Game Thread - St. Joes @RC - Sunday 1/11 noon - USA network

just saying I don't mind Tyne out there in that spot. if we need a guy to push the ball up the floor, he's one of our fastest. he's also a good shooter. no matter who's taking that shot, it'll be contested so we're looking at a 1 out of 3 chance at hitting it. I'd much rather we attack the rim quickly only down 2 ... but that's rarely our mindset.

we shot an astounding 12-39 from 2 for the game. SJU only got credit for 4 blocks, but how nice must it be to have guys like Ajogbor and Smith altering everything inside? who was our last guy like that? I guess Quinn altered some shots but he couldn't jump. maybe Garrett? it's been too long. dont know anything about Homenick, but I assume Walz is the comp.

our 2nd half defense was strong. we fought our way back from way down. that was good to see. if AA is correct that we thought this was a win, I don't know what to say. someone needs to speak up and let the team know we need to fight for 40 minutes each night. we've done nothing to think we're good enough to pencil in a W.
 
Yeah, I was a little mind blown by AA statement that they or maybe "he" thought this was going to be an easier game because we had just won 2 road games. Aiden is a freshman who played a world beater high school team, so I can kind of see how he would fall into that trap. But where is our upperclassman leadership?

That is on the players. At home and they came out a let a very mediocre St. Joes squad come and punch them in the face for the first half of the game.
 
This game should not have come down to a last second three point attempt. How many one-and-done shots were taken by the Spiders? Everyone standing around the perimeter while one player takes a shot- the other team surrounds the basket for the rebound-no Spider in sight. One or two put-backs would be the difference in the game. Offensive rebounding does not exist in the Spiders offense, and it's not on the players because that is the plan. Consistent winning can against decent teams will never happen without an offense that includes rebounding. I am not motivated to attend games because of the offensive strategy that hasn't changed. Let's put our big man 25 feet from the basket so he can pass and set picks. Forget using him under the basket.

I am excited about the women's team, and have attended and will attend their games. Someday, things will change for the men- some day.
 
just saying I don't mind Tyne out there in that spot. if we need a guy to push the ball up the floor, he's one of our fastest. he's also a good shooter. no matter who's taking that shot, it'll be contested so we're looking at a 1 out of 3 chance at hitting it. I'd much rather we attack the rim quickly only down 2 ... but that's rarely our mindset.

we shot an astounding 12-39 from 2 for the game. SJU only got credit for 4 blocks, but how nice must it be to have guys like Ajogbor and Smith altering everything inside? who was our last guy like that? I guess Quinn altered some shots but he couldn't jump. maybe Garrett? it's been too long. dont know anything about Homenick, but I assume Walz is the comp.

our 2nd half defense was strong. we fought our way back from way down. that was good to see. if AA is correct that we thought this was a win, I don't know what to say. someone needs to speak up and let the team know we need to fight for 40 minutes each night. we've done nothing to think we're good enough to pencil in a W.
On the coach. As a player, even if I believed and thought that, I'd never say it out loud for fear of getting benched. But this is Mooney the players coach.
 
On the coach. As a player, even if I believed and thought that, I'd never say it out loud for fear of getting benched. But this is Mooney the players coach.
I was surprised that AA mentioned it at all, but he is a freshman and doesn’t have the post-game interview experience. I have seen coaches jump in/cut off players in similar situations. He might have to pay the price, but Mooney will have to think long and hard about any action he takes.
 
Mooney's end of game play calling has never been a strength and never will be. You know going into it that we are not getting some elite look at the last place.

That said, Walz absolutely 100% needs to take that shot. He just hit 2 from the same spot, that is his frickin spot, take the effin shot. Can not have our 4th year, all A-10 player passing up a game winning shot like that. He passed it to a player more closely guarded and there was like 2 seconds left, so any hitch in Tyne catch and release and the shot doesn't even get off in time.

Walz talks a really good game but I have been really disappointed with his play. I was expected a locked in season from him and far too often we are getting a version where not only is he not locked in but he is an accessory, non factor, that isn't doing too much out there.
 
I was surprised that AA mentioned it at all, but he is a freshman and doesn’t have the post-game interview experience. I have seen coaches jump in/cut off players in similar situations. He might have to pay the price, but Mooney will have to think long and hard about any action he takes.
As for AA, he was pretty much the sole reason we were able to get back into the game in the second half, so yeah, there should be no playing repercussions. But certainly, the coaching staff should be sitting down with him and letting him know in D-1 basketball, there are no easy games and that mindset is going to get exactly what you got on Sunday.

Mooney said the same thing in his postgame interview that players "were not locked in to start the game". Obviously, everyone would like a coach like Hurley who gets the players ready to run through fire every game, but we've got Mr. Fluidity leading our program.
 
1. It's unacceptable to not be locked in from the opening tip.
2. If this happens, bench all 5 right away and keep them out till at least the 12 minute time out.
3. Then, see who wants to play and who doesn't.
4. Missed shots happen. Turnovers happen. But, not being locked in? Unreal.
 
Walz talks a really good game but I have been really disappointed with his play. I was expected a locked in season from him and far too often we are getting a version where not only is he not locked in but he is an accessory, non factor, that isn't doing too much out there.
Agree about Walz. Said this prior to game 1, he talks the talk, now to time to walk the walk. And he can look very good for stretches. But seems like everything has to be going just right. Too often he is floating. He just needs to play hard and stay aggressive and play with confidence. I could not even believe he passed up that last shot.
 
Agree about Walz. Said this prior to game 1, he talks the talk, now to time to walk the walk. And he can look very good for stretches. But seems like everything has to be going just right. Too often he is floating. He just needs to play hard and stay aggressive and play with confidence. I could not even believe he passed up that last shot.
Seems like a great teammate and student. Once every so often has big game - points and rebounds. On balance not aggressive as a big man and sees himself as a distributor and a 6’10” shooting guard. I guess he’s a MoonSys guy, but one has to admire the aggressiveness of opposing big men that play inside and around the rim.
 
1. It's unacceptable to not be locked in from the opening tip.
2. If this happens, bench all 5 right away and keep them out till at least the 12 minute time out.
3. Then, see who wants to play and who doesn't.
4. Missed shots happen. Turnovers happen. But, not being locked in? Unreal.
a college career is so short. you only get like 31 games per year for 4 years. these guys should be trying to maximize every minute. it'll be over before they know it. don't look back with any regrets.
 
Agree about Walz. Said this prior to game 1, he talks the talk, now to time to walk the walk. And he can look very good for stretches. But seems like everything has to be going just right. Too often he is floating. He just needs to play hard and stay aggressive and play with confidence. I could not even believe he passed up that last shot.

Walz passes up a lot of shots. How many times during the last 4 years have we seen him 5 feet from the basket with his back to it and passes it out to the perimeter? Zero aggression... My wife, who is not a basketball person, said to me during the game "Why does that big kid not just turn around and shoot it when he's so close to the basket?"

I also would love to see Argabright starting instead of Tyne. I see no improvement in Tyne's game from last year to this. Argabright has the ability to get hot , something this team sorely needs.
 
Walz passes up a lot of shots. How many times during the last 4 years have we seen him 5 feet from the basket with his back to it and passes it out to the perimeter? Zero aggression... My wife, who is not a basketball person, said to me during the game "Why does that big kid not just turn around and shoot it when he's so close to the basket?"

I also would love to see Argabright starting instead of Tyne. I see no improvement in Tyne's game from last year to this. Argabright has the ability to get hot , something this team sorely needs.
Good post, Rick.

Ditto for my wife. Couple times yesterday she yelled, “just shoot it…why is he passing it out to another player” when he clearly had shot of his own.
 
We brought 4 subs in the game 2 minutes in. We had only taken two shots at this point. Who can possibly get into any rhythm like this? If this was because of effort, fine, but we do this every game, and I just don't see the benefit. We gave up 23 points the 1st 7 minutes of the game. Could things possibly be worse if we left our starters in until at least the 16 min timeout?

Johnston and Lopez played the first 2 minutes and sat the next 5. Why? Lack of effort? Not sure, but what I do know is we gave up 16 points in the 5 minutes they sat out, so if we have defensive or effort issues, it's hard to single them out.

So, 2 of our best players have barely played 7 minutes in and we are down 23-14. Wow. Great strategy.
 
Hear you.

Mediocre at best in recruiting. Doesn't demand excellence in all facets of the game from players. Sub par, at best, at in game coaching. Makes millions.

In any sane program, he would have been gone a decade ago, but Spider "aristocracy" love him. Cashed in my chips on this guy years ago.
 
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We brought 4 subs in the game 2 minutes in. We had only taken two shots at this point. Who can possibly get into any rhythm like this? If this was because of effort, fine, but we do this every game, and I just don't see the benefit. We gave up 23 points the 1st 7 minutes of the game. Could things possibly be worse if we left our starters in until at least the 16 min timeout?

Johnston and Lopez played the first 2 minutes and sat the next 5. Why? Lack of effort? Not sure, but what I do know is we gave up 16 points in the 5 minutes they sat out, so if we have defensive or effort issues, it's hard to single them out.

So, 2 of our best players have barely played 7 minutes in and we are down 23-14. Wow. Great strategy.
I think Lopez got pulled because of that sloppy turnover he had. I think there are few things that CM actually will pull a guy for more than the dreaded TO.

CM was cursing at him both before he came off, during his walk off, and while he was sitting.

Btw, I agree 💯 that this is no way to establish any kind of rhythm. But CM is the ultimate cooler. Vegas is itching to bring him in when he’s done coaching.
 
We brought 4 subs in the game 2 minutes in. We had only taken two shots at this point. Who can possibly get into any rhythm like this? If this was because of effort, fine, but we do this every game, and I just don't see the benefit. We gave up 23 points the 1st 7 minutes of the game. Could things possibly be worse if we left our starters in until at least the 16 min timeout?

Johnston and Lopez played the first 2 minutes and sat the next 5. Why? Lack of effort? Not sure, but what I do know is we gave up 16 points in the 5 minutes they sat out, so if we have defensive or effort issues, it's hard to single them out.

So, 2 of our best players have barely played 7 minutes in and we are down 23-14. Wow. Great strategy.
The Moon substitution pattern drives me crazy. Johnston and Lopez are two of our best scorers and have earned the right to more than 2 mins before subbing. They tore it up at St. Bon. So yank them out to be consistent with the 18 min timeframe intact this year be it them or others???? I’m getting dizzy watching Moon sending players to the scorer’s table to sub out other players. Let them play reasonable minutes before being yanked.
 
I think this was referenced in the thread somewhere. But there were actually some people in the student section on Saturday. Also noticed that literally the only time they stood and interacted in the game was when one of their buddies was shooting FT's. They kind of looked like students but certainly didn't act like it. Wondering what the backstory was.
 
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