Initial Mussini Impression

@CNG_Staszewski: Mussini impressing with more than shooting touch https://t.co/uVxjIhFMxd #sjubb

He was 4-17 and 2-11 from three.  Sure it was a scrimmage...but to extol the virtues of his shooting is a bit premature. He shoots from five feet beyond the arc...way too far.

He was 4-17 and 2-11 from three.  Sure it was a scrimmage...but to extol the virtues of his shooting is a bit premature. He shoots from five feet beyond the arc...way too far.

He shot it much better in the Nike Hoop Summit this summer.  His stroke is pure, range is NBA deep and his shot selection seems good for a freshman. 

One thing I've learned over the years is you can never put too much stock in scrimages and exhibitions.  Let's wait and see how he progresses in Nov. and Dec. 

His shot will be fine once he settles in.....passing is great....issues will be defense, strength and whether he is a step slow.   Also,  I wonder what happens when he and Lovett have to guard 6 foot 4 inch players.

They'll both be fun to watch for sure.

I was more impressed with how he played team basketball than I was with his shooting. I think he can run the offense. He passed the ball well, and he had a purpose for the decisions he made. I loved the player Phil Greene became last year, because he found his niche, but he never had the ability to see the court. Mussini does. He'll take his lumps at first because he's tiny, but if he sticks around, he could be a valuable 4 year guy.

I agree 100%, but hard to imagine him doing all of that with Kris Dunne's hands blocking his vision.

I'm impressed with how quickly he moves the pace and his court awareness. 

I was more impressed with how he played team basketball than I was with his shooting. I think he can run the offense. He passed the ball well, and he had a purpose for the decisions he made. I loved the player Phil Greene became last year, because he found his niche, but he never had the ability to see the court. Mussini does. He'll take his lumps at first because he's tiny, but if he sticks around, he could be a valuable 4 year guy.

Agree, the amount of good basketball instincts shown by Mussini, Lovett, and Ellison is great. So much further ahead in that area, IMO.

He was 4-17 and 2-11 from three.  Sure it was a scrimmage...but to extol the virtues of his shooting is a bit premature. He shoots from five feet beyond the arc...way too far.

this is the preseason. This is the time for over exaggerated predictions and comparisons of players and Mussini makes it more interesting because he can be compared to white players like Stockton

But he does look interesting and I really like Ellison and he looks like he will be really nice player for us over the years

Give the freshmen time & they will be nice players. To expect consistency year one is silly. This year should be challenging, but the beginning of good things. Mussini has the advantage of playing against pros back home. Thus his play will probably reflect more maturation & experience. As noted by others, he just needs to get stronger & will be challenged defensively by more physical guards. Btw, Yakwe will be a solid four year player, but definitely could benefit from a red shirt year to also get stronger & refine his game. Enjoy watching all the new kids develop, but be patient.

What people always forget about shooters is it is not just the shot, but ability to get off clean looks. Guys who can knock down shots under duress are rare. Guys who can shoot also need to be able to create enough space to get shot off.

he is a step slow defensively,  with his size it will be a problem.  offensively pretty mature, like his stroke...should be able to drive and dish when his jumper is overplayed

I'm not seeing the slow everyone refers to.
Is he slower than Dee?

Typically Europeans arrive here lacking when it comes to playing defense. After seeing him over the summer in Fiba and reading most reports, he should have no problem putting up solid offensive numbers in his first year. Very steady player.

i think he is going to be a very good 4 year player. Not trying to upset carmine but I think he will be better then Phil Greene who he is somewhat replacing. He will be a better PG and hopefully play a smaller role because hopefully we have plenty of capable players and guys like Greene and mussini won't have to play 30 plus minutes a game.
He may be small but he battled hard vs team USA. I think he will be a fan favorite very soon.

i think he is going to be a very good 4 year player. Not trying to upset carmine but I think he will be better then Phil Greene who he is somewhat replacing. He will be a better PG and hopefully play a smaller role because hopefully we have plenty of capable players and guys like Greene and mussini won't have to play 30 plus minutes a game.
He may be small but he battled hard vs team USA. I think he will be a fan favorite very soon.

I'm actively interviewing players in my basement, plus vetting players in an extensive search to find a new MFP ( most favorite player ). 

Perhaps it'll be Federico.  He's Italian.  That's a good start.

I'm not seeing the slow everyone refers to.
Is he slower than Dee?

He's quicker but he's not nearly as big or strong.  Good instincts though and looks like he'll be a very coachable kid. I'm impressed with him and like him as a 20 mpg player on some better teams down the line...perhaps more.

He pushes off on almost every possession where he his defended tightly.  Staff needs to break him of this habit.  Show him tape...he doesn't seem to be aware he does it.  In the Big East, he'll get called for three offensive fouls the first three minutes he's on the court.  It should take less than a month to break the habit once he understands.

I'm not worried at all about his shot once he settles in....probably soon.  Great to have Sima backing up his weak defense with his presence in the paint.