Rawle Alkins - SG - Word of God - ARIZONA

Mussini was the conference's best free throw shooter, and remember only a skinny freshman with few other guard options on the team.  I think Mussini will improve his shooting efficiency a lot over next few years.  He's got a great stroke and a great quality that he likes making the big shot.  Yeah, his shooting has struggled lately,  but again...he's only a freshman and has had a difficult role this year.  I thought Ellison looked awful early on but has gotten going a bit.  He's good very good size and will be that big guard people are asking for over next few years. 

Quote from: we are sju on March 08, 2016, 04:24:33 PM

Quote from: Marco Baldi on March 08, 2016, 04:10:28 PM

And still Ellison gets a pass

His value is mostly based on potential. Guys can improve shooting, but it is really hard to get taller and quicker

So you agree he gets a pass..

Not at all,  he got killed on these boards way worse than Mussini has. Ellison has played better and because he has good size and athletic ability people can envision him improving. It seems Mussini's improving is being based on Lovett being able to find him for the same open shots he has been missing all year outside of 4 games.

And still Ellison gets a pass

He's got a ton of work to do as well but him and Mussini seemed to go in opposite directions this year. Remember, he was playing out of position, too, but he was able to hold his own for the most part.

Quote from: johnniesfilmmaker on March 08, 2016, 04:21:42 PM

Quote from: we are sju on March 08, 2016, 03:52:04 PM

Quote from: Foad on March 08, 2016, 03:46:38 PM

Quote from: we are sju on March 08, 2016, 03:09:34 PM

Mussini can shoot nonsense is based off a couple early season games and the one Cuse game I guess?  Kid has been playing limited minutes for a few weeks now and still not hitting shots. He is as one dimensional as you can get and that dimension is not that good. See him basically being a specialist next year getting about 10 minutes a game.

In last 10 games getting 21 minutes a game averaging 5 points a game  on 21% shooting.

55-181 from 3 for the year, .30 %

20-38 in 4 games: chaminade (5-9), cuse (5-7), 5-14 (NJIT) and Xavier (5-8), .52 %

35 -143 the remaining 27 games, .24 %

That's a lot of stinking.

Was just going to post that. In 31 games he shot over 50% overall from the field 4 times and not once since Cuse game on 12/13/2015 which is looking more and more like an aberration.

Why is it an aberration and not simply a sign that he has been overused and its worn out now?

He is not a pitcher coming off TJ surgery. He is an 18 year old kid that has been averaging 20 minutes a game for the last 3 weeks and his shooting has actually gotten worse

No but he is a 19 year old kid who isn't from this country who has asked to pretty much carry an overachieving team early on by playing close to or over 35mpg. 8 times he played over 35 minutes prior to 1/24 and he played less than 30 minutes just twice in that span. That's insane for a kid whose never played American basketball and as has been stated, is simply (supposedly) very good at one aspect of the game.

So I'm not going to kill a kid that's lost 35 pounds due to being over used SIGNIFICANTLY in for the better half of his first season.

Mussini will be much better next year just from a maturity, experience and strength standpoint (has to be on a strength program this summer). I think he'll surprise some people on this board who are writing him off. Ellison, I'm not so sure about. The size is there but I just see something missing in his game. I'm sure he'll keep improving and I'm rooting for him but he needs to develop that killer instinct.

Mussini was the conference's best free throw shooter, and remember only a skinny freshman with few other guard options on the team.  I think Mussini will improve his shooting efficiency a lot over next few years.  He's got a great stroke and a great quality that he likes making the big shot.  Yeah, his shooting has struggled lately,  but again...he's only a freshman and has had a difficult role this year.  I thought Ellison looked awful early on but has gotten going a bit.  He's good very good size and will be that big guard people are asking for over next few years.

Agree for the most part and hope Ellison keeps developing.

The problem next year is if he doesn't knock down shots with better options available not sure how much PT he will get. He will have to hit shots at a way better rate to play

Mussini will be much better next year just from a maturity, experience and strength standpoint (has to be on a strength program this summer). I think he'll surprise some people on this board who are writing him off. Ellison, I'm not so sure about. The size is there but I just see something missing in his game. I'm sure he'll keep improving and I'm rooting for him but he needs to develop that killer instinct.

Yeah experience and decision making is what is missing from his game (re:Ellison). And it will come, I think sooner rather than later. He already has the size and speed to be an effective slasher, his shooting got way better as the year went on, especially as he started getting comfortable from certain spots, and by all accounts is the gym rat and student of the game that will be able to put it all together. If you aren't excited about Ellison, we haven't been watching the same games.

Just to further that last post, I think of the 4 freshmen this year, Yakwe has the highest ceiling (far and away IMO), but after that I have to say Ellison. Sima is going to be a really nice player and has a good shot at the NBA down the road, strong defensively and developing an offensive game, but I think Ellison can potentially be a real impact player offensively, around the rim and as a spot up shooter.

Still so disappointed with Alkins but the best we can do now is the grad transfer that would be so disappointing

Still so disappointed with Alkins but the best we can do now is the grad transfer that would be so disappointing

We have the number 1 class in the conference without making anymore additions so don't be too disappointed.

Quote from: Foad on March 08, 2016, 03:46:38 PM

Quote from: we are sju on March 08, 2016, 03:09:34 PM

Mussini can shoot nonsense is based off a couple early season games and the one Cuse game I guess?  Kid has been playing limited minutes for a few weeks now and still not hitting shots. He is as one dimensional as you can get and that dimension is not that good. See him basically being a specialist next year getting about 10 minutes a game.

In last 10 games getting 21 minutes a game averaging 5 points a game  on 21% shooting.

55-181 from 3 for the year, .30 %

20-38 in 4 games: chaminade (5-9), cuse (5-7), 5-14 (NJIT) and Xavier (5-8), .52 %

35 -143 the remaining 27 games, .24 %

That's a lot of stinking.

Was just going to post that. In 31 games he shot over 50% overall from the field 4 times and not once since Cuse game on 12/13/2015 which is looking more and more like an aberration.

Be curious to see the stats of the rest of our great players on how many times they shot over 50% if you care to check. With all of our all league players would imagine it will be quite high.

Be curious to see the stats of the rest of our great players on how many times they shot over 50% if you care to check.

In the first place, if you're curious go look yourself. That's what I do when I'm curious about something, I look into it so that I can become informed about it. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone who was curious about something just sat there like a lump wondering about it. Madame Curie: I am curious about isotopes if you care to check them for me. Albert Einstein: I am curious about time and space, could you Ask Jeeves about it for me. Nicola Tesla: this electricity stuff sounds fascinating, I hope someone looks into it some day. In the second place none of our other great players are one dimensional  no trick ponies who have been proclaimed the greatest shooter since Chris Mullin, so their lack of shooting prowess is irrelevant.

Kris Dunn freshman year played 27mpg shot 31% and averaged 3.8ppg
Isaiah Whitehead shot 36% last year
Ryan Arcidiacano freshman year played shot 34% averaged 11ppg

I think some of you guys have unrealistic expectations sometimes of players early in their career. Patience.

Kris Dunn freshman year played 27mpg shot 31% and averaged 3.8ppg
Isaiah Whitehead shot 36% last year
Ryan Arcidiacano freshman year played shot 34% averaged 11ppg

I think some of you guys have unrealistic expectations sometimes of players early in their career. Patience.

So the unrealistic expectations aren't from the people who say Mussini is the best shooter since Chris Mullin, it's the people who say he isn't. Good point.

Quote from: Dave on March 09, 2016, 07:41:37 AM

Kris Dunn freshman year played 27mpg shot 31% and averaged 3.8ppg
Isaiah Whitehead shot 36% last year
Ryan Arcidiacano freshman year played shot 34% averaged 11ppg

I think some of you guys have unrealistic expectations sometimes of players early in their career. Patience.

So the unrealistic expectations aren't from the people who say Mussini is the best shooter since Chris Mullin, it's the people who say he isn't. Good point.

Both

Quote from: Dave on March 09, 2016, 07:41:37 AM

Kris Dunn freshman year played 27mpg shot 31% and averaged 3.8ppg
Isaiah Whitehead shot 36% last year
Ryan Arcidiacano freshman year played shot 34% averaged 11ppg

I think some of you guys have unrealistic expectations sometimes of players early in their career. Patience.

So the unrealistic expectations aren't from the people who say Mussini is the best shooter since Chris Mullin, it's the people who say he isn't. Good point.

I think Mussini is a really good shooter who has taken some tough shots this year. He has good touch around the basket but struggles with contact. Physically limited defensively but has good active hands. All signs point to improvement with physical maturity and I'm good with that.

Quote from: Foad on March 09, 2016, 07:53:26 AM

Quote from: Dave on March 09, 2016, 07:41:37 AM

Kris Dunn freshman year played 27mpg shot 31% and averaged 3.8ppg
Isaiah Whitehead shot 36% last year
Ryan Arcidiacano freshman year played shot 34% averaged 11ppg

I think some of you guys have unrealistic expectations sometimes of players early in their career. Patience.

So the unrealistic expectations aren't from the people who say Mussini is the best shooter since Chris Mullin, it's the people who say he isn't. Good point.

I think Mussini is a really good shooter who has taken some tough shots this year. He has good touch around the basket but struggles with contact. Physically limited defensively but has good active hands. All signs point to improvement with physical maturity and I'm good with that.

They could point to that if he takes the summer seriously. Frankly, I think it's pretty shitty that he showed up looking like a 12 year old. He should have known that this wouldn't be easy like these Italian leagues clearly are. He did this to himself. The vanity to think that he could walk into the BE with zero muscle is unbelievable.

He got thrown around like a rag doll all year and he has only himself to blame.

Kris Dunn freshman year played 27mpg shot 31% and averaged 3.8ppg
Isaiah Whitehead shot 36% last year
Ryan Arcidiacano freshman year played shot 34% averaged 11ppg

I think some of you guys have unrealistic expectations sometimes of players early in their career. Patience.

They were BE players, and they led their team to wins at least some of the time. Mussini isn't in their class. Not even close.

Quote from: Dave on March 09, 2016, 07:41:37 AM

Kris Dunn freshman year played 27mpg shot 31% and averaged 3.8ppg
Isaiah Whitehead shot 36% last year
Ryan Arcidiacano freshman year played shot 34% averaged 11ppg

I think some of you guys have unrealistic expectations sometimes of players early in their career. Patience.

They were BE players, and they led their team to wins at least some of the time. Mussini isn't in their class. Not even close.

Dave's point is to illustrate that great players often struggle freshman year, not to classify Mussini as a peer.  None of those three had lead guard responsibilities the way that Mussini does.  Dunn was Cotton's sidekick, Whitehead had Gibbs, and Arch was one of 4 guards on the floor at all times in their freshman years.  There literally is not another natural guard (SG included) on the active roster here.  But you're right in that Mussini probably won't eventually win a BE POY or be first team all BE. 

Mussini is neither as bad as those down on him think he is, nor is he as good as he seemingly could have been when we were initially recruiting him.  He will be a fine player in a complementary role that more appropriately suits him.  His upside is Kevin Pangos, but he is more likely Jaren Sina.  And that is just fine given our roster makeup next year and beyond.