26-27 Roster

[Spider17]

So here is a projected A10 line up for next year. Starter - Backup

1. AA (all A10 rookie team) - Deuce Simmons (Kansas Gatorade POY. 3 star recruit).

2. TBD - Donovan Richardson or Harper?

3. Jaime Kaiser Jr. (Top 100 recruit on ESPN, averaged 9 ppg at Butler) - Tanner

4. Jack McCaffrey (Top 100 recruit on ESPN, Iowa Gatorade POY, 2 ppg at Butler likely medically redshirted) - Andrew Ball (about 8 ppg at Monmouth. More defensive minded). Ball may also be starter as well.

5. Amon Dorries (16 ppg at Bucknell, 2nd team all Patriot, all rookie Patriot league) - Homenick?

With 3 transfer spots left (assuming JRob is transferring)

I really want us to prioritize a starting guard to play alongside AA. Then I would want to see maybe a back-up 5. The last spot can be a role player for any position.

1. AA - Deuce
2. Stewart or Saran - Stewart/Seran, Harper
3. Kaiser - Tanner
4. Ball or McCaffrey - Ball/McCaffrey
5. Dorries - Homenick?

I think we’ll have a 9 man rotation of:
1. AA
2. Stewart
3. Kaiser
4. Ball
5. Dorries

6. Deuce
7. Tanner
8. McCaffrey
9. Seran

I think it’s more likely that Ball or McCaffrey play the 5 then Homenick.

I think with our last spot, we should go after a role player 5. Someone who didn’t necessarily have eye popping stats but has had 4 years of college experience and can play 5-10 min a game.

 

[vt4700]

1. AA - Deuce
2. Stewart or Saran - Stewart/Seran, Harper
3. Kaiser - Tanner
4. Ball or McCaffrey - Ball/McCaffrey
5. Dorries - Homenick?

I think we’ll have a 9 man rotation of:
1. AA
2. Stewart
3. Kaiser
4. Ball
5. Dorries

6. Deuce
7. Tanner
8. McCaffrey
9. Seran

I think it’s more likely that Ball or McCaffrey play the 5 then Homenick.

I think with our last spot, we should go after a role player 5. Someone who didn’t necessarily have eye popping stats but has had 4 years of college experience and can play 5-10 min a game.

A backup 5 with experience would fit nicely for us, but would it fit for the player? You are asking a 5th year guy to transfer for his last year and only play 5-10 mpg. That is a very tough sell.

I think Caldwell makes sense for us as a backup 5 this year, like we did with a freshman Grace backing up Grant. I like the fact that Caldwell blocked a lot of shots in high school, and he also rebounded well. Sure, he needs to get bigger and he will, but I see no reason why a talented 6'9 player like him couldn't give us 5-10 mpg this year as a backup.

 

[*23*]

If we are strictly talking our "5" position then Chad Cook probably has the best combo of college ready body type and skill set. He has played our high post 5 for two years in NEPSAC. i see him more there than Homenick or Caldwell. I think though in reality it will be Ball and McCaffery sliding over when Dorries out.

 

[vt4700]

If we are strictly talking our "5" position then Chad Cook probably has the best combo of college ready body type and skill set. He has played our high post 5 for two years in NEPSAC. i see him more there than Homenick or Caldwell. I think though in reality it will be Ball and McCaffery sliding over when Dorries out.

Cook works for me there too. You are right...he looks bigger and more physical than the others. I could see the others too. Grace did fine at his size. No reason they can't do a good enough job at their size as well.

 

[Spider17]

A backup 5 with experience would fit nicely for us, but would it fit for the player? You are asking a 5th year guy to transfer for his last year and only play 5-10 mpg. That is a very tough sell.

I think Caldwell makes sense for us as a backup 5 this year, like we did with a freshman Grace backing up Grant. I like the fact that Caldwell blocked a lot of shots in high school, and he also rebounded well. Sure, he needs to get bigger and he will, but I see no reason why a talented 6'9 player like him couldn't give us 5-10 mpg this year as a backup.

I know it’s a very niche ask but I think having someone who has had 4 or 5 college experience play the 5 would be better this year than expecting Dorries to play 25+ min and then Homenick, Caldwell, or Cook who will all be freshmen playing 10 or so min or 15 min split among them.

There’s not going to be anyone looking to play significant minutes or have solid stats that is going to want to come here, but I would think with the 1000s of guys in the portal there is someone out there who is a grad transfer, from a low mid major (heck maybe D2) who did not know have good stats (less than 5 points a game) and is looking to play somewhere else his last year. We can tell that person “hey, come join this team and look to get 5-10 minutes a game.” And the selling point is they can play some minutes and be on a team that plays at the A10 level, an opportunity they’ve never had before. Plus he would probably get more NIL than he would’ve gotten anywhere else (still low amount but relatively speaking more). So maybe that’s a cool enough experience for them to play at this level and also getting a UR grad degree that can convince somebody to come here and give us 5-10 good minutes a game. Especially this late stage in the portal if no one else has picked them up.

A good example would be like a Jordan Madrid Andrews who averaged 3 points at Chicago State or Kwesi Abakah who averaged 1.2 points at Northeastern. Obviously very poor stats but they are older, stronger, have more experience, and an extra body who can go in and give Dorries a rest. This isn’t to say that Caldwell/Cook/Homenick don’t play at all but just not expecting any or all 3 of those guys to step up next year and play 10 or so minutes — at least to start the season.

The next best option I think is McCaffrey or Ball play the 5 when needed. I just don’t think given recent history I can trust Homenick or any freshmen to give us 10 good minutes in a game. At least not to start the season, but maybe by the end.

 

[Spider B]

Going with a finesse 5, a freshman backup, or a stetch 6'9"McCaferey as our bigs really leave us vonerable to physical teams. VCU and Mason will play volleyball on the glass if we go this route. Have to get a physical 4 or 5.

 

[Spider17]

Going with a finesse 5, a freshman backup, or a stetch 6'9"McCaferey as our bigs really leave us vonerable to physical teams. VCU and Mason will play volleyball on the glass if we go this route. Have to get a physical 4 or 5.

Agreed. Caldwell/Cook have zero college experience and Caldwell needs to get significantly stronger to play that position as well. Homenick has one year of college strength training and practice under his belt but no real game experience. Asking Ball/McCaffrey to do it is playing them out of position.

I think Kwesi Abakah from my post above is a great example. Came in as a 5th year grad transfer. Older, strong and had good size for the position, and at least has experience practicing and playing at the college level for many years. We would rely on this player more to give us some back up minutes to start the season and hopefully Cook and Homenick get more comfortable in the offense and can transition to giving them more playing time by the end of the season.

 

[Spider17]

The 5 is the only position that I don’t feel comfortable with the back up. Everyone else, at least on paper and who I’ve seen play at UR, feel comfortable with.

PG - AA and Deuce. AA probably going to get close to 30 mpg.

Guard - I think between Stewart and Saran especially both as combo guards will do well. Even Richardson might get a few minutes here, possibly Harper. Deuce might play some here as well.

Wing - Kaiser and Tanner. Tanner has done well enough the past few years to fill in the spot for Kaiser. I can see Stewart or Saran playing here as well. Maybe Harper.

Forward - Ball, McCaffrey, and maybe Kaiser here

So there’s a lot of combination of players in the game but even the guys at UR like Harper and Tanner, I think can do well enough with bench minutes.

 

[RichmondNative]

It is the preseason, so hope springs eternal but I am solidly in the wait and see camp.

First, I see a rather young team with potential. In the past this would be a great thing, but in the new world of college basketball it is more of a curse than a blessing. Most likely if any of these guys achieve what the Forum is hoping then they will likely be out the door next season. So you have a one year window to dig out of a two year funk.

Second, Mooney and company typically can’t get a bunch of new experienced guys “flowing” into the system in one year. This suggest this year will be an incremental step versus a monster turnaround. Perhaps that helps to avoid scenario #1 and you get to have a solid foundation for year two.

I am impressed that the staff was able to get essentially a full roster together in the short portal window. Gives me some hope that they were able to sign the players they wanted which is a new achievement in the portal era. Typically had late adds as I recall.

So we wait. I do expect another lackluster OOC schedule and expect lots of guys to play like this past season. Hopefully this time around, the staff finds the top 7 and is able to stick with them in the A10 portion of the season.

Go Spiders!

 

[MountainSpider]

I think our best lineup right now is:

AA
Saran
Stewart
Kaiser
Dorries

 

[URFan1]

I am impressed that the staff was able to get essentially a full roster together in the short portal window. Gives me some hope that they were able to sign the players they wanted which is a new achievement in the portal era. Typically had late adds as I recall.

I agree with this, hopefully they evaluated well and can get them to mesh.

 

[*23*]

Hoping between Kaiser, Stewart and Seran two of those guys can be consistent scorers. I'm a defense first guy, and I like these pick ups. Feel like we have a better roster. But we will need scoring. If either McCaffery or Ball can be consistent offensive threat that would be huge too.

 

[vt4700]

Agreed. Caldwell/Cook have zero college experience and Caldwell needs to get significantly stronger to play that position as well. Homenick has one year of college strength training and practice under his belt but no real game experience. Asking Ball/McCaffrey to do it is playing them out of position.

I think Kwesi Abakah from my post above is a great example. Came in as a 5th year grad transfer. Older, strong and had good size for the position, and at least has experience practicing and playing at the college level for many years. We would rely on this player more to give us some back up minutes to start the season and hopefully Cook and Homenick get more comfortable in the offense and can transition to giving them more playing time by the end of the season.

I would much rather have a freshman like Grace as a backup big than an experienced guy like Kwesi.

 

[vt4700]

Agreed. Caldwell/Cook have zero college experience and Caldwell needs to get significantly stronger to play that position as well. Homenick has one year of college strength training and practice under his belt but no real game experience. Asking Ball/McCaffrey to do it is playing them out of position.

I think Kwesi Abakah from my post above is a great example. Came in as a 5th year grad transfer. Older, strong and had good size for the position, and at least has experience practicing and playing at the college level for many years. We would rely on this player more to give us some back up minutes to start the season and hopefully Cook and Homenick get more comfortable in the offense and can transition to giving them more playing time by the end of the season.

Keep in mind you are asking a 5th year grad transfer to come here and be a back up to start the season and then have the possibility of not playing at all later in the season if Cook and Homenick get more comfortable.

 

[Spider17]

I would much rather have a freshman like Grace as a backup big than an experienced guy like Kwesi

Me too but given our track record I don’t have much confidence that one of our freshmen or Homenick will be able to step up and contribute 10 good minutes a game.

Keep in mind you are asking a 5th year grad transfer to come here and be a back up to start the season and then have the possibility of not playing at all later in the season if Cook and Homenick get more comfortable

I do think that there are players out there who will take that. From their perspective they will want the UR grad degree, spend their last year playing at the highest level they’ve ever played, great facilities, get some decent minutes throughout the beginning/middle of the season at the least, and might even get NIL that they never got before or whatever amount we offer them (probably small but still more than what they had).

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

Pay a backup enough and you owe him nothing. That’s how it works now. They should have no expectations of playing time or anything beyond their NIL. UR owes them nothing else. A guy would be dumb to forgo an extra 50-75k for 5mpg more somewhere else.

 

[vt4700]

Pay a backup enough and you owe him nothing. That’s how it works now. They should have no expectations of playing time or anything beyond their NIL. UR owes them nothing else. A guy would be dumb to forgo an extra 50-75k for 5mpg more somewhere else.

I hear u, but if we are gonna pay decent money for our final roster guy, I hope he is better than Kwesi. If we can get a solid, experienced, and talented backup big in here, absolutely, get him, but if it comes down to a Kwesi type or guys we already have on the roster, give me our guys. I do think Cook or Caldwell could give us good minutes like Grace did his freshman year. And, I could see Ball giving us some good minutes there too. It's not like we are playing against 6'11 P5 bigs every game.

 

[brooklyn brownstone]

I am not the one advocating a Kwesi addition that does not help UR at all, under no circumstances.

I'm adding my perspective on why a 5th year guy who might be able to be productive off the bench would choose UR, despite potentially limited playing time - because of money, and money alone. If granted a 5th year, I don't think Walz is looking to go somewhere to be a starter, I think he would go to the highest bidder. If he could go to Kentucky to get 300k to play sub-4m a game as an insurance policy to their bigs, should he do that? Yes, IMO. Is he overqualifid for a zero role? Yes. It's the deal he's making to be on solid financial footing at 23/24 years old.

If the first question they are asking about via their reps is available money, I assume deals are being done on that alone. UR now gets a player to use as they will - UR owes him nothing as far as playing time, usage, etc. - we should pay extra for that right if we have the money available.

Mileage varies on this obviously, because we are talking about a bench guy. But as far as answering what 5th year grad would want to come here and back up someone for limited minutes? The extra money makes that question moot, I'd hope. Go to St Francis of PA and get 20k to play 20mpg or come to UR and get 100k to do whatever we decide we need.

 

[MrTbone]

Agreed. Caldwell/Cook have zero college experience and Caldwell needs to get significantly stronger to play that position as well. Homenick has one year of college strength training and practice under his belt but no real game experience. Asking Ball/McCaffrey to do it is playing them out of position.

I think Kwesi Abakah from my post above is a great example. Came in as a 5th year grad transfer. Older, strong and had good size for the position, and at least has experience practicing and playing at the college level for many years. We would rely on this player more to give us some back up minutes to start the season and hopefully Cook and Homenick get more comfortable in the offense and can transition to giving them more playing time by the end of the season.

Based on the original Kwesi Abakah experience, I don’t have any desire to have a second Kwesi Abakah experience. Give me a talented freshman over an unskilled vet all day.

 

[RichmondNative]

Based on the original Kwesi Abakah experience, I don’t have any desire to have a second Kwesi Abakah experience. Give me a talented freshman over an unskilled vet all day.

Plus, the discussion is about a 15th scholarship player. Just 2 years ago (?), the max scholarship limit was 13, so what’s wrong with keeping an empty spot? Could even work to your advantage if there is a late coaching change and suddenly desirable players end up in the portal. Regardless, I see no difference in UR’s potential if they roll with the roster they have now versus adding a 5 mpg big.

The 5 in 5 rule is another “solution” that is not going to solve anything and personally I hope it doesn’t see the light of day. Piecemeal changes are not the way out of this mess. A complete overhaul is the only answer.