Grading Mullin after 3 games

How do you feel about him on the sidelines? How is he at game management? Calling plays? Setting up defense?

Tough to grade. Pretty obvious he doesn't have full control. Assistants are playing major roles with subs, plays out of TOs, and in play direction.

That said there has been substantial, visibal increase in his comfort level from the scrimmage games. He's getting the hang of it quickly.  I also love his energy. Seems to be having a great time. Acts more like a player than coach. 

Side note:  anyone else notice that after time outs he looks up into the stands behind the bench grinning? Not sure if he's looking for someone or just embracing the moment. Find it pretty funny.

Definitely relying on his ass't coaches for a lot of in-game coaching, adjustments and game mgt. Look forward to seeing him get more active and involved on the sidelines which I'm sure he will.

Tough to grade. Pretty obvious he doesn't have full control. Assistants are playing major roles with subs, plays out of TOs, and in play direction.

That said there has been substantial, visibal increase in his comfort level from the scrimmage games. He's getting the hang of it quickly.  I also love his energy. Seems to be having a great time. Acts more like a player than coach. 

Side note:  anyone else notice that after time outs he looks up into the stands behind the bench grinning? Not sure if he's looking for someone or just embracing the moment. Find it pretty funny.

3-0 has to be an A. When Lavin's teams were at their worst I think he was doing to much. When Harrison and Dom were juniors, the team started awful. They were playing that stupid zone and getting killed. I assumed the assistants kind of helped out and saved the season. I gave and give Lavin credit for that. It certainly seems like St Jean is doing plenty of the in game coaching. Mullin put him there. Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno have gotten plenty of credit as coaches. They didnt even wear head sets at times.
I was very happy with the last game like all of you. The team had a great comeback, but the Rutger's staff was awful. How did they not pressure us more? Even if that is not what they normally do, we have no PG and are not athletic.

One thing I really like about Mullin's coaching so far as compared to last year is the offensive gameplan. Last year it seemed like if we didn't have a fast break opportunity, our half court offense consisted of dribbling around the perimeter for 30 seconds and just praying the defense made a mistake. This year we look more structured on offense, we feed the post, set screens and create open shots for jump shooters.

The only noticeable thing that really bothered was how awful the team was at bringing the ball up. You have an ineligible point guard, and that should mean that you either fill that position with a scholarship player on the team, or you play Holifield. Holifield, whether they like it or not needs to play, and they need to take their medicine like men because this isn't anyone's fault but their own.

Im very happy w Mullin. But, too early to quantify..

The only noticeable thing that really bothered was how awful the team was at bringing the ball up. You have an ineligible point guard, and that should mean that you either fill that position with a scholarship player on the team, or you play Holifield. Holifield, whether they like it or not needs to play, and they need to take their medicine like men because this isn't anyone's fault but their own.

What makes you think Holifield is better at breaking the press than Mussini, Johnson, and or Mvoiuka?  He's a walk on SG.

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 10:57:44 AM

The only noticeable thing that really bothered was how awful the team was at bringing the ball up. You have an ineligible point guard, and that should mean that you either fill that position with a scholarship player on the team, or you play Holifield. Holifield, whether they like it or not needs to play, and they need to take their medicine like men because this isn't anyone's fault but their own.

What makes you think Holifield is better at breaking the press than Mussini, Johnson, and or Mvoiuka?  He's a walk on SG.

I've seen Holifield, and I think he can play. I've seen Johnson, and I think he can't. M'Vouika has been a pleasant surprise. Lucky to have him. Mussini is in over his head. He's talented, but he needs help.

I think a lot of the in-game stuff is classically done by assistants at most schools.  He has already said he doesn't want to micromanage the team and wants a team where his players are well prepped and coaches themselves on the floor.   I think in-game coaching is a bit overrated in terms of, people want to see some complex schematic where Mullin is out there explaining how to build a flux capacitor during TO's.  I think people will be disappointed if they're expecting that.  He will definitely be more and more involved, but he's pretty cool and collected and I don't think is going to be out there with his white board all day long telling the kids where to be.  Games are won with game prep for the most part.  Adjustments are certainly necessary, but this stuff isn't particle physics.

Quote from: Gray Chudney on November 21, 2015, 11:42:34 AM

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 10:57:44 AM

The only noticeable thing that really bothered was how awful the team was at bringing the ball up. You have an ineligible point guard, and that should mean that you either fill that position with a scholarship player on the team, or you play Holifield. Holifield, whether they like it or not needs to play, and they need to take their medicine like men because this isn't anyone's fault but their own.

What makes you think Holifield is better at breaking the press than Mussini, Johnson, and or Mvoiuka?  He's a walk on SG.

I've seen Holifield, and I think he can play. I've seen Johnson, and I think he can't. M'Vouika has been a pleasant surprise. Lucky to have him. Mussini is in over his head. He's talented, but he needs help.

But you specifically were talking about bringing the ball across half court. There has been positively no indication that Holifield would be superior to the 3 I mentioned at breaking the press.  He is a walk on SG who may be able to help if we literally have no other option.

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 12:50:39 PM

Quote from: Gray Chudney on November 21, 2015, 11:42:34 AM

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 10:57:44 AM

The only noticeable thing that really bothered was how awful the team was at bringing the ball up. You have an ineligible point guard, and that should mean that you either fill that position with a scholarship player on the team, or you play Holifield. Holifield, whether they like it or not needs to play, and they need to take their medicine like men because this isn't anyone's fault but their own.

What makes you think Holifield is better at breaking the press than Mussini, Johnson, and or Mvoiuka?  He's a walk on SG.

I've seen Holifield, and I think he can play. I've seen Johnson, and I think he can't. M'Vouika has been a pleasant surprise. Lucky to have him. Mussini is in over his head. He's talented, but he needs help.

But you specifically were talking about bringing the ball across half court. There has been positively no indication that Holifield would be superior to the 3 I mentioned at breaking the press.  He is a walk on SG who may be able to help if we literally have no other option.

What kind of an option has Durand Johnson been with the ball in his hands?

Quote from: Gray Chudney on November 21, 2015, 02:10:46 PM

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 12:50:39 PM

Quote from: Gray Chudney on November 21, 2015, 11:42:34 AM

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 10:57:44 AM

The only noticeable thing that really bothered was how awful the team was at bringing the ball up. You have an ineligible point guard, and that should mean that you either fill that position with a scholarship player on the team, or you play Holifield. Holifield, whether they like it or not needs to play, and they need to take their medicine like men because this isn't anyone's fault but their own.

What makes you think Holifield is better at breaking the press than Mussini, Johnson, and or Mvoiuka?  He's a walk on SG.

I've seen Holifield, and I think he can play. I've seen Johnson, and I think he can't. M'Vouika has been a pleasant surprise. Lucky to have him. Mussini is in over his head. He's talented, but he needs help.

But you specifically were talking about bringing the ball across half court. There has been positively no indication that Holifield would be superior to the 3 I mentioned at breaking the press.  He is a walk on SG who may be able to help if we literally have no other option.

What kind of an option has Durand Johnson been with the ball in his hands?

You've seen Holifield for 5 minutes in an exhibition game. I'm sure you have much more knowledge of his ability to break a press than Chris Mullin does.

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 12:50:39 PM

Quote from: Gray Chudney on November 21, 2015, 11:42:34 AM

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 10:57:44 AM

The only noticeable thing that really bothered was how awful the team was at bringing the ball up. You have an ineligible point guard, and that should mean that you either fill that position with a scholarship player on the team, or you play Holifield. Holifield, whether they like it or not needs to play, and they need to take their medicine like men because this isn't anyone's fault but their own.

What makes you think Holifield is better at breaking the press than Mussini, Johnson, and or Mvoiuka?  He's a walk on SG.

I've seen Holifield, and I think he can play. I've seen Johnson, and I think he can't. M'Vouika has been a pleasant surprise. Lucky to have him. Mussini is in over his head. He's talented, but he needs help.

But you specifically were talking about bringing the ball across half court. There has been positively no indication that Holifield would be superior to the 3 I mentioned at breaking the press.  He is a walk on SG who may be able to help if we literally have no other option.

Yes, there is. Holifield can dribble the ball. Johnson can't.

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 02:12:49 PM

Quote from: Gray Chudney on November 21, 2015, 02:10:46 PM

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 12:50:39 PM

Quote from: Gray Chudney on November 21, 2015, 11:42:34 AM

Quote from: Poison on November 21, 2015, 10:57:44 AM

The only noticeable thing that really bothered was how awful the team was at bringing the ball up. You have an ineligible point guard, and that should mean that you either fill that position with a scholarship player on the team, or you play Holifield. Holifield, whether they like it or not needs to play, and they need to take their medicine like men because this isn't anyone's fault but their own.

What makes you think Holifield is better at breaking the press than Mussini, Johnson, and or Mvoiuka?  He's a walk on SG.

I've seen Holifield, and I think he can play. I've seen Johnson, and I think he can't. M'Vouika has been a pleasant surprise. Lucky to have him. Mussini is in over his head. He's talented, but he needs help.

But you specifically were talking about bringing the ball across half court. There has been positively no indication that Holifield would be superior to the 3 I mentioned at breaking the press.  He is a walk on SG who may be able to help if we literally have no other option.

What kind of an option has Durand Johnson been with the ball in his hands?

You've seen Holifield for 5 minutes in an exhibition game. I'm sure you have much more knowledge of his ability to break a press than Chris Mullin does.

+1

You can't grade a coach after three games. He's done more than anyone could have expected thus far. I just hope that the 3-0 start hasn't got some to believe this team has a chance to do some damage this year.  It's all about getting better for the future -- not just for the three freshmen (and Jones, Williams, and AA), but also for the trio redshirting.

As for leaning on his assistants, he'd have to be an assh*le not to.  This is his first year coaching in college and I think it's a positive that he doesn't let his ego get in the way of delegating and trusting his assistants.  He'd drawn up a few big plays when he had to.

The only noticeable thing that really bothered was how awful the team was at bringing the ball up. You have an ineligible point guard, and that should mean that you either fill that position with a scholarship player on the team, or you play Holifield. Holifield, whether they like it or not needs to play, and they need to take their medicine like men because this isn't anyone's fault but their own.

They tried to, remember. They got Mussini and Lovett, but Lovett was ineligible.  They tried to get Tarrant for a graduate year, this year, but he chose not to come here.  This isn't the NBA where you can draft people.  They have to agree to come and Mullin and staff only had a very short recruiting season to work with.  They did as good of a job as could be expected.

You can't grade a coach after three games. He's done more than anyone could have expected thus far. I just hope that the 3-0 start hasn't got some to believe this team has a chance to do some damage this year.  It's all about getting better for the future -- not just for the three freshmen (and Jones, Williams, and AA), but also for the trio redshirting.

^^^^
This!

As far as Durand goes, a lot posters seem to be down on him. A lot of times when a guy has a subpar game, it's because of what the other team is doing.  They were keying on him.  Now he shouldn't have been dribbling so much, but still, they were keying on him. Another point: If you think about it, Rutgers prepared for Ellison and Williams, and got Balamou instead.  Vandy's going to have a scouting report on Felix now, and they're a good team with a smart coach, so it's going to get a  little tougher.

As far as Durand goes, a lot posters seem to be down on him. A lot of times when a guy has a subpar game, it's because of what the other team is doing.  They were keying on him.  Now he shouldn't have been dribbling so much, but still, they were keying on him. Another point: If you think about it, Rutgers prepared for Ellison and Williams, and got Balamou instead.  Vandy's going to have a scouting report on Felix now, and they're a good team with a smart coach, so it's going to get a  little tougher.

It's gonna be a "little tougher" because Vandy is a good team.  But, I'm sure Stallings will key on Johnson, Mussini, and Sima.  They'll probably take their chances with Balamou, as most teams will do this season.