Sonoma State Game

My observations with 6 minutes or so to go in the scrimmage:

Sima.  Physical skills, runs the floor boxes out, good timing on blocks, some post game, needs some development, future pro.  Complete package in a year.  Zendon good to work with him.

Mussini.  Miscast at the point.  Only true guard with balamou and Lovett out.  Very slight build.  Needs to hit the weight room.  Did not keep up with his man on D.  Didn't look for his shot, but likely because he was at the point.  Missed many free throws.

Williams.  Great length, athleticism, runs the floor, willing to shoot the 3 but missed all attempts.  Valuable piece, needs development, could become special.

Ellison.  Good all-around player.  Good understanding of the game.  Instinctive player.   Should become outstanding defender for a 2 or a 3.  A smaller, poor man's Justice Winslow.

Holifield.  Glue guy.  Great energy.  Very good defender.  Can shoot some and pass some.  Team player.  Will be super role player.  Did not do badly at point with Mussini on the bench even though he's not a point.  Makes good decisions.  A basketball player.  May not have the size speed or shooting ability at the high D1 level but will make himself valuable.

Christian Jones.  Got lots of minutes.  No idea why.  Showed better heart and hustle but makes too many mistakes, physical and mental.  Not a good finisher and will be over matched against BE competition. 

Mvouika.  Smart, plays defense, showed no offensive game.  Should either be a defensive sub to give a guard or SF a few minutes of rest or a spot shooter if he shows he can hit from 3.

Alibegovic.  Didn't get much run.  Looks about the same as last year.

Johnson.  Showed nothing.  Expect better based on rep and past performance.  Looks as though he's knocking off a lot of rust.

Needs:  Lovett and Balamou for a true PG and depth at guard spots.  Backcourt of Lovett and Mussini may be too small, Holifield and Mvouika may work their way in at the 2 against bigger teams, especially if Mussini is outmatched on the defensive end.

Long athletic front court should be good in any combination centering around Sima.  Should be good either running the floor or in the halfcourt. 

Offense:  nice ball movement, player movement, great sharing the ball for a group of players new to one another. 

Defense.  Man to man, appropriate for the length and athleticism of the team and with Sima to clean up for mistakes (very similar to Obekpa in that role).  Mussini a weak link.

Bench.  St Jean doing the x and o work at timeouts and during the game.  Mullin a big picture guy.  Seems to be in an NFL head coach role with an offensive coordinator.  Sets the philosophy and makes big picture decisions, delegates x and o work.  Likely much more involved in player development in practice and in pregame strategy development.

Overall.  Will struggle early, especially without Lovett and Balamou.  Lots of potential to develop.  Should improve as the year goes on.  If a foundation is built and the team comes together and improves over the year, potential for a big step next year with addition of more long athletic bodies in Yakwe and Owens.  Bright future if Mullin can hold them together through the growing pains and they improve and feel good about themselves in the last quarter of the season.

Holifield. Glue guy. Great energy. Very good defender. Can shoot some and pass some. Team player. Will be super role player. Did not do badly at point with Mussini on the bench even though he's not a point. Makes good decisions. A basketball player. May not have the size speed or shooting ability at the high D1 level but will make himself valuable.

This one I'll give you.
Mullin has it all over Lavin when it comes to recruiting walk-ons.
 
My observations with 6 minutes or so to go in the scrimmage:

Sima.  Physical skills, runs the floor boxes out, good timing on blocks, some post game, needs some development, future pro.  Complete package in a year.  Zendon good to work with him.

Mussini.  Miscast at the point.  Only true guard with balamou and Lovett out.  Very slight build.  Needs to hit the weight room.  Did not keep up with his man on D.  Didn't look for his shot, but likely because he was at the point.  Missed many free throws.

Williams.  Great length, athleticism, runs the floor, willing to shoot the 3 but missed all attempts.  Valuable piece, needs development, could become special.

Ellison.  Good all-around player.  Good understanding of the game.  Instinctive player.   Should become outstanding defender for a 2 or a 3.  A smaller, poor man's Justice Winslow.

Holifield.  Glue guy.  Great energy.  Very good defender.  Can shoot some and pass some.  Team player.  Will be super role player.  Did not do badly at point with Mussini on the bench even though he's not a point.  Makes good decisions.  A basketball player.  May not have the size speed or shooting ability at the high D1 level but will make himself valuable.

Christian Jones.  Got lots of minutes.  No idea why.  Showed better heart and hustle but makes too many mistakes, physical and mental.  Not a good finisher and will be over matched against BE competition. 

Mvouika.  Smart, plays defense, showed no offensive game.  Should either be a defensive sub to give a guard or SF a few minutes of rest or a spot shooter if he shows he can hit from 3.

Alibegovic.  Didn't get much run.  Looks about the same as last year.

Johnson.  Showed nothing.  Expect better based on rep and past performance.  Looks as though he's knocking off a lot of rust.

Needs:  Lovett and Balamou for a true PG and depth at guard spots.  Backcourt of Lovett and Mussini may be too small, Holifield and Mvouika may work their way in at the 2 against bigger teams, especially if Mussini is outmatched on the defensive end.

Long athletic front court should be good in any combination centering around Sima.  Should be good either running the floor or in the halfcourt. 

Offense:  nice ball movement, player movement, great sharing the ball for a group of players new to one another. 

Defense.  Man to man, appropriate for the length and athleticism of the team and with Sima to clean up for mistakes (very similar to Obekpa in that role).  Mussini a weak link.

Bench.  St Jean doing the x and o work at timeouts and during the game.  Mullin a big picture guy.  Seems to be in an NFL head coach role with an offensive coordinator.  Sets the philosophy and makes big picture decisions, delegates x and o work.  Likely much more involved in player development in practice and in pregame strategy development.

Overall.  Will struggle early, especially without Lovett and Balamou.  Lots of potential to develop.  Should improve as the year goes on.  If a foundation is built and the team comes together and improves over the year, potential for a big step next year with addition of more long athletic bodies in Yakwe and Owens.  Bright future if Mullin can hold them together through the growing pains and they improve and feel good about themselves in the last quarter of the season.

Final Score please.
 
My observations with 6 minutes or so to go in the scrimmage:

Sima.  Physical skills, runs the floor boxes out, good timing on blocks, some post game, needs some development, future pro.  Complete package in a year.  Zendon good to work with him.

Mussini.  Miscast at the point.  Only true guard with balamou and Lovett out.  Very slight build.  Needs to hit the weight room.  Did not keep up with his man on D.  Didn't look for his shot, but likely because he was at the point.  Missed many free throws.

Williams.  Great length, athleticism, runs the floor, willing to shoot the 3 but missed all attempts.  Valuable piece, needs development, could become special.

Ellison.  Good all-around player.  Good understanding of the game.  Instinctive player.   Should become outstanding defender for a 2 or a 3.  A smaller, poor man's Justice Winslow.

Holifield.  Glue guy.  Great energy.  Very good defender.  Can shoot some and pass some.  Team player.  Will be super role player.  Did not do badly at point with Mussini on the bench even though he's not a point.  Makes good decisions.  A basketball player.  May not have the size speed or shooting ability at the high D1 level but will make himself valuable.

Christian Jones.  Got lots of minutes.  No idea why.  Showed better heart and hustle but makes too many mistakes, physical and mental.  Not a good finisher and will be over matched against BE competition. 

Mvouika.  Smart, plays defense, showed no offensive game.  Should either be a defensive sub to give a guard or SF a few minutes of rest or a spot shooter if he shows he can hit from 3.

Alibegovic.  Didn't get much run.  Looks about the same as last year.

Johnson.  Showed nothing.  Expect better based on rep and past performance.  Looks as though he's knocking off a lot of rust.

Needs:  Lovett and Balamou for a true PG and depth at guard spots.  Backcourt of Lovett and Mussini may be too small, Holifield and Mvouika may work their way in at the 2 against bigger teams, especially if Mussini is outmatched on the defensive end.

Long athletic front court should be good in any combination centering around Sima.  Should be good either running the floor or in the halfcourt. 

Offense:  nice ball movement, player movement, great sharing the ball for a group of players new to one another. 

Defense.  Man to man, appropriate for the length and athleticism of the team and with Sima to clean up for mistakes (very similar to Obekpa in that role).  Mussini a weak link.

Bench.  St Jean doing the x and o work at timeouts and during the game.  Mullin a big picture guy.  Seems to be in an NFL head coach role with an offensive coordinator.  Sets the philosophy and makes big picture decisions, delegates x and o work.  Likely much more involved in player development in practice and in pregame strategy development.

Overall.  Will struggle early, especially without Lovett and Balamou.  Lots of potential to develop.  Should improve as the year goes on.  If a foundation is built and the team comes together and improves over the year, potential for a big step next year with addition of more long athletic bodies in Yakwe and Owens.  Bright future if Mullin can hold them together through the growing pains and they improve and feel good about themselves in the last quarter of the season.


Needs: Lovett and Balamou for a true PG and depth at guard spots.
Balamou?
Are you serious?
Any team that needs Balamou for improvement is truly in dire straights.

Shut up. These are the sort of posts that cause Lawmanfan to name Lawmanfan as one of the best posters on RDC.
 
My observations with 6 minutes or so to go in the scrimmage:

Williams.  Great length, athleticism, runs the floor, willing to shoot the 3 but missed all attempts.  Valuable piece, needs development, could become special.

Ellison.  Good all-around player.  Good understanding of the game.  Instinctive player.   Should become outstanding defender for a 2 or a 3.  A smaller, poor man's Justice Winslow.

Christian Jones.  Got lots of minutes.  No idea why.  Showed better heart and hustle but makes too many mistakes, physical and mental.  Not a good finisher and will be over matched against BE competition. 


.

Is this from this game?
 
My observations with 6 minutes or so to go in the scrimmage:

Sima.  Physical skills, runs the floor boxes out, good timing on blocks, some post game, needs some development, future pro.  Complete package in a year.  Zendon good to work with him.

Mussini.  Miscast at the point.  Only true guard with balamou and Lovett out.  Very slight build.  Needs to hit the weight room.  Did not keep up with his man on D.  Didn't look for his shot, but likely because he was at the point.  Missed many free throws.

Williams.  Great length, athleticism, runs the floor, willing to shoot the 3 but missed all attempts.  Valuable piece, needs development, could become special.

Ellison.  Good all-around player.  Good understanding of the game.  Instinctive player.   Should become outstanding defender for a 2 or a 3.  A smaller, poor man's Justice Winslow.

Holifield.  Glue guy.  Great energy.  Very good defender.  Can shoot some and pass some.  Team player.  Will be super role player.  Did not do badly at point with Mussini on the bench even though he's not a point.  Makes good decisions.  A basketball player.  May not have the size speed or shooting ability at the high D1 level but will make himself valuable.

Christian Jones.  Got lots of minutes.  No idea why.  Showed better heart and hustle but makes too many mistakes, physical and mental.  Not a good finisher and will be over matched against BE competition. 

Mvouika.  Smart, plays defense, showed no offensive game.  Should either be a defensive sub to give a guard or SF a few minutes of rest or a spot shooter if he shows he can hit from 3.

Alibegovic.  Didn't get much run.  Looks about the same as last year.

Johnson.  Showed nothing.  Expect better based on rep and past performance.  Looks as though he's knocking off a lot of rust.

Needs:  Lovett and Balamou for a true PG and depth at guard spots.  Backcourt of Lovett and Mussini may be too small, Holifield and Mvouika may work their way in at the 2 against bigger teams, especially if Mussini is outmatched on the defensive end.

Long athletic front court should be good in any combination centering around Sima.  Should be good either running the floor or in the halfcourt. 

Offense:  nice ball movement, player movement, great sharing the ball for a group of players new to one another. 

Defense.  Man to man, appropriate for the length and athleticism of the team and with Sima to clean up for mistakes (very similar to Obekpa in that role).  Mussini a weak link.

Bench.  St Jean doing the x and o work at timeouts and during the game.  Mullin a big picture guy.  Seems to be in an NFL head coach role with an offensive coordinator.  Sets the philosophy and makes big picture decisions, delegates x and o work.  Likely much more involved in player development in practice and in pregame strategy development.

Overall.  Will struggle early, especially without Lovett and Balamou.  Lots of potential to develop.  Should improve as the year goes on.  If a foundation is built and the team comes together and improves over the year, potential for a big step next year with addition of more long athletic bodies in Yakwe and Owens.  Bright future if Mullin can hold them together through the growing pains and they improve and feel good about themselves in the last quarter of the season.

Final Score please.

64-46
 
My observations with 6 minutes or so to go in the scrimmage:

Williams.  Great length, athleticism, runs the floor, willing to shoot the 3 but missed all attempts.  Valuable piece, needs development, could become special.

Ellison.  Good all-around player.  Good understanding of the game.  Instinctive player.   Should become outstanding defender for a 2 or a 3.  A smaller, poor man's Justice Winslow.

Christian Jones.  Got lots of minutes.  No idea why.  Showed better heart and hustle but makes too many mistakes, physical and mental.  Not a good finisher and will be over matched against BE competition. 


.

Is this from this game?

couldn't be from St. Thomas Aquinas
 
When I get home tonight I plan to post my human interest story from today's game...from coach kaiser to Pervus Ellison to Anthony Mason Junior to Holifield hitting a jmo shot - I think this we will shoot not understand the basket - start a new "no- perimeter" strategy!
We are going in the right direction - this year imp WsLs don't count.

Sorry for typos...later
:)
 
............
Overall.  Will struggle early, especially without Lovett and Balamou.  Lots of potential to develop.  Should improve as the year goes on.  If a foundation is built and the team comes together and improves over the year, potential for a big step next year with addition of more long athletic bodies in Yakwe and Owens.  Bright future if Mullin can hold them together through the growing pains and they improve and feel good about themselves in the last quarter of the season.

My observations:
1. This will be a long season. Mullin and staff are playing the hand that was dealt them.
2. The best thing about this season is that it will lead to next season with more talented roster.

We may have a significantly more talented roster by the end of this week, if we're lucky. In any event, this was a huge improvement in just the course of 48 hours.
 
Yes, Mase, posted from the game, from a few rows behind the bench.

I like this team, although it will struggle early. They also seem to like one another, and no bad attitudes evident in any way.

If they can get Sima, Lovett and Johnson going together then this team will be hard to defend.  Lots of potentially great role players.  And I think they will be good on defense just based on the physical talent, and Mullin will get them to work.  But they need Lovett.  Mussini isn't the answer there.  Long term I like Ellison and maybe Williams and Holifield on the wing, but for now it has to be Johnson as the third piece of the pie.


Add Yakwe and Owens next year and look out.
 
When they put the fold down seat in front of the bench during a timeout, I thought Great, he's gonna coach.
They the young guy grabbed the clip board and did his thing.
Puzzling.

So what
 
Tom in Salem said:
Needs: Lovett and Balamou for a true PG and depth at guard spots.
Balamou?
Are you serious?
Any team that needs Balamou for improvement is truly in dire straights.

I'm no fan of Felix. But I see Johnson as a wing and Mvouika as a small role player. That leaves Mussini, Lovett, Holifield and Balamou as your choices at guard.

My guess on the small sample I've seen is that Lovett will be the clear option at the 1 and Mussini will probably slide to the 2. But he may just be the backup 1. Either way you need more depth at guard and that means Felix has to play some minutes. Without Felix or Lovett there isn't enough in the backcourt to play with anyone.
 
When they put the fold down seat in front of the bench during a timeout, I thought Great, he's gonna coach.
They the young guy grabbed the clip board and did his thing.
Puzzling.

So what

So what?
Are you used to this?
You expect the 3rd assistant to be running the show?
Hope he's getting paid well.
 
When they put the fold down seat in front of the bench during a timeout, I thought Great, he's gonna coach.
They the young guy grabbed the clip board and did his thing.
Puzzling.

So what

So what?
Are you used to this?
You expect the 3rd assistant to be running the show?
Hope he's getting paid well.

Better than Lavin spewing a bunch of bullsh*t analogies during timeouts
 
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