Seize the moment
- Thread starter Gallipoli
- Start date
I am more concerned that the players are apparently going home for a few days for Christmas break this year. I realize most of them haven't been home since the summer, but this year that seems to just be asking for pandemic related trouble.
Gloom and doom prevail. The future is getting dimmer, Hope is fading. Things look bleak for our Spiders, To be or not to be.... A curtain has fallen over our fair team. Will the team recover from the curse of the 22nd?
Why shouldn't they be allowed to go home for Christmas to be with their families. They have endured enough with all the covid stupidity. They will be tested before they go and when they get back. If they test positive, they will quarantine. No big deal. VCU is evil for keeping student athletes from going home for Christmas.
The issue with sending them home and I don't think the A10 has addressed this - is how do they plan to make up or reschedule league games? It was somewhat manageable with OOC games because you could just play whoever - but trying to squeeze games and travel in here and there during the course of league play can really hinder teams in terms of travel, game prep, and fatigue (what if you have to make up a game and end up playing 3 games in 6 days? Especially a team like ours where in close games we will rely on Gilyard and Francis to play 36 + minutes. And I can even see Burton now in closer games playing 35 minutes. Not an issue when you have rest between games and can prepare - but if they have to squeeze makeup games in there - could be an issue.
It's a tough situation. Of course the kids deserve to be able to see their families over the holidays. But 17 or 18 kids, each going to homes with 3,4 or more people all over the country? Pretty much impossible to expect than none of them will get covid in that scenario, and that really threatens the next few weeks of basketball. Lots of us want to see family for the holidays but won't.
Agree doesn’t seem to be worth the risk right now. I was a little surprised. Think vcu is being smart. Not like they can all go home either. Certainly goose Cayo Grace aren’t. I’d just bunker down & spend together as a team. I know that’s pretty much been the case for a while but it’s not a normal year. They also spent more time at home earlier this year than ever before. Normally they’d have been at UR a lot over summer they weren’t. It stinks to say sorry u can’t go home to see family for Xmas it does but if I were in UR hoops position I’d err being too cautious.
Tired of the bubble. This is supposed to be the team that is top 20, thus clearly in the NCAA tournament without concern. So far, not happening. Its not just this past game, the last 4 games have not exactly inspired optimism. I bought in to the hype but so far its not there.
I don't think the rest of this year is dim. I think we still have a very good team that can win the A10 regular season and make the NCAA tourney.
Does the future look dim after this season - yes. For 2 reasons. I don't expect us to be very good next year, but given Mooney and staff's track record, I think it might be another 4-5 years until we are back in NCAA contention again. Burton is our main guy for the next 2 years. But we have seen nothing other than role player status from Grace, Sal, and Goose to see where he is getting any help. We thought Weir would be a good person to step in next season - but he didn't last a full semester. And Wilson has only played in 5 games and I would expect that lack of playing time to continue in A10 play. So next season we will be very inexperienced and our best player will be an athletic wing who is going to need help getting the ball and getting open in transition.
With everyone leaving - we should have a large class coming in and assuming Mooney and company can hit on those guys and get them playing time ASAP - the next time we make a run is when they are Juniors or Seniors. That is the playbook so far for Mooney - get a good group of Juniors/Seniors who have played together a lot and ride them to success when they are seasoned veterans. Worked with KA, Harper, and Geriot, and is working again with Francis, Gilyard, and Grant and Cayo.
Does the future look dim after this season - yes. For 2 reasons. I don't expect us to be very good next year, but given Mooney and staff's track record, I think it might be another 4-5 years until we are back in NCAA contention again. Burton is our main guy for the next 2 years. But we have seen nothing other than role player status from Grace, Sal, and Goose to see where he is getting any help. We thought Weir would be a good person to step in next season - but he didn't last a full semester. And Wilson has only played in 5 games and I would expect that lack of playing time to continue in A10 play. So next season we will be very inexperienced and our best player will be an athletic wing who is going to need help getting the ball and getting open in transition.
With everyone leaving - we should have a large class coming in and assuming Mooney and company can hit on those guys and get them playing time ASAP - the next time we make a run is when they are Juniors or Seniors. That is the playbook so far for Mooney - get a good group of Juniors/Seniors who have played together a lot and ride them to success when they are seasoned veterans. Worked with KA, Harper, and Geriot, and is working again with Francis, Gilyard, and Grant and Cayo.
I think Crabtree will be a big scorer in that role next year.
Maybe because we have some exciting young players to look forward to? We can do both and can be excited about this team and look forward to our younger guys next year.
Things are cloudy. Concern has cast a pall across the land. Can the Spiders remain undaunted in the face of great challenges? Can they see the strength within, as a ray of hope? Has the team shaken off the shocking nature of the Hofstra loss, by beating the Wildcats of Davidson? Will the glimmers of hope shine through? Can the mighty ones emerge better in the new year than before?
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Nothing good will happen to this team, until Choppin and 23, click their heels together 3 times and say "Chris Mooney is a great coach".
Ah, the time-travel paradox. I will do as you say after Coach Mooney leads us to 5 consecutive A10 semifinals and 2 NCAAs. But nothing good will happen to this team until I do it.
How can Reese be John Connor's father?
Now is the time. Our Spiders are coming off a win against a good Rhode Island team. Our team of underdogs and unheralded players are poised for greatness. They must seize the moment. Time is of the essence. Greatness awaits.
Good one - Gallipoli - what did you have for breakfast? Share the secret so we can all enjoy the same euphoria!
Do you own an inspirational poster business? If not, you’re in the wrong line of work.
A great opportunity exists. Our team must reach deep within themselves. Trials are ahead. Each must control his destiny.
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