Why Grant might return

[UR80sfan]

There is a very good chance we will have a few of the seniors returning next year. The reasons each player may return are different, but the one overriding factor is that they like the school and our basketball program. I am going to focus this post specifically on why Grant might return.

No matter what Grant does he will go down as one of the best centers ever to play at Richmond. If he plays one more year he will probably be one of the all-time scoring leaders and rebound leaders for U of R, which is something he will always be proud of.

He will be able to finish what he started and take U of R to the NCAA. We should have gone last year and we would have gone this year if it were not for Covid and injuries.

He will get to have a senior year playing in front of large crowds and hopefully continue to play with Gilyard if they both come back.

He is very loyal to coach Mooney who helped him become a terrific multi-dimensional center and would enjoy continuing to play for him.

Finally, you can’t play basketball your whole like. A free graduate degree is a great investment in the future.

If he leaves, it will only be to pursue a professional career. He is too loyal to U of R to transfer.

Whatever he decides, we all wish him all the best and will be following his career.

 

[SFspidur]

He has basically zero chance of becoming our all-time leader in points and rebounds...he'd have to average like 20 and 15.

I really don't see him coming back. He's already 23 years old.

 

[8legs1dream]

He will be able to finish what he started and take U of R to the NCAA. We should have gone last year and we would have gone this year if it were not for Covid and injuries.

So not only are you giving us credit for an unachieved NCAA trip last year but you are adding on one for this season as well. Hardt and Mooney absolutely love fans like you.

 

[SpiderGuy]

There is a very good chance we will have a few of the seniors returning next year. The reasons each player may return are different, but the one overriding factor is that they like the school and our basketball program. I am going to focus this post specifically on why Grant might return.

No matter what Grant does he will go down as one of the best centers ever to play at Richmond. If he plays one more year he will probably be one of the all-time scoring leaders and rebound leaders for U of R, which is something he will always be proud of.

He will be able to finish what he started and take U of R to the NCAA. We should have gone last year and we would have gone this year if it were not for Covid and injuries.

He will get to have a senior year playing in front of large crowds and hopefully continue to play with Gilyard if they both come back.

He is very loyal to coach Mooney who helped him become a terrific multi-dimensional center and would enjoy continuing to play for him.

Finally, you can’t play basketball your whole like. A free graduate degree is a great investment in the future.

If he leaves, it will only be to pursue a professional career. He is too loyal to U of R to transfer.

Whatever he decides, we all wish him all the best and will be following his career.

Have you been hitting the Ouija Board again?

 

[Spiders4ever]

But if he comes back, Grace will not get minutes.

 

[SpiderRick]

Notice the last few games that team whining went way down...

 

[SpiderFan]

I'd prefer to see Gilyard back (already done) and maybe Cayo. That would be it for me. Rather see the younger guys play more and see what we have with them. Grant doesn't bring enough to the table for me any longer, too much finesse. I thought he was much better 2 years ago.

 

[UR80sfan]

Grant is one of the best centers in school history. We definitely want him back if he will play another year.

 

[SpiderTrap]

I will take Grant back - but I would also like to see Grace and Sal get more minutes as well. As someone mentioned elsewhere - we were squarely on the bubble 2 years ago when tourney was cancelled and we popped our own bubble with late losses this past season with the about the same roster. So are we just thinking - 3rd time is a charm with this group? Gotta change something - even if it is minor.

And does this extra year of eligibility count for everyone that was on the team last year when the season was cancelled? So even a guy like Burton has an extra year as well - if he chooses down the road to use it.

 

[SFspidur]

Yes, everybody gets another year

 

[MrTbone]

I will take Grant back - but I would also like to see Grace and Sal get more minutes as well. As someone mentioned elsewhere - we were squarely on the bubble 2 years ago when tourney was cancelled and we popped our own bubble with late losses this past season with the about the same roster. So are we just thinking - 3rd time is a charm with this group? Gotta change something - even if it is minor.

And does this extra year of eligibility count for everyone that was on the team last year when the season was cancelled? So even a guy like Burton has an extra year as well - if he chooses down the road to use it.

I’d be happy to have Grant back. If he’s back, he should be charging hard on D every play. You have Grace and Sal in reserve. Go ahead and foul the F out, just don’t give up the lane all day.

Btw, that’s not isolated to Grant, we need that mentality 1-5.

 

[spider23]

If Grant returns, please bring your little bro with you. Now that would be good depth inside.

 

[8legs1dream]

If Grant returns, please bring your little bro with you. Now that would be good depth inside.

haha that's thinking outside of the box. I like it!

 

[97spiderfan]

I think the Grant and Gilly combo perhaps resulted in us not getting the best out of Gilly we could. Grant has been a great player for us, no question about that. I think the team make-up as it existed this year was sub-optimal and if all of the seniors were to return, we would largely see a repeat of that. Change is good, embrace it.

 

[Spider2020]

Grant is one of the best centers in Richmond history and a great team oriented guy. The fact that some of you don't want him back is comical. He didn't have his best year this year, but none of our seniors did. I don't expect him back, but I'd be excited if he did return

 

[SpiderFan]

I don't want to speak for everyone, but my thought process is if we run everyone back again from the seniors this year why is it going to be any different than it played out for this past season? Sory I don't buy the COVID pause excuse--everyone in the country dealt with it on some level. I'd like to try something different. Maybe the younger guys would be hungrier/tougher.

 

[97spiderfan]

I don't want to speak for everyone, but my thought process is if we run everyone back again from the seniors this year why is it going to be any different than it played out for this past season? Sory I don't buy the COVID pause excuse--everyone in the country dealt with it on some level. I'd like to try something different. Maybe the younger guys would be hungrier/tougher.

Yes, my thoughts exactly. Grant is a great player but the current mix of players were not great. In particular, I think Grant and Gilly's close relationship impacted their abilities to maximize their own and the teams potential. We saw a different Gilly without Grant and Blake in the NIT. I want that Gilly next year, not the one we saw most of this year.

Plus, Grant plays very little defense. And you can't have you center play defense like he does and expect to win championships.

Gilly and Cayo back make this team very interesting next year. Any more of the seniors though and I see a season very similar to this one. All of the talent in the world and not getting the most out of it.

 

[urmite]

Yes, my thoughts exactly. Grant is a great player but the current mix of players were not great. In particular, I think Grant and Gilly's close relationship impacted their abilities to maximize their own and the teams potential. We saw a different Gilly without Grant and Blake in the NIT. I want that Gilly next year, not the one we saw most of this year.

Plus, Grant plays very little defense. And you can't have you center play defense like he does and expect to win championships.

Gilly and Cayo back make this team very interesting next year. Any more of the seniors though and I see a season very similar to this one. All of the talent in the world and not getting the most out of it.

Would that include a fully recovered Sherod?

 

[MrTbone]

Yes, my thoughts exactly. Grant is a great player but the current mix of players were not great. In particular, I think Grant and Gilly's close relationship impacted their abilities to maximize their own and the teams potential. We saw a different Gilly without Grant and Blake in the NIT. I want that Gilly next year, not the one we saw most of this year.

Plus, Grant plays very little defense. And you can't have you center play defense like he does and expect to win championships.

Gilly and Cayo back make this team very interesting next year. Any more of the seniors though and I see a season very similar to this one. All of the talent in the world and not getting the most out of it.

I don't really buy that the player mix was a problem. It wasn't a problem in 2019 when they were 24-7.

Seems likely that sub-par performance was more a reflection of the multiple Covid pauses coupled with some lack of focus to recapture last year's defensive productivity. Not having Nick may have also contributed although I see that as a relatively distant impact.

Regardless, I get why people would be reluctant to run it back.

 

[urmite]

I don't really buy that the player mix was a problem. It wasn't a problem in 2019 when they were 24-7.

Seems likely that sub-par performance was more a reflection of the multiple Covid pauses coupled with some lack of focus to recapture last year's defensive productivity. Not having Nick may have also contributed although I see that as a relatively distant impact.

Regardless, I get why people would be reluctant to run it back.

I am still trying to figure out why we went from 165th (in 2020) to 320th (in 2021) in defensive 2 point %...

 

[SpiderGuy]

I am still trying to figure out why we went from 165th (in 2020) to 320th (in 2021) in defensive 2 point %...

'Cause the rebounding category wanted company in the 300's stat line? Scroll down to 333.

NCAA BB Team Total Rebounds per Game

NCAA Basketball Stats - NCAA BB Team Total Rebounds per Game | TeamRankings.com

NCAA Basketball total rebounds per game, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

 

[SpiderK]

I am still trying to figure out why we went from 165th (in 2020) to 320th (in 2021) in defensive 2 point %...

We seem to play a 4 on 5 man to man defense. Guy with the ball goes unguarded to the basket, hope that he misses and then the ball falls in UR player’s hands with minimal effort expended.

 

[Eight Legger]

I want the five toughest players starting next year. The five guys who are going to fight for every loose ball, every rebound and are going to be pissed the F off if we lose a game. This team was incredibly soft this year. I'm sick of playing soft basketball. Look at what it has gotten us. Not a damn thing. This is the #1, #2 and #3 problem we face as a program.

WE ARE SOFT. I can't even bring up David West anymore (apologies, SpiderDad) because WE are the soft ones now. Unfortunately, I sort of view Grant as a big part of that problem.

 

[urmite]

I don't think you guys are getting what I'm saying. D1 average 2 point % is around 50%
The last four seasons we allowed 2018=55.2%, 2019=54.0%, 2020=49.1%, 2021=54.9%

So we were bad 3 out 4 years but at least about average 1 year. With much of the same players, any idea why?

 

[fan2011]

I don't think you guys are getting what I'm saying. D1 average 2 point % is around 50%
The last four seasons we allowed 2018=55.2%, 2019=54.0%, 2020=49.1%, 2021=54.9%

So we were bad 3 out 4 years but at least about average 1 year. With much of the same players, any idea why?

Maybe we played a bunch of poor 2fg% teams last year.

 

[MrTbone]

I am still trying to figure out why we went from 165th (in 2020) to 320th (in 2021) in defensive 2 point %...

When you figure it out, please diagram it up in Visio and shoot it on email over to the coaching staff.

 

[urfan1]

Maybe we played a bunch of poor 2fg% teams last year.

LOL

 

[spider23]

EL, you hit the nail on the head. And I'm not blaming or calling the players soft. It is a program level , head coach inspired mind set. Look at the teams in the final 4, they are hard nosed, and get into you. Why I thoroughly enjoyed watching SDSU the last 4 years. It's one of the things that drives u crazy about Mooney. No defensive intensity. Francis is a bad a$$ get into you defensive player. Gilly is a freak and impacts the game on D like few in the game. All down hill from there. Sman rightfully pointed out Cayo's lack of D. Burton should be a freaking stud, but runs beside his man and trys to block the shot at the end. And TJ to Golden to Grace, zero presence. Has to change , or this will continue.

 

[spiderman]

I think Grant's lack of defense is overblown here. I don't know why we're so bad at keeping guys in front of us. you'd think with our quickness that wouldn't be a problem. maybe small on the perimeter is a problem, or everyone hunting steals.

Grant's the last line of defense, and that's not his game. but it we put better pressure on the ball and kept guys in front, he wouldn't get exposed. if we played the perimeter with the defensive intensity of the NIT games, he wouldn't get exposed.

 

[Eight Legger]

It's not just a lack of defense, it's a lack of toughness. For a big guy, he's never taken the ball strong to the hoop. Just dig your heels in and overpower someone, fight for loose balls, don't run away from rebounds that are bouncing on the floor toward you, etc. I realize that's physicality is not necessarily his game, but a lot of time he plays like he's giving up 6 inches to the defender, which of course he never is.

 

[72Spider]

It's not just a lack of defense, it's a lack of toughness. For a big guy, he's never taken the ball strong to the hoop. Just dig your heels in and overpower someone, fight for loose balls, don't run away from rebounds that are bouncing on the floor toward you, etc. I realize that's physicality is not necessarily his game, but a lot of time he plays like he's giving up 6 inches to the defender, which of course he never is.

One of the areas which Tyler needs to work on is going up strong and finishing at the hoop. For a guy who is tall and can jump like he can he should not have so many shots blocked.

 

[97spiderfan]

Would that include a fully recovered Sherod?

Tough question. I'm not sure. Sherod is one of my favorite players and persons and he has had two brutal injuries which absolutely suck. So, on that level, I would love to see him get another shot.

On the flip side though, I wonder about both the physical and mental toll 2 ACL's have taken on him. Will he/can he be the same player? And on a broader level, I just want the new guys to get their shot. Sherod and Golden have each both been here for 5 years, I just think it is time to move on and give someone else a shot.

So, I'm torn. If Sherod wants to come back, I'll be happy for him though.

 

[97spiderfan]

I think Grant's lack of defense is overblown here. I don't know why we're so bad at keeping guys in front of us. you'd think with our quickness that wouldn't be a problem. maybe small on the perimeter is a problem, or everyone hunting steals.

Grant's the last line of defense, and that's not his game. but it we put better pressure on the ball and kept guys in front, he wouldn't get exposed. if we played the perimeter with the defensive intensity of the NIT games, he wouldn't get exposed.

So, let me get this straight, our guards need to play better defense because Grant isn't a very good defensive player and they are leaving him exposed. I mean maybe Grant just also become a better defender as well.

And yeah, we did play with much better defensive intensity in the NIT, which perhaps is partially because Grant was injured and not playing in the game.

 

[spiderman]

So, let me get this straight, our guards need to play better defense because Grant isn't a very good defensive player and they are leaving him exposed. I mean maybe Grant just also become a better defender as well.

And yeah, we did play with much better defensive intensity in the NIT, which perhaps is partially because Grant was injured and not playing in the game.

I know. sounds backwards. Gilyard, Francis, Goose, Isaiah, Dji ... all good defenders. but we've all seen how often other teams drive into the lane. doesn't make sense. perimeter defense was better in the NIT.

Grant can't elevate and isn't quick laterally. he's no rim protector and not a great help defender. but no, Grace didn't bring another level of intensity or athleticism in the NIT. same guy.

 

[Spider2020]

I think Grant's lack of defense is overblown here. I don't know why we're so bad at keeping guys in front of us. you'd think with our quickness that wouldn't be a problem. maybe small on the perimeter is a problem, or everyone hunting steals.

Grant's the last line of defense, and that's not his game. but it we put better pressure on the ball and kept guys in front, he wouldn't get exposed. if we played the perimeter with the defensive intensity of the NIT games, he wouldn't get exposed.

Hunting steals is definitely an issue at times. It leaves guys unguarded to drive the lane, where grant has to try and help on defense, leaving the opposing center wide open for an offensive rebound

 

[Not-A-Homer]

I think Grant's lack of defense is overblown here. I don't know why we're so bad at keeping guys in front of us. you'd think with our quickness that wouldn't be a problem. maybe small on the perimeter is a problem, or everyone hunting steals.

Grant's the last line of defense, and that's not his game. but it we put better pressure on the ball and kept guys in front, he wouldn't get exposed. if we played the perimeter with the defensive intensity of the NIT games, he wouldn't get exposed.

Agree, part of the defensive problem.

 

[urmite]

I did like John Davis' version of hunting steals.
Position yourself on defense like you are a base runner about to make a steal.
Have a great first lateral step.
Have a perimeter opponent pass to you in the post.

 

[SpiderK]

I guess Mooney’s strategy of hunting steals is to make up for his “Do NOT rebound or you will be tasered” strategy. We have to get possessions some how. Maybe the undefended player will miss the wide open dunk down the middle of the lane if the steal is not made.

 

[nathanw19]

I forget if it was an announcer or a post during the NIT games, but I thought it was a good point the that our defense has been essentially been get a steal or give up a decent look.

This is why so many teams have shot a good percentage against us. It is also why we get a bunch of turnovers.

I’d personally like to see a happy medium.

 

[Eight Legger]

And the hell of it is that that might work if we could grab any rebounds on either end of the court.