Bethune Cookman, Fri. Nov. 11, 9pm-YES/570AM

[monte]

Have to keep our excitement in check until we play a real team. This was a squash match, as was the Baruch game. What I do like is that this team plays basketball. Many of our recent teams played a version of the sport I did not recognize. I guess it shouldn't surprise us that Mullin knows what he is looking for in a player. Paramount will be the ability to shoot and pass the basketball, and to have a high BB IQ. The main gripe expressed on these boards over the past, well, many years is the lack of good basketball instincts in many of our players. It's a pleasure to see great ball movement. I expect growing pains, but do think that this will be a NCAA team by next season. We have too many guys that can off on a given night, and can withstand a few players having off nights because of our depth. I can't believe I'm saying this one season removed from one of our worst records ever.

One of the things that I'm most thrilled about is the fact that we now have shooters, as opposed to just scorers. Lovett, Ponds and Muss simply cannot be left open from outside. All can nail the 3 consistently. Ellison and Ahmed, while not pure shooters, can also knock down the open look. IMO Freudenberg will also eventually develop in to an outside threat. Who knows, maybe even Owens extends his range over time. He's got a nice stroke. Pure shooters are also good-great FT shooters. Max was probably the only pure shooter we've had here in a very long time. If there's anyone on this planet who should be great at identifying pure shooters, its one of the greatest of all time...who also just happens to be our HC.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Paramount will be the ability to shoot and pass the basketball, and to have a high BB IQ. The main gripe expressed on these boards over the past, well, many years is the lack of good basketball instincts in many of our players. It's a pleasure to see great ball movement.

+1000

Seems all of our rotation - at least those on the perimeter - are a threat to score themselves or to set up another teammate. That alone makes you tough to guard. Its an added bonus that those same guys all seem to be capable shooters and their bigs are athletic and don't need the ball to be effective.

As for our bigs, I'm pleasantly surprised with Owens. He is insanely long, seems to, from limited exposure, have a nice touch from 12 feet and in, and isn't afraid to mix it up despite not being built like a banger. Do we really lose much if Sima is in foul trouble and Owens comes in? One thing I see in him is an intense desire to prove his value. He is a high energy guy. In fact, the whole team is playing like they have something to prove, and that's a good thing.

Agree on Owens. Think we can rotate those 3 in and out without losing much. I do think Sima is catching too much grief on these boards.

 

[austour]

Zach B
What stood out to be most last night? Halftime adjustment by Chris Mullin, going small that turned game into a blowout. #sjubb

Late thought on #sjubb: For those, especially WASJU,who thought Federico Mussini would be afterthought are wrong. He's a weapon now at natural position.

I watched the game and had fun doing it. A relatively rare occurrence the past number of years. But I still reserve judgement on whether Fred is just filling minutes or actually going to contribute until he faces real D1 athletes on decent well coached teams. Again he got off shots that if our opponents got the same shots off we'd be calling for the D coaches head. And he's still slow and not that great on D.

 

[we are sju]

Zach B
What stood out to be most last night? Halftime adjustment by Chris Mullin, going small that turned game into a blowout. #sjubb

Late thought on #sjubb: For those, especially WASJU,who thought Federico Mussini would be afterthought are wrong. He's a weapon now at natural position.

I watched the game and had fun doing it. A relatively rare occurrence the past number of years. But I still reserve judgement on whether Fred is just filling minutes or actually going to contribute until he faces real D1 athletes on decent well coached teams. Again he got off shots that if our opponents got the same shots off we'd be calling for the D coaches head. And he's still slow and not that great on D.

Only one game but your well deserved hesitation about Mussini can also apply to RF. Against a over matched team he looked very slow and unathletic. Not going to go crazy after one game(good or bad) but after the one game RF reminded me of German Fred Lyson.

BTW Lovett excused from one game judgement.
If it turns out he stinks I give up!

 

[we are sju]

Zach B
What stood out to be most last night? Halftime adjustment by Chris Mullin, going small that turned game into a blowout. #sjubb

Late thought on #sjubb: For those, especially WASJU,who thought Federico Mussini would be afterthought are wrong. He's a weapon now at natural position.

We are Nostradumus predicted Mussini will alternate between being called the best thing since the invention of beer and calls for him to be deported.

Figure Minn game or Mich ST game people will be asking the President Elect to include Mussini on his deportation list.

Mussini going to be tied to Lovett success. And even if Lovett is real deal, eventually teams will stay home on Mussini and cheat off whoever is playing the 3.

 

[Red.Fans]

Mussini going to be tied to Lovett success. And even if Lovett is real deal, eventually teams will stay home on Mussini and cheat off whoever is playing the 3.

And now that we have willing and capable passers to hit real threats to drive and cut - Bashir, Ponds, Lovett, Ellison (did it well last year with the exception of that important last part - but it looks like he's learned to finish) so it is now part of the game plan to make the opponents pay either way.