The official Richmond Women's Top 25 thread

[SpiderTrap]

The key with this Texas game is two fold - obviously a win would catapult the team and program. But I think that is a longshot at this point. The second key - just don't get blown out. Seems obvious, but the talent gap from the top womens programs is usually very large as it drops - even from the top 5-10 teams in rankings to teams ranked 20-25. There are just less girls that play the game and therefore - the drop in talent is pretty quick. And this Texas team has produced some blowouts.

Beat Depaul by 30.
Beat Butler by 35
Beat JMU by 31.

Remember last year - we opened season, lost by 30 to Duke. But NCAA tourney - we had more experience and confidence, only by 11. If we do lose - keep it to 15 or less. That might even get us more votes, just keeping it close and hanging with a top 10 team and possible final four team.

 

[UR Fan 2]

The key with this Texas game is two fold - obviously a win would catapult the team and program. But I think that is a longshot at this point. The second key - just don't get blown out. Seems obvious, but the talent gap from the top womens programs is usually very large as it drops - even from the top 5-10 teams in rankings to teams ranked 20-25. There are just less girls that play the game and therefore - the drop in talent is pretty quick. And this Texas team has produced some blowouts.

Beat Depaul by 30.
Beat Butler by 35
Beat JMU by 31.

Remember last year - we opened season, lost by 30 to Duke. But NCAA tourney - we had more experience and confidence, only by 11. If we do lose - keep it to 15 or less. That might even get us more votes, just keeping it close and hanging with a top 10 team and possible final four team.

Don't get blown out? Nah Trap, this team can beat Texas!!! Doogan can score all over the court, Ullstrom is one of the top "feet set" 3 point shooters in the country. Budnik is our defensive enforcer, Sweeney is a PG who gets better each game, and honestly could average 15 a game if she shot more, Hill is kind of a glue player who helps make everyone better, and man our bench depth is off the charts. I have seen every game in Richmond this year, and these gals are legit!!!

GT loss was unlucky but remember in college basketball you have to be razor sharp in every contest. Against Columbia we shortened the bench minutes and expect that for the next 3 games. Not endorsing it fwiw but it was notable.

Just win baby!!! Texas is going to be wild, hope to see y'all there!!!!

 

[SpiderTrap]

I hope they do win. Beating Texas would be a program defining win for this group. BUT - this is not men's basketball where parity is much broader and spread out. In women's hoops - this is why you don't get a lot of upsets or few if any cinderella runs in the NCAA tourney. The talent is so top heavy with the top 10-15 programs, and then there is a pretty quick drop off.

I will say this - if they do beat Texas. Hardt, who should be attending this game - likely the biggest opponent ever to come to the Robins Center for womens hoops - he should shake Rousell's hand, say great job, and walk him directly to his office and negotiate his extension on the SPOT before he goes home for dinner.

 

[UR Fan 2]

I hope they do win. Beating Texas would be a program defining win for this group. BUT - this is not men's basketball where parity is much broader and spread out. In women's hoops - this is why you don't get a lot of upsets or few if any cinderella runs in the NCAA tourney. The talent is so top heavy with the top 10-15 programs, and then there is a pretty quick drop off.

I will say this - if they do beat Texas. Hardt, who should be attending this game - likely the biggest opponent ever to come to the Robins Center for womens hoops - he should shake Rousell's hand, say great job, and walk him directly to his office and negotiate his extension on the SPOT before he goes home for dinner.

A lot of point differential is also the result of matchups. The Texas front court will be the biggest yet. Texas is coming off to a tough loss to #3 Notre Dame (who lost to Utah). Utah struggled to beat St Joe's.

Our girls respond to crowd energy. When we had the elementary schools in the RC, it was loud, and our girls played better. Against Columbia, the Henrico Sports Center is smaller than the RC, and thus louder, and our girls responded. We need a big crowd for Texas. If we get 5000 out for that game, I will go out on a limb and say we win.

 

[SFspidur]

BUT - this is not men's basketball where parity is much broader and spread out.

Yep, you simply don't see mid-major and up men's teams losing by 40 points to top 10 teams. Can't recall it ever happening. Anyone else?

 

[SpiderTrap]

Yep, you simply don't see mid-major and up men's teams losing by 40 points to top 10 teams. Can't recall it ever happening. Anyone else?

That just shows where our mens program is at right now.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Watched JMU vs Texas for first quarter and Texas has very good jump shooters off the
dribble. They are big and quick and make tough for you to drive the lane. They over play
passing lanes and Spiders have to really be patient and avoid telegraphing passes and being
lazy with the pass. When we have open 3s we need to hit them. Texas will try to push the ball
and I really did not pay attention to how good their bench is.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Our weakness this year is ballhandling - so concerns there with Texas speed and length. But you hit nail on head - when your playing tough teams, and the great equalizer is the 3 point shot. These girls can make them in bunches, but also in recent games - can miss them in bunches. To keep it close and get the upset - we need a hot shooting night from the women.

 

[spiderstudent17]

I will say this - if they do beat Texas. Hardt, who should be attending this game - likely the biggest opponent ever to come to the Robins Center for womens hoops - he should shake Rousell's hand, say great job, and walk him directly to his office and negotiate his extension on the SPOT before he goes home for dinner

Careful Trap, we don’t like to extend coaches around here prematurely. He hasn’t made the NCAAs this year 😉



Just trying to have fun and joke around folks.

 

[MrTbone]

Yep, you simply don't see mid-major and up men's teams losing by 40 points to top 10 teams. Can't recall it ever happening. Anyone else?

You beat me to this one, I was preparing my paradoxical statement that’s now over in the digital round file.

 

[97spiderfan]

he should shake Rousell's hand, say great job, and walk him directly to his office and negotiate his extension on the SPOT before he goes home for dinner.

To coach the men's team, sure. But believe we just extended him in the offseason, so think he is good to go. Hardt does not need to be encouraged to extending anyone, it is the one thing he truly excels at.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Extensions in college basketball I think are annual things these days, so if he wins - (and of course makes another NCAA tourney) - he gets another extension - even if its just adding 2 years - it just the nature of the business these days.

 

[97spiderfan]

Extensions in college basketball I think are annual things these days, so if he wins - (and of course makes another NCAA tourney) - he gets another extension - even if its just adding 2 years - it just the nature of the business these days.

They are the nature of business at UR. I don't know if that applies out that every time a coach has what is termed a winning year, that they get another extension.

 

[SFspidur]

If he has the type of season that appears possible, he will have a number of opportunities this offseason. It's just a matter of whether he's ready to move yet and what we're able to do to try to keep him.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Assuming he is under contract for 5 years after his extension last year, then if they make the tourney again this year - I would have no issue with adding 2 years to his deal and a little bit of money. No need for a 10 year deal, huge raise - etc. If he wants to leave and get more money - we let that happen. But I see no issue with going 2 more years (so he would be under contract for 6 years after this season) and adding some money to the pot for him and his staff.