Welcome back Gilyard!
- Thread starter UR80sfan
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The reason I had Dji and Wilson in there, is that then they are directly competing for only 2 guard minutes. If Gilyard had left, Wilson would’ve been the presumed Pg starter, opening up more minutes for Dji at the 2, instead of battling with Wilson (not to mention goose and Crabtree, though they may see more time at the 3).
Anyone heard of the concept of "player led team"? If Gilly and crew want to get NCAAs that is what has to happen. The supposed grown ups leading the team have no clue.
Did you consider that Gilly might love playing college basketball and love going to school at Richmond? Hell, I love college basketball and Richmond in spite of Mooney. I don't think that is at all unusual.
UR press release:
richmondspiders.com
Jacob Gilyard Announces He Will Return to Richmond Next Season - University of Richmond Athletics
RICHMOND, Va. -- Senior guard Jacob Gilyard announced on Sunday that he will return for a fifth season at the University of Richmond next fall.
richmondspiders.com
Well, that's great if it is Cayo. Like someone else said, the energy was bad going from 1 to 8 in the A10 and flaming out in the NIT. Let's hope not too many come back. I forgot about Crabtree. I think Dji is the most screwed by this dynamic. Mooney is going to make a cluster of the roster.
I think I’ll wait until next November to comment. LOL
I love watching him play in a Richmond uni, so I’m very glad to see him come back.
I will enjoy watching him and Isaiah and Jason Nelson play guard next year.
I will enjoy watching him and Isaiah and Jason Nelson play guard next year.
I think this is a really good decision for Jacob. while we saw glimpses this year of how great he can be, it wasn't consistent enough. and it was his worst shooting season. I think he has the most to gain towards his pro career from a successful return.
as for the record, he could get it playing anywhere. and he'd have plenty of opportunities. so yes I think he loves playing for Richmond, he loves his teammates, and yes I think he loves playing for Mooney. he's never given any indication otherwise.
this changes everything for next season. we have young talent at point guard, but the reality is that position was going to be a question mark. now it's a major strength. in turn it also strengthens the off guard position by adding Isaiah to the mix there.
tough news for some young guys trying to make a mark but I bet they knew this was likely. this is only a one year boost but it's very big news. we're much better than we were yesterday.
as for the record, he could get it playing anywhere. and he'd have plenty of opportunities. so yes I think he loves playing for Richmond, he loves his teammates, and yes I think he loves playing for Mooney. he's never given any indication otherwise.
this changes everything for next season. we have young talent at point guard, but the reality is that position was going to be a question mark. now it's a major strength. in turn it also strengthens the off guard position by adding Isaiah to the mix there.
tough news for some young guys trying to make a mark but I bet they knew this was likely. this is only a one year boost but it's very big news. we're much better than we were yesterday.
come on Jenks w the let’s break some records. you’d think our coaches would be focused on team. Tweet was good up until the last comment.
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Most wins in a season in UR history? First national title?
I think the next priority would be to get Cayo back and then Golden as we are thin down low without them. If we get them two back, I would be okay with Francis leaving as I think Burton will continue to improve and this will open up the door for Wilson, Bailey, and Gustav.
We are not an NCAA team just because these kids come back - remember, we had them this year and didn't make it. BUT - I like our chances a lot better with them. And I also think one thing is for sure based on what we saw in the NIT - we may need to give our bench guys - Wilson, Grace, Bailey - more time next year even if they do return as they showed some flashes in the NIT to warrant it.
We are not an NCAA team just because these kids come back - remember, we had them this year and didn't make it. BUT - I like our chances a lot better with them. And I also think one thing is for sure based on what we saw in the NIT - we may need to give our bench guys - Wilson, Grace, Bailey - more time next year even if they do return as they showed some flashes in the NIT to warrant it.
8legs1dream
Graduate Assistant
We had them this year and didn't make it. We had them last year and didn't make it. We had them the year before that and didn't make it. We had them the year before that year and didn't make it. And finally, we had one of them the past five seasons and didn't make it.
There must be some other common element that is to blame, let me do some research and get back to you.
Since we are speculating as to the reasons Gilly is returning, here is my speculative list.
1. Covid destroyed his senior year, both basketball and his college experience. Think he might want to have one more go round at each with a more normal environment.
2. Gilly did not have his best year, particularly offensively. Honestly, think the NIT games might have relit his fire so to speak, as I saw a different Gilly in those games. Think he wants to prove to both himself and others the type of player he truly is.
3. He wants to go the NCAA.
4. He likes college and the UR experience.
5.. Obviously, Gilly loves the coaching staff and if he didn't he would not have returned and used this extra year elsewhere. Mooney has had fantastic player loyalty throughout his tenure and that is very much to his credit. This doesn't excuse our lack of success on the court, which is his primary job.
Again, speculation on my part. But I don't think the reason Gilly returned was because of his affinity for the coaching staff, that more would have been a reason for him to not return, if he wasn't that fond the coaching staff.
1. Covid destroyed his senior year, both basketball and his college experience. Think he might want to have one more go round at each with a more normal environment.
2. Gilly did not have his best year, particularly offensively. Honestly, think the NIT games might have relit his fire so to speak, as I saw a different Gilly in those games. Think he wants to prove to both himself and others the type of player he truly is.
3. He wants to go the NCAA.
4. He likes college and the UR experience.
5.. Obviously, Gilly loves the coaching staff and if he didn't he would not have returned and used this extra year elsewhere. Mooney has had fantastic player loyalty throughout his tenure and that is very much to his credit. This doesn't excuse our lack of success on the court, which is his primary job.
Again, speculation on my part. But I don't think the reason Gilly returned was because of his affinity for the coaching staff, that more would have been a reason for him to not return, if he wasn't that fond the coaching staff.
As I said early, I really would like Cayo to come back. Kind of ready to move with Golden. He is a fantastic player and had a great career. However, whatever chemistry we had this year was off. Gilly and Golden were super close and I think they saw themselves as co-leaders of the team. I don't think that worked, I think Gilly became defential and his game is best when he is the sole alpha on the court.
Not having Blake here back will help too.
Golden has had a great career for us and has done a lot of positive things. If he doesn't come back, though, I'm good with that. We either need to get tougher down there or just go smaller and quicker, IMO. I think his style this year of playing sorta soft rubbed off on the team in a bad way, and coupled with the whining, it just feels like it's time to move on there. Grace is a very good passer, too, and he can hit threes. I know he doesn't really rebound either, but at least we're maintaining the presence of a big who can pass AND who can force the defense to spread the floor for 15-20 minutes a game. Give the rest of the time to Sal and the Euro Big Man™ transfer we are signing, bring Sherod and Cayo back, and let's go.
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based on the end of the year I'm starting to believe that Sal, after another offseason and 5 more pounds, in a full time role might give us just about as much offense as Nathan and better defense.
I seem to be in the minority but I'd love Grant back. I just don't think it happens. I think he and Nick have mentally moved on to the next stage.
I'm guessing Blake moves on too. whereas Gilly could improve his stock next year, I think the only thing that would help Blake would be playing a true PG role and that's not available.
I seem to be in the minority but I'd love Grant back. I just don't think it happens. I think he and Nick have mentally moved on to the next stage.
I'm guessing Blake moves on too. whereas Gilly could improve his stock next year, I think the only thing that would help Blake would be playing a true PG role and that's not available.
Cayo had a really good offensive game that I don't think even with some additional lbs and muscle that Sal will match. Sal gets most of his points via offensive stickbacks. Cayo we could throw the ball too and he could create his own shot and did so quite effectively. I do agree on defense, Sal could be better if he can learn to control his fouling.
Still think out BEST team next year is to have Gilly and Cayo return. I feel more confidence that Sal/Grace combo at the 5 could work for us next year. They each bring something to the table that is a bit difference and when we go with Sal at the 5, we go a little more small ball game.
If Cayo doesn't, I think we would move Burton into Cayo's slot and then would see Dji and Andre holding down the 3. Was really surprised with Dji and his comfortability out there during the NIT. He should have gotten more time in regular season.
It's a really bummer that he was lost this season. He has now torn both ACL's and was not the most athletically gifted player pre-injury, that could be a lot to come back from.
8legs1dream
Graduate Assistant
I mean, Nick Sherod said not long after the injury that he was not coming back right? I guess he could always change his mind but why would he make that statement unnecessarily that early on unless he felt pretty strongly about it.
I would love to see Sherod come back. I will say I feel like he is the most clutch guy we have. Never seemed to miss the big 3 or foul shots. We missed a lot of big shots (including a ton in the NIT loss at the FT line) without Sherod. Super smart player, high IQ on the court. Would be a huge addition.
Huge glut at the wing though next year if he is back: Dread, Dji, Noyes, Randolph, Burton, Crabtree...and Nick?
Some of those guys could play the 2 a bit, but Mooney likes a quick ballhandler at the other guard spot, so I think Wilson and Nelson if healthy will be the 1-2 rotation with Gilly.
I heard Mooney interview in which he said we want to play like Villanova. Villanova and Oregon and a few others have gone full in on the 4 guard/wings and one big style with good results. BUT, our most success was last year and we were pounding the ball in to Cayo and Golden creating space for our shooters, so not sure how well Mooney can really implement his stated playing style preference.
I don't blame any of the guys for wanting to come back, be able to go to classes and hang out with friends in person, play in front of crowds and have a normal senior year. WIll be interesting to see who comes back and how that impacts are glut of wings.
Huge glut at the wing though next year if he is back: Dread, Dji, Noyes, Randolph, Burton, Crabtree...and Nick?
Some of those guys could play the 2 a bit, but Mooney likes a quick ballhandler at the other guard spot, so I think Wilson and Nelson if healthy will be the 1-2 rotation with Gilly.
I heard Mooney interview in which he said we want to play like Villanova. Villanova and Oregon and a few others have gone full in on the 4 guard/wings and one big style with good results. BUT, our most success was last year and we were pounding the ball in to Cayo and Golden creating space for our shooters, so not sure how well Mooney can really implement his stated playing style preference.
I don't blame any of the guys for wanting to come back, be able to go to classes and hang out with friends in person, play in front of crowds and have a normal senior year. WIll be interesting to see who comes back and how that impacts are glut of wings.
It didn’t surprise me to see him backtrack. Really easy to say immediately after an injury and before the season starts that your career is finished. But once the team is in the thick of battle you start missing it as a competitor and want to get out there with your guys. Who knows though, could be something completely different
For the first time in my time as a Spider we have...depth? I never thought I would see the day
We had depth this year and it disappeared very quickly. Luck is just as important as depth.
I wonder what the doctors are saying to him? I can envision them saying, “you‘ve blown out both of your ACL’s and any further damage maybe irreversible. We recommend you hang it up.”
I have no idea from a medical standpoint. Does anyone on here know if this might be a possibility?
Just FYI...Dji has been told he will be seeing Guard a lot next season...but things can always change 😀
I thought Dji looked great in the NIT. A lot of energy, helped on defense and that triple twist move to the basket was a highlight film. Seem like a really good kid. Congrats on raising him well.
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🙏🏼 for the kind words. He works extremely hard and we are excited about the future.
to me that's where he should be. compete with Isaiah and Goose for the starting spot there. Burton and Crabtree at forward. Grace and Sal compete to start at the 5. if a freshman or another newcomer blows us away ... awesome.
as good as Isaiah looks, he's a PG. we've run the 2 PG looks out there for so many years. yes, we handle great and it works offensively. but we're always so small at the 2 guard defensively. it's a problem. maybe being that small at the 2 guard is the biggest problem.
Solid points...I think most people unless they followed Djis career/recruitment whether on this board or in general don’t know that he played PG his whole career in HS and for his aau club. That’s what Wake recruited him as too. As I’ve said before, his value is he’s versatile and can play 1-3. As a dad I love him at Point bc he’s a playmaker but in today’s game and I think in Coach’s system that talent can be utilized at any one of those positions.
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