Georgetown, Wed. Jan. 13, 6:30pm, FS1 & 570 AM

[we are sju]

"look at our roster what do you expect?".

Regardless of the wisdom of saying it out loud it's the most true thing anyone has said about SJ basketball this year.

Agreed but still looks like he is absolving himself and throwing players under the bus. Most sane people have already absolved him of this year and IMO he is better than that.
Probably just frustration but still

 

[Jack Williams]

If we were winning, no one would care what he does

We'd be winning if it weren't for our last coach leaving nothing

 

[paultzman]

"look at our roster what do you expect?".

Regardless of the wisdom of saying it out loud it's the most true thing anyone has said about SJ basketball this year.

Agreed but still looks like he is absolving himself and throwing players under the bus. Most sane people have already absolved him of this year and IMO he is better than that.
Probably just frustration but still

Spot on. I certainly give him space for crappy roster, but agree the optics don't help. Not a rip, just an observation. I have faith he and staff will get it done.

 

[beast of the east]

On the game side, this was nearly 40 minutes of garbage time.

This wasn't an annihilation like the Villanova smackdown in Philly last year. This was painless, like surgery 1 second after propofol. You wake up and it's over. The only thing to worry about last night was how long the food and beverage lines were (not to worry a crowd of 7,000 does that for you) and is game end would synch up with your train home.

Ron M. didn't just score 15 second half points, he score most of them very late in the second half. If he is satisfied with his performance, he should be sent to the glue factory.

On the plus side, SJU came out running play after play that sprung Mussini for wide open jumpers. The problem was this wasn't Federico's night, and most of them missed badly (2-9 from 3). He did use his body well on his driving basket and drew a foul as well. This is how Mussini should be used, and looking forward to seeing more of this.

Amar really likes the Garden, and plays better there, even if tonight it fell short of playing well - just better.

On the CJ watch, 4 rebounds in 28 minutes, 4 points, no trips to the FT line. Another sub par BE performance. I won't say I told you so, but I told you guys to just wait for the Big East season before you proclaimed him new and shiny.

I do love playing at the Garden though, and it was a nice night to spend with my kids.

 

[fun]

"look at our roster what do you expect?".

Regardless of the wisdom of saying it out loud it's the most true thing anyone has said about SJ basketball this year.

Agreed but still looks like he is absolving himself and throwing players under the bus. Most sane people have already absolved him of this year and IMO he is better than that. Probably just frustration but still

I thought he was throwing Lavin under the bus and understand his frustration. It must be galling to know that Coroner Lavin is sitting in the studio analyzing the fatal wounds he inflicted on the corpse.

 

[we are sju]

If we were winning, no one would care what he does

We'd be winning if it weren't for our last coach leaving nothing

SJU fans have the great ability to blame former coaches for anything that happens after said coach leaves.

Love Mullin and Lavin was a chowder head. But if Lavin had been rehired we would have most likely had Sampson and Obekpa. We would have been better. Not much but better. In the long run we are better off. This year is going to suck. Some of us warned you guys but I guess you though Mullin had some leftover 1985 magic dust or something.

Lavin is gone and Mullin will be fine.

Not let's all sit on a table and blame Norm for the mess we are currently in

 

[beast of the east]

Why does anyone care if Mullin sits on the table in the game!?

because it looks ridiculous. it's very noticeable when you are there watching and it's just horrible body language and gives off a negative impression especially when you are getting your brains beat in

But to be fair the game was so bad I left a little bit under 10 minutes left so I only had to watch the scorers table lounging for 5+ minutes of regulation

I was there too, and it didn't bother me. I knew this would happen though. People getting frustrated with the team (because we just don't have that much talent) so they turn to nitpicking and already criticizing Mullin.

Yes this is a petty grievance. We all know this is a massive re-building year (with a lot of good recruiting go on off the court), so let's not take out our frustrations on Mullin because of where he sits.

My comments have little to do with where he sits.

I have little need to patronize those fans who aren't at games - certainly not the local vocal ones who don't support the team in person. My point is unless you have a magical TV you can't watch whatever you want, just the camera on game action. Those at games can see what's happening on the bench, and it's cause for concern - that's all.

 

[we are sju]

"look at our roster what do you expect?".

Regardless of the wisdom of saying it out loud it's the most true thing anyone has said about SJ basketball this year.

Agreed but still looks like he is absolving himself and throwing players under the bus. Most sane people have already absolved him of this year and IMO he is better than that. Probably just frustration but still

I thought he was throwing Lavin under the bus and understand his frustration. It must be galling to know that Coroner Lavin is sitting in the studio analyzing the fatal wounds he inflicted on the corpse.

I guess and Mullin isn't used to losing but I think the best way for him to act is how he was most of the season. Just keep portraying confidence that things will get better and he will fix this.
Look I could care less about table thing but I get why people are bringing it up.
Table thing and those comments to me show the losing is getting to him. It should but I think it is best to not publicly show it.

 

[Red Dawn]

Why does anyone care if Mullin sits on the table in the game!?

because it looks ridiculous. it's very noticeable when you are there watching and it's just horrible body language and gives off a negative impression especially when you are getting your brains beat in

But to be fair the game was so bad I left a little bit under 10 minutes left so I only had to watch the scorers table lounging for 5+ minutes of regulation

I was there too, and it didn't bother me. I knew this would happen though. People getting frustrated with the team (because we just don't have that much talent) so they turn to nitpicking and already criticizing Mullin.

Yes this is a petty grievance. We all know this is a massive re-building year (with a lot of good recruiting go on off the court), so let's not take out our frustrations on Mullin because of where he sits.

My comments have little to do with where he sits.

I have little need to patronize those fans who aren't at games - certainly not the local vocal ones who don't support the team in person. My point is unless you have a magical TV you can't watch whatever you want, just the camera on game action. Those at games can see what's happening on the bench, and it's cause for concern - that's all.

Yes being at the game certainly lets you see more of what's going on (though unless you are sitting court side, with microphones, and several eyes, you're going to miss things too). My objection was to the condescending nod to the "GREAT remote fans" who couldn't possibly appreciate the amazing and unique insight of someone who is at the game, when plenty of attendees (myself included) happen to disagree about the significance of Mullin's body language, standing/sitting locations, etc.

 

[logen]

Why does anyone care if Mullin sits on the table in the game!?

because it looks ridiculous. it's very noticeable when you are there watching and it's just horrible body language and gives off a negative impression especially when you are getting your brains beat in

But to be fair the game was so bad I left a little bit under 10 minutes left so I only had to watch the scorers table lounging for 5+ minutes of regulation

I was there too, and it didn't bother me. I knew this would happen though. People getting frustrated with the team (because we just don't have that much talent) so they turn to nitpicking and already criticizing Mullin.

Yes this is a petty grievance. We all know this is a massive re-building year (with a lot of good recruiting go on off the court), so let's not take out our frustrations on Mullin because of where he sits.

My comments have little to do with where he sits.

I have little need to patronize those fans who aren't at games - certainly not the local vocal ones who don't support the team in person. My point is unless you have a magical TV you can't watch whatever you want, just the camera on game action. Those at games can see what's happening on the bench, and it's cause for concern - that's all.

Spot on comments; kind of like guys who have no access to players, practice , team meetings, etc. and have not made basketball their life's' calling but have no problem telling a coach and his staff what they should be doing.

 

[Jack Williams]

If we were winning, no one would care what he does

We'd be winning if it weren't for our last coach leaving nothing

SJU fans have the great ability to blame former coaches for anything that happens after said coach leaves.

Love Mullin and Lavin was a chowder head. But if Lavin had been rehired we would have most likely had Sampson and Obekpa. We would have been better. Not much but better. In the long run we are better off. This year is going to suck. Some of us warned you guys but I guess you though Mullin had some leftover 1985 magic dust or something.

Lavin is gone and Mullin will be fine.

Not let's all sit on a table and blame Norm for the mess we are currently in

sorry but lavin deserves any blame thrown his way. I understand if he actually did recruit, he might still be here, so it's partly a good thing...

But don't question mullin until he has an actual chance to succeed. That would make us the Cleveland Browns, and we don't want to be them

 

[otis]

Coach Mullin and his hard working staff have done a solid job playing the weak hand that was dealt to them by organizing and coaching a collection of transfers, freshmen and cast offs that resemble an "expansion" team.

These kids seldom give up and seem to improve. Also to be noted is how fast Mullin and staff are retooling with the 2016 and 2017 high schoolers.

i am more confident about the future of the StJohns men's basketball program today than I was one year ago.

 

[mjmaherjr]

because it looks ridiculous.

What look more ridiculous? A hall of famer in a suit sitting on the scorer's table or a chubby real housewife of beverly hills wannabe in a sweat suit and Snookie spray on tan writhing on the sidelines like an epileptic. Because not only do I not recall you complaining about the latter, I recall you mocking anyone who even brought it up.

with Desco I know him personally and I think he knows it's in good fun. Personally I don't care what the coach wears; whether it's Lavin or Mullin and I even mentioned on a thread this year that Desco's criticism of what Lavin wore to big east media day last year in hindsight I think Desco was right about it and his opinion on it

 

[bobo]

I'm quite certain that there's no coach who could get much mileage out of
the personnel on this squad. It is what it is and you can't get blood from a stone.
I support Chris and his assistants completely. I just don't like the body language. He probably doesn't even realize what he's doing. Can someone please forward this picture to him so he can see what he looks like.

[attachment]waitingforamiracle.jpg[/attachment]

 

[redken]

... The other thing is his body language. Standing on the sidelines with your arms folded is kind of a defensive posture that maybe is nervous as if he knows he doesn't know what he's doing and trying to conceal it and look professional. ...

Beast, are you reading a little too deeply into Mullin's body language?Jim Boeheim has won close to 1,000 games (1,000!) standing on the sidelines with his "arms folded."

 

[Chris7]

I'm quite certain that there's no coach who could get much mileage out of
the personnel on this squad. It is what it is and you can't get blood from a stone.
I support Chris and his assistants completely. I just don't like the body language. He probably doesn't even realize what he's doing. Can someone please forward this picture to him so he can see what he looks like.

[attachment]waitingforamiracle.jpg[/attachment]

Taken with a polaroid?

 

[Chris7]

Why does anyone care if Mullin sits on the table in the game!?

because it looks ridiculous. it's very noticeable when you are there watching and it's just horrible body language and gives off a negative impression especially when you are getting your brains beat in

But to be fair the game was so bad I left a little bit under 10 minutes left so I only had to watch the scorers table lounging for 5+ minutes of regulation

I'll depart from you for a second. It isn't that much about sitting on the scorer's table. Its that he sits there watching, as if he's given up. He doesn't talk to players, doesn't interact with his own bench, nothing. To me during games there are two major parts of coaching - game coaching, and advising players.

I know there are a lot of GREAT remote fans who watch every minute of games on TV, which this year seems like punishment. What you don't see is isolations of what Mullin is doing during the game, which fans at all of our home games see,

If he can't game coach at some point, I'd love to see him intently talking to a player as he is about to insert him in the game giving him advice or instruction, or to a kid coming out of a game, explaining a mistake the kid just made. Well within his capability I believe, but I haven't seen this happen.

Slice confers with Mullin, but Mullin rarely seems to confer with any of the assistants, such as - let's play zone, lets press, or some other tactical change. It appears he is just observing games, and except in rare moments where he is exhorting the team to push the ball up or get back on defense, doesn't appear to be doing anything strategic.

The other thing is his body language. Standing on the sidelines with your arms folded is kind of a defensive posture that maybe is nervous as if he knows he doesn't know what he's doing and trying to conceal it and look professional.

Sounds very harsh, and all of you know I friggin love the guy as a person and want him to succeed here more than anyone who has coached here since Looie. I do think that if he has surrounded himself with a kid like St. Jean (who appears to do all the things Mulln doesn't) and Slice (who roams the sidelines like a HC), then I guess we will be okay once the real talent arrives. But I'd be lying to say I'm not concerned at all.

I'm starting to agree with you. Yes we may be able to attract some of the top recruits, but they too, and the team as a whole will still require coaching, in game coaching, to win games and succeed. I'm not sure Chris is aware of that, he will have to do more coaching and be more active in game.

 

[beast of the east]

Why does anyone care if Mullin sits on the table in the game!?

because it looks ridiculous. it's very noticeable when you are there watching and it's just horrible body language and gives off a negative impression especially when you are getting your brains beat in

But to be fair the game was so bad I left a little bit under 10 minutes left so I only had to watch the scorers table lounging for 5+ minutes of regulation

I was there too, and it didn't bother me. I knew this would happen though. People getting frustrated with the team (because we just don't have that much talent) so they turn to nitpicking and already criticizing Mullin.

Yes this is a petty grievance. We all know this is a massive re-building year (with a lot of good recruiting go on off the court), so let's not take out our frustrations on Mullin because of where he sits.

My comments have little to do with where he sits.

I have little need to patronize those fans who aren't at games - certainly not the local vocal ones who don't support the team in person. My point is unless you have a magical TV you can't watch whatever you want, just the camera on game action. Those at games can see what's happening on the bench, and it's cause for concern - that's all.

Spot on comments; kind of like guys who have no access to players, practice , team meetings, etc. and have not made basketball their life's' calling but have no problem telling a coach and his staff what they should be doing.

Silly comment. A coach who on the sidelines is disengaged from his own team, who uses large chunks of nearly every timeout to complain long and loud to referees instead of worrying about what his team is doing, who sits on a table 30 feet from his own bench for long stretches of the end of a game reveals that he really isn't coaching much during the game.

I would submit that I don't know what's going on at practice, but I have heard from people who are there that the assistants run the practices.

I'd also offer to those who say that the talent is thin is that kids with less talent and experience need more coaching during games and not less.

I hated Jarvis at the end but he totally coached every minute of every game. The offense had set plays that Jr. held up cards for the players to see, and he regularly schooled players on the bench. It annoyed the hell out when Sean Evans tried to lead the fast break, threw the ball away, and Norm didn't even flinch or make a substitution.

I'm not saying the outcomes would be different, but the score might. I'm all for cutting Mullin some slack on his first year on the bench, but its clear some things have to change, if only for the poor guy trying to do his job at the table whose view was totally blocked by Mullin for the last several minutes of the game.

 

[Red Dawn]

Mullin is "not aware" that the team requires coaching? Someone please tell him!

 

[Jack Williams]

Beast, I am not familiar with what line of work you are in, but were you perfect at doing that job 3 months into your first year?

Look I understand he should have better body language and talk to his team more, but jeez give the man a chance to improve.

Just like we all say when we watch our freshmen, they will adjust the college game.

Mullin will improve and adjust to coaching as well