I’m not writing off Windham or Ciaravino this year. I said it in the post above: “They’re not ready to contribute at a high level at this point in the season.” But we’ve got a whole Big Ten season left to go, and that’s plenty of time for them to improve. Big Ten basketball is a massive jump from high school ball. They’ve shown flashes, no doubt, but they’re still figuring out how to play within the system. Sometimes they force things or try to do too much. Defensively, they’ve still got work to do too. These are all typical freshman mistakes, and the longer they stay in the program, the fewer you’ll see of those. It’s a process, but they’re getting better every day.
Edit: IMO Mullins does not get near the credit he deserves for playing within himself offensively. Dude does not force things and makes very good passes. Also is a lockdown defender. There is a drop off after him.
It has been difficult for Collins to play Mullins with Nicholson because of their limitations on the offensive end.
Since Barnhizer's return here are the numbers for the lineups... excluding the Pepperdine mismatch.
| | | | | NU | Opp | Minutes | NU Pace | Opp Pace |
| Nicholson | Martinelli | Barnhizer | Berry | Leach | 274 | 174 | 131 | 83.5 | 53.0 |
| Nicholson | Martinelli | Barnhizer | Berry | Mullins | 17 | 15 | 11 | 59.9 | 52.9 |
| Nicholson | Martinelli | Barnhizer | Mullins | Leach | 24 | 35 | 16 | 61.0 | 89.0 |
| Nicholson | Martinelli | Mullins | Berry | Leach | 5 | 16 | 8 | 25.2 | 80.5 |
| Nicholson | Mullins | Barnhizer | Berry | Leach | 10 | 11 | 5+ | 76.4 | 84.1 |
| Hunger | Martinelli | Barnhizer | Berry | Leach | 52 | 56 | 26 | 80.2 | 86.4 |
| Hunger | Mullins | Barnhizer | Berry | Leach | 9 | 9 | 6 | 60.2 | 60.2 |
| Hunger | Martinelli | Mullins | Berry | Leach | 8 | 6 | 3+ | 102.1 | 76.6 |
| Hunger | Martinelli | Barnhizer | Mullins | Leach | 63 | 54 | 34 | 75.0 | 64.3 |
| Hunger | Martinelli | Barnhizer | Berry | Mullins | 31 | 34 | 21 | 58.7 | 64.4 |
The starters have played 40% of the minutes together as a unit, with great success.
And it is clear that Collins prefers playing Mullins with Hunger.
The point is that there has been a huge dropoff when Mullins subs in for anybody when Nicholson is playing.
At least since Barnhizer returned.
Prior to that, Ciaravino, Mullins and Windham were all getting minutes and holding their own.
It was only 4 games, but Ciaravino was 11 of 17 from the floor, including 2 of 3 from outside the arc.
Since then he has taken 5 shots and made 2.
Windham did not shoot the ball well in those 4 games, but made it pretty clear that he is quicker than Berry or Leach when he has the ball.
I have no issues with Mullins. He has upside. He's a solid, disruptive defender and a good rebounder. If he starts knocking down shots, look out. But he has not been an effective sub when Nicholson is playing and I think either Windham or Ciaravino has the ability to (possibly) help the team more than Mullins in that role.
