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Mullins

jensberg

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Jul 28, 2006
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Anyone have any information or thoughts as to why he is not playing even in games against inferior competition
 
He’ll be fine. Just needs time to develop under Collins.
 
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Anyone have any information or thoughts as to why he is not playing even in games against inferior competition
Hi jensberg. Since we are mostly guessing, I'd say Collins looks at his roster and sees 9 guys who he believes are better than Mullins. If Clayton is ahead of Mullins on the depth chart, which makes sense given the need for a backup point guard, you've got 8 other quality players that Mullins would be taking minutes from.

I'd also add that Collins said he has been trying to sort his team out - figure what lineups work - and most of our games have not been blowouts. We'll probably see Mullins in the next several games if the regulars build a sizable lead.

I'm more interested in seeing Martinelli and Hunger.
 
Hi jensberg. Since we are mostly guessing, I'd say Collins looks at his roster and sees 9 guys who he believes are better than Mullins. If Clayton is ahead of Mullins on the depth chart, which makes sense given the need for a backup point guard, you've got 8 other quality players that Mullins would be taking minutes from.

I'd also add that Collins said he has been trying to sort his team out - figure what lineups work - and most of our games have not been blowouts. We'll probably see Mullins in the next several games if the regulars build a sizable lead.

I'm more interested in seeing Martinelli and Hunger.
Agree especially on Hunger he seems to have good skills just needs more work
 
Hi jensberg. Since we are mostly guessing, I'd say Collins looks at his roster and sees 9 guys who he believes are better than Mullins. If Clayton is ahead of Mullins on the depth chart, which makes sense given the need for a backup point guard, you've got 8 other quality players that Mullins would be taking minutes from.

I'd also add that Collins said he has been trying to sort his team out - figure what lineups work - and most of our games have not been blowouts. We'll probably see Mullins in the next several games if the regulars build a sizable lead.

I'm more interested in seeing Martinelli and Hunger.
This is a good problem. Uncharted territory for nu basketball...too many good players???
 
This is a good problem. Uncharted territory for nu basketball...too many good players???
Well, by "quality" I mean average for a Big Ten rotation - or better. Right now, Clayton's not there, but we need him to get there in a month or so. Hunger needs some time too, but he poses potential mismatches because he can shoot - the more he plays the better. As long as we win.
 
Everyone should get their wish tomorrow against Detroit Mercy.
 
Mullins played 3 minutes against Detroit Mercy. No other stats.

I would agree that Mullins is near the end of the depth chart. I surmise it is for multiple reasons:
  1. he is a wing player, which means he is currently behind Berry, Langborg, Barnhizer, and Martinelli.
  2. his development isn't as urgent as for Clayton, Hunger, and Preston. The two backup bigs will likely see significant playing time in conference play in order to spell Big Matt against the other bigs. And Clayton needs to develop into someone who can spell Buie for rest or for foul trouble.
  3. his body still needs to grow. When watching during warmups yesterday, it was striking to see the difference in muscle mass between the bench players and those that get regular playing time. Strauss, Mullins, and Smith look smaller compared to their teammates, especially compared to Barnhizer. As a direct comparison, Barnhizer, Mullins, and Smith are all listed at 6'6", but their weights are 215 lbs, 190 lbs, and 175 lbs, respectively.
It was nice to see him get a little bit of playing time. I hope that CCC gets him and the other bench players some additional playing time in some more blowout wins!
 
Mullins played 3 minutes against Detroit Mercy. No other stats.

I would agree that Mullins is near the end of the depth chart. I surmise it is for multiple reasons:
  1. he is a wing player, which means he is currently behind Berry, Langborg, Barnhizer, and Martinelli.
  2. his development isn't as urgent as for Clayton, Hunger, and Preston. The two backup bigs will likely see significant playing time in conference play in order to spell Big Matt against the other bigs. And Clayton needs to develop into someone who can spell Buie for rest or for foul trouble.
  3. his body still needs to grow. When watching during warmups yesterday, it was striking to see the difference in muscle mass between the bench players and those that get regular playing time. Strauss, Mullins, and Smith look smaller compared to their teammates, especially compared to Barnhizer. As a direct comparison, Barnhizer, Mullins, and Smith are all listed at 6'6", but their weights are 215 lbs, 190 lbs, and 175 lbs, respectively.
It was nice to see him get a little bit of playing time. I hope that CCC gets him and the other bench players some additional playing time in some more blowout wins!
Hi Roger. Agree with everything you wrote. Mullins will get his chance later if he puts in the work. I haven't seen the Detroit-Mercy game, but I did see highlights and caught GUS on the court at the end of the game, grinning from ear to ear. He is shooting 100% from the floor! That sort of thing makes me smile.

I'm not sure a 3-deep situation is warranted at center, but Nicholson played 22 minutes, Hunger 11 and Preston 7. Would love to see Hunger and Preston out there at the same time, just to see what happens. Maybe even Hunger and Nicholson.

Speaking of Matt, I wish somebody would teach him how to establish rebounding position. Not much progress there. And maybe some blowout possessions where the ball just keeps going inside to Nicholson and nobody else is allowed to shoot. I suppose I'm nitpicking....
 
Mullins played 3 minutes against Detroit Mercy. No other stats.

I would agree that Mullins is near the end of the depth chart. I surmise it is for multiple reasons:
  1. he is a wing player, which means he is currently behind Berry, Langborg, Barnhizer, and Martinelli.
  2. his development isn't as urgent as for Clayton, Hunger, and Preston. The two backup bigs will likely see significant playing time in conference play in order to spell Big Matt against the other bigs. And Clayton needs to develop into someone who can spell Buie for rest or for foul trouble.
  3. his body still needs to grow. When watching during warmups yesterday, it was striking to see the difference in muscle mass between the bench players and those that get regular playing time. Strauss, Mullins, and Smith look smaller compared to their teammates, especially compared to Barnhizer. As a direct comparison, Barnhizer, Mullins, and Smith are all listed at 6'6", but their weights are 215 lbs, 190 lbs, and 175 lbs, respectively.
It was nice to see him get a little bit of playing time. I hope that CCC gets him and the other bench players some additional playing time in some more blowout wins!
Not sure if it’s entirely fair to compare to Brooks. He looks like a linebacker after hitting the weight room hard. That build isn’t for everyone, but it works well for him as a “post” guard.

That said, Mullins has A LOT of work to do bulking up to have a frame more like Audige, or Drew Crawford, for instance. He’s twiggy.
 
Not sure if it’s entirely fair to compare to Brooks. He looks like a linebacker after hitting the weight room hard. That build isn’t for everyone, but it works well for him as a “post” guard.

That said, Mullins has A LOT of work to do bulking up to have a frame more like Audige, or Drew Crawford, for instance. He’s twiggy.
Mullins Reminds me of Jamal Crawford- chicago bulls several years ago. Hope he gets as good some day. Same look similar skill set
 
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Not sure if it’s entirely fair to compare to Brooks. He looks like a linebacker after hitting the weight room hard. That build isn’t for everyone, but it works well for him as a “post” guard.

That said, Mullins has A LOT of work to do bulking up to have a frame more like Audige, or Drew Crawford, for instance. He’s twiggy.
Agree with both of your points: My comparison to Brooks was mainly for context, not to suggest that all of our wing players should be at the 215lb weight. I would guess that Mullins probably just needs an extra 5, maybe 10lbs of muscle mass to have enough bulk and strength to be avoid getting pushed around by Big Ten opposing guards.
 
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Brooks does look pretty normal until he gets in the scrum and I see what a beast he is in context.
 
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I haven't seen the Detroit-Mercy game, but I did see highlights and caught GUS on the court at the end of the game, grinning from ear to ear. He is shooting 100% from the floor! That sort of thing makes me smile.....
Gus is averaging 40 points per 40 minutes.

A team full of Guses would score 200.
 
In regards to Mullins, I don't know much of anything. Still, I have gained new confidence in our ability to develop players over the long term. Boo is exhibit A of course. Chase matured a great deal while here as has Barnhizer. Berry has turned into an all round player - huge progress on defense and this year we're seeing his value offensively as well. Mullins will have his shot, as long as he puts in the work.

And that work starts now - long before he gets meaningful minutes. Imagine what it's like to practice with this squad versus past squads - in terms of talent and intensity. Even if Mullins doesn't get a lot of minutes this year, just the practices alone are going to develop his abilities.
 
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