Mussini Gone

[Class of 72]

I will really miss Mussini. Federico was a pleasure to watch play for us. He was recruited by Gonzaga and could have easily been a role player there on a team that went to the NCAA Championship game last season. Instead he decided to come here. It is unusual to have a player choose us these days over a program like Gonzaga that is a perennial winner.

During his time here he always played hard, had a real fire for the game, consistently pulled for his teammates, shot better than 85% from the line and this past season shot a team high 42% from three. I am sure he would have continued to contribute if he decided to stay but has chosen to pursue another path. I wish him nothing but the best, thank him for his career here and hope that he feels good about his time in New York.

I agree and think Musso will forever appreciate his time spent at St. John's and NYC.
This should not come as a surprise to the staff and as I stated a couple of weeks ago "Before he stepped foot on campus he gave interviews in Reggio. His plan was to play 2 years in the states as I had said many times. He is definitely torn because he loves Reggio and his friends in Italy but he knows he will never start given the guard tandems. It all comes down to how much Reggio is willing to pay."
With Lovett likely to leave after the coming season the only remaining first year recruit may be Kassoum Yakwe. Hard to build a program with high turnover regardless of talent. Even with 7 prep All Americans every year Kentucky has won only 1 national championship in the past 19 years.
We need a better talent formula that improves retention. That's easier said than done.

 

[redfan259999888]

Honestly, who cares. Oh well. This won't have much of an effect on us.

I respectfully disagree. I am told by one very closely related to the St.John's program that Mussini brought a sense of maturity and focus to the practices which rubbed off on other players. Yeah, Mussini would not have started but maturity and focus is something that cannot be easily replaced.

And being the fourth guard in a three-guard offense isn't a meaningless role.

lol i meant Simon



Once again I disagree with the three guard offense. Have to start Owens, Clark, Ahmed, Ponds and Lovell. Simon comes off the bench as the sixth man. Have to believe against a zone Mussini would have been first sub in. This is not saying Mullin won't use a three guard offense against a smaller team.

We can't start owens, he's our only capable big man. The only way I could see Owens starting is if Yakwe improves 3x of what he was last year. You have to believe Mullin knows this.

I see Lovett, Ponds, Clark (Defensive demon, something that we really need.), Ahmed, and Clark as our starting 5.

I too would love to have two Clarks on the team but since we only have one you will have to pick another starter.

 

[JackofVirginia]

Honestly, who cares. Oh well. This won't have much of an effect on us.

I respectfully disagree. I am told by one very closely related to the St.John's program that Mussini brought a sense of maturity and focus to the practices which rubbed off on other players. Yeah, Mussini would not have started but maturity and focus is something that cannot be easily replaced.

And being the fourth guard in a three-guard offense isn't a meaningless role.

Once again I disagree with the three guard offense. Have to start Owens, Clark, Ahmed, Ponds and Lovell. Simon comes off the bench as the sixth man. Have to believe against a zone Mussini would have been first sub in. This is not saying Mullin won't use a three guard offense against a smaller team.

We can't start owens, he's our only capable big man. The only way I could see Owens starting is if Yakwe improves 3x of what he was last year. You have to believe Mullin knows this.

I see Lovett, Ponds, Clark (Defensive demon, something that we really need.), Ahmed, and Clark as our starting 5.

Why are we assuming Owens won't control his fouls next year? Mullin has to show confidence in Owens starting. What would help is our guards playing better defense so Owens doesn't have to switch and pick up fouls.

 

[sjc88]

I have a question and was wondering if others here might know the answer.

Was Mussini able to negotiate with his Italian pro team while at St John's? Say he didn't like the offer could he have returned to SJU? What about during last season? I assume he negotiates on his own because US players cannot hire an agent. Just curious as to how the NCAA monitors foreign players.

 

[we are sju]

I had 10 pages for the over under. Lets go guys! I thought Monte would post a poem or at the very least the lyrics from Journey's Open Arms.
O heck I will do it for him:

Living without you
Living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you
Wanting you near
How much I wanted you home

 

[kranmars]

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

 

[Class of 72]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

 

[kranmars]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

That is a very fair assessment.

 

[we are sju]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

Is Phil in Europe? Wonder if he dribbles counterclockwise over there?

 

[Amaseinyourface]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

Ponds has more defensive ability in his left hand than PG had all together. Now if you went with Paris Horne then that is something we could absolutely use.

 

[paultzman]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

Ponds has more defensive ability in his left hand than PG had all together. Now if you went with Paris Horne then that is something we could absolutely use.

Sent you a pm Mase

 

[Class of 72]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

Ponds has more defensive ability in his left hand than PG had all together. Now if you went with Paris Horne then that is something we could absolutely use.

PG was a physical guard. Mussini is not. Shamorie's biggest weakness....and I have been saying it since I saw him in high school, is his commitment to playing defense. Last year as a freshman he did not prove me wrong. While no where as talented, Phil put a body on his player. We shall see if Justin and Clark can inspire him more than the coaches.

 

[weathermannyc]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

Is Phil in Europe? Wonder if he dribbles counterclockwise over there?

That would be the southern hemisphere not Europe. :cheer:

 

[L J S A]

Is Phil in Europe? Wonder if he dribbles counterclockwise over there?

That would be the southern hemisphere not Europe. :cheer:

He would just drive in the wrong lane in Europe. Maybe he's driving to his own basket.

 

[we are sju]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

Is Phil in Europe? Wonder if he dribbles counterclockwise over there?

That would be the southern hemisphere not Europe. :cheer:

Was going for the driving on other side of the road steering wheel on other side thing but see why that would be taken for the whole flushing counter clockwise thing. My bad. BTW is that really true. Never seen a conclusive answer on that.

 

[weathermannyc]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

Is Phil in Europe? Wonder if he dribbles counterclockwise over there?

That would be the southern hemisphere not Europe. :cheer:

Was going for the driving on other side of the road steering wheel on other side thing but see why that would be taken for the whole flushing counter clockwise thing. My bad. BTW is that really true. Never seen a conclusive answer on that.

As far as I know....no. The counterclockwise thing that is true is the rotation of air around high and low pressure is the opposite from the northern hemisphere.

 

[L J S A]

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astr...ork_differently_in_different_hemispheres.html

 

[we are sju]

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2015/06/03/coriolis_effect_proving_it_does_work_differently_in_different_hemispheres.html

On the Simpsons it flushed counterclockwise in Australia but clockwise in the American Embassy in Australia.

 

[fun]

I guess my point is I guess

I guess.

Let's see if you can put your big boy pants on and know when to just let things drop for once in your life

The dissonance is cognitive.

 

[austour]

:yell:

3rd yr Mussini >Freshman Trimble

I agree. Of course losing Mussini does not have 'the impact of losing Lovett, for example. But his loss hurts for next season. Mussini knew his role and accepted it.

Chances that a freshman will replicate that is less, imo.

Don't get me wrong I loved Mussini and his steadfast determination to become the best player he could but other than foul shooting and some occasions of streak shooting 3s, he was a huge liability on defense. Both Lovett and Ponds fill the shooting role and both played porous defense. What another 6'3 physical guard can bring is defensive intensity. Not familiar with the guard they are pursuing but if he brings a Phil Greene level of defense without the over dribbling I will be very happy.

Is Phil in Europe? Wonder if he dribbles counterclockwise over there?

PS, yes he is. Also in Italy in 2nd A division averaging 16 pg as a starter ostensibly as the 2G though the PG is the teams leading scorer AND assist man. For those wondering Reggio Emiliano (sp?) is in Italy B league one further step down. And there's 64 teams in Italy B as well. 16 in A and 32 in A2.