Don’t think it is as simple as the 18 game league schedule dragging the A10 down, but agree with the other points. Being the best one bid league is not something to be striving for.
Around the A10
- Thread starter *23*
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Think he ignores the landscape set by the P4/5 leagues. Otherwise, accurate.
Last year #7, this year #10 - plenty of room for improvement. Painful to not be able to have a program in the upper third of the conference. Is Men’s Basketball really the premier sport at Richmond?
25-26 PRESEASON POLL
1. VCU (11) .......................................... 342
2. Saint Louis (11) ................................ 341
3. Dayton (3) ........................................ 321
4. George Washington ........................ 296
5. Loyola Chicago (2) ......................... 286
6. George Mason................................. 254
7. Saint Joseph’s ................................ 195
8. St. Bonaventure ............................. 185
9. Duquesne ...................................... 155
10. Richmond .................................... 142
11. Davidson ..................................... 107
12. Rhode Island ............................... 102
13. La Salle ......................................... 56
14. Fordham ....................................... 53
25-26 PRESEASON POLL
1. VCU (11) .......................................... 342
2. Saint Louis (11) ................................ 341
3. Dayton (3) ........................................ 321
4. George Washington ........................ 296
5. Loyola Chicago (2) ......................... 286
6. George Mason................................. 254
7. Saint Joseph’s ................................ 195
8. St. Bonaventure ............................. 185
9. Duquesne ...................................... 155
10. Richmond .................................... 142
11. Davidson ..................................... 107
12. Rhode Island ............................... 102
13. La Salle ......................................... 56
14. Fordham ....................................... 53
*23*
All A-10 player
VCU - Brand new coach, picked #1. #RVA year - VCU used that momentum to make themselves a consistent mid major power. We became University of Excuses with Mooney leading the way.
Happy Wednesday Spidernation!!!!!!
And I do think we have the talent on the roster to finish near top of A10 - but unlike the team two years ago we don't seem to have the talent or dawgs on defense to be really really good. Hoping to be proven wrong.
Of concern, on that A10 Field of 68 video - Dauster explains that Daughtry - with his super offensive numbers - only played 20 minutes per game. Leading him to surmise that his defense was really bad. Which Mooney did not really refute. Hoping that he and JRob can combine to make a really good 4 position, with JRob bringing the Defense and Dunks (and passing and cookies too
).
Happy Wednesday Spidernation!!!!!!
And I do think we have the talent on the roster to finish near top of A10 - but unlike the team two years ago we don't seem to have the talent or dawgs on defense to be really really good. Hoping to be proven wrong.
Of concern, on that A10 Field of 68 video - Dauster explains that Daughtry - with his super offensive numbers - only played 20 minutes per game. Leading him to surmise that his defense was really bad. Which Mooney did not really refute. Hoping that he and JRob can combine to make a really good 4 position, with JRob bringing the Defense and Dunks (and passing and cookies too
).I haven't looked at the other rosters much, but the coaches think we have none of the top 12 and only 1 of the top 18 players in the league.
that doesn't scream "near the top of the league talent".
I like Big Mike, but there aren't many years where he would be considered our best player.
97spiderfan
Bench player
Ranked 10th pre season, a year after being ranked 13th in a one bid conference. Really sad state of affairs. At least Mooney thinks we will be "pretty good" and main talking point at media day seemed to be that we decided to practice for the season earlier this year than last. That is some next level stuff there guys.
*23*
All A-10 player
C'mon sman, I am trying to be positive here
. I think Will Johnston could be a top 20 player in the league easy. I think AJ Lopez is a legit A10 starter. Tyne and Walz - these guys need to take the next step. Mooney talked a lot about Tyne in that interview. I saw the flashes his freshman season. Walz, like I said, let's walk the walk. He seems ready. Big guys like him have had huge jumps in year 3 or 4 historically, and he seems like he fits the bill. 4 position - again if we can blend in Jrob with Daughtry as needed - can be a solid position. Beagle is a very capable back up inside. I am actually higher on David Thomas than 98% of the people out there, I think he can be a contributor. If we can get a guy like Bryson or Argabright to play above their expected level this season - I can see a light in the tunnel. Of course that is all contingent on the coach putting them in position, and getting some semblance of defensive stoutness. That is my big concern, I do think we have some pieces - and the transfers in Lopez and Johnston have been very productive at the mid major D1 level.
Based on the statement from Mooney and players that there was a focus on November games starting in July this year, I am expecting to see less “trial and error” than last year. However, in the Greenberg interview, Seth did say that the plan was to go 10 deep so that is a bit concerning unless there is a “full team” substitution pattern. One of the problems I had with last year was many of the substitution patterns ended up with players that did not seem to work well together and there seemed to be different combinations all the time.
I am also concerned about Daughtry’s place in the rotation because even though he was mentioned numerous times, we all know that he wasn’t fully cleared to practice until about a week ago. He can’t be at the same level as the rest of the guys. Of course, Mooney also said that he didn’t fit the usual UR style and compared him to Cayo.
All that being said, I expect the team to be better than last year and with the easy as possible OOC schedule the team should have plenty of time to adjust and to gain confidence.
Looking forward to the JMU exhibition since that will be the first opportunity to see what the staff has been able to do.
I am also concerned about Daughtry’s place in the rotation because even though he was mentioned numerous times, we all know that he wasn’t fully cleared to practice until about a week ago. He can’t be at the same level as the rest of the guys. Of course, Mooney also said that he didn’t fit the usual UR style and compared him to Cayo.
All that being said, I expect the team to be better than last year and with the easy as possible OOC schedule the team should have plenty of time to adjust and to gain confidence.
Looking forward to the JMU exhibition since that will be the first opportunity to see what the staff has been able to do.
I like the positivity! you get a seat right next to BB at the next World of Beer radio show!C'mon sman, I am trying to be positive here
Of course that is all contingent on the coach putting them in position, and getting some semblance of defensive stoutness. That is my big concern, I do think we have some pieces - and the transfers in Lopez and Johnston have been very productive at the mid major D1 level.
you'll have me on board by November.
*23*
All A-10 player
I feel like if I ever show up to something like that in person I will get evil looks thrown my way and followed to my car.
*23*
All A-10 player
Sister Jean, iconic March Madness figure, retires from Loyola Chicago at 106
The beloved chaplain and mentor stepped down after health concerns forced her to scale back on-campus duties
www.cbssports.com
localspider
Walk-on
I would be totally shocked if finished in top 5, probable better than 10th, but no better than 7th. Mooney was over his skis before portal/NIL, now he is grasping at straws. The only positive with UR men’s basketball is the gateway to UR women’s basketball.
55% of 14 is 7.7, so 8th.
The “engine” of the athletics department is becoming the caboose.
97spiderfan
Bench player
Truth. Mooney has always been a very slow to adjust guy (with both the way he coaches and the way he runs the program). The rapid changes over the past few years brought on by NIL and the portal have really brought that into stark attention. He is dinosaur after the asteroid hit.
Spiders4ever
Bench player
Should the Spiders go all-in on basketball at the expense of other athletic teams like VCU or continue on the current track?
All rosey now for VCU, but who knows what will happen 2 years down the line.
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