Guys We Missed Out On

[beast of the east]

[
Fair. Only thing this team is missing is a PG. sad how much one position dictates all. Not sure who we could have had in theory last spring by the time Mullin took over.

Seriously? The only thing this team has is the potential of Sima and Yakwe, and a whole bunch of guys who should be serviceable 7/8/9 guys on a BE roster, some now, some in the future.

Yea seriously. Team isn't losing to Incarnate or NJIT if it had a floor leader. Probably not Fordham. Not saying they would be beating Vandy or Indiana or winning the Big East but they team would be much more competitive and allow others to slide into natural roles and enhance what they are actually good at as opposed to masking in other areas.

Mea culpa. I didn't realize the results of the games vs. NJIT, Fordham and Incarnate Word were the barometers by which this team should be measured.

Then what are the barometers in your mind

How about being competitive in the Big East?

I don't know about you, but thinking about Mussini's lack of size, strength, and quickness, I'm not sure a tourney caliber team could afford to have him on the floor with a 6'2 or less PG unless we have a monster front line to compensate. Even then, there will be matchups that will be impossible that will keep him off the floor, such as teams that have bigger , more athletic guards who can play.

I'm more in Austour's camp here. I think Sima is a project to develop, Yakwe has a lot of potential, but I'm not sure about anyone else on this roster in terms of vital roles on a tourney caliber team..

 

[Moose]

[
Fair. Only thing this team is missing is a PG. sad how much one position dictates all. Not sure who we could have had in theory last spring by the time Mullin took over.

Seriously? The only thing this team has is the potential of Sima and Yakwe, and a whole bunch of guys who should be serviceable 7/8/9 guys on a BE roster, some now, some in the future.

Yea seriously. Team isn't losing to Incarnate or NJIT if it had a floor leader. Probably not Fordham. Not saying they would be beating Vandy or Indiana or winning the Big East but they team would be much more competitive and allow others to slide into natural roles and enhance what they are actually good at as opposed to masking in other areas.

Mea culpa. I didn't realize the results of the games vs. NJIT, Fordham and Incarnate Word were the barometers by which this team should be measured.

Then what are the barometers in your mind

How about being competitive in the Big East?

I don't know about you, but thinking about Mussini's lack of size, strength, and quickness, I'm not sure a tourney caliber team could afford to have him on the floor with a 6'2 or less PG unless we have a monster front line to compensate. Even then, there will be matchups that will be impossible that will keep him off the floor, such as teams that have bigger , more athletic guards who can play.

I'm more in Austour's camp here. I think Sima is a project to develop, Yakwe has a lot of potential, but I'm not sure about anyone else on this roster in terms of vital roles on a tourney caliber team..

I didn't see the words tourney caliber anywhere in what I wrote or responded to. My point was that even the existence of a PG could change a few very bad losses to wins. You are right about competing in the BE. That is a good barometer. I agree with that. Erasing those 3 non conference losses and getting Mussini off the point would make us competitive.

 

[Andrew]

[
Fair. Only thing this team is missing is a PG. sad how much one position dictates all. Not sure who we could have had in theory last spring by the time Mullin took over.

Seriously? The only thing this team has is the potential of Sima and Yakwe, and a whole bunch of guys who should be serviceable 7/8/9 guys on a BE roster, some now, some in the future.

Yea seriously. Team isn't losing to Incarnate or NJIT if it had a floor leader. Probably not Fordham. Not saying they would be beating Vandy or Indiana or winning the Big East but they team would be much more competitive and allow others to slide into natural roles and enhance what they are actually good at as opposed to masking in other areas.

Mea culpa. I didn't realize the results of the games vs. NJIT, Fordham and Incarnate Word were the barometers by which this team should be measured.

Then what are the barometers in your mind

How about being competitive in the Big East?

I don't know about you, but thinking about Mussini's lack of size, strength, and quickness, I'm not sure a tourney caliber team could afford to have him on the floor with a 6'2 or less PG unless we have a monster front line to compensate. Even then, there will be matchups that will be impossible that will keep him off the floor, such as teams that have bigger , more athletic guards who can play.

I'm more in Austour's camp here. I think Sima is a project to develop, Yakwe has a lot of potential, but I'm not sure about anyone else on this roster in terms of vital roles on a tourney caliber team..

I agree here and think that Yawke and Sima should play more together as they compliment each other well. I have some hope for Ellison and Amar to be useful in a pinch. I have said on numerous occasions that I don't think too much of Mussini but he could be better when we have a point guard and he can come off the bench.

 

[prjohnnies]

There are a lot of teams in the country that would want Sima or Yawke right now. Not to play big minutes, but to be rotational players who will become very good, high major players over time.

As for Mussini, I think we should all take a step back. We've seen guys make gigantic leaps in just one offseason, forget about over the course of a 3 or 4 year career. To me, Mussini profiles as the type of guard who can play at a high major level with improved quickness and strength, which will no doubt happen as he matures. In fact, he is the type of guard who we've seen kill us for years, and always wanted. As but one example, the kid on Butler last season was a non-player his first few years, only to become a very solid PG by the time he was a senior. I recall watching him as a soph/jr and him getting eaten alive by quicker guards. He got bigger, smarter, quicker, learned the pace of the game, and developed. There are a million examples like that. From what I've read about Mussini's work ethic and basketball intellect, he will get there. And he is undeniably a gifted shooter. The stats won't show that this year, because he is playing out of position, being asked to do too much, likely putting pressure on himself, and frankly rushing things because of our need for him to shoot whenever he has even the slightest opening.

 

[austour]

[
Fair. Only thing this team is missing is a PG. sad how much one position dictates all. Not sure who we could have had in theory last spring by the time Mullin took over.

Seriously? The only thing this team has is the potential of Sima and Yakwe, and a whole bunch of guys who should be serviceable 7/8/9 guys on a BE roster, some now, some in the future.

Yea seriously. Team isn't losing to Incarnate or NJIT if it had a floor leader. Probably not Fordham. Not saying they would be beating Vandy or Indiana or winning the Big East but they team would be much more competitive and allow others to slide into natural roles and enhance what they are actually good at as opposed to masking in other areas.

Mea culpa. I didn't realize the results of the games vs. NJIT, Fordham and Incarnate Word were the barometers by which this team should be measured.

Then what are the barometers in your mind

How about being competitive in the Big East?

I don't know about you, but thinking about Mussini's lack of size, strength, and quickness, I'm not sure a tourney caliber team could afford to have him on the floor with a 6'2 or less PG unless we have a monster front line to compensate. Even then, there will be matchups that will be impossible that will keep him off the floor, such as teams that have bigger , more athletic guards who can play.

I'm more in Austour's camp here. I think Sima is a project to develop, Yakwe has a lot of potential, but I'm not sure about anyone else on this roster in terms of vital roles on a tourney caliber team..

I didn't see the words tourney caliber anywhere in what I wrote or responded to. My point was that even the existence of a PG could change a few very bad losses to wins. You are right about competing in the BE. That is a good barometer. I agree with that. Erasing those 3 non conference losses and getting Mussini off the point would make us competitive.

The team is marginally competitive because coach and the staff has the team playing hard and that is to be commended. But this team might have won 3-4 conference games with Lovett. So I'm simply hoping that no one who started on Saturday (besides Sima) is starting next January. A starting lineup of Lovett, Ponds, Ahmed, Yakwe and Sima might have a shot of going .500 in conference next year and that would be great.

Re your original question, well this team is what it is, awful. That was likely coming in and obvious after the first exhibition. So my barometer would have been to see some talent development potential in the new guys but as I've stated repeatedly, and I know this is only MVHO, only Sima and Yakwe look like BE level talent on this roster. And Yakwe's potential at this point is purely based on his athleticism.

 

[ghostzapper]

Personally I think not having a solid true point guard has had a huge downward effect on every player on the team. Point guard is the most important position on the court. It is the quarterback of the basketball team. How much worse have the Dallas Cowboys been this year without their Quarterback?

When I watch the games, our opponents defend us so vigorously on the perimeter because we don't have a point guard who can break pressure, penetrate and distribute. This effects everything we try to do because we can't effectively ignite our offense. Recently Felix Balamou has been left to try and do this for us and it is not something he is truly equipped to do. Syracuse was the only team we played in the last month who did not try and exploit this weakness. They did not come out and pressure us hard on the perimeter. Instead they stayed in their zone, didn't capitalize on our lack of a point guard and as a result we were effective. It made everybody on the team look good.

Also I think given the fact that the staff had to start recruiting a whole new team after April 1 of last year, it is nothing short of a miracle that we fielded a team at all. Add in no Williams, no Lovett, injuries to Balamou and Ellison and Yakwe starting late and none of this can be particularly surprising.

Unfortunately I think the situation that exists because of all of this, as well as the poor current results, has cast some of our current players in an unfair light. We have a roster of players who have all been thrust into playing huge minutes instead of being able to be eased into roles, nurtured and developed slowly.

On different levels, I am very happy with our four Freshman Sima, Yakwe, Mussini and Ellison and believe that when we are able to look at their careers with the perspective of a four year bell curve that they will all ultimately be successful acquisitions for our program.

For me, I am going to go to as many games as I can and root like heck for these guys. In my opinion they deserve it. I hope that their spirit will not get broken too much by trying to compete against very difficult odds.

 

[ras]

I also have concerns about Mussini. I think he is a 1 trick pony. A shooter.

 

[austour]

I also have concerns about Mussini. I think he is a 1 trick pony. A shooter.

If you're going to have one trick that's the one to have. But he should be coming off the bench for short spurts and needs teammates to attract defenders to give him some time to get his shot off. And has been mentioned ad nauseum he should be off the point.

 

[ras]

J

I also have concerns about Mussini. I think he is a 1 trick pony. A shooter.

If you're going to have one trick that's the one to have. But he should be coming off the bench for short spurts and needs teammates to attract defenders to give him some time to get his shot off. And has been mentioned ad nauseum he should be off the point.

I agree. That's why I said he will be coming off the bench next year in a previous post and would get a descent amount of burn. Having Lovett, Ponds and Bashir should help fee him up. I'm not convinced he's up to par on the defensive end, especially guarding much taller shooting guards. That said, he's only a freshman and will get stronger. Playing the point this year will only help his ball handling skills.

 

[beast of the east]

[
Fair. Only thing this team is missing is a PG. sad how much one position dictates all. Not sure who we could have had in theory last spring by the time Mullin took over.

Seriously? The only thing this team has is the potential of Sima and Yakwe, and a whole bunch of guys who should be serviceable 7/8/9 guys on a BE roster, some now, some in the future.

Yea seriously. Team isn't losing to Incarnate or NJIT if it had a floor leader. Probably not Fordham. Not saying they would be beating Vandy or Indiana or winning the Big East but they team would be much more competitive and allow others to slide into natural roles and enhance what they are actually good at as opposed to masking in other areas.

Mea culpa. I didn't realize the results of the games vs. NJIT, Fordham and Incarnate Word were the barometers by which this team should be measured.

Then what are the barometers in your mind

How about being competitive in the Big East?

I don't know about you, but thinking about Mussini's lack of size, strength, and quickness, I'm not sure a tourney caliber team could afford to have him on the floor with a 6'2 or less PG unless we have a monster front line to compensate. Even then, there will be matchups that will be impossible that will keep him off the floor, such as teams that have bigger , more athletic guards who can play.

I'm more in Austour's camp here. I think Sima is a project to develop, Yakwe has a lot of potential, but I'm not sure about anyone else on this roster in terms of vital roles on a tourney caliber team..

I didn't see the words tourney caliber anywhere in what I wrote or responded to. My point was that even the existence of a PG could change a few very bad losses to wins. You are right about competing in the BE. That is a good barometer. I agree with that. Erasing those 3 non conference losses and getting Mussini off the point would make us competitive.

I trust your accumen, and don't disagree except that I think we have been caught up in the excitement of having a staff that can recruit and project a positive future about this program. LEt's not confuse being competitive in the Big East with actually winning a lot in the Big East. Some 6-12 teams over the history of the league were competitive and the next season make the leap into 11-7 or better. It's a matter of building something.

Lovett, or more importantly, an experienced talented PG can have a dramatic effect on a team's performance - we all agree on that. This team is rudderless to an extent right now. I just don't think that a Lovett would have a startling effect on this roster, although I'd take him in a heartbeat because we have no one who fills that role. Two-three additional wins starting from day one could have occurred but more likely we'd be more competitive in games.

Tourney caliber team was my comment regarding Mussini. I could actually see him as a role player on a team like Duke - that type of kid that comes off the bench, finds a crack in a zone, or as a result of a collapsing defense on talented big guys, get the ball kicked out to him for a few daggers. As we assemble that kind of talent over the next couple of years, I think he could have a big role here, but I don't see him as carrying the offensive load. However, I see a tremendous value in him playing PG this year. It's grueling for him, but he is being forced to improve in areas that he never had to work on, and that could have a long term beneficial effect on his overall game.

My main point is I am pretty negative concerning the talent level of this roster, and anticipate tremendous improvements in both talent and depth over the next 2-3 seasons.

 

[paultzman]

[
Fair. Only thing this team is missing is a PG. sad how much one position dictates all. Not sure who we could have had in theory last spring by the time Mullin took over.

Seriously? The only thing this team has is the potential of Sima and Yakwe, and a whole bunch of guys who should be serviceable 7/8/9 guys on a BE roster, some now, some in the future.

Yea seriously. Team isn't losing to Incarnate or NJIT if it had a floor leader. Probably not Fordham. Not saying they would be beating Vandy or Indiana or winning the Big East but they team would be much more competitive and allow others to slide into natural roles and enhance what they are actually good at as opposed to masking in other areas.

Mea culpa. I didn't realize the results of the games vs. NJIT, Fordham and Incarnate Word were the barometers by which this team should be measured.

Then what are the barometers in your mind

How about being competitive in the Big East?

I don't know about you, but thinking about Mussini's lack of size, strength, and quickness, I'm not sure a tourney caliber team could afford to have him on the floor with a 6'2 or less PG unless we have a monster front line to compensate. Even then, there will be matchups that will be impossible that will keep him off the floor, such as teams that have bigger , more athletic guards who can play.

I'm more in Austour's camp here. I think Sima is a project to develop, Yakwe has a lot of potential, but I'm not sure about anyone else on this roster in terms of vital roles on a tourney caliber team..

I didn't see the words tourney caliber anywhere in what I wrote or responded to. My point was that even the existence of a PG could change a few very bad losses to wins. You are right about competing in the BE. That is a good barometer. I agree with that. Erasing those 3 non conference losses and getting Mussini off the point would make us competitive.

I trust your accumen, and don't disagree except that I think we have been caught up in the excitement of having a staff that can recruit and project a positive future about this program. LEt's not confuse being competitive in the Big East with actually winning a lot in the Big East. Some 6-12 teams over the history of the league were competitive and the next season make the leap into 11-7 or better. It's a matter of building something.

Lovett, or more importantly, an experienced talented PG can have a dramatic effect on a team's performance - we all agree on that. This team is rudderless to an extent right now. I just don't think that a Lovett would have a startling effect on this roster, although I'd take him in a heartbeat because we have no one who fills that role. Two-three additional wins starting from day one could have occurred but more likely we'd be more competitive in games.

Tourney caliber team was my comment regarding Mussini. I could actually see him as a role player on a team like Duke - that type of kid that comes off the bench, finds a crack in a zone, or as a result of a collapsing defense on talented big guys, get the ball kicked out to him for a few daggers. As we assemble that kind of talent over the next couple of years, I think he could have a big role here, but I don't see him as carrying the offensive load. However, I see a tremendous value in him playing PG this year. It's grueling for him, but he is being forced to improve in areas that he never had to work on, and that could have a long term beneficial effect on his overall game.

My main point is I am pretty negative concerning the talent level of this roster, and anticipate tremendous improvements in both talent and depth over the next 2-3 seasons.

Last paragraph would have sufficed.

 

[beast of the east]

[
Fair. Only thing this team is missing is a PG. sad how much one position dictates all. Not sure who we could have had in theory last spring by the time Mullin took over.

Seriously? The only thing this team has is the potential of Sima and Yakwe, and a whole bunch of guys who should be serviceable 7/8/9 guys on a BE roster, some now, some in the future.

Yea seriously. Team isn't losing to Incarnate or NJIT if it had a floor leader. Probably not Fordham. Not saying they would be beating Vandy or Indiana or winning the Big East but they team would be much more competitive and allow others to slide into natural roles and enhance what they are actually good at as opposed to masking in other areas.

Mea culpa. I didn't realize the results of the games vs. NJIT, Fordham and Incarnate Word were the barometers by which this team should be measured.

Then what are the barometers in your mind

How about being competitive in the Big East?

I don't know about you, but thinking about Mussini's lack of size, strength, and quickness, I'm not sure a tourney caliber team could afford to have him on the floor with a 6'2 or less PG unless we have a monster front line to compensate. Even then, there will be matchups that will be impossible that will keep him off the floor, such as teams that have bigger , more athletic guards who can play.

I'm more in Austour's camp here. I think Sima is a project to develop, Yakwe has a lot of potential, but I'm not sure about anyone else on this roster in terms of vital roles on a tourney caliber team..

I didn't see the words tourney caliber anywhere in what I wrote or responded to. My point was that even the existence of a PG could change a few very bad losses to wins. You are right about competing in the BE. That is a good barometer. I agree with that. Erasing those 3 non conference losses and getting Mussini off the point would make us competitive.

I trust your accumen, and don't disagree except that I think we have been caught up in the excitement of having a staff that can recruit and project a positive future about this program. LEt's not confuse being competitive in the Big East with actually winning a lot in the Big East. Some 6-12 teams over the history of the league were competitive and the next season make the leap into 11-7 or better. It's a matter of building something.

Lovett, or more importantly, an experienced talented PG can have a dramatic effect on a team's performance - we all agree on that. This team is rudderless to an extent right now. I just don't think that a Lovett would have a startling effect on this roster, although I'd take him in a heartbeat because we have no one who fills that role. Two-three additional wins starting from day one could have occurred but more likely we'd be more competitive in games.

Tourney caliber team was my comment regarding Mussini. I could actually see him as a role player on a team like Duke - that type of kid that comes off the bench, finds a crack in a zone, or as a result of a collapsing defense on talented big guys, get the ball kicked out to him for a few daggers. As we assemble that kind of talent over the next couple of years, I think he could have a big role here, but I don't see him as carrying the offensive load. However, I see a tremendous value in him playing PG this year. It's grueling for him, but he is being forced to improve in areas that he never had to work on, and that could have a long term beneficial effect on his overall game.

My main point is I am pretty negative concerning the talent level of this roster, and anticipate tremendous improvements in both talent and depth over the next 2-3 seasons.

Last paragraph would have sufficed.

You should just concentrate then on reading less and posting even more.

 

[paultzman]

[
Fair. Only thing this team is missing is a PG. sad how much one position dictates all. Not sure who we could have had in theory last spring by the time Mullin took over.

Seriously? The only thing this team has is the potential of Sima and Yakwe, and a whole bunch of guys who should be serviceable 7/8/9 guys on a BE roster, some now, some in the future.

Yea seriously. Team isn't losing to Incarnate or NJIT if it had a floor leader. Probably not Fordham. Not saying they would be beating Vandy or Indiana or winning the Big East but they team would be much more competitive and allow others to slide into natural roles and enhance what they are actually good at as opposed to masking in other areas.

Mea culpa. I didn't realize the results of the games vs. NJIT, Fordham and Incarnate Word were the barometers by which this team should be measured.

Then what are the barometers in your mind

How about being competitive in the Big East?

I don't know about you, but thinking about Mussini's lack of size, strength, and quickness, I'm not sure a tourney caliber team could afford to have him on the floor with a 6'2 or less PG unless we have a monster front line to compensate. Even then, there will be matchups that will be impossible that will keep him off the floor, such as teams that have bigger , more athletic guards who can play.

I'm more in Austour's camp here. I think Sima is a project to develop, Yakwe has a lot of potential, but I'm not sure about anyone else on this roster in terms of vital roles on a tourney caliber team..

I didn't see the words tourney caliber anywhere in what I wrote or responded to. My point was that even the existence of a PG could change a few very bad losses to wins. You are right about competing in the BE. That is a good barometer. I agree with that. Erasing those 3 non conference losses and getting Mussini off the point would make us competitive.

I trust your accumen, and don't disagree except that I think we have been caught up in the excitement of having a staff that can recruit and project a positive future about this program. LEt's not confuse being competitive in the Big East with actually winning a lot in the Big East. Some 6-12 teams over the history of the league were competitive and the next season make the leap into 11-7 or better. It's a matter of building something.

Lovett, or more importantly, an experienced talented PG can have a dramatic effect on a team's performance - we all agree on that. This team is rudderless to an extent right now. I just don't think that a Lovett would have a startling effect on this roster, although I'd take him in a heartbeat because we have no one who fills that role. Two-three additional wins starting from day one could have occurred but more likely we'd be more competitive in games.

Tourney caliber team was my comment regarding Mussini. I could actually see him as a role player on a team like Duke - that type of kid that comes off the bench, finds a crack in a zone, or as a result of a collapsing defense on talented big guys, get the ball kicked out to him for a few daggers. As we assemble that kind of talent over the next couple of years, I think he could have a big role here, but I don't see him as carrying the offensive load. However, I see a tremendous value in him playing PG this year. It's grueling for him, but he is being forced to improve in areas that he never had to work on, and that could have a long term beneficial effect on his overall game.

My main point is I am pretty negative concerning the talent level of this roster, and anticipate tremendous improvements in both talent and depth over the next 2-3 seasons.

Last paragraph would have sufficed.

You should just concentrate then on reading less and posting even more.

"Brevity is a great charm of eloquence." -Cicero

 

[bk8664]

Diallo not playing tonight for Kansas vs. OK.

and here is an article on him...
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article52796165.html
title of article: "Kansas’ Cheick Diallo works through growing pains..."

 

[bamafan]

Diallo did get in game.

 

[SJU85]

Diallo did get in game.

Diallo played about 6 minutes all in the first half (at least I don't recall him playing afterward). Self seems to play his bench (4 or 5)in the first half and then limits his substitutions (2 or 3) in the 2nd half in the games I have seen this year. In fact, I recall him doing this in the past also. Kansas has a lot of big men to chose from.

Overall, what a game. Both teams led by at least eight at one time only to watch the other come back in the blink of an eye. Final minutes of regulation and all three OTs were back and forth. OK's Buddy Hield (46 pts) is a player. Third time I have seen him and I have been impressed each time. KU's Perry Ellis is a nice interior player who can also step out on the perimeter. A bit undersized but plays bigger (I think he is liste at 6'9" but seems shorter IMHO) with athleticism and just makes plays. Diallo didn't really do anything that I remember besides getting called for a foul which didn't appear to be one.

 

[redken]

Played only 5 minutes in last night's triple-overtime win over Oklahoma. (Great game!) Zeroes across the box score except for 1 defensive rebound and 1 personal foul.

Edit: SJU85, didn't realize you had already cited the 3 OT game.

 

[paultzman]

We did recruit Donovan Mitchell in SL regime. One of my local favorites, he is starting for Louisville & destined for a great career IMO. I always felt we got in late on him.

 

[SJU14]

Matchup of Briscoe vs. Brandon Sampson on ESPN. Well that's if Sampson actually plays (didn't in the first half). Briscoe a one trick pony right now as he can only drive to the hoop. Doesn't shoot 3's and is shooting 39% from the FT line. Also is playing the 2 guard role which probably suits him better than PG.

 

[bk8664]

Matchup of Briscoe vs. Brandon Sampson on ESPN. Well that's if Sampson actually plays (didn't in the first half). Briscoe a one trick pony right now as he can only drive to the hoop. Doesn't shoot 3's and is shooting 39% from the FT line. Also is playing the 2 guard role which probably suits him better than PG.

39%? from the FT line? I had to look that up to believe it... and low and behold, he's 1 for 7 tonight from the FT line... that's like "I'm an athletic, 7 foot center, but just learning how to play the game bad...."