same thing Shaka did. Shaka moves to a big conference and has recruited pretty good there too. But guess what??? Now everyone else has good recruits and where did his coaching genius head of to? Recruiting is the number 1 indicator as we all know.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...out-and-rhode-island-roared-louder-than-ever/
https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...out-and-rhode-island-roared-louder-than-ever/
Here's something of interest if you go back and look at the any game this year vs any game say in 2009 you'll see the exact same offensive set and flow. Guard passes to big man at top of elbow, big man hold it over his head with back to basket looks around for cutter (usually not there since teams have scouted us for 12 years) then passes to guard coming around at top back outside the 3 point line, then passes to guard on the other side of floor. Then wash, rinse, repeat. Has never changed in 12 years.
You know, was thinking the same thing. My perspective during the URI game, is that we just keep doing the same thing all game long. I do think execution is a big part of successful programs. I mean Xavier and UVA run the packline all day long, and just have good players and execute it. But it does seem that at some point you do need to make a few adjustments in game, but what do I know? (side note: Sad today that Lambs lost to Davidson, and shaking in fear that KM will expose Highlanders on national tv tonight).
I agree with the motion has remained the same, but I do feel CM has been more flexible in allowing the players to attack the basket. In the beginning, they played like robots and seemed to have zero freedom. I do think he's evolved in that realm in allowing them to be more aggressive and play off the dribble. Just my two cents.
Success of dribble drive, other than talented guards, seems to be predicated on the other four players being in tune and making themselves open to a pass if needed. Much like a receiver in football finding the open spot in the defense and presenting a target for the passer. It takes time for the players to learn and anticipate where the driver is going. We are close but sometimes get caught standing around watching and reacting too late.
Only Spider in the NBA right now, as a player that is:
Dan Geriot and TJ Cline used to hit foul line jumpers out of that offense. Neither of them were much for driving to the hoop from the high post. Not sure we want GG driving to the hoop when we have others who are good dribble penetrators. I would rather see GG picking and rolling in a dribble drive offense.
Discussed so much on here that in my mind he played here last year. That was a great back court of SDJ and AWIII. With Malcolm, Buck and TJ up front, no wonder we went to NC2A's again. Almost, almost. When someone posted a picture of him shooting in the RC, I knew we had him. Knew it.
Don't forget JJ Avilla dominating the paint as well for us that year. Such a luxury to bring him off the bench.
That sweet 16 game that year against Kentucky was great. Still wish Mooney would have used a time out to stem that big run Kentucky made in the second half, otherwise I see us winning that game.
AWIII was a top-5 Spider, IMO. A
Was that the game where Chris Chiozza was lighting it up for us from three in the first half? They all blend together anymore.
Yeah, I know. That run we had 2014-2016 was epic. Way too many good memories. I loved beating VCU, 3 times in 2016, espically when we won the A-10 championship game over them in 15. Chiozza hit that scoop shot in OT to win it. Wow, I watch that on repeat on YouTube so many times. Our run last year to Elite Eight with Bernard was pretty great too.
Thanks guys for the reminders. Yes, don't know why at times I'm so negative here about CM. Can't get to the NCAA tourney every year. Next year coach will guide the boys back in it again.
Has this board become the Twilight Zone?
A lot of the guys discussed above we were not going to get once the big boys came calling. A few others, like Bernard, and likely Avilla, we might have kept eligible for one or at most two semesters, before he/they "decided to transfer" (which could be code for couldn't cut it in the classroom). Let's be real. We had some great talent roughly 10 years ago, and we did very well with it. We have close to that level of talent on the roster today, in my view, and certainly should have it by next season. Let's see if we can capitalize once again....
A lot of the guys discussed above we were not going to get once the big boys came calling. A few others, like Bernard, and likely Avilla, we might have kept eligible for one or at most two semesters, before he/they "decided to transfer" (which could be code for couldn't cut it in the classroom). Let's be real. We had some great talent roughly 10 years ago, and we did very well with it. We have close to that level of talent on the roster today, in my view, and certainly should have it by next season. Let's see if we can capitalize once again....
..... in 2018-19 and if no NCAA bid, than locals Buck and Nick rightfully deserve a chance to play their senior year under new leadership for their last attempt at attaining what all great high schoolers dream of. Unfortunately players like TA, K0, SDJ were never given that opportunity. The loyal UR fans also deserve to see this play out, good or bad.
