DePaul, Mon. Jan. 16, 4:30pm, FS1/970AM

[fun]

No one screamed to get anyone out last year, least of all my boy Mussini who's shooting % went down as he wore down from carrying the team on his back .

He carried them to one league win, maybe his problem is he needs a visit to the chiropractor.

Plus I think we were all realistic that we had to pretty much suck it all up last year since it was a lost year. To a large degree we have to live and die with Ahmed this year. If he hits one or two more of his shots a game, and has one less turnover, he becomes an efficient a highly valuable weapon that no one is screaming at. With a bit more discipline that's doable. Doesn't seem all that hard. But then neither does trying to discipline an undisciplined .250 hitter so he gets one more hit a week and becomes a .300 hitter.

Fair enough. Everyone wishes Ahmed was better than he is. I wish they were all better than they are. But is pulling the guy every time he makes a mistake the best way to teach him what to do or not to do? Can't the same thing be accomplished by calling him over to the bench and saying hey Ahmed, look at the score and the clock and then reinforcing that point while watching film and running game simulations in practice and doing all the other things that coaching do? When your kids spilled their milk at the dinner table did you beat them and send them to their rooms without supper? Because although that would probably work there are other better methods.

 

[MainMan]

I too am shocked that a JUCO player from the PSAL plays out of control at times in his first BE season.

 

[redmannorth]

Ok, I'll bite - you attacked me

I didn't attack you you thin skinned big girl's blouse. When I attack you you'll know it. I posted Ahmed's statistics and added four words of snark to delight my many fans. Sorry if you felt buwwied.

with your overwhelmingly intimidating wit

You had me at hello.

over a comment I made referring to a specific one minute or so stretch when Ahmed played completely out of control

How am I supposed to know when you made your comment or what specific event it referred to? You posted GET AHMED OUT OF THERE possibly all in all capital letters with exclamation points and emojis!!!! You want to go back and explain the nuanced points you were making and their context fine, but in normal internet intercourse that's how mental patients talk. They scream and and add pointless punctuation!!!! and pictures at the end

when time and score dictated otherwise (something I realize you can't take into account because it requires real understanding and more importantly, the ability to think.) .

Yeah golly grandma, explain basketball to me, because it's beyond my ability to think. It's rocket science, nearly. Maybe you can help me out: what's this score thing you mentioned, that sounds complicated and son't get me started on time, that's a doozy, I tried reading a book about it once by that guy in the wheel chair with the voice box and I couldn't get past the dedication.

When did I ever say his minutes should go to AA; which was , per your usual, a sarcastic and completely irrelevant reply?

You didn't say that I did. Because if Ahmed goes out some other stiff has to some in. I picked Alibabaandthefortytheives because it amuses me to misspell his name. That you failed to get it is proof of the old adage about whom irony is wasted on.

As to playing the game the right way, yeah playing to time and score, running clock at the end of the game, passing the ball once in a while, are just totally outdated strategies, thanks for enlightening me. I was also floored and impressed, really in awe of your Hoosier reference you are like a modern day Will Rogers.

Strong ending paragraph but it might have been better had you updated your Will Rogers reference to someone more current, like Mort Sahl or Les Crane. You know, so the kids would get it.

Gentlemen,
Can you both get back to discussing SJU bball, warts and all , and please drop the personal back and forth and stop debating over who said what and who meant what ? Just no place for same on this board especially after a win. :S
Thanks in advance.

 

[logen]

Ok, I'll bite - you attacked me

I didn't attack you you thin skinned big girl's blouse. When I attack you you'll know it. I posted Ahmed's statistics and added four words of snark to delight my many fans. Sorry if you felt buwwied.

with your overwhelmingly intimidating wit

You had me at hello.

over a comment I made referring to a specific one minute or so stretch when Ahmed played completely out of control

How am I supposed to know when you made your comment or what specific event it referred to? You posted GET AHMED OUT OF THERE possibly all in all capital letters with exclamation points and emojis!!!! You want to go back and explain the nuanced points you were making and their context fine, but in normal internet intercourse that's how mental patients talk. They scream and and add pointless punctuation!!!! and pictures at the end

when time and score dictated otherwise (something I realize you can't take into account because it requires real understanding and more importantly, the ability to think.) .

Yeah golly grandma, explain basketball to me, because it's beyond my ability to think. It's rocket science, nearly. Maybe you can help me out: what's this score thing you mentioned, that sounds complicated and son't get me started on time, that's a doozy, I tried reading a book about it once by that guy in the wheel chair with the voice box and I couldn't get past the dedication.

When did I ever say his minutes should go to AA; which was , per your usual, a sarcastic and completely irrelevant reply?

You didn't say that I did. Because if Ahmed goes out some other stiff has to some in. I picked Alibabaandthefortytheives because it amuses me to misspell his name. That you failed to get it is proof of the old adage about whom irony is wasted on.

As to playing the game the right way, yeah playing to time and score, running clock at the end of the game, passing the ball once in a while, are just totally outdated strategies, thanks for enlightening me. I was also floored and impressed, really in awe of your Hoosier reference you are like a modern day Will Rogers.

Strong ending paragraph but it might have been better had you updated your Will Rogers reference to someone more current, like Mort Sahl or Les Crane. You know, so the kids would get it.

Ah, so your incivility and arrogance are just for your fans; I got it now but in that case don't reply to my posts, just recite your reply looking in the mirror, that way you satisfy all your "fans" in person.

 

[L J S A]

Despite his flaws this year, Ahmed will be a part of core rotation next year & if he refines his game could be a player opponents worry about. Mussini in my opinion won't see much time if LoVett remains & Simon, Ellison & Ponds fill out the backcourt. That said, he'll have his chances this year to try and do what he was brought here for, shoot. Since this year does not mean much, I'm buying Ahmed futures.

I'll preface this by saying that everything has looked better on paper here for the better part of two-plus decades, but if we can convince Lovett to stay and land Walker, a rotation of Lovett, Ponds, Simon, Ellison, Owens, Walker, Ahmed, and Clark looks like a decent team. Hopefully Williams if his body holds out and RF can make it a nine- or 10-man group. My gut tells me Mussini and Yakwe are gone, but if they return hopefully they improve over the summer. Not a fan of chasing guys off after their junior season, so I want AA to stay.

 

[redfazed]

Despite his flaws this year, Ahmed will be a part of core rotation next year & if he refines his game could be a player opponents worry about. Mussini in my opinion won't see much time if LoVett remains & Simon, Ellison & Ponds fill out the backcourt. That said, he'll have his chances this year to try and do what he was brought here for, shoot. Since this year does not mean much, I'm buying Ahmed futures.

I'll preface this by saying that everything has looked better on paper here for the better part of two-plus decades, but if we can convince Lovett to stay and land Walker, a rotation of Lovett, Ponds, Simon, Ellison, Owens, Walker, Ahmed, and Clark looks like a decent team. Hopefully Williams if his body holds out and RF can make it a nine- or 10-man group. My gut tells me Mussini and Yakwe are gone, but if they return hopefully they improve over the summer. Not a fan of chasing guys off after their junior season, so I want AA to stay.

Wait---I thought Williams had no more eligibility after this year (which might partially explain why Mullin hasn't played him more). He is eligible next year?

 

[L J S A]

Despite his flaws this year, Ahmed will be a part of core rotation next year & if he refines his game could be a player opponents worry about. Mussini in my opinion won't see much time if LoVett remains & Simon, Ellison & Ponds fill out the backcourt. That said, he'll have his chances this year to try and do what he was brought here for, shoot. Since this year does not mean much, I'm buying Ahmed futures.

I'll preface this by saying that everything has looked better on paper here for the better part of two-plus decades, but if we can convince Lovett to stay and land Walker, a rotation of Lovett, Ponds, Simon, Ellison, Owens, Walker, Ahmed, and Clark looks like a decent team. Hopefully Williams if his body holds out and RF can make it a nine- or 10-man group. My gut tells me Mussini and Yakwe are gone, but if they return hopefully they improve over the summer. Not a fan of chasing guys off after their junior season, so I want AA to stay.

Wait---I thought Williams had no more eligibility after this year (which might partially explain why Mullin hasn't played him more). He is eligible next year?

My understanding is that he played only one year of juco, was injured the other one. You get five years to play four unless the NCAA takes pity on you like they did with Evan Eschmeyer. He didn't play last year, so that eats one of his five years. Played this year, so should still have next season.

 

[L J S A]

Also, since he will presumably graduate in a few months, he could transfer w/o penalty.

 

[JackofVirginia]

Its not so much BA's turnovers, but his decisions with the ball which oftentimes lead to turnovers and ill advised shots. Of our top 8 rotations guys + Sima while he was here, BA has the lowest shooting % and highest turnover rate on the team, both by pretty good margin. So if people are screaming "get him out of there" way more than they do anyone else, it's just because at the moment he gives them more of reason to scream.

Last year when Missini was shooting 33 percent from the floor and 30 percent from three and turning the ball over two and a half times per game - other than half a TO and half an assist per game BA is better by every metric - was anyone screaming get him out of there with a bunch of exclamation points? No they weren't, they were making excuses for his play and still are. So it's not just because Ahmed gives them more of a reason to, is it.

This team is full of flawed players who make lots of mistakes all the time and make them over and over again. That's why they have a losing record. They don't have a losing record because Mullin doesn't GET AHMED OUT OF THERE !!!! :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

Let's not forget Mussini played out of position last year. Handling the ball all the time as a point guard led to turnovers. Probably given more consideration due to the new position, plus only a freshmen.

 

[redfan259999888]

I get that Ahmed is frustrating. He is. Unfortunately to Fun's point he is our third best player. So yeah frustrating as hell but really what is the point of complaining? He certainly has to play and play big minutes. Everyone blows sunshine up Matt A's arse so if you can't stand Ahmed, Matt A has to go out and get 3 more guys that are better than him and he then come off the bench. Until that happens you have to hope he plays well for us to have a chance to be in games.

Ahmed might be our third best player, but if Ellison does what he did Monday on a consistent basis, then he's the third best.

 

[GardenCity62]

Trying to get a little positive after a win. With over 27 minutes played LoVett and Ponds had 3 pts and SJU had an 8 or 9 pt lead.

 

[we are sju]

I get that Ahmed is frustrating. He is. Unfortunately to Fun's point he is our third best player. So yeah frustrating as hell but really what is the point of complaining? He certainly has to play and play big minutes. Everyone blows sunshine up Matt A's arse so if you can't stand Ahmed, Matt A has to go out and get 3 more guys that are better than him and he then come off the bench. Until that happens you have to hope he plays well for us to have a chance to be in games.

Ahmed might be our third best player, but if Ellison does what he did Monday on a consistent basis, then he's the third best.

Ellison isn't consistent during games let alone on any kind of basis. Very similar to Ahmed actually, but first one of them to show any consistency will win title of our third best player.

 

[panther2]

I am not denying that Bashir may be our third best player, but many of you forget the end of the Butler game. We were clinging to a slight lead against a ranked opponent and Bashir made a couple of bad decisions. He was taken out of the game and we won. On the posts following the game, I believe that most were relieved that he was taken out.
Simply put Bashir's decision making is very poor. While I can deal with it in the middle of games, at the end of close games, I would rather have someone else on the floor.
Think about the Villanova game, we got to within 5 points during the 2nd half and then Bashir jacked up shots on two straight possessions, one of which was an airball. This stopped whatever momentum we had.

 

[redfan259999888]

I get that Ahmed is frustrating. He is. Unfortunately to Fun's point he is our third best player. So yeah frustrating as hell but really what is the point of complaining? He certainly has to play and play big minutes. Everyone blows sunshine up Matt A's arse so if you can't stand Ahmed, Matt A has to go out and get 3 more guys that are better than him and he then come off the bench. Until that happens you have to hope he plays well for us to have a chance to be in games.

Ahmed might be our third best player, but if Ellison does what he did Monday on a consistent basis, then he's the third best.

Ellison isn't consistent during games let alone on any kind of basis. Very similar to Ahmed actually, but first one of them to show any consistency will win title of our third best player.

Lets see what Ellison does Saturday, I'll even take 15pnts 6assts. Maybe 3-4 3pnt FGs.
Lets see what Ahmeds brings.

 

[monte]

I get that Ahmed is frustrating. He is. Unfortunately to Fun's point he is our third best player. So yeah frustrating as hell but really what is the point of complaining? He certainly has to play and play big minutes. Everyone blows sunshine up Matt A's arse so if you can't stand Ahmed, Matt A has to go out and get 3 more guys that are better than him and he then come off the bench. Until that happens you have to hope he plays well for us to have a chance to be in games.

Ahmed might be our third best player, but if Ellison does what he did Monday on a consistent basis, then he's the third best.

Ellison isn't consistent during games let alone on any kind of basis. Very similar to Ahmed actually, but first one of them to show any consistency will win title of our third best player.

I think the difference is that Ellison seems to be making much better decisions than he did earlier in the year. He seems to be growing as a player, even while he is still inconsistent. Bashir seems to be making the same bad decisions that he was making earlier in the year. I see no improvement, and IMO we should have by now.

 

[fun]

Let's not forget Mussini played out of position last year

I'd actually love to forget it but it's brought up three times a day.

 

[MainMan]

I get that Ahmed is frustrating. He is. Unfortunately to Fun's point he is our third best player. So yeah frustrating as hell but really what is the point of complaining? He certainly has to play and play big minutes. Everyone blows sunshine up Matt A's arse so if you can't stand Ahmed, Matt A has to go out and get 3 more guys that are better than him and he then come off the bench. Until that happens you have to hope he plays well for us to have a chance to be in games.

Ahmed might be our third best player, but if Ellison does what he did Monday on a consistent basis, then he's the third best.

Ellison isn't consistent during games let alone on any kind of basis. Very similar to Ahmed actually, but first one of them to show any consistency will win title of our third best player.

I think the difference is that Ellison seems to be making much better decisions than he did earlier in the year. He seems to be growing as a player, even while he is still inconsistent. Bashir seems to be making the same bad decisions that he was making earlier in the year. I see no improvement, and IMO we should have by now.

Ellison: 1.5 yrs of D1 ball.

Ahmed: 0.5 yrs of D1 ball.

 

[we are sju]

I get that Ahmed is frustrating. He is. Unfortunately to Fun's point he is our third best player. So yeah frustrating as hell but really what is the point of complaining? He certainly has to play and play big minutes. Everyone blows sunshine up Matt A's arse so if you can't stand Ahmed, Matt A has to go out and get 3 more guys that are better than him and he then come off the bench. Until that happens you have to hope he plays well for us to have a chance to be in games.

Ahmed might be our third best player, but if Ellison does what he did Monday on a consistent basis, then he's the third best.

Ellison isn't consistent during games let alone on any kind of basis. Very similar to Ahmed actually, but first one of them to show any consistency will win title of our third best player.

I think the difference is that Ellison seems to be making much better decisions than he did earlier in the year. He seems to be growing as a player, even while he is still inconsistent. Bashir seems to be making the same bad decisions that he was making earlier in the year. I see no improvement, and IMO we should have by now.

From time to time Ellison will just watch a loose ball roll bye him. Drives me crazy. They both are what I call 50 / 50 guys. They do something well then a minute later they do something bad. Not going crazy about one DePaul game. Ellison in same category as Ahmed for me. Plays well couple more games then maybe I change my mind.

 

[Andrew]

Ellison had a big game against Syracuse and don't be shocked when they make the tournament.

 

[fun]

From time to time Ellison will just watch a loose ball roll bye him. Drives me crazy. They both are what I call 50 / 50 guys. They do something well then a minute later they do something bad. Not going crazy about one DePaul game. Ellison in same category as Ahmed for me. Plays well couple more games then maybe I change my mind.

He's turned the ball over half a dozen times just by catching the ball with his feet out of bounds. At least Ahmed knows how wide the court is.