Braylon Mullins Homecoming

[husky429]

I know it’s unlikely. Is there a 20 million injury insurance
policy that could make that happen for 1 more year? His father seems ok with him staying. He gets stronger and becomes a top 5 pick. Just wishin’ and hope’in.

The last time a sophomore was drafted top-5 was 2022. 2019 before that.

Going top-5 as a sophomore is exceedingly unlikely for a lot of reasons.

 

[98Uconn]

My wife and I met Braylon’s parents Friday earlier in the day before the SJ game. Spent a fair amount of time talking with them about hoops, raising kids and life in general. Very nice people

 

[Nameless]

This injury conversation happens often with returning players, but who is the last one to come back and got injured to the point it hurt their draft stock?

I feel like I can’t recall a situation like this but I’m also probably not thinking very hard about it.

Not saying this is the most recent example. I don't follow the NBA as much as I used to so I couldn't tell you. But Jared Sullinger is a cautionary tale in regards to coming back. Guy was locked in as a top 2 pick. Came back to Ohio State and fell all the way to 21. Then, IIRC, had his career in the NBA cut short due to back problems.

So, not only did he miss out on a much bigger contract than he would have had he entered the draft and gotten picked in the first 2 picks. He also missed out on a year of earning potential in a career that was much shorter than it would have been had he stayed healthy.

 

[HW611]

The last time a sophomore was drafted top-5 was 2022. 2019 before that.

Going top-5 as a sophomore is exceedingly unlikely for a lot of reasons.

Have you seen next year’s draft class?

 

[HW611]

Not saying this is the most recent example. I don't follow the NBA as much as I used to so I couldn't tell you. But Jared Sullinger is a cautionary tale in regards to coming back. Guy was locked in as a top 2 pick. Came back to Ohio State and fell all the way to 21. Then, IIRC, had his career in the NBA cut short due to back problems.

So, not only did he miss out on a much bigger contract than he would have had he entered the draft and gotten picked in the first 2 picks. He also missed out on a year of earning potential in a career that was much shorter than it would have been had he stayed healthy.

I forgot about this situation and it’s insane someone would walk away from being a top 2 pick.

 

[Waquoit]

Not saying this is the most recent example. I don't follow the NBA as much as I used to so I couldn't tell you. But Jared Sullinger is a cautionary tale in regards to coming back. Guy was locked in as a top 2 pick. Came back to Ohio State and fell all the way to 21.

IMO, Khalid El-Amin should have bailed a year earlier.

 

[Waquoit]

Would love to seem incorporated in the offense sets in a way to get more shots. Wednesday would be as good a time as any to start.

Absolutely, Pitino knows that Mullins is the key to UConn winning. Does Dan?

 

[ucp990411]

I'd like to see him get 12 shots a game. 8 threes, 4 twos. Ish. Run the zoom and Iverson curls we did for Hawkins in '23.

I think he needs to get 15 shots a game. I remember RIP took 27 shots in a game at Miami. Had a terrible shooting game but he kept shooting, then he made a 3 in the last minute that clinched the win. Calhoun's circle play.

 

[husky429]

Have you seen next year’s draft class?

Inconsequential

 

[REB1094]

Hurley won’t change the gameplan to get him more looks. But if we build a big lead then it’d be nice to see Braylon get a longer leash to let it fly for the hometown crowd

If he makes the shots, that’s reason to get him more looks in the future. If he doesn’t, vindication that the playbook is calibrated correctly. Win/win!

Regarding the professional comments: the best way to solidify yourself as a top pick is to perform. Focus on making a deep run and winning a title. If that happens, more than likely Braylon played great and his draft stock will improve

Thinking of 2023 Hawkins who played himself from around 20 into the lottery. Or Andre into the early 2nd round. Or Newton/Cam who got drafted despite being relatively old and unathletic guards. Braylon has a much higher floor/ceiling but the idea still applies

 

[Jaydumo20]

Yes, please. Would also like to see him get the ball in more isolation sets and screen/roll actions. He reads/uses on-ball screens quite well and is an excellent passer. There's much more to his game than just a shooter. I'd argue that he's our most talented offensive player in a long, long time, and I think he is being underutilized.

Especially for those mid range jumpers. I dont have the stat in front of me but those iso j's from the right hand side seem like such a high percentage shot for him.

I was watching some of the sets they used to run for cam. 4 or 5 screens before he gets that open look. In many of em Clingan is heavily involved. He was such a good facilitator for a big man.

 

[husky429]

Hurley won’t change the gameplan to get him more looks.

Why not?

 

[superjohn]

Why not?

He simply needs to shoot more for us to realize our ultimate goals.

We're still a top team but we have some pretty clear flaws that will hold us back from reaching those goals if they aren't fixed. We simply don't get to the foul line nearly enough and when we do get there we aren't making ft's at a good enough clip. We have so much trouble getting the ball inbounds against pressure which has been a recurring issue under Hurley. Braylon isn't a big enough part of the offense/isn't getting up enough shots. If we don't fix these things we won't win it all and we probably won't win the Big East.

 

[HW611]

Especially for those mid range jumpers. I dont have the stat in front of me but those iso j's from the right hand side seem like such a high percentage shot for him.

The numbers are available on cbbanalytics.com

But my trial has unfortunately expired for now lol

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

You need to stop saying "BM"

My sister & I text throughout each game, often with emojis and GIFs. The first time we heard that his full name is Braylon Anthony Mullins, we had our obvious choice. This is a different version, but this was in the GIF search.

 

[Drfla]

Yes, please. Would also like to see him get the ball in more isolation sets and screen/roll actions. He reads/uses on-ball screens quite well and is an excellent passer. There's much more to his game than just a shooter. I'd argue that he's our most talented offensive player in a long, long time, and I think he is being underutilized.

Couldn’t agree more. Get him the ball more. Braylon can be the difference maker. Now is the time.

 

[jibsey]

Why not?

Hurley has the input of Luke Murray, Kiwami Young and Mike Nardi. That’s a ton of BBIQ and experience, far more than what’s on this board. They probably all need to come to agreement and how to implement it this late in the season, but Hurley is the decider. Will they do it?
We have been very successful against great and high ranked teams but could this help?

 

[HW611]

Hurley has the input of Luke Murray, Kiwami Young and Mike Nardi. That’s a ton of BBIQ and experience, far more than what’s on this board. They probably all need to come to agreement and how to implement it this late in the season, but Hurley is the decider. Will they do it?
We have been very successful against great and high ranked teams but could this help?

There’s also the (rightful) belief that nothing is wrong and we just have to get out of big east play for our offense to flourish again.

 

[ucp990411]

He simply needs to shoot more for us to realize our ultimate goals.

We're still a top team but we have some pretty clear flaws that will hold us back from reaching those goals if they aren't fixed. We simply don't get to the foul line nearly enough and when we do get there we aren't making ft's at a good enough clip. We have so much trouble getting the ball inbounds against pressure which has been a recurring issue under Hurley. Braylon isn't a big enough part of the offense/isn't getting up enough shots. If we don't fix these things we won't win it all and we probably won't win the Big East.

We had 2 players take free throws vs SJU. Karaban, Mullins and Ball simply don’t make plays where they might get fouled. That’s 3 starters

 

[twiceahusky]

Absolutely, Pitino knows that Mullins is the key to UConn winning. Does Dan?

Some members of this board heap so much praise upon Pitino. Yuck.

I’ll take Hurley and the way he runs it. We get a few guys to come back, we sprinkle in a few transfers, we play well in March and April, we don’t feel like we are one donor away from blowing up our NIL.

Sure we can’t inbound, aren’t tough, play down to others, can’t get BM open looks, suck in the fast break, can get to the foul line, and lots of other things folks complain about … but Pitino has his warts, especially out of conference.

Sit back and enjoy, smart coaches are guiding us.

 

[REB1094]

Why not?

I meant he won’t change it for this game specifically because Braylon is playing at home

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I don't know if Mullins is going to do it but I am exceptionally confident that someone will get drafted this year and, because he wasn't happy about who drafted him or what pick he was, will state that he is returning to school.

With the NCAA's decision on Nnaji, it will be basically impossible for them to say he isn't eligible to return.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I don't know if Mullins is going to do it but I am exceptionally confident that someone will get drafted this year and, because he wasn't happy about who drafted him or what pick he was, will state that he is returning to school.

With the NCAA's decision on Nnaji, it will be basically impossible for them to say he isn't eligible to return.

Not saying this is impossible, in fact I’m sure someone will challenge it soon. But this scenario is more like the Bediako case than Nnaji. Nnaji never played college ball before this winter.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Not saying this is impossible, in fact I’m sure someone will challenge it soon. But this scenario is more like the Bediako case than Nnaji. Nnaji never played college ball before this winter.

Nnaji was drafted by an NBA team. The current NCAA rule making a player ineligible is based on his not withdrawing from the draft.

The NCAA just set a (dangerous) precedent in stating that a drafted player who never played an NBA game (he did play summer league) can play intercollegiate men's basketball.

There is no way the NCAA could win this argument.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Nnaji was drafted by an NBA team. The current NCAA rule making a player ineligible is based on his not withdrawing from the draft.

The NCAA just set a (dangerous) precedent in stating that a drafted player who never played an NBA game (he did play summer league) can play intercollegiate men's basketball.

There is no way the NCAA could win this argument.

I have no doubt it will be challenged. And I’m not 100% up to date on the rules. But doesn’t a current player in college basketball need to willingly forgo their eligibility to stay in the NBA draft (à la Bediako)?

PS: I agree with you btw it was a dangerous precedent