Argabright coming back (confirmed)

[sman]

I will defer to your scouting report in terms of Harper's athleticism. I'm more concerned from a broader view at how Mooney (and his "system") utilizes guys that are athletic. After watching a ton of basketball last week one of the many things that stood out was how aggressive and decisive the guard play was (and of course the tenacious way that most of the tournament teams attacked the boards). Yes, many of these power 5 teams have bigger, stronger players than UR but even the small guards were attacking the basket and playing with strength and aggression (See VCU in the 2nd half against UNC, etc). I just think Mooney has our players overthinking everything and it's another reason why we tend to play tight over the last 2-3 minutes of a game. I know my thoughts can just be added to the negative chorus but I don't see a ton of hope with this current HC.

AA is aggressive and decisive. Gilly certainly was aggresive and decisive. we may not have always loved the results, but I think Tyne is too. so was Lopez.

we complain about the system a lot, but I don't think it holds players back like some here think ... when we're talking about the right players. really good players do fine in this system. we need more of those really good players.

 

[97spiderfan]

This. 17 shots is not a sample size when each make/miss adjusts his % by 6 percentage points. One more make and he’s fine at 35 two more makes and he’s lights out at 41%? Not really. AP had big sample size to show he cannot shoot in game situations. Harper not so much.

Last point here is that Harper’s form is just way better from 3. AP and Tanner look like they are aiming and need time to wind up and shoot. Harper did not feel that way to me.

Is he an athlete like even Gonzo level? Doesn’t appear to have those hops. Also I’m unsure he’s 6’5”. But if he can shoot and get to the rim and still score that is what matters.

Will concede sample size is small. But just countering assertation that he is one of the best shooters on the team as not being backed up by the stats in any way shape or form. If you are going to say that and say my post about him is ill informed, I would hope that you would have some tangible evidence to back that up.

I'm trying not trying to crap all over Harper, he has shown some good moments and I hope he returns. But again to single him out as an essential piece that we need to retain, shows the overall lack of talent we have on the team.

AA is the only guy on our roster that I feel has shown that he can be a high level A-10 starter. The rest of our roster until they show otherwise are more reserve/bench caliber players. Daughtry might be the only other player that I could see being a high level starter, but he has work to do on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Spide]

Will concede sample size is small. But just countering assertation that he is one of the best shooters on the team as not being backed up by the stats in any way shape or form. If you are going to say that and say my post about him is ill informed, I would hope that you would have some tangible evidence to back that up.

I'm trying not trying to crap all over Harper, he has shown some good moments and I hope he returns. But again to single him out as an essential piece that we need to retain, shows the overall lack of talent we have on the team.

AA is the only guy on our roster that I feel has shown that he can be a high level A-10 starter. The rest of our roster until they show otherwise are more reserve/bench caliber players. Daughtry might be the only other player that I could see being a high level starter, but he has work to do on the defensive side of the ball.

“97”, I’ll leave it with this. Have seen Will play in person many times. Go Spiders!

 

[vt4700]

A couple interesting things from the AA interview.

1. AA said that not everyone was giving maximum effort last year. That was pretty profound.
2. BB and Matt stating that the next highest priorities on our roster were to retain Harper and Robinson. Shows you how devoid our roster is of talent. IMO, Harper is Collin Tanner with a slightly better jumper but not as good as rebounder, but not an athletically gifted player. Robinson is insanely athletically gifted but has problems with the basketball skill side of the game and Mooney can't seem to find him a place on the roster that fits his skill set (which looks like highlight dunks is that skill set). Look at VCU and SLU roster and tell me that Robinson or Harper even sniffs time on either of those teams.

I also laughed were Bob said that of course Aiden will be starting next year. So, our number 1 target to return and obvious starter for next year, but yet wasn't starting this year. No mention of our incumbent PG, Tyne, and his status.

Harper and JRob are priorities, but couldn't see good minutes on a 5-14 A-10 team?? We are a strange program.

 

[vt4700]

Not going to comment on entire post, but one statement is just so ill informed. Harper is extremely athletic and handles the ball very well. Moreover he is one of the best shooters on the team. Could easily be the 6’5” shooting guard we covet.

Then why didn't he play over a much smaller, less athletic Tyne? As usual, something just doesn't add up.

 

[Spiders4ever]

Guessing just joking around here 4ever. If Parker was looking to move, Moon would have to recuse himself due to the Chu connection.

He played with AA at John Marshall right? I think they may have overlapped a couple of years maybe.

 

[SpiderPrime]

Good for AA. Now clean house and replace everyone else.

 

[97spiderfan]

Harper and JRob are priorities, but couldn't see good minutes on a 5-14 A-10 team?? We are a strange program.

Yep. Just like last year when McGothlin and JRob redshirted on a similarly bad team. And some folks said just wait and see, these guys are tearing it up in practice. Well, we waited and then we saw. McGothlin got walk on minutes and JRob while exciting averaged less than 3 points and 2 boards per game on a similarly bad team.

Meanwhile, AA, stepped right in as a freshman and showed he belonged. So, Harper and Richardson are that same category for me. If they weren't good enough to make an impact on this dog beaten team last year, I'm not "trusting" Mooney that he is hiding some freshman gems. Because if they were impact players, they would have been playing and impacting the game just like AA was. They weren't playing much for a reason.

I hope I'm wrong on those guys. But damn, anyone who has faith in Mooney and his redshirting/high school recruiting prowess at this point, needs to have their head examined.

 

[Spide]

Then why didn't he play over a much smaller, less athletic Tyne? As usual, something just doesn't add up.

Was Will Harper injured????? Mmmm …..

 

[*23*]

He played with AA at John Marshall right? I think they may have overlapped a couple of years maybe.

Aha, did not realize that. Still have to think a long shot but who knows. Maybe AA has some other study AAU teammates that can open the door for?

 

[Spiderguy]

Then why didn't he play over a much smaller, less athletic Tyne? As usual, something just doesn't add up.

Have said many times that Moon is a loyalty first coach; skill & practicality coach second. Moon comfortable on balance with Tyne and Tanner.

 

[Spider B]

OK, so at the very least Harper is unproven. JRob looks to be an A10 roll player. Great that AA is back, but we still need 4 A10 caliber starters. No faith that CM can deliver. I dont care how much money you give him to buy players.

 

[*23*]

OK, so at the very least Harper is unproven. JRob looks to be an A10 roll player. Great that AA is back, but we still need 4 A10 caliber starters. No faith that CM can deliver. I dont care how much money you give him to buy players.

Agree, this is a problem. Even if lands two very good players, can he realize he needs depth and defense? We are starting at an even bigger talent deficit than most off seasons.

 

[CityStadiumFan]

AA is aggressive and decisive. Gilly certainly was aggresive and decisive. we may not have always loved the results, but I think Tyne is too. so was Lopez.

we complain about the system a lot, but I don't think it holds players back like some here think ... when we're talking about the right players. really good players do fine in this system. we need more of those really good players.

Fair statement and I don't want to rain on the otherwise sunny news of AA's return (We haven't had many sunny days for this program over the past 2 years). I'm just extremely skeptical after 21 years. But hey, the way CM's tenure has worked AA will lead us to the tournament as a senior in 2029 and then we will give CM a giant extension and we will make it back in 2036.

 

[sman]

JRob looks to be an A10 roll player.

he could be exactly what we need as a starter ... in a role. if we have AA, incoming center, and incoming wing as the offensive focus and we ask JRob to be an athlete, run the floor, defend, rebound, block shots, screen and roll, lob threat, and get garbage points ... that's an A10 starter on a winning team.

 

[vt4700]

Yep. Just like last year when McGothlin and JRob redshirted on a similarly bad team. And some folks said just wait and see, these guys are tearing it up in practice. Well, we waited and then we saw. McGothlin got walk on minutes and JRob while exciting averaged less than 3 points and 2 boards per game on a similarly bad team.

Meanwhile, AA, stepped right in as a freshman and showed he belonged. So, Harper and Richardson are that same category for me. If they weren't good enough to make an impact on this dog beaten team last year, I'm not "trusting" Mooney that he is hiding some freshman gems. Because if they were impact players, they would have been playing and impacting the game just like AA was. They weren't playing much for a reason.

I hope I'm wrong on those guys. But damn, anyone who has faith in Mooney and his redshirting/high school recruiting prowess at this point, needs to have their head examined.

Agree. Hard to say JRob and Harper will be key pieces when they scored 83 and 47 points last year. On a terrible team!!!

 

[vt4700]

he could be exactly what we need as a starter ... in a role. if we have AA, incoming center, and incoming wing as the offensive focus and we ask JRob to be an athlete, run the floor, defend, rebound, block shots, screen and roll, lob threat, and get garbage points ... that's an A10 starter on a winning team.

We had AA, a couple bigs in Walz and Beagle, and a scoring wing in AJ, and JRob only played 10 mpg and averaged less than 3 ppg. Why do you think next year will be any different?

 

[Eight Legger]

Here's what ChatGPT told me about former AA teammates in high school or AAU. I haven't checked to see if any of these guys have exhausted their college eligibility yet, but I would assume not:

• Dennis Parker Jr. — NC State, now Radford
• Jason Rivera-Torres — Vanderbilt → San Francisco → Monmouth
• Damon Thompson Jr. — James Madison → Longwood
• Troy Henderson — Tennessee
• Latrell Allmond — Oklahoma State signee (2026)
• Riley Jacobs — UMBC
• Grant Polk — South Carolina
• Eric Reibe — UConn
• Shane Lincoln — City College of San Francisco (junior college)
• Isaiah Vick — Wingate (Division II)
• Jacob Randall — University of Chicago (Division III)
• Anthony Saunders — Fisher (NAIA)

 

[Spider B]

We had AA, a couple bigs in Walz and Beagle, and a scoring wing in AJ, and JRob only played 10 mpg and averaged less than 3 ppg. Why do you think next year will be any different?

Every year guys get hyped on here and those players always disappoint. I stand by that we have 1 A10 level starter on the roster right now. Huge hole to be in.

 

[Spiderguy]

he could be exactly what we need as a starter ... in a role. if we have AA, incoming center, and incoming wing as the offensive focus and we ask JRob to be an athlete, run the floor, defend, rebound, block shots, screen and roll, lob threat, and get garbage points ... that's an A10 starter on a winning team.

This I’m onboard with. It seems to perfectly align with his skills and benefits the team the most. Unfortunately I don’t see CM taking advantage of JRob in this way. I only hope Moon doesn’t keep pounding the square peg round hole approach.