UMBC, Mon. Nov. 16, 7pm, FS1 & WNYM 970 AM
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
Mvouika looked very good tonight. Durand coming to age the 2nd half. Mussini a better ball handler than I thought. Smart player. Nice game by Sima , even though he had to sit w fouls. If Williams could be the player we envisioned and the frosh keep improving, we can surprise .
beast of the east
Active member
Some game notes:
1) Mussini is a player and will be a fan favorite before long. His handle which looked shaky in game 1, looked a lot better. After some shaky communication between coach and players last game, Mussini is now totally zoned into Mullin, who appears to have taken on the pet project of turning him into a point and coach on the floor. The kid can shoot, and he worked out of some collapsing presses by calmly whipping a pass to an open Johnny upcourt. And yes, the boy can shoot, and doesn't need much room or time to get it off.
2) Durand Johnson had no problem slicing up these mid major defenses. I think he will be a factor when the going gets tough.
3) Ron M. can play. Period.
4) Agree with previous comments. Sima is long, and blocks shots simply by being there, not by skying out of the gym. Better offensive player after two games than CO after 3 years, plus he can shoot FTs.
5) The kids are working on spacing and it shows. Mullin already seems to have them playing with more purpose than Lavin had with his seniors.
6) Christian Jones has some value. At this point Amar has shown little, but I think we will hear from him before all is said and done.
7) It's nice to have a roster with an actual front line, and not guards masquerading as forwards.
8) It will still be a long season, but fans so far have the right attitude. Students are out in force for a team that won't win much. GREAT sign, and I hope the school rewards these kids when the team takes off.
9) GREAT BIG shout out to the guy in my section who coached the special ed kids at halftime. Fans were amazing, and they exploded each time a kid made a shot. One kid almost blew a gasket exhorting herself and the crowd after nailing a shot. I'm embarrassed not to know his name since he sits next to me at CA, but he is part of a small mob from the Rockaways. His 13 year old kid (who is a great kid) helped out on the court. For me, highlight of the night - SJU has some great fans and some great people as fans.
10) I was really annoyed a bunch of years ago when Norm's staff took primo seats right behind the bench for their families and extended families. Now Mullin is the most heralded guy in the gym, and we don't have any of that when his family shows up, they sit where they've always sat - nice seats but nothing great. A quiet testimony to who they are as people - no special treatment, no pretenses.
1) Mussini is a player and will be a fan favorite before long. His handle which looked shaky in game 1, looked a lot better. After some shaky communication between coach and players last game, Mussini is now totally zoned into Mullin, who appears to have taken on the pet project of turning him into a point and coach on the floor. The kid can shoot, and he worked out of some collapsing presses by calmly whipping a pass to an open Johnny upcourt. And yes, the boy can shoot, and doesn't need much room or time to get it off.
2) Durand Johnson had no problem slicing up these mid major defenses. I think he will be a factor when the going gets tough.
3) Ron M. can play. Period.
4) Agree with previous comments. Sima is long, and blocks shots simply by being there, not by skying out of the gym. Better offensive player after two games than CO after 3 years, plus he can shoot FTs.
5) The kids are working on spacing and it shows. Mullin already seems to have them playing with more purpose than Lavin had with his seniors.
6) Christian Jones has some value. At this point Amar has shown little, but I think we will hear from him before all is said and done.
7) It's nice to have a roster with an actual front line, and not guards masquerading as forwards.
8) It will still be a long season, but fans so far have the right attitude. Students are out in force for a team that won't win much. GREAT sign, and I hope the school rewards these kids when the team takes off.
9) GREAT BIG shout out to the guy in my section who coached the special ed kids at halftime. Fans were amazing, and they exploded each time a kid made a shot. One kid almost blew a gasket exhorting herself and the crowd after nailing a shot. I'm embarrassed not to know his name since he sits next to me at CA, but he is part of a small mob from the Rockaways. His 13 year old kid (who is a great kid) helped out on the court. For me, highlight of the night - SJU has some great fans and some great people as fans.
10) I was really annoyed a bunch of years ago when Norm's staff took primo seats right behind the bench for their families and extended families. Now Mullin is the most heralded guy in the gym, and we don't have any of that when his family shows up, they sit where they've always sat - nice seats but nothing great. A quiet testimony to who they are as people - no special treatment, no pretenses.
It is pretty trite to say that the STAC debacle was the best thing to happen but it really hammered home the glaring weakness and these guys have been practicing towards it and the work is paying off. The T/Os still a problem but not the same way i.e. ball pressure. Some silly freshman type turnovers and stuff that probably would not happen with guys that had been together longer. It is scary to think of this team hitting the "Freshman wall" but so far so good. Each game Williams and Johnson look to have a little less rust.
Too much spectating still on rebounding but defense looks better. Mussini's Tim Hardaway impression was cool and getting a couple of blocks was priceless.
Too much spectating still on rebounding but defense looks better. Mussini's Tim Hardaway impression was cool and getting a couple of blocks was priceless.
JackofVirginia
Active member
Good team effort tonight. Love the quick offensive reaction by Sima as opposed to Obekpa's hesitating and getting stuffed. Mullin continues to move players in and out but should you throw away a cross court pass he will sit your ass, as evidenced by the benching of Mussini and Ellison. This reminds me of Jim Calhoun's quick subbing after a mistake.
UMBC did a good job of switching our pick and rolls at the top of the key.
UMBC did a good job of switching our pick and rolls at the top of the key.
beast of the east
Active member
Great observation Jack. Jarvis would punish guys for a mistake, especially that kid King. Norm and Steve would ignore gaffes, and keep the kid in. Mullin is using it as a teachable moment, and doesn't bury the kid for making a mistake, just giving him a minute or two to think about it. I'm all for that approach - using a quick yank as a teachable moment.
STJ11Redmen
Active member
Johnson took over when we really needed someone to step up, good to see.
Still can't get over Mullin's sideline presence, he looks like a 20 year vet out there.
Solid game, onto the next one. Rutgers stinks but could provide a nice challenge going into Maui, more than UMBC and Wagner at least.
Still can't get over Mullin's sideline presence, he looks like a 20 year vet out there.
Solid game, onto the next one. Rutgers stinks but could provide a nice challenge going into Maui, more than UMBC and Wagner at least.
fan since 65
Well-known member
I, too, was in the 3rd row and I had to move. Because someone in the front row would lean over into the huddles and Norm, rightfully so, got annoyed. Plus, that person would scream a lot and sometimes the refs thought it was coming from the bench.
I am new at this...
meant as a reply to Beast.
I am new at this...
meant as a reply to Beast.
Yeah, this will be a long season but thus far it has been enjoyable watching these kids and new coach develop. This team with limited talent plays an enjoyable style of ball.
Mullin has 2 keepers on which to build his program: Mussini and Sima.
IMO Mullin is doing a very good job coaching this expansion type team.
Beat Rutgers !
Mullin has 2 keepers on which to build his program: Mussini and Sima.
IMO Mullin is doing a very good job coaching this expansion type team.
Beat Rutgers !
STJ11Redmen
Active member
How nice was it to have a timeout be called after a dagger momentum changing basket (I think it was a M'Vouika 3 late in the game) and have the opposing coach call it and not ours?