Guards

[Section3]

We lost games early to decent teams and people were bitching that the guards were shooting too much. People wanted them particularly Lovett to get others involved. Now who exactly these others are I don't know and really don't want them involved. We were actually fun to watch in the beginning of the season. Going forward I would live and die with Ponds and Lovett. Let them take 75% of the shots for the rest of the season. At least it will be entertaining and honestly no one else on the team is any good.

You missed the point then and you still are. No one said they wanted them to shoot less. What has been said is that the shot selection was poor and that there was no ball movement. Ball movement improves the available shots. Ponds and Lovett are the guys that should be starting that. The problem is what people are calling "hero ball." Both of these guys devolved into the playground hero ball stuff yesterday as did Bashir. If you look at the Tulane and Fordham games you will see Ponds scoring prodigiously but also the ball movement is excellent especially in the Fordham game. When we play like that it is a team sport and this builds chemistry and a team becomes more than just the sum of its parts. When you play hero ball it is just a bunch of parts.

You'll also see higher assist numbers, increased shooting percentages with good ball movement as well as increased turnovers and charging calls with hero ball.

+1000

 

[monte]

Yesterday was the first game I attended this season and I was struck by how small the guards are. Far more so than what comes across on TV. Ponds is TINY. I don't know if the size disadvantage yesterday was far worse than in other games but it must have played a role in their sub-par play.

size was never a disadvantage to Calvin Murphy for those of you who recall the guard from Niagra These kids today think they should be in the NBA before they have played one college game. Murphy played 4 years if I recall correctly. They are all showcasing themselves for the pros with the advice of the handlers. It is a different world and I blame the NBA for starting to draft these young kids. The play in the NBA has also regressed as we have more and more players who should be playing in college.

I do not believe that Calvin Murphy had the option of going to the NBA. The ABA yes, but not the NBA.

 

[Section3]

Paul not sure how to say this but what I've notice they don't recognize significant moments. Against Penn State up 7 and heaved up a 3 where as an opportunity existed go up 10 by moving the ball for a opened 3

This is spot on and applies to the staff as well - evidenced by lack of time outs to stem the bleeding and chronic tolerance for poor shot selection and invisible defense at critical moments

 

[Section3]

Is Mullin using this season as a testing ground to let guys learn on the floor?

Just look at his face after losses, no "testing ground" reactions there.

Absolutely not part of some grand plan (IMO). I love CM and hope he turns it around. As a player he seemed to operate on instinct and feel. Not so much as a coach - yet.

 

[Section3]

Is Mullin using this season as a testing ground to let guys learn on the floor?

Just look at his face after losses, no "testing ground" reactions there.

Good point taken. After games, I'm usually so pissed I don't take note of CM.

Apologies for being obtuse, but I don't get the point. I don't look at Mullin's face after games either. Care to elaborate, Pautz?

Post Delaware State handshake line is a case in point, He blew by the line before realizing that he should be shaking hands.

 

[fun]

I'm not seeing moose or Ellison as the main culprits.

Vinny Gambini: Whoa. How long you been wearing glasses?

Constance Riley: Since I was 6.

Vinny Gambini: Have they always been that thick.

Constance Riley: No. They've gotten thicker over the years.

Vinny Gambini: So, as your eyes become more and more out of whack, as you've gotten older, how many levels of thickness have you gone through?

Constance Riley: I don't know, over 60 years, maybe 10 times.

Vinny Gambini: Maybe you're ready for a thicker set.

 

[Section3]

I'm not seeing moose or Ellison as the main culprits.

Vinny Gambini: Whoa. How long you been wearing glasses?

Constance Riley: Since I was 6.

Vinny Gambini: Have they always been that thick.

Constance Riley: No. They've gotten thicker over the years.

Vinny Gambini: So, as your eyes become more and more out of whack, as you've gotten older, how many levels of thickness have you gone through?

Constance Riley: I don't know, over 60 years, maybe 10 times.

Vinny Gambini: Maybe you're ready for a thicker set.

Belly laugh

 

[Knight]

How about Zone?

 

[OLV72]

I'm not seeing moose or Ellison as the main culprits.

Vinny Gambini: Whoa. How long you been wearing glasses?

Constance Riley: Since I was 6.

Vinny Gambini: Have they always been that thick.

Constance Riley: No. They've gotten thicker over the years.

Vinny Gambini: So, as your eyes become more and more out of whack, as you've gotten older, how many levels of thickness have you gone through?

Constance Riley: I don't know, over 60 years, maybe 10 times.

Vinny Gambini: Maybe you're ready for a thicker set.

Good stuff. Just check out the two guards on the court for the entire 35-5 run by mighty PSU.

 

[redken]

Yesterday was the first game I attended this season and I was struck by how small the guards are. Far more so than what comes across on TV. Ponds is TINY. I don't know if the size disadvantage yesterday was far worse than in other games but it must have played a role in their sub-par play.

size was never a disadvantage to Calvin Murphy for those of you who recall the guard from Niagra These kids today think they should be in the NBA before they have played one college game. Murphy played 4 years if I recall correctly. They are all showcasing themselves for the pros with the advice of the handlers. It is a different world and I blame the NBA for starting to draft these young kids. The play in the NBA has also regressed as we have more and more players who should be playing in college.

I do not believe that Calvin Murphy had the option of going to the NBA. The ABA yes, but not the NBA.

For the record, Calvin Murphy had three years (1967-68 through 1969-70) of eligibility. Bottom line: So much has changed in the last 45(!) years: that was then, this is now.

 

[Ray Morgan]

Yesterday was the first game I attended this season and I was struck by how small the guards are. Far more so than what comes across on TV. Ponds is TINY. I don't know if the size disadvantage yesterday was far worse than in other games but it must have played a role in their sub-par play.

size was never a disadvantage to Calvin Murphy for those of you who recall the guard from Niagra These kids today think they should be in the NBA before they have played one college game. Murphy played 4 years if I recall correctly. They are all showcasing themselves for the pros with the advice of the handlers. It is a different world and I blame the NBA for starting to draft these young kids. The play in the NBA has also regressed as we have more and more players who should be playing in college.

Calvin Murphy was one of the greatest college players in history. He would also take Lovett and Ponds in a brawl while twirling a baton with one hand, something he was very good at. Not fair to compare any player in the game of comparable size to him. Strong, tough, and extremely mean. I think Niagara beat SJU at least once when Murphy played there. I also remember him punching out a taller player in the NBA.

 

[Knight]

I remember Cal Murphy putting on his own pregame show dribbling around like a Globetrotter.

 

[bamafan]

I wonder if our best players are starting to think "hey if we're not going to win anyway, then I'm going to start auditioning". I felt that with some of Lavin's kids, especially Sampson and Sanchez. Or maybe it's just frustration. On a number of occasions this year Yakwe was fed the ball in perfect scoring position, only to either hesitate, turn away from the basket and/or miss a bunny. Has to be so frustrating for our guards.

Mullin and staff need all the tutoring they can get.   Mullin needs to put his ego aside.  If he wins less than 10 games my fear is he will just walk away.

Your greatest fear should be he continues to win less than 10 games and DOESN'T walk away.

 

[fun]

I'm not seeing moose or Ellison as the main culprits.

Vinny Gambini: Whoa. How long you been wearing glasses?

Constance Riley: Since I was 6.

Vinny Gambini: Have they always been that thick.

Constance Riley: No. They've gotten thicker over the years.

Vinny Gambini: So, as your eyes become more and more out of whack, as you've gotten older, how many levels of thickness have you gone through?

Constance Riley: I don't know, over 60 years, maybe 10 times.

Vinny Gambini: Maybe you're ready for a thicker set.

Good stuff. Just check out the two guards on the court for the entire 35-5 run by mighty PSU.

The reason Ellison is not the worst defender I've ever seen is because I've seen Missini, who's so atrocious they're scared to play him. And with good reason: he'd have trouble guarding a podium. The two freshmen guards play defense like freshmen, which is about what you'd expect.

 

[OLV72]

I'm not seeing moose or Ellison as the main culprits.

Vinny Gambini: Whoa. How long you been wearing glasses?

Constance Riley: Since I was 6.

Vinny Gambini: Have they always been that thick.

Constance Riley: No. They've gotten thicker over the years.

Vinny Gambini: So, as your eyes become more and more out of whack, as you've gotten older, how many levels of thickness have you gone through?

Constance Riley: I don't know, over 60 years, maybe 10 times.

Vinny Gambini: Maybe you're ready for a thicker set.

Good stuff. Just check out the two guards on the court for the entire 35-5 run by mighty PSU.

The reason Ellison is not the worst defender I've ever seen is because I've seen Missini, who's so atrocious they're scared to play him. And with good reason: he'd have trouble guarding a podium. The two freshmen guards play defense like freshmen, which is about what you'd expect.

Fair point on the freshmen thing, but their effort in this past game was a bit beyond that as it was evident that they stopped trying to play defense. I guess you're not interested in joining the Mussini fan club any time soon.

 

[fun]

I guess you're not interested in joining the Mussini fan club any time soon.

I have nothing against him personally, I just find his complete lack of athleticism and basketball skills off putting.

 

[we are sju]

I guess you're not interested in joining the Mussini fan club any time soon.

I have nothing against him personally, I just find his complete lack of athleticism and basketball skills off putting.

He is not a big part of the team going forward so no need to keep bashing him but I have no idea what people are watching regarding his defense. It is actually pretty comical. Watching him play always kind of reminds me of the Rudy scenes where he gets pummeled for 2 years in practice by better, bigger, more athletic guys.

 

[lawmanfan]

No reason to limit it to Mussini - nobody on this team plays anything that even looks like defense except possibly Owens who at least tries hard. Agree with Fun that neither Mussini nor Ellison could guard a fire hydrant. However at least they have the excuse that they are just physically limited. The other two guards (three if you include Ahmed) have all the physical skills in the world and still think the only relevant part of defense is if you can get a steal and run the floor.

Atrocious.

 

[paultzman]

I guess you're not interested in joining the Mussini fan club any time soon.

I have nothing against him personally, I just find his complete lack of athleticism and basketball skills off putting.

He is not a big part of the team going forward so no need to keep bashing him but I have no idea what people are watching regarding his defense. It is actually pretty comical. Watching him play always kind of reminds me of the Rudy scenes where he gets pummeled for 2 years in practice by better, bigger, more athletic guys.

Most people realize he just can't guard anyone & gets manhandled consistently. Some folks like him & are apt to ignore it a bit. Each to their own I guess.

 

[lawmanfan]

I guess you're not interested in joining the Mussini fan club any time soon.

I have nothing against him personally, I just find his complete lack of athleticism and basketball skills off putting.

He is not a big part of the team going forward so no need to keep bashing him but I have no idea what people are watching regarding his defense. It is actually pretty comical. Watching him play always kind of reminds me of the Rudy scenes where he gets pummeled for 2 years in practice by better, bigger, more athletic guys.

Most people realize he just can't guard anyone & gets manhandled consistently. Some folks like him & are apt to ignore it a bit. Each to their own I guess.

Agree, but both Mussini and Ellison can contribute. It's the job of the staff to put players in situations that play to their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. Mussini was asked to carry a huge load playing out of position last year and did it to the best of his ability with tremendous character, I thought. It's unfortunate that he is still getting stuck in roles that don't play to his strengths. I understand you can only hide defense to a point, but on balance I would happily give him Ahmed's minutes because IMHO it would be a net plus for the team.