Braylon Mullins is emerging as UConn’s next breakout star

[HooperScooper]

Very good article from Mike Anthony. Definitely worth a read. Not AI generated. 😀 Figured it deserved its own thread.

“When I got on campus — I think I came in the beginning of August — they just treated you so well, and they were like, ‘We’re going to put you to work, and you’re going to get better,’” Mullins said. “No other school was telling me that. [Others] were like, ‘You’re going to have fun and enjoy it,’ this kind of thing. This, it was, ‘You’re going to go to work. I’m going to push you to be the best player and person you’re going to be.’ You can’t say no to that. That’s how I thought about it.”

https://www.nhregister.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/braylon-mullins-dan-hurley-nba-21305559.php

The RuffRuff Alternate Access™:
Braylon Mullins is emerging as UConn’s next breakout star. Enjoy him while you can.

 

[Kemba15]

The culture Hurley has built is simply incredible, cannot be stated enough

 

[uconngb]

Great article, great kid, great future

 

[CL82]

I kind of thought over time, especially when I cut my schools down, you just have to focus on the relationship part, building on what you need to do with the coaching staffs. That’s kind of what it was. I took a visit here and it was like, oh, man. It changed my perspective on everything. I was like, this place is damn near perfect.”😍

When I was at the scorer’s table at MSG, it was a surreal moment,” Mullins said. “Chills. Just knowing this place had my back, it gave me a bunch of confidence.

Storrs South, baby!

Excellent read!

 

[Lafayette]

Cannot be understated how the ankle injury slowed his progress this year.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Great kid. Great attitude. Great parenting job!

 

[RuffRuff]

Great article, great kid, great future

He does what the best of coaches do, in building a rich foundational culture that kids connect with and want to be part of. It attracts the right kids, and they stay connected for life.

 

[Al Czervik]

This was a cool moment to see him check in at MSG and hear the crowd reaction. Bright future ahead of him and glad he chose UConn!

 

[bendm]

Have we had too many mouths to feed on offense since Mullins moved into the starting lineup? In 23 Sanogo, Hawk and TNew handled the scoring load. They were the only 3 guys that averaged double figures. In 24 all 5 starters averaged double figures but that was the greatest offense ever. All 5 starters are averaging double figures this year but something is off. Can’t help thinking Solo would be more effective as the 6th man on this squad, like Joey C 2.0, he could just let it rip every time he comes in.

 

[RuffRuff]

Have we had too many mouths to feed on offense since Mullins moved into the starting lineup? In 23 Sanogo, Hawk and TNew handled the scoring load. They were the only 3 guys that averaged double figures. In 24 all 5 starters averaged double figures but that was the greatest offense ever. All 5 starters are averaging double figures this year but something is off. Can’t help thinking Solo would be more effective as the 6th man on this squad, like Joey C 2.0, he could just let it rip every time he comes in.

Yup having defined roles and complimentary roles is important. Having two guys that are basically the same position (2G) with the same purpose and strengths create a glut.

I too could see Solo better off the bench. Won’t happen.

 

[Gurleyman]

Yup having defined roles and complimentary roles is important. Having two guys that are basically the same position (2G) with the same purpose and strengths create a glut.

I too could see Solo better off the bench. Won’t happen.

A 2 and a 3 typically aren’t all that different in a college offense. Florida just won a national title with 3 guards all averaging 13 ppg plus as their 3 leading scorers, beating a Houston team that had 3 guards all averaging 11 ppg plus as their 3 leading scorers. Houston has the same dynamic this year (Florida has gone a little bigger with Haugh at the 3).

I don’t really think Solo and Mullins should have trouble co-existing. Both can shoot, and once things get settled, I think Solo’s second thing will be being a guy who slashes/gets downhill and Mullins’ will be more being a second passer. Still have only seen glimpses of the passing gene out of Mullins - which might be the biggest thing we have to unlock in order to find another level. Demary/Smith have been the only real assist guys out there - we had Jackson/Newton and Newton/Spencer/Castle.

 

[Kitaman]

This is the month Mullins 'catches up' and fully recovers from his D1 delay, essentially falling behind. He is only going to get better!

Its terrible that the list of top freshman players omits his name. They will all know his name next month. Just watch!

 

[BGesus4]

Yup having defined roles and complimentary roles is important. Having two guys that are basically the same position (2G) with the same purpose and strengths create a glut.

I too could see Solo better off the bench. Won’t happen.

Wait, we want fewer great shooters on the court?

People need to stop conflating solo not shooting well right now, with his role not being an important/effective one.

The math is easy having two guards who are deadly shooters on the court is better than one—and they don’t play every minute together, regardless of who starts.

 

[RuffRuff]

Wait, we want fewer great shooters on the court?

People need to stop conflating solo not shooting well right now, with his role not being an important/effective one.

The math is easy having two guards who are deadly shooters on the court is better than one—and they don’t play every minute together, regardless of who starts.

Not at the sake of having good defense, etc.

 

[uconngb]

Not at the sake of having good defense, etc.

Solo just needs to play better…..it’s that simple

 

[Lafayette]

Solo just needs to play better…..it’s that simple

A week off is just what the doctor ordered! This is a big, nationally televised game, so we tend to be UP for those!

 

[AllHusky]

Yup having defined roles and complimentary roles is important. Having two guys that are basically the same position (2G) with the same purpose and strengths create a glut.

I too could see Solo better off the bench. Won’t happen.

said the same thing in another thread, my wish is Solo gets 6th man of the year in BE!! Got trashed suggesting Ross(when he is 100% back) or Stew start over him. They don't have to play the whole game for goodness sakes. Solo would get more minutes than either one.

 

[RuffRuff]

said the same thing in another thread, my wish is Solo gets 6th man of the year in BE!! Got trashed suggesting Ross(when he is 100% back) or Stew start over him. They don't have to play the whole game for goodness sakes. Solo would get more minutes than either one.

I think the whole point is not having Solo and Mullins on at the same time. This way they can act as primary shooter when out there.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

We don’t have that much longer with him in a Husky uniform but I have a feeling we’re going to see some absolutely spectacular games from him in that time.

 

[HooperScooper]

This is the month Mullins 'catches up' and fully recovers from his D1 delay, essentially falling behind. He is only going to get better!

Its terrible that the list of top freshman players omits his name. They will all know his name next month. Just watch!

Some do.

10. Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn​

Previous Rank: Unranked

Biggest performance so far: 24 points, 3 assists, 6 3-pointers vs. Providence on Jan. 7

Mullins' numbers at this point in the season aren't on the same level as the other players on these rankings: The Indiana native is averaging 11.6 points and 3.8 rebounds entering the week. But he's on an upward trajectory as we enter the final stretch of the regular season. He was even the player Dan Hurley drew up plays for in overtime against Providence earlier this month. Mullins missed the first month of the season with an ankle injury but scored 17 points on the road at Kansas in the second game of his career and immediately forced his way into the starting lineup for the No. 2 Huskies. He was arguably the best shooter in the 2025 class coming out of high school, and he has already made at least five 3s twice in Big East play. -- Borzello

Reranking men's college basketball Freshman of the Year contenders

Darryn Peterson has finally entered the top 10, along with two other players. Cameron Boozer remains No. 1.

www.espn.com

 

[Kitaman]

Some do.

10. Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn​

Previous Rank: Unranked

Biggest performance so far: 24 points, 3 assists, 6 3-pointers vs. Providence on Jan. 7

Mullins' numbers at this point in the season aren't on the same level as the other players on these rankings: The Indiana native is averaging 11.6 points and 3.8 rebounds entering the week. But he's on an upward trajectory as we enter the final stretch of the regular season. He was even the player Dan Hurley drew up plays for in overtime against Providence earlier this month. Mullins missed the first month of the season with an ankle injury but scored 17 points on the road at Kansas in the second game of his career and immediately forced his way into the starting lineup for the No. 2 Huskies. He was arguably the best shooter in the 2025 class coming out of high school, and he has already made at least five 3s twice in Big East play. -- Borzello

Reranking men's college basketball Freshman of the Year contenders

Darryn Peterson has finally entered the top 10, along with two other players. Cameron Boozer remains No. 1.

www.espn.com

I luv your sources!

 

[HooperScooper]

I luv your sources!

Thanks. At least some posters like me. There's this one poster on here who I think wants to kill me. But he does seem very unstable so it's not surprising. 🤣