Some observations this year

[UR Fan 2]

1. Mooney is doing his best coaching job in years. I leave you with 3 examples.
a. In the past when a young player made a mistake he would get the hook almost immediately. This year I have noticed Mooney lets the player play. And I think it is really helping the younger players to play loose.
b. Bench usage. Mooney stays with the bench in both the 1st and 2nd half even in close games. This is allowing the big 5 to stay rested throughout the game.
c. 2nd Half Adjustments - I remember this as a weakness the past several years. Or perhaps our overused starters were just getting tired. Either way I don't feel like this has been an issue for us this year.

2. TeamRankings predicts 23 wins and gives us a 42% chance of making the Dance. The entire team is back next year. Net net...we will be competitive for 2 years in a row. Mooney has successfully navigated through the dark period of his tenure. He will either get extended this year or next year's team will likely be is last as he parlays back to back strong campaigns into a bigger job. Perhaps both happen.

3. Burton and Koureissei give us a great 1-2 punch even after the Junior Class graduates. Add to that the minutes given to our back up guards last year and the new highly touted guard coming in and we could be competitive for the next 4 years.

4. South Alabama is going to be a difficult game. They lost to Auburn by a point. They will have had 11 days off to prepare for Richmond. And they are the 2nd highest rated team we play remaining in our Non Con to Alabama. It would really help if we had a healthy Golden back for this game. And also a big fan turnout.

Great time to be a Spider bball fan again.

 

[VT4700]

3. Burton and Koureissei give us a great 1-2 punch even after the Junior Class graduates. Add to that the minutes given to our back up guards last year and the new highly touted guard coming in and we could be competitive for the next 4 years.

And, don't forget about Crabtree. Not many teams could lose a whole starting 5 and still come back with a good team, but I see that happening for us with a possible starting 5 of Wilson, Andre, Crabtree, Burton, and Sal in 2 years. And, I think Wojcik will still be a factor for us, including this year because there will be some match ups where we want his shooting on the floor. Grace will add depth and we would only need another big and and another shooter to give us a solid team.

 

[spider23]

That type of thinking is what has gotten Mooney in trouble in recruiting big time the last 5 years. We've got our stellar 5, let's just recruit some Bryce Schneider's and X that can be developmental players and contribute later on. I agree a pretty solid 5, but you need to recruit guys you think are stars and could replace those guys and let the play in practice and games dictate who plays. Love Gus' game this year, but has he proven he can be a consistent 2 guard scorer at this level? Wilson looks like a good recruit, but what are chances he can have a Gilly impact. Crabtree probably most proven, but coming off an injury and will need to adjust to A10, etc, etc. Need to keep recruiting like your pants are on fire, and you absolutely need 3-4 starter level players every year.

 

[spiderman]

this next class is tremendously important. and it has to include a top of the A10 level big man. which worries me because Grant Golden's don't come around often.

 

[kneepadmckinney]

And we will definitely need some shooting. Because Burton, Kouressi, and Gustavson aren't reliable three-point shooters.

 

[urmite]

this next class is tremendously important. and it has to include a top of the A10 level big man. which worries me because Grant Golden's don't come around often.

So instead of a Grant Golden, we will have to settle for an Obi Toppin?

 

[97spiderfan]

this next class is tremendously important. and it has to include a top of the A10 level big man. which worries me because Grant Golden's don't come around often.

Well, they don't for us with Mooney recruiting, but is his job to bring in high quality big man recruits, so he needs to get on it and not settle for "back-ups" or reaches as he has in the past.

 

[spider23]

And/or we need to add grad transfers like Yanni Wetzel - he was not super highly sought but light years ahead of a Kwesi. Players like Yanni are out there, we just need to be able to close and show the impact. Also, if we can get to some NCAA's, that helps. Certain guys on here kind of point to Gonzaga as a huge aberration. But damn if VCU doesn't recruit pretty darn well. A few other mid majors too. Can't keep having a "settle" attitude and say, well in two years we have Gus, Wilson, etc., come on!

 

[97spiderfan]

And/or we need to add grad transfers like Yanni Wetzel - he was not super highly sought but light years ahead of a Kwesi. Players like Yanni are out there, we just need to be able to close and show the impact. Also, if we can get to some NCAA's, that helps. Certain guys on here kind of point to Gonzaga as a huge aberration. But damn if VCU doesn't recruit pretty darn well. A few other mid majors too. Can't keep having a "settle" attitude and say, well in two years we have Gus, Wilson, etc., come on!

Need a full 13 A-10 level players on our roster each year. As deep as we are this year, we left a ship open, and have 2 other players, who aren't A-10 level players.

 

[UR Fan 2]

Hopefully the loyalty Hardt has shown Mooney in sticking by him during the last 2 turbulent years will reward us with another medium term Mooney contract.

Lock the man up!!! 5 more years..... 5 more years.....

 

[LongTimeLurkerFirstTimePoster]

Need a full 13 A-10 level players on our roster each year. As deep as we are this year, we left a ship open, and have 2 other players, who aren't A-10 level players.

First of all, Matt "7 points" Grace takes exception to that remark. Secondly, can you tell me if the 12th/13th players on Dayton and VCU are "A-10 Level" players today(key word is "today")? They are the flagships in the league, have no problem getting anyone in, play in front of packed houses every night and the kids don't have to go to class.

Not trying to pick a fight, but just curious.

 

[urmite]

First of all, Matt "7 points" Grace takes exception to that remark. Secondly, can you tell me if the 12th/13th players on Dayton and VCU are "A-10 Level" players today(key word is "today")? They are the flagships in the league, have no problem getting anyone in, play in front of packed houses every night and the kids don't have to go to class.

Not trying to pick a fight, but just curious.

First, I think things are going to continue to work out.

But in response to your question, We have no 13, transfer redshirting is 12, Verbinskis 11 so

Wojcik & Grace are 9&10 right now.

VCU 9&10 might be Douglas & Crowfield
Dayton 9&10 might be Tshimanga & Matos

For whatever that means...

 

[VT4700]

First of all, Matt "7 points" Grace takes exception to that remark. Secondly, can you tell me if the 12th/13th players on Dayton and VCU are "A-10 Level" players today(key word is "today")? They are the flagships in the league, have no problem getting anyone in, play in front of packed houses every night and the kids don't have to go to class.

Not trying to pick a fight, but just curious.

If I could reply, I think very very few colleges, if any, have 13 conference level players on their rosters, at all levels and all conferences. I think pretty much every team has a guy or guys that will rarely see the floor on their rosters. Every coach we have ever had has had guys at the end of the roster who rarely played. There might be reasons to get on a coach, but to get on a coach because he doesn't have a roster that pretty much no one else in basketball would have seems a little silly to me.

 

[nathanw19]

If I could reply, I think very very few colleges, if any, have 13 conference level players on their rosters, at all levels and all conferences. I think pretty much every team has a guy or guys that will rarely see the floor on their rosters. Every coach we have ever had has had guys at the end of the roster who rarely played. There might be reasons to get on a coach, but to get on a coach because he doesn't have a roster that pretty much no one else in basketball would have seems a little silly to me.

To this point, I remember hearing a story during Villanova’s runs that Jay Wright purposely only had 10-11 scholarship kids on his roster, because he wasn’t willing to just have filler guys and 10-11 was the max he could convince to come who could have a legitimate shot at playing time.

 

[LongTimeLurkerFirstTimePoster]

First, I think things are going to continue to work out.

But in response to your question, We have no 13, transfer redshirting is 12, Verbinskis 11 so

Wojcik & Grace are 9&10 right now.

VCU 9&10 might be Douglas & Crowfield
Dayton 9&10 might be Tshimanga & Matos

For whatever that means...

actually you make my point. richmond has never been 11 men deep or had 11 players that were CAA/A10 ready

 

[spider23]

Check the 2010-2011 roster, Mooney did it before but not since. And dont start with Hovde wasn't A10 level. He was and had more points in one game than schneider, aj ford, etc. had in their careers. There you go. More excuse mongering. We should be looking for a stud 2 guard or big man for next year (yes player transfers are very prevalent, we will probably have one or more). Not waiting for our bench to be a top 3 a10 team. They might, but not a good strategy.

And the Villanovas of the world can afford to keep a couple spots open for a transfer or a top guy backing out somewhere else.

 

[spider23]

Mooney is doing his best coaching job in years.

Agree completely Fan 2. Mooney seems engaged and making substitutions etc . Past years he watches with a blank stare as Jacksonville state of alabama outs a 12 to 0 run on us. Still trying to figure out the difference. We are going to need "Good" Mooney present to navigate the A10 this season.

 

[spiderman]

Check the 2010-2011 roster, Mooney did it before but not since. And dont start with Hovde wasn't A10 level. He was and had more points in one game than schneider, aj ford, etc. had in their careers.

that 2010/11 won 29 games with only 7 guys averaging over 1.9 ppg and only 8 guys playing more than 7.1 mpg. we also got out rebounded as usual but only by 2 per game that year.

love the preemptive Hovde reference. dude scored 11 points in 46 minutes as a senior that year. if you're arguing that Grace isn't A10 level like 97 does, then you can't have this one. I appreciate Hovde's hustle but that doesn't make him some big contributor on the 2010/11 team. heck, not sure you get to call Duinker an A10 level player just because he had a post college career. he did little here. Robbins did very little until an OK senior year on a lesser talented team. Garrett protected the rim, especially senior year, but wasn't help at all on the other end.

still a great team, though. a lot of ways to build one.

 

[spider23]

love the preemptive Hovde reference. dude scored 11 points in 46 minutes as a senior that year.

EXACTLY, because we recruited guys that were better, but he was in place if needed and even put up 25 points in a game, and showed the skill and athleticism to play in the A10. I will admit as a former walkon is a unique example, BUT even C Smith filled in an put up numbers on the Europe trip as needed. OBVIOUSLY guys at the end of bench don't have the opportunity to put up numbers. OK, I'll just admit it for everyone: Mooney failed to surround his teams the last 5 years with enough quality depth. Blame the administration, but when you are buddies with the billionaire donor, twist some arms - Get It Done!

 

[spider23]

Geez, and I am the negative one on here. Sman ripping Garrett, Duinker and Robbins. Oh boy. All good contributors. Duinker not contributing is all Mooney - ask Fezz. Mooney recruited Duinker and touted as a possible ROY.

 

[spiderman]

just questioning your revisionist rose colored glasses. our usable depth this year is as good as any year we've had. there were guys on our championship teams that didn't do much, just like there are guys on this year's team that won't do much.

I'm not even sure what you're arguing. that you think Mooney's deep depth of Hovde and Conor Smith in 2011 was something special? like they'd have been major contributors on today's team? based on Conor having a good day in Spain once? you're going to hang you hat on that?

 

[spider23]

Nope, you are not comprehending.

I was right about a transfer. One just entered the portal.

 

[spider23]

We should be looking for a stud 2 guard or big man for next year (yes player transfers are very prevalent, we will probably have one or more)

Nostradamus23 strikes again. Hopefully we can get that Curtis Blair type 2 guard. Good luck to Tomas, seems like he was just regaining his health and got a few minutes anyway. Hopefully he finds a good landing spot where he can contribute.

 

[gospidersgo]

For reference

 

[spiderman]

Nope, you are not comprehending.

I was right about a transfer. One just entered the portal.

still not sure what I'm not comprehending, but I guess that's the definition.
also not sure what the transfer has to do with this.

 

[spider23]

I'm not even sure what you're arguing. that you think Mooney's deep depth of Hovde and Conor Smith

No the narrative changed that it is not possible to have 11 decent players. Hov and C Smith were the 12th and 13th guys! And not bad for 12th and 13 guys, you can plug Hovde in and he could guard an A10 wing, no problem, and gets some buckets if needed.

 

[MountainSpider]

No the narrative changed that it is not possible to have 11 decent players. Hov and C Smith were the 12th and 13th guys! And not bad for 12th and 13 guys, you can plug Hovde in and he could guard an A10 wing, no problem, and gets some buckets if needed.

You could add those two to our current roster, and also add in three more scholarship players from that team -- freshman Wayne Sparrow (red-shirted that year), freshman Derrick Williams (1.7 ppg), and sophomore Greg Robbins (1.1 ppg), and we would still be 6-1 or possibly worse if one of them managed to screw up our overtime wins.

But I assume you are just trolling and not pining for the bottom of the 2010-2011 team to be on our team.

 

[spider23]

Not trolling. 4700 and sman come on with absolutes about impossibility of having a solid, filled out roster. Took me 5 seconds to find one - and give Mooney credit? Where is the troll? I do like our current roster and have stated so. What I questioned was 4700 acting like we already had our starting unit filled out for the year after next and could just plug in a few fill ins to supplement it. That is where we went wrong. Not a troll. I have been on this board since the inception, and was on the board before it.

 

[urmite]

Nostradamus23 strikes again. Hopefully we can get that Curtis Blair type 2 guard. Good luck to Tomas, seems like he was just regaining his health and got a few minutes anyway. Hopefully he finds a good landing spot where he can contribute.

Since he is now in the portal, does that mean he can't suit up from now to the start of second semester?
Or do you announce it now, effective at the start of next semester?

 

[coach fezz]

Geez, and I am the negative one on here. Sman ripping Garrett, Duinker and Robbins. Oh boy. All good contributors. Duinker not contributing is all Mooney - ask Fezz. Mooney recruited Duinker and touted as a possible ROY.

that was a bad time for me

 

[spiderman]

Not trolling. 4700 and sman come on with absolutes about impossibility of having a solid, filled out roster. Took me 5 seconds to find one - and give Mooney credit?

and you repeating that Hovde, CSmith, and Duinker are so much better than what we have now doesn't make it a fact.
in my opinion which granted is close to meaningless, Wojcik is better than Hovde was, Duinker was never the star you remember, and CSmith is like a wash vs Verbinskis. yes, we don't have a 13th man this year if you're still hung up on that. but the two guys in waiting look really good.

 

[nathanw19]

Let’s take a look at the 2010-2011squad. I’ve grouped the players based on playing time for the 2010-2011 season. Their 2010-2011 minutes and points per game are given, as well as their peak year (based on mpg).

Kevin Anderson: 36.2 mpg, 16.6 ppg (37.1 mpg, 17.8 ppg; 2009-2010)
Justin Harper: 31.8 mpg, 17.9 ppg (Same)

Kevin Smith: 27.8 mpg, 3.9 ppg (Same)
Dan Geroit: 24.9 mpg, 9.5 ppg (29.3 mpg, 14.3 ppg; 2007-2008)
Darien Brothers: 22.3 mpg, 7.6 ppg (30.3 mpg, 14.6 ppg; 2011-2012)
Francis-Cedric Martel: 18 mpg, 4.6 ppg (25.1 mpg, 5 ppg; 2011-2012)
Cedrick Lindsay: 16.5 mpg, 4.4 ppg (34.6 mpg, 18.3 ppg; 2013-2014)
Darrius Garrett: 12.8 mpg, 1.9 ppg (25.6 mpg, 4.5 ppg; 2011-2012)

Josh Duinker: 7.1 mpg, 1.8 ppg (11.4 mpg, 3.5 ppg; 2011-2012)
Greg Robbins: 4.6 mpg, 1.1 ppg (27.5 mpg, 6.9 ppg)
Derrick Williams: 4.5 mpg, 1.7 ppg (26.1 mpg, 11.4 ppg; 2012-2013)

Kevin Hovde: 2.9 mpg, 0.7 ppg (15.1 mpg, 3.2 ppg; 2006-2007)
Conor Smith: 2.4 mpg, 0.6 ppg (4.8 mpg, 1.5 ppg; 2011-2012)
Zak Estes: 2.4 mpg, 0 ppg (Same)
Jonathan Benjamin: 1.5 mpg, 0 ppg (2.2 mpg, 0.6 ppg; 2012-2013)
Liam Billings: 1 mpg, 0 ppg (2.5 mpg, 1.3 ppg; 2011-2012)

Wayne Sparrow: Red Shirt (18.7 mpg, 3.2 ppg; 2013-2014) (32.3 mpg, 13.8 ppg; 2014-2015 at UMBC)

From this, I would say there were 8 real contributors during the 2010-2011 season. Then there were 3 guys who were limited role players.

Overall, I would say the 8 contributors are clear A-10 level players. I would say Robbins and Williams became A-10 level players, just not difference makers. I would say Sparrow, Duinker, and Hovde all have varying reasons for why they arguably could be A-10 level and why they couldn’t.

So from my perspective, 10 solid, 3 questionable, which is pretty similar to this year. End of the day, hopefully this won’t be the only time we are comparing these two squads (which would mean this year’s does special things!).

 

[spider23]

and you repeating that Hovde, CSmith, and Duinker are so much better than what we have now doesn't make it a fact

Where did I say this???

 

[spider23]

Let’s take a look at the 2010-2011squad. I’ve grouped the players based on playing time for the 2010-2011 season. Their 2010-2011 minutes and points per game are given, as well as their peak year (based on mpg).

Kevin Anderson: 36.2 mpg, 16.6 ppg (37.1 mpg, 17.8 ppg; 2009-2010)
Justin Harper: 31.8 mpg, 17.9 ppg (Same)

Kevin Smith: 27.8 mpg, 3.9 ppg (Same)
Dan Geroit: 24.9 mpg, 9.5 ppg (29.3 mpg, 14.3 ppg; 2007-2008)
Darien Brothers: 22.3 mpg, 7.6 ppg (30.3 mpg, 14.6 ppg; 2011-2012)
Francis-Cedric Martel: 18 mpg, 4.6 ppg (25.1 mpg, 5 ppg; 2011-2012)
Cedrick Lindsay: 16.5 mpg, 4.4 ppg (34.6 mpg, 18.3 ppg; 2013-2014)
Darrius Garrett: 12.8 mpg, 1.9 ppg (25.6 mpg, 4.5 ppg; 2011-2012)

Josh Duinker: 7.1 mpg, 1.8 ppg (11.4 mpg, 3.5 ppg; 2011-2012)
Greg Robbins: 4.6 mpg, 1.1 ppg (27.5 mpg, 6.9 ppg)
Derrick Williams: 4.5 mpg, 1.7 ppg (26.1 mpg, 11.4 ppg; 2012-2013)

Kevin Hovde: 2.9 mpg, 0.7 ppg (15.1 mpg, 3.2 ppg; 2006-2007)
Conor Smith: 2.4 mpg, 0.6 ppg (4.8 mpg, 1.5 ppg; 2011-2012)
Zak Estes: 2.4 mpg, 0 ppg (Same)
Jonathan Benjamin: 1.5 mpg, 0 ppg (2.2 mpg, 0.6 ppg; 2012-2013)
Liam Billings: 1 mpg, 0 ppg (2.5 mpg, 1.3 ppg; 2011-2012)

Wayne Sparrow: Red Shirt (18.7 mpg, 3.2 ppg; 2013-2014) (32.3 mpg, 13.8 ppg; 2014-2015 at UMBC)

From this, I would say there were 8 real contributors during the 2010-2011 season. Then there were 3 guys who were limited role players.

Overall, I would say the 8 contributors are clear A-10 level players. I would say Robbins and Williams became A-10 level players, just not difference makers. I would say Sparrow, Duinker, and Hovde all have varying reasons for why they arguably could be A-10 level and why they couldn’t.

So from my perspective, 10 solid, 3 questionable, which is pretty similar to this year. End of the day, hopefully this won’t be the only time we are comparing these two squads (which would mean this year’s does special things!).

Correct, you don't put up numbers when you don't have the opportunity, because good players in front of you. MY PROBLEM is with recruiting that led to last 5 years and the attitude that we try to fill in around supposed future starters. The reading comprehension in truther land is quite astounding.

 

[urmite]

Where did I say this???

For what it is worth, I will say those three would be more productive then our 11th,12th,& 13th players this season.

 

[spiderman]

...and the attitude that we try to fill in around supposed future starters.

nobody is suggesting we recruit backups for the existing players. of course we recruit the best players we can. if they're better than the veteran guys in place ahead of them ... awesome.

 

[spider23]

Agree Sman, hopefully Mooney feels the same way.

 

[97spiderfan]

and you repeating that Hovde, CSmith, and Duinker are so much better than what we have now doesn't make it a fact.
in my opinion which granted is close to meaningless, Wojcik is better than Hovde was, Duinker was never the star you remember, and CSmith is like a wash vs Verbinskis. yes, we don't have a 13th man this year if you're still hung up on that. but the two guys in waiting look really good.

Yes, it is a fact, it is tough to have a full 13 man roster, when you only have 12 guys on scholarship. I'll take that 13th guy on the 09-10 team over the empty spot on the bench this year.

Also, Hovde was a recruited walk-on for most of his career.

 

[LongTimeLurkerFirstTimePoster]

EXACTLY, because we recruited guys that were better, but he was in place if needed and even put up 25 points in a game, and showed the skill and athleticism to play in the A10. I will admit as a former walkon is a unique example, BUT even C Smith filled in an put up numbers on the Europe trip as needed. OBVIOUSLY guys at the end of bench don't have the opportunity to put up numbers. OK, I'll just admit it for everyone: Mooney failed to surround his teams the last 5 years with enough quality depth. Blame the administration, but when you are buddies with the billionaire donor, twist some arms - Get It Done!

Connor Smith and the Europe....You are grasping now.

 

[spider23]

Connor Smith and the Europe....You are grasping now.

Shhhh, Conor will threaten you in the stands bro. You are grasping.