Some observations from last night's game, as much of a distraction from the realities of the world that predominate our thoughts:
1) Mullin is minute by minute learning how to be a coach. During timeouts it was Mullin with the clipboard, not St. Jean, although it seems that everyone on the bench has a clipboard. Players must be trained during play and breaks in the action (not just timeouts) to listen to Mullin as he calls out to them. He is growing into a presence, but there is work to be done there. Unlike criticism leveled by some on here, last night it was clear that he is intent on asserting control from the bench.
2) I don't recall Mullin the player ever coming close to a T. Mullin the coach jaws a lot at refs, and is bound to get T'd sooner or later. The thing in his favor is that Mullin the player is iconic to many fans, and refs will tolerate a little more from him right now than just another guy. It is good to see a passionate, emotional Mullin on the bench - the fire on the outside - than the relatively quiet, smiley kid whose play belied that outward demeanor.
3) This team is weak, as evidenced by a win essentially eked out against a bad team. But there is some talent. Mussini does not have the ball handling skills to be a Big East point and that I fear will be exposed soon enough. But unlike the Hoop(st)er who Max'd out against inferior competition, Mussini's jumper is real, and he only needs a small amount of space and has a very quick trigger to launch a silky jumper. He is finding that taking the ball to the hole in D1, even against Wagner, will find him on his butt with no call way too often. But he is a real player I believe and will be serviceable.
4) Durand Johnson can play, and won't be rattled by Big East competition. He may have shot 2-10, but coolly put some nails in the coffin with some late free throws. His age and experience will be assets going forward.
5) Sima looked good against a weak Wagner team. The comparisons to CO will be obvious, and I'm not sure how much of a presence he will be when the competition gets radically better. I suspect it wont be pretty, but I do think the potential is there.
6) Mvouika at the other guard is not the answer to bring the ball up. He can play some, but especially when it comes to breaking a good press, this team will be in trouble. I like him as a player.
7) GREAT crowd for a Friday at 6 PM. When you give in to TV schedules, you are basically screwing most paying fans, who fought rush hour traffic to do a pretty damned good job of filling CA. GREAT job by the students, who showed up in remarkable force considering the lowered expectations of this squad. Students were loud, and all in all our fans were somewhat animated.
8) Beautiful, I mean BEAUTIFUL end of game moment when Mullin quickly returned from the locker room to climb into the stands to chat with Coach Lou, who gave him a kiss on the cheek. I was right above them in the walkway behind the Utopia basket and caught a few nice cell photos. It's clear that this is a special job for Chris, and while he has to grow into the role of coach, Carnesecca Arena already fits him like a glove. It's only a matter of time before he owns the place, or demonstrates that he really always has owned a piece.
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