Worst loss in Mooney era, 12/08/2024, & future prospects of UR basketball

[97spiderfan]

A couple examples:

1. In an earlier game this year, we were clearly drilled in practice to have the strong side guy guarding a wing help on a dribble drive from the top of the key. If the driver kicked to the wing player, the plan was clearly for the guy guarding whomever was in the corner to slide up one, leaving the guy wide open in the corner. The defender giving the initial help would then have to scramble to the guy in the corner. The result was about 15 open shots from the corner or drives from the corner. I think we got lucky in that the opponent missed a number of the shots, but they were wide open chances.
2. Our weak side wing defender is constantly overhelping into the lane, leaving a simple cross-court kick pass for wide open threes. It's abysmal. There's no way there should be two feet in the lane. You simply can't get there in time, and even if you do, the close out is completely out of control, and then its scramble-rama time.
3. Last game, the concerted effort to double Johnni Broome, sometimes with Mikkel Tyne, which was never going to be effective. Ever. Broome could be kneeling and still pass it over Tyne.

I just don't have a lot of hope in any of it -- the players aren't good defenders (excluding DeLonnie and Mikkel on-ball defending, which I think is good), they don't appear to have the attitude to be or become good defenders, and they are being coached to a scheme that exacerbates rather than masks the deficiencies.

It's not great to be back in 2018/2019. And even then, I liked what I saw from Buck, Sherod, Gilyard, and Golden and had hope for the future. I really don't know who the good players are on this team. And I don't love the tape on the incoming class either.

Yes, Yes, and Yes. This is what I see every game I watched and it blows my mind that this is what we are trying to do. The weak side wing defender overhelping is so bad, I'm sure when other coaches scout us, they are licking their lips at the wide open looks they are going to get.

 

[spider23]

I nominate Kneepad and 97 to donate an hour of their time to do a zoom call and review these defensive principles and provide a "Self Scout" to the staff. I assume we do a self scout? Well you know what they say about assuming.

What are coach in waiting Peter Thomas' specific duties on the staff?

 

[97spiderfan]

I nominate Kneepad and 97 to donate an hour of their time to do a zoom call and review these defensive principles and provide a "Self Scout" to the staff. I assume we do a self scout? Well you know what they say about assuming.

What are coach in waiting Peter Thomas' specific duties on the staff?

I'm just glad someone else noticed the defensive breakdowns that I was seeing. I thought I was going a bit crazy here, thinking am I the only one seeing this. It does blow my mind that coaches don't look at the tape and say immediately well this isn't working.

The only plausible explanation is some of our wing defenders are so bad defensively that they see this as a better option.

 

[kneepadmckinney]

The surprising thing is I thought the defense over the last 2 years was improved, coinciding with Boyden's arrival. This year seems like a major regression in concepts and defensive plans, compounded by poor defensive personnel.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

The surprising thing is I thought the defense over the last 2 years was improved, coinciding with Boyden's arrival. This year seems like a major regression in concepts and defensive plans, compounded by poor defensive personnel.

Goose, Dji, Bigelow

Those are good defenders who also had height and athleticism, as well as lateral quickness. Burton was at the least extremely athletic and long, even if he did get taken off the dribble too much.

Replace those guys at the forward spots with Dusan, Tanner, AP AND add into the mix two small guards instead of having at least one taller guard. It is not a great mix at all.

 

[AnnapSpider]

The role of the dice- this years portal boys just don’t have it.

 

[GKiller]

The role of the dice- this years portal boys just don’t have it.

Mooney sure seems to roll snake eyes a lot

 

[fatherspider]

To use the term “era” to describe Mooney’s time at UR is inappropriate. The title should be changed from “era” to “eon”.
Worst game in Mooney EON, because that is what it has felt like watching him coach… a Damn Eon.

 

[AnnapSpider]

Mooney made the comment in his last interview - paraphrase - the best team we’ve
ever had here couldn’t have beaten Auburn the other night
Well, sounds like he’s got a goal in mind. 😃

 

[Eight Legger]

Mooney's media session this week was laughable. Casadonte and JOC spent half the time asking his opinion about tournament expansion (as if that is a pressing issue for us), Mooney said he wants 96 teams to make it in, and the only "hard" question he got was from someone who asked "Are you feeling good about how your team is playing?" Mooney responded by saying that he thinks we are playing better.

Really? Better than what? We just got annihilated and most nights we are lucky to score 60 points.

No questions about what has gone wrong. No questions about whether he is considering changing things up. No questions about whether his rigid adherence to his offense can work in this NIL era when guys may only be here for a year. No questions about why our defense has been so disorganized. No questions about whether he might change that up.

 

[MrTbone]

Mooney made the comment in his last interview - paraphrase - the best team we’ve
ever had here couldn’t have beaten Auburn the other night
Well, sounds like he’s got a goal in mind. 😃

It’s fine to be somewhat introspective and acknowledge it was going to be an incredibly tough game but I desperately want to see some kind of response that makes me feel better than it’s just another day at the office.

When you lose by 44, even to a great opponent, you better have some changes in mind as a coach.

 

[Anachnid]

Surely he is referring to his coached teams.

Mooney made the comment in his last interview - paraphrase - the best team we’ve
ever had here couldn’t have beaten Auburn the other night
Well, sounds like he’s got a goal in mind. 😃

 

[urfan1]

Surely he is referring to his coached teams.

I think the Newman lead team may disagree.

 

[SpiderGuy]

I think the Newman lead team may disagree.

Totally agree. And I doubt former coaches like DT or JB would make statement like CM made. But then again, there is plenty of separation in Mooney’s coaching vs the other 2 coaches.

 

[gospidersgo]

Auburn is currently smoking Ohio St. about the same way they did to us. Broome with 17 points 14 rebounds at half...

 

[Section9.RowD]

Might also be Ohio State's worst loss too. Auburn up 28 at halftime even though they had a 5 or 6 minute scoreless stretch

 

[SpiderRick]

If that's supposed to make me feel better, it doesn't.

 

[SFspidur]

Auburn up by 44 with under 2 minutes to go...gonna be a nail biter to see whether the Spiders or Buckeyes lose by a bigger margin!

 

[SFspidur]

8–2 run by OSU in the final 1:16 means they only lose by 38.

 

[urfan1]

Auburn up by 44 with under 2 minutes to go...gonna be a nail biter to see whether the Spiders or Buckeyes lose by a bigger margin!

Final 91-53 (38 spread)

 

[whampas]

It’s fine to be somewhat introspective and acknowledge it was going to be an incredibly tough game but I desperately want to see some kind of response that makes me feel better than it’s just another day at the office.

When you lose by 44, even to a great opponent, you better have some changes in mind as a coach.

Underwear comes to mind.

 

[72Spider]

Final 91-53 (38 spread)

Yes but didn't we score 54 on Auburn?

 

[coach fezz]

glad to be move back to Richmond this spring , time for little grandsons to be new Spider fans

 

[urfan1]

Yes but didn't we score 54 on Auburn?

Yes that was Ohio St score, we were 98-54 (44 spread).

 

[mr.spider]

I should have been excited for a game with Auburn. kinda forgot about it. didn't check the score until 8:00 pm.
first non-FloSports game I've missed in years.

I only found out the score today accidentally while getting pumped for the women's game.

 

[mr.spider]

Nonetheless - I will try to stay positive. So here is my positive spin. Tough loss refocuses the players. I think we return home and beat Belmont in a tight game. Then we beat W&M easily, and go onto a 4 game winning streak entering A10 play. Similar to last season, this team finds it way and we start A10 4-0 (8 game win streak overall) before a tough game with the Bonnies on the road. I will stop there, but I think the ship will be turned around and it starts with Belmont.

An 8 game win streak by this team! Hilarious.

As I said in another thread, this team will lose many A10 games by 20+. We are simply bad. Very bad.

 

[mr.spider]

Not surprisingly, we are favored by espn in exactly 2 A10 games. Actually, it is surprising, I thought it might be 0.

 

[mr.spider]

Meanwhile, the women are favored in all but one A10 game! Let's all really get behind our ladies team!

 

[fatherspider]

Meanwhile, the women are favored in all but one A10 game! Let's all really get behind our ladies team!

I guess the women have a coach who knows how to coach. And he is probably making 1/5th of what CM is making.
This year really says a lot about Mooney (not that most of us didnt already know). He took his measly success of last year and parlayed it into a “break” year for himself. He is taking total advantage of his idol like status from Hardt and Quelly. I hope they are happy with him. If they think this mess gets better anytime soon they are dumber then even I think they are.

 

[spider23]

I guess the women have a coach who knows how to coach. And he is probably making 1/5th of what CM is making.
This year really says a lot about Mooney (not that most of us didnt already know). He took his measly success of last year and parlayed it into a “break” year for himself. He is taking total advantage of his idol like status from Hardt and Quelly. I hope they are happy with him. If they think this meas gets better anytime soon they are dumber then even I think they are.

Yep agree. Could hear " the break year" in all the media interviews and messaging. Pivoted quick with the redshirts.
Super curious what our NIL pay outs look like.

 

[Mo 2.0]

LOL. They are "taking a gap year". Maybe the staff will go travelling in Europe.

 

[8legs1dream]

Not surprisingly, we are favored by espn in exactly 2 A10 games. Actually, it is surprising, I thought it might be 0.

Home vs Fordham and Duquesne, circle the dates on your calendar folks for a feel good come from behind W

 

[97spiderfan]

Mooney's media session this week was laughable. Casadonte and JOC spent half the time asking his opinion about tournament expansion (as if that is a pressing issue for us), Mooney said he wants 96 teams to make it in, and the only "hard" question he got was from someone who asked "Are you feeling good about how your team is playing?" Mooney responded by saying that he thinks we are playing better.

Really? Better than what? We just got annihilated and most nights we are lucky to score 60 points.

No questions about what has gone wrong. No questions about whether he is considering changing things up. No questions about whether his rigid adherence to his offense can work in this NIL era when guys may only be here for a year. No questions about why our defense has been so disorganized. No questions about whether he might change that up.

Are Casadonte and JOC afraid of Mooney? I can't think on any other explanation. We are in season, questions should be about the play of the team. Who gives a flying f*ck what Mooney thinks about tournament expansion, which A. we already know the answer because he has been asked and answered before and B. Is not even a hot topic discussion point now.

 

[GKiller]

Home vs Fordham and Duquesne, circle the dates on your calendar folks for a feel good come from behind W

 

[Eight Legger]

Are Casadonte and JOC afraid of Mooney? I can't think on any other explanation. We are in season, questions should be about the play of the team. Who gives a flying f*ck what Mooney thinks about tournament expansion, which A. we already know the answer because he has been asked and answered before and B. Is not even a hot topic discussion point now.

They're equally as comfortable in their jobs as Mooney is in his. Either that or Mooney threatened Casadonte that he would ban him from the pre- and postgame media buffet if he asks any tough questions.