Mussini's progress at PG

Guys what beast is saying is this, why start Ellison at the 1 just to bench Mussini? If you are gonna give Ellison a chance to run the point shouldn't Mussini get the chance to play sg? And I agree with him completely

I find it funny that people are worrying that Ponds may be to small to play the 2 in the BE but that Mussini will become drastically better there???

I havnt seen the posts that say Ponds will be too small but I also havent read the 100 posts in the mullin thread. I think you are undervaluing Mussini and placing Ponds ahead of him prematurely, and nobody was as high on Ponds as early as I was. I think Ponds will be the better player but not necessarily day one of his freshmen year. I think your making too big a deal out of ponds make or breaking Mullin from the get go. In the end I dont think it will matter because all three of the small guards will get more than enough playing time and they will prove who deserves what.

I look at Ponds like we were supposed to look at Harkless. -Gateway to getting the best NY kids. Not saying he has to be Erick Barkley or even Deangelo Harrison as a frosh, but if we are to win some games he has to be better than Mussini.

Guys get better, some get way better, some stay the same, some get worse. There really is no blue print for how this plays out. I think he can def be a productive player, but of the 3 other frosh he has the lowest ceiling of how good he could possibly be. Not to say that any of them will be better than him just talking potential.

My prediction for Mussini is this: no matter who is on the roster, if he gets 20 minutes a game he will be a double digit scorer the rest of his career here. I think his quick trigger and combo skill set (don't want to get into this another hundred times) works well as 6th man type, but I would not be shocked or disappointed if he is one of our 5 best players next year and subsequently starts at the beginning of the season.

I look at slice, matt, and mullin as our gateway to NYC kids. Yes Ponds having a good career here will absolutely help and I am sure that will be the case, regardless of how much or how little Mussini improves.
 
Guys what beast is saying is this, why start Ellison at the 1 just to bench Mussini? If you are gonna give Ellison a chance to run the point shouldn't Mussini get the chance to play sg? And I agree with him completely

Ellison and Mussini at guard get physically overwhelmed by most Big East backcourts and our weak defense gets even weaker.

And our other guard are gonna be gone once season is over. Practice, practice, practice.
 
Guys what beast is saying is this, why start Ellison at the 1 just to bench Mussini? If you are gonna give Ellison a chance to run the point shouldn't Mussini get the chance to play sg? And I agree with him completely

I find it funny that people are worrying that Ponds may be to small to play the 2 in the BE but that Mussini will become drastically better there???

I havnt seen the posts that say Ponds will be too small but I also havent read the 100 posts in the mullin thread. I think you are undervaluing Mussini and placing Ponds ahead of him prematurely, and nobody was as high on Ponds as early as I was. I think Ponds will be the better player but not necessarily day one of his freshmen year. I think your making too big a deal out of ponds make or breaking Mullin from the get go. In the end I dont think it will matter because all three of the small guards will get more than enough playing time and they will prove who deserves what.

I look at Ponds like we were supposed to look at Harkless. -Gateway to getting the best NY kids. Not saying he has to be Erick Barkley or even Deangelo Harrison as a frosh, but if we are to win some games he has to be better than Mussini.

Guys get better, some get way better, some stay the same, some get worse. There really is no blue print for how this plays out. I think he can def be a productive player, but of the 3 other frosh he has the lowest ceiling of how good he could possibly be. Not to say that any of them will be better than him just talking potential.

My prediction for Mussini is this: no matter who is on the roster, if he gets 20 minutes a game he will be a double digit scorer the rest of his career here. I think his quick trigger and combo skill set (don't want to get into this another hundred times) works well as 6th man type, but I would not be shocked or disappointed if he is one of our 5 best players next year and subsequently starts at the beginning of the season.


Kiss of Death. Marillac high on Mussini's future prospects. Previously he was very high on Eugene Lawrence and Durand Johnson.
 
I change my mind on Mussini at the point. I thought that for the program and for the kid being able to eventually play the point would be a huge benefit even if it didn't show itself until his senior year. Now though his confidence is so shot that I am actually surprised when his shot goes in. After how every smirk and eyebrow raise by Harrison was dissected like it was the Zapruder film I try not to get into body language. But Mussini right now looks like he is beaten down.

For the rest of the year to try and get his confidence back and really to see what he can give next year I would only play him off the ball with Ellison. See if he can start to hit some wide open jumpers and see what we have and so the kid doesn't get totally lost.
 
I change my mind on Mussini at the point. I thought that for the program and for the kid being able to eventually play the point would be a huge benefit even if it didn't show itself until his senior year. Now though his confidence is so shot that I am actually surprised when his shot goes in. After how every smirk and eyebrow raise by Harrison was dissected like it was the Zapruder film I try not to get into body language. But Mussini right now looks like his is beaten down.

For the rest of the year to try and get his confidence back and really to see what he can give next year I would only play him off the ball with Ellison. See if he can start to hit some wide open jumpers and see what we have and so the kid doesn't get totally lost.

Very fair suggestion. Indeed the kid seems worn out for a number of reasons, physically & psychologically.
 
I change my mind on Mussini at the point. I thought that for the program and for the kid being able to eventually play the point would be a huge benefit even if it didn't show itself until his senior year. Now though his confidence is so shot that I am actually surprised when his shot goes in. After how every smirk and eyebrow raise by Harrison was dissected like it was the Zapruder film I try not to get into body language. But Mussini right now looks like his is beaten down.

For the rest of the year to try and get his confidence back and really to see what he can give next year I would only play him off the ball with Ellison. See if he can start to hit some wide open jumpers and see what we have and so the kid doesn't get totally lost.

Very fair suggestion. Indeed the kid seems worn out for a number of reasons, physically & psychologically.

Which isn't that uncommon for a freshmen, especially a European kid, you wonder if he's worked this hard for this long before. I think he's our only freshmen who has played the entire year
 
I change my mind on Mussini at the point. I thought that for the program and for the kid being able to eventually play the point would be a huge benefit even if it didn't show itself until his senior year. Now though his confidence is so shot that I am actually surprised when his shot goes in. After how every smirk and eyebrow raise by Harrison was dissected like it was the Zapruder film I try not to get into body language. But Mussini right now looks like his is beaten down.

For the rest of the year to try and get his confidence back and really to see what he can give next year I would only play him off the ball with Ellison. See if he can start to hit some wide open jumpers and see what we have and so the kid doesn't get totally lost.

Very fair suggestion. Indeed the kid seems worn out for a number of reasons, physically & psychologically.

Which isn't that uncommon for a freshmen, especially a European kid, you wonder if he's worked this hard for this long before. I think he's our only freshmen who has played the entire year

Once around the league, opponents also have his number, which I think also got in his head. He's not that hard to dog on defense, and now he is even missing wide open shots. His decisions to take it to the hoop are usually bad, which results either in a turnover, blocked shot, or missed shot. A summer away from this losing squad and a better cast of teammates will put him in a better role going forward.
 
Mussini appears to be a great kid who has played hard all year but like the whole roster is not a big east caliber player. He is not strong enough, is too slow to defend and his outside shooting is not near as good as hoped. He has been given every chance to show improvement but has failed.
The Italian connection is a great story but Mullin's pass ends in the next two weeks and if Lovett and Ponds are not talented enough to separate themselves from the returnees and play 30 minutes each next year it will be a problem unless Rawle enrolls.
Yawke and Sima will both contribute next year and hopefully Ellison shows improvement but that's it.
 
I change my mind on Mussini at the point. I thought that for the program and for the kid being able to eventually play the point would be a huge benefit even if it didn't show itself until his senior year. Now though his confidence is so shot that I am actually surprised when his shot goes in. After how every smirk and eyebrow raise by Harrison was dissected like it was the Zapruder film I try not to get into body language. But Mussini right now looks like he is beaten down.

For the rest of the year to try and get his confidence back and really to see what he can give next year I would only play him off the ball with Ellison. See if he can start to hit some wide open jumpers and see what we have and so the kid doesn't get totally lost.

Some folks on this site have been suggesting this for weeks and getting hammered for saying it.
 
Pretty sure he has run out of gas. Plus the book is out on him. I expect he will come back stronger physically. With Lovett or ponds being able to penetrate and kick will help him tremendously to get open looks when he is in the floor. Defensively you can become an excellent team defender. Gotta give the Kid time. No rush too jidgemetn here.
 
I change my mind on Mussini at the point. I thought that for the program and for the kid being able to eventually play the point would be a huge benefit even if it didn't show itself until his senior year. Now though his confidence is so shot that I am actually surprised when his shot goes in. After how every smirk and eyebrow raise by Harrison was dissected like it was the Zapruder film I try not to get into body language. But Mussini right now looks like he is beaten down.

For the rest of the year to try and get his confidence back and really to see what he can give next year I would only play him off the ball with Ellison. See if he can start to hit some wide open jumpers and see what we have and so the kid doesn't get totally lost.

Some folks on this site have been suggesting this for weeks and getting hammered for saying it.

Well the thinking behind the ones doing the hammering is where the hell should a 6-0 140 pound guy play if not the point?
But at this stage he is not even doing what is is purportedly good at which is shooting. So yeah now I think he should be put into a situation where he is comfortable even if common sense wise it does not make much sense.
 
Pretty sure he has run out of gas. Plus the book is out on him. I expect he will come back stronger physically. With Lovett or ponds being able to penetrate and kick will help him tremendously to get open looks when he is in the floor. Defensively you can become an excellent team defender. Gotta give the Kid time. No rush too jidgemetn here.

He's on a well worn path of many talented Freshman that have come before him. He came in strong, showed he has natural skills and touch, but as the season wears on in the Big East, nobody is surprised by your strengths by February. We needed him to play a lot of minutes this year, I'll bet we see a stronger and smarter version of Mussini each and every year. I'm sure he's well aware he needs to hit the weight room hard, and he seems like the kind of kid that will actually do it.
 
Pretty sure he has run out of gas. Plus the book is out on him. I expect he will come back stronger physically. With Lovett or ponds being able to penetrate and kick will help him tremendously to get open looks when he is in the floor. Defensively you can become an excellent team defender. Gotta give the Kid time. No rush too jidgemetn here.

He's on a well worn path of many talented Freshman that have come before him. He came in strong, showed he has natural skills and touch, but as the season wears on in the Big East, nobody is surprised by your strengths by February. We needed him to play a lot of minutes this year, I'll bet we see a stronger and smarter version of Mussini each and every year. I'm sure he's well aware he needs to hit the weight room hard, and he seems like the kind of kid that will actually do it.

Hitting the wt room needs to be in conjunction with diet and proper exercise You nave to be careful with wts it can not always ruin your touch mo
 
Mussini appears to be a great kid who has played hard all year but like the whole roster is not a big east caliber player. He is not strong enough, is too slow to defend and his outside shooting is not near as good as hoped. He has been given every chance to show improvement but has failed.
The Italian connection is a great story but Mullin's pass ends in the next two weeks and if Lovett and Ponds are not talented enough to separate themselves from the returnees and play 30 minutes each next year it will be a problem unless Rawle enrolls.
Yawke and Sima will both contribute next year and hopefully Ellison shows improvement but that's it.

as al mcguire said, "the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores." mussini played very well at the beginning of the season, but big east teams adjusted to his style of play. unfortunately, he has had no answers to it and gone through a real bad stretch here.

definitely not giving up on him, but he needs to really work on his game and getting stronger in the offseason. next year will be pivotal for him because the talent level will be better with lovett, ponds, and possibly alkins coming in. if he doesn't step up his game, he's going to have trouble getting on the court. that being said, i really do think he'll be better. if this basketball season has reminded me of one thing, it's that sometimes it takes years for players to develop. look at buddy hield and denzel valentine. hield averaged 7.8 ppg his first year. valentine averaged 5 ppg. and mussini has put up 11 ppg. not trying to compare him to either of them. just pointing out that guys do get better with more experience and playing time.
 
Mussini appears to be a great kid who has played hard all year but like the whole roster is not a big east caliber player. He is not strong enough, is too slow to defend and his outside shooting is not near as good as hoped. He has been given every chance to show improvement but has failed.
The Italian connection is a great story but Mullin's pass ends in the next two weeks and if Lovett and Ponds are not talented enough to separate themselves from the returnees and play 30 minutes each next year it will be a problem unless Rawle enrolls.
Yawke and Sima will both contribute nfext year and hopefully Ellison shows improvement but that's it.

as al mcguire said, "the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores." mussini played very well at the beginning of the season, but big east teams adjusted to his style of play. unfortunately, he has had no answers to it and gone through a real bad stretch here.

definitely not giving up on him, but he needs to really work on his game and getting stronger in the offseason. next year will be pivotal for him because the talent level will be better with lovett, ponds, and possibly alkins coming in. if he doesn't step up his game, he's going to have trouble getting on the court. that being said, i really do think he'll be better. if this basketball season has reminded me of one thing, it's that sometimes it takes years for players to develop. look at buddy hield and denzel valentine. hield averaged 7.8 ppg his first year. valentine averaged 5 ppg. and mussini has put up 11 ppg. not trying to compare him to either of them. just pointing out that guys do get better with more experience and playing time.

In fairness Mussini had a ton of time available walking through the door, while Hield & Valentine joined more veteran groups with less immediate time available. That said, I get your point.

Mussini will never be a great defender & will have to add some strength, but his main anticipated asset was shooting. As he got worn down or teams figured him out, that suffered. His challenge next year is to become a consistent shooter. Make shots or lose time seems to be the equation. With less dependence on him via infusion of talented guards, I would hope his shooting improves to point he is an asset. If not, his time will obviously diminish.
 
Mussini appears to be a great kid who has played hard all year but like the whole roster is not a big east caliber player. He is not strong enough, is too slow to defend and his outside shooting is not near as good as hoped. He has been given every chance to show improvement but has failed.
The Italian connection is a great story but Mullin's pass ends in the next two weeks and if Lovett and Ponds are not talented enough to separate themselves from the returnees and play 30 minutes each next year it will be a problem unless Rawle enrolls.
Yawke and Sima will both contribute nfext year and hopefully Ellison shows improvement but that's it.

as al mcguire said, "the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores." mussini played very well at the beginning of the season, but big east teams adjusted to his style of play. unfortunately, he has had no answers to it and gone through a real bad stretch here.

definitely not giving up on him, but he needs to really work on his game and getting stronger in the offseason. next year will be pivotal for him because the talent level will be better with lovett, ponds, and possibly alkins coming in. if he doesn't step up his game, he's going to have trouble getting on the court. that being said, i really do think he'll be better. if this basketball season has reminded me of one thing, it's that sometimes it takes years for players to develop. look at buddy hield and denzel valentine. hield averaged 7.8 ppg his first year. valentine averaged 5 ppg. and mussini has put up 11 ppg. not trying to compare him to either of them. just pointing out that guys do get better with more experience and playing time.

In fairness Mussini had a ton of time available walking through the door, while Hield & Valentine joined more veteran groups with less immediate time available. That said, I get your point.

Mussini will never be a great defender & will have to add some strength, but his main anticipated asset was shooting. As he got worn down or teams figured him out, that suffered. His challenge next year is to become a consistent shooter. Make shots or lose time seems to be the equation. With less dependence on him via infusion of talented guards, I would hope his shooting improves to point he is an asset. If not, his time will obviously diminish.

It'll be interesting to see what happens if SJU actually does get Alkins. LoVett or Ponds will be the starting PG from day one next season. IMO, that's a lock. And if Alkins ends up here, I have a hard time seeing anybody beating him out at SG. Ellison may not start, but he'll definitely see time at SG/SF. He has good size and is adept at getting to the basket. So where does that leave Mussini? As you said Paultzman, his playing time and entire career at SJU depends on him being a great shooter. Can he become a Ryan Arcidiacono type? Or if I really want to be optimistic, Bryn Forbes (who might be one of the best 3PT shooters I've ever seen)?

One thing is for sure. Next year, he'll be playing with actual PG's that can set him up. It's going to be on him to take advantage of that.
 
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