URI Game thread - Wed 7pm ESPN+

[CarolinaSpider]

On his fadeaway I did the ol’…no no YES! But maybe wasn’t needed. Because he has good form & I’ve always felt pretty confident when he shoots wherever on court. Not King confident but confident.

Quinn needs to go up right away. no more fakes I think he’s been scouted that he doesn’t shoot/attack basket right away so he’s being defended easier. Nobody taking the fakes. Mix it up and attack rim immediately. But nice to see his jam.

Jam off running start! Fuchs may have been the strongest defender Neal has faced. He had trouble backing him down.
Fuchs was ripped and took us a while to figure him out. My biggest problem with Neal is that he is mostly a finesse player and cannot bang like Walz.

 

[gospidersgo]

It wasn't Neal's finest game, but he didn't play terrible either. Got into some foul trouble, but didn't force things and still managed 7 assists. Nice to have Walz progress far enough now though to come in and not see a big drop off. Good job by the team of not panicking after falling behind and eventually taking a fairly comfortable road win (do need to fix those slow starts though).

 

[LongTimeLurkerFirstTimePoster]

The “take the air out of the ball” Mooney strategy.

NICE TRY. 16-0 when leading at the 5:00 mark.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

I don’t understand the attack posts on here when someone points out a longtime issue.

I suppose Wood and Lurker were really happy with no FGA and 2 turnovers when we stopped playing offense between 4:00 and 2:00, and URI cut the lead from 11 to 5?

With an 11 point lead and 4 minutes left every game, even I could coach a team to 30–1. The point being that maybe instead of employing a strategy that seemingly always brings the game within a possession or two, try one that has more aggression and tries to end the game with buckets. Actively winning vs passively. Seems when we hold the ball result in poor possessions, I find this hard to dispute. Kevin Anderson/Jordan King are the exceptions over the years, not the rule.

 

[SpiderRick]

I feel ya…but in the clutch…he’s been pretty good at the line.

Yeah but my wife is concerned because I turn blue holding my breath every time...

 

[SpiderDad75]

Yeah but my wife is concerned because I turn blue holding my breath every time...

lol...We are in the same boat...def not good for the old blood pressure

 

[urmite]

lol...We are in the same boat...def not good for the old blood pressure

GMU to LaSalle, I think he was 27 of 36 and I thought he had permanently solved the issue, but recently…

Would be good for it to become a non issue to close out the season.

 

[spiderman]

After King fouled him before the shot, Walz gave him a bit of a bump in midair. House definitely walked up to him staring him down and had to be pushed away by teammates. Nothing big, but worth keeping an eye on.

"Hold me back!!!"

(no seriously ... hold me back)

 

[spiderman]

I don’t understand the attack posts on here when someone points out a longtime issue.

I suppose Wood and Lurker were really happy with no FGA and 2 turnovers when we stopped playing offense between 4:00 and 2:00, and URI cut the lead from 11 to 5?

With an 11 point lead and 4 minutes left every game, even I could coach a team to 30–1. The point being that maybe instead of employing a strategy that seemingly always brings the game within a possession or two, try one that has more aggression and tries to end the game with buckets. Actively winning vs passively. Seems when we hold the ball result in poor possessions, I find this hard to dispute. Kevin Anderson/Jordan King are the exceptions over the years, not the rule.

sounds great until you shoot early in the clock and miss a couple of times.

I'm not saying take it to zero, but you have to run clock. it's tougher to come back with fewer possessions. every successful coach does this.

 

[gcarter52]

I’m not disagreeing with you. Trying to find silver lining😀. I think I have mentioned it up here before and not making excuses because it still has to be improved but his shooting wrist has three screws in the scaphoid bone so his range of motion in his shooting hand has been an issue since he broke it back as a incoming freshman. My guy has a total of 14 screws in that hand🤦🏼‍♂️ but no doubt the FTs are his only bugger and he’s continuing to work on them 🕷️🏀

More power to DJI and the rest of the team 🕸️🕷️

 

[SpiderDad75]

More power to DJI and the rest of the team 🕸️🕷️

Mr. Carter... you are consistently positive on this board and I would bet in the outside world as well. I pray for that type of peace( I desperately need to be better at it)...I appreciate your positivity and posts 🙏

 

[gcarter52]

Mr. Carter... you are consistently positive on this board and I would bet in the outside world as well. I pray for that type of peace( I desperately need to be better at it)...I appreciate your positivity and posts 🙏

Yes sir, I’m from the old school (no porn intended), if you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all. We will win the regular season championship and go to the tournament championship game!! I hope to see you Saturday at the Alumni game!

 

[LongTimeLurkerFirstTimePoster]

I don’t understand the attack posts on here when someone points out a longtime issue.

I suppose Wood and Lurker were really happy with no FGA and 2 turnovers when we stopped playing offense between 4:00 and 2:00, and URI cut the lead from 11 to 5?

With an 11 point lead and 4 minutes left every game, even I could coach a team to 30–1. The point being that maybe instead of employing a strategy that seemingly always brings the game within a possession or two, try one that has more aggression and tries to end the game with buckets. Actively winning vs passively. Seems when we hold the ball result in poor possessions, I find this hard to dispute. Kevin Anderson/Jordan King are the exceptions over the years, not the rule.

Longtime issue? Maybe when JNel was the point guard. Hasn't been an issue all year. Was it perfect--no.

No one playes a perfect 40 minute game. FYI-check your stats Kevin Anderson wasn't perfect either at the end of the game-despite his greatness.

This isn't a long time issue-who cares what happened in 2011. or 2023 for that matter. The facts are the facts-but the haters can't helped themselves.

We are 16-0 when winning at 5:00 mark. when you have an 8 point lead under 3, it is basketball malpractice to not slow down a bit. At that point, the CLOCK is your friend. yes, there were a couple of uneven possessions, but at least they took off 30 seconds off the clock, not a quick "aggressive shot" that missed so the opponent would get the ball back AND we left time on clock.

That means THIS TEAM knows how to close out games. End of story.

'

 

[spiderman]

Yes sir, I’m from the old school (no porn intended), ...

 

[97spiderfan]

I don’t understand the attack posts on here when someone points out a longtime issue.

I suppose Wood and Lurker were really happy with no FGA and 2 turnovers when we stopped playing offense between 4:00 and 2:00, and URI cut the lead from 11 to 5?

With an 11 point lead and 4 minutes left every game, even I could coach a team to 30–1. The point being that maybe instead of employing a strategy that seemingly always brings the game within a possession or two, try one that has more aggression and tries to end the game with buckets. Actively winning vs passively. Seems when we hold the ball result in poor possessions, I find this hard to dispute. Kevin Anderson/Jordan King are the exceptions over the years, not the rule.

I didn't see the whole game because of a prior commitment but did see the last 8 minutes. I have been critical of Mooney's taking the air out of the ball in past years, but I find it hard to argue with the results this year.
Specifically last night, yes we did slow down our offense, but I felt we still had good possessions during that time, we just didn't capitalize. And meanwhile, we bled the clock, reducing URI chances for a comeback. Good strategy, good execution.

Yes, URI hit a couple long contested 3's during that time. Sometime you have to just tip your cap, when a guy makes a tough shot, our defense was sound at the end as well and the really didn't threaten us even when they cut it to 5, cause we hit our FT's.

I continue to be impressed by this team, they just keep winning. I felt this game had trouble written all over it. Long road game, mid week, against a team that while not great, has talent. And we won by 8.

As I look at remaining schedules of all of the top teams, it is hard not to see as the presumptive favorite to win the league at this point.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

FWIW, I believe that you can both run an agrressive offensive set and use clock. They are not mutually exclusive. We do it all the time throughout games. I think sman is using an extreme example the other direction as if aggression = quick shot/bad shot (implied), which is not my argument.

What we do not do on a regular basis until the endgame is iso and hold the ball up top with zero motion until 9 on the shot clock, then hope to get a clean look off one screen or one pass.

The whole premise of UR’s offense is based around passing, cutting and motion. Make the defense defend that first 20 seconds. Even if the play is a Jordan iso with 6 on the clock, they have had to chase him around the court for 20s. And if we get a great look for Dji or Neal at the rim 10s into the clock because of that motion, you do take it and trust your guys to make plays.

 

[spiderman]

can do that. it does have a couple of issues though.
1) it runs a little more risk of turnover, but we're good with the ball.
2) it gives the defense an opportunity to choose who to foul (Dji, Neal)

I'm ok with Jordan holding it and burning clock.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

At 4m mark UR committed b2b turnovers by running its kill clock offense. So I’m not inclined to worry about UR turning it over by running its regular sets which had (I think) only 1 second half turnover up until that point.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

Also we were up 11 and 8 during those possessions. They want to foul us then, great. I’d rather our guys at the line than what we saw those possessions (zero shots, 2 turnovers.)

 

[spiderman]

end of the day, it worked ... again. run the offense and you might have Neal shooting a 12 foot floater with a lot of time left. people here complain that Mooney doesn't call timeouts to stop runs, yet want him to be unconventional and not reduce possessions with a late lead.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

Again, ypu’re making up a hypothetical bad shot to try and prove your point.

I don’t think the only way of burning clock and closing games is to hold for shot clock violations but you’re cool with it.

See, I can make bad hypotheticals too!

 

[spiderman]

 

[urmite]

Using clock late is good if you start your offense with 10 seconds left and score.

Using clock is bad if you never start your offense, and therefore have a clock violation, turnover, or desperation shot.

It is all in the execution.

 

[SpiderRick]

Mr. Carter... you are consistently positive on this board and I would bet in the outside world as well. I pray for that type of peace( I desperately need to be better at it)...I appreciate your positivity and posts 🙏

Yes, Greg is one of our biggest cheerleaders on this board.
I'm more of a middle of the road guy. I prefer humor over accuracy.

 

[97spiderfan]

can do that. it does have a couple of issues though.
1) it runs a little more risk of turnover, but we're good with the ball.
2) it gives the defense an opportunity to choose who to foul (Dji, Neal)

I'm ok with Jordan holding it and burning clock.

Agreed. In these end of game situations, the defense is also ramping up their intensity trying to force a turnover, so keeping it early in the shot clock in our best ballhandlers hands makes sense.

 

[urfan1]

ballhandlers/foul shooters

 

[spider23]

Will say, my son and I went to both Fordham and Rhody games. Our favorite plays have been the Dji layups, we loved the one breakaway/Euro, then Dji looked over at our bench and did a little euro on the way up the court. The Bigs dunk and then 3 sequence was great. I love Jordan's energy, just needs to keep funneling it in the right direction (which he does 95% of the time). He reminds me of number 23 a little in that he seems to "take it personal" with whoever is trying to guard him. His shooting was off for about 2/3 of the game, but he had a couple of super drives to the rim in the second half that started opening the game up a little.

Also great to see Walz having fun out there and hitting some shots. He is so big and just keeps improving it seems.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

I’m frankly most surprised and happy about the way Walz has improved, and very optimistic about his future. At his size he’s more athletic and stronger than many of UR’s bigs, so his potential ceiling is pretty decent. Has to improve defensive footwork and positioning, continue to improve form and confidence on his 3, cut down on turnovers, and maintain a high level of confidence. All improved this year, so if he makes another leap in these next year, we really may have something for a couple years. His jumper/ft form is already good.

 

[spider23]

One other observation: Loved to see Collin Tanner stand up late in the game and start up the defense/clap/clap chant on the bench. You worry about guys getting stuck on the bench and their mindset. Liked to see his enthusiasm and support of the team. Rest of the bench stood up and fans behind the bench joined in.

 

[Long Island Spiders]

Props to Mooney.

I’m really liking this team.

Feels a little like the 19-20 team that I thought was going to do special things. Maybe not as much talent. But they have grit.

And I always take grit over talent (and they have plenty of skill too)

 

[spider fan]

I’m frankly most surprised and happy about the way Walz has improved, and very optimistic about his future.

Walz is the kind of player that makes me want to say "that's a Spider!" Gives his all, holds his own, big and bad enough (in the good sense of bad), to serve as an enforcer. To his credit has learned how not to get called but rarely on what may be considered ticky-tacky fouls. Always good those games he scores more and that should encourage him not to look for pass first, shoot second. Great to have the backup "big man" when for years a player in that capacity was very rare for us.

 

[SFspidur]

GW
Quinn: 32 minutes, 19 points, 7 assists, 5 boards
Walz: 7 minutes, 4 points, 2 assists, 2 boards

URI
Quinn: 23 minutes, 7 points, 7 assists, 4 boards
Walz: 16 minutes, 10 points, 3 assists, 3 boards

They're obviously not entirely plug-and-play clones, but Walz is doing a great job maintaining momentum when he comes in for Neal. As Neal needs an extra breather or deals with foul trouble, it's not much of a drop-off at all.

 

[spider23]

Fuchs around and finds out.

Best line of the day, this one gave me a chuckle.

But Fuchs was an issue Big and Athletic.

 

[fan2011]

Best line of the day, this one gave me a chuckle.

But Fuchs was an issue Big and Athletic.

Fuchs is a freshmen. If he sticks around the A10 it looks like he may have a very good A10 career.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

If you rewatch I made a mental note of a play I found baffling. Someone had good defense on their man who was trying to back him in. As he went up for a turnaround jumper in the lane, Quinn abandoned Fuchs and went for a help blocked shot. But he was late, the guy faded on his shot and Fuchs was thus left all alone for a simple follow dunk. Believe we were ahead 14-12 at the time. Given that URI already had 3-4 off rebounds at that early stage and that Quinn is not a shot blocker I found this defensive strategy pretty puzzling. Feel like the most successful play we have in those spots is when Quinn shows well vertically to alter shots but doesn’t chase blocks and abandon rebounding fundamentals and position.

 

[SFspidur]

Fuchs is a freshmen. If he sticks around the A10 it looks like he may have a very good A10 career.

He's also 20 with multiple seasons of pro experience in Germany.

 

[Wood Hall]

At 4m mark UR committed b2b turnovers by running its kill clock offense. So I’m not inclined to worry about UR turning it over by running its regular sets which had (I think) only 1 second half turnover up until that point.

What game were you watching? From the official PxP:

Walz scores with 3:57 to play

King misses a shot with 3:17 to play

Quinn TO with 2:52 left

Quinn miss with 2:17 left, followed by an immediate TO on the rebound

King miss with 1:36 left

Five possessions, four shots, one basket, two TOs, one immediately after we'd taken a shot. Not sure how that's not running your offense in an attempt to score, when your two best players have their hands on the ball.

 

[fan2011]

He's also 20 with multiple seasons of pro experience in Germany.

I did not know that, interesting

 

[SFspidur]

The King miss at 3:17 was an iso where we weren't running the offense. Didn't love the shot even though he can obviously make long twos, but fine.

The Quinn TO at 2:52 was a bad pass trying to hit cutter to the hoop.

The Quinn miss at 2:17 and turnover was a shot clock violation. We ran it down, didn't have a good shot, but got an inbounds with 3 seconds on the shot clock after the Rams tipped a pass out. Quinn couldn't get a good shot/got altered, and the shot clock expired.

The King miss at 1:36 started with us running the offense, but not a lot of motion. Ended up with King holding the ball out at midcourt as time ticked down and he had to make a desperation drive and layup attempt that had no chance.

I do believe in slowing things down some to run clock, but that was not a good sequence of possessions for us.

 

[spider23]

He's also 20 with multiple seasons of pro experience in Germany.

OK that makes more sense. Looks like a grown a$$ man.