Braylon Mullins Support

[jorge34]

Needs to be more locked in and engaged on defense, at times he is. Been phenomenal mid range; needs to lean into that while his 3 point shot is off. IMO, the problem started in Big crap East play, the way he was ALLOWED to be guarded….or abused. With his slight build, they were very physical with him coming off and around screens….St. John’s went as far as GRABBING him around the waist to slow him down…
Very easy for shot to go off mechanically, and it did. as a result, it’s now in his head. Probably first time in his life he’s been in a shooting slump.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I think it’s fair to expect more from a 5 star, top 25 kid after seeing the success of so many freshmen this year across the country. The offense is also designed to get him open looks. We’re getting them, just not hitting. He’s been great in the midrange but we need our deep threat to hit shots. Same with solo.

 

[Shabazzkets]

A few games ago people on here were calling taris soft. Point is, opinions don’t matter. “Fans” can criticize all they want. Most times, their opinions are self motivated and aren’t shared at all with the ones actually making the decisions. Thankfully for Braylon, what’s real vs what is said on here is dramatically different.

A few games ago Tarris was playing soft. I don’t know why it is so hard to accept criticism of our own players, as long as it stays respectful.

 

[RuffRuff]

A few games ago Tarris was playing soft. I don’t know why it is so hard to accept criticism of our own players, as long as it stays respectful.

And no better feeling as a fan to see him play to his potential. Part of his "softness" is the inconsistency.

 

[Jaydumo20]

I agree with the OP. I didnt read the other comments. He had a bad shooting night. Who cares? That's my guy

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I’m more frustrated with the fact that often when Solo, Mullins and AK’s shots aren’t falling, they don’t have much impact elsewhere. But Braylon was money from 2, just wish he would use that pump fake more often. He made some big defensive plays late as well. Just need these guys to have other impacts as well.

 

[Icehawk]

I don’t get why people in the chat were so mad when Mullins shot an open 3 with about 5 seconds left in the half, was it frustrating the way the half ended yes, those getting mad at him for taking that open 3 would’ve been ranting if he didn’t shoot it.

There was 10s left, that was the problem.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I’m more frustrated with the fact that often when Solo, Mullins and AK’s shots aren’t falling, they don’t have much impact elsewhere. But Braylon was money from 2, just wish he would use that pump fake more often. He made some big defensive plays late as well. Just need these guys to have other impacts as well.

Mullins had six assists against one turnover and a couple huge steals that kept us in control of the game. The three point shooting is obviously a mess but I thought he had his fingerprints on the game in other ways.

I just hope he finds his shot before we run out of time with it.

 

[FlyBono]

Stay in school!
Young player with much upside, shows flashes, more inconsistent than anything but that will improve….

McNeeley perfect example of a player who should have stayed at least another year
Now he’s a G League player or riding pine..

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Mullins had six assists against one turnover and a couple huge steals that kept us in control of the game. The three point shooting is obviously a mess but I thought he had his fingerprints on the game in other ways.

I just hope he finds his shot before we run out of time with it.

Sure did, I thought he was A LOT better overall in the 2nd half, even if the shots still weren’t going down. His defense in the first half was a little rough though. His slight frame understandably makes it a little hard for him to get around screens, and that shooter was taking advantage of that.

 

[Hurleyman216]

Ironically I haven’t seen @JustbrewitMan in any of these threads, but the guy should be banned from ever entering a game chat after the absolute garbage he was posting in the game chat last night. If he’s in the chat on Sunday I will not be. Totally unacceptable crap he was spewing with personal attacks on our players (Mullins in particular)

 

[uconngb]

That stretch where Mullins hit midrange shots were huge it put us in control of the game pretty much. Criticism is one thing running on your narrative and continued piling on is another.

I don’t get why people in the chat were so mad when Mullins shot an open 3 with about 5 seconds left in the half, was it frustrating the way the half ended yes, those getting mad at him for taking that open 3 would’ve been ranting if he didn’t shoot it.

Cuz he shot it without about NINE seconds left, not 5. Worst case there, you get the last shot, even if it misses. Anyone who has played or understands basketball knows that was a horrific shot.

 

[Pmac923]

The majority of people on here don’t understand sports. For the most part it’s a bunch of spoiled and entitled trolls. Part of what makes sports great is overcoming adversity and struggles. These young athletes will go through slumps but are playing here because they can make these shots. Braylon is a phenomenal shooter and they will start to fall. As a fan of the program I can’t wait to see them start to fall. And if they don’t that’s okay too, that’s sports. But we need to support him because it’ll make the victories that much sweeter.

 

[aceboon]

I don’t even question the shot selection. Shooters shoot. Let him fire away.

I think that play at halftime was actually what Hurley drew up, just 2 seconds too early. With the way we were rebounding the ball, it seemed like a good plan, jack up a 3 and have enough time for a second chance look if it misses. I think Mullins just slightly got sped up and lost track of the time, it happens.

There's not a chance that's what Hurley drew up because Furman came out in a zone to end the half when they were playing man to man all game before that.

 

[Trudy Gay]

He is NBA ready, it literally took a few plays at the beginning of the season to see that. All the people saying “if I was an NBA exec blah blah blah” are so insufferable. This is in fact why you are not an NBA exec. I love the kid and I’m rooting for him, he is a killer.

 

[RuffRuff]

Stay in school!
Young player with much upside, shows flashes, more inconsistent than anything but that will improve….

McNeeley perfect example of a player who should have stayed at least another year
Now he’s a G League player or riding pine..

In McNeeley's defense, not sure coming back would have gotten him a better draft spot in this draft. Charlotte is loaded with young talent, the G league is perfectly fine for him.

We had a lot of NBA draft momentum coming off 2024 having put 6 guys in - it's cooling off quick after McNeeley's drop and what feels like Mullins mirroring.

 

[businesslawyer]

I agree with your first sentiment.

The second paragraph, I’d be shocked if that was the plan. Up 7 with 14 on the clock, out of a time out, you can’t shoot on 1 pass w 10 left. There’s no coach in America that would want that scenario.

Hurley’s look after the shot made clear that was not the plan. Unlike the Boneyard, Hurley isn’t shocked when a player misses a 3.

 

[RuffRuff]

Hurley’s look after the shot made clear that was not the plan. Unlike the Boneyard, Hurley isn’t shocked when a player misses a 3.

I'm sure he is a bit surprised after the top two guys miss 13 of 14.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I agree that the board should lay off insulting our players generally, but not sure I agree that calling someone “not NBA ready” is below the belt. Personal attacks absolutely off limits, but criticizing shot selection, saying that he hasn’t live up to the hype, etc. in my opinion are fair game for kids getting paid to play. Do I agree with it in all cases? No, but I think calling it out is a bit of pearl clutching

How do you feel about fans holding themselves to levels of maturity? Not a personal attack, but a genuine curiosity about what seemingly exempts or excuses behavior by posters, even if it explains it.

 

[HooperScooper]

The negativity is actually insane and so bad that I had to leave the chat. This place has become insufferable.

I haven't been in the chat in at least 2 years. I can't even imagine what it was like last night. I just screamed at the TV instead so nobody heard me and there is no record of my complaints. 😀

 

[TheHorde]

Physical mistakes like missed shots happen, and you live with them. Mental mistakes are tougher to accept, but people make mistakes. Let’s see how the kid bounces back from it. We grow the most through adversity.

 

[Husky Alien]

Take Big Boy NIL money, Big Boy play and Big Boy criticism are part and parcel. No need to carry a torch for him.

Mullins is 19, expecting “Big Boy” polish every possession like he’s a 10-year vet is wild. NIL doesn’t fast forward the learning curve, it just puts it under brighter lights. Critique away, but let’s not act like he should already be a finished product. And relax nobody’s “carrying a torch” for him. "Big Boy"

 

[HailUConn]

I think we are spoiled by the likes of Castle.
Mullins still just freshman. His shooting will come but these plays are so instinctual and you cannot teach…

 

[JB75]

Yeah. I don’t get the hate for Braylon. Besides the rough 3 pt shooting , he had good drives, nice pull ups good middy , 2 big steals, decent D. The one who really is killing us right now is solo. And I love solo , but when he’s Jacking ish up like he usually does -and missing - he needs to come out of game. And Braylon- can u not be so quick to give the ball up ? Break your man down off the dribble , or hit that fadeaway. Don’t get why he doesn’t take it ever to the hole really.

 

[PAHusky]

How do you feel about fans holding themselves to levels of maturity? Not a personal attack, but a genuine curiosity about what seemingly exempts or excuses behavior by posters, even if it explains it.

Genuinely not sure what you’re asking here Hans but familiar with your moralizing schtick. I think it’s an Internet forum. I think ad hominem attacks and personal shots at players are out of bounds, but criticism of their play - whether you agree with it or not, or agree with the tone or nature of the statement - is fair game. We’re all adults here, and there’s plenty of people who will take it upon themselves to preach and police as necessary anyways

 

[husky8273]

Mullins is 19, expecting “Big Boy” polish every possession like he’s a 10-year vet is wild. NIL doesn’t fast forward the learning curve, it just puts it under brighter lights. Critique away, but let’s not act like he should already be a finished product. And relax nobody’s “carrying a torch” for him. "Big Boy"

Mullins will soon be 19.

 

[Husky Alien]

I agree that the board should lay off insulting our players generally, but not sure I agree that calling someone “not NBA ready” is below the belt. Personal attacks absolutely off limits, but criticizing shot selection, saying that he hasn’t live up to the hype, etc. in my opinion are fair game for kids getting paid to play. Do I agree with it in all cases? No, but I think calling it out is a bit of pearl clutching

Fair on basketball criticism, shot selection and consistency are absolutely fair game.
But personal shots at a 19-year-old crosses the line. “Not NBA ready” is all hoop talk. Saying he doesn’t belong in the NBA when he hasn’t even declared is just forcing a narrative he never made.
Critique the play, not the person. That’s respect, not pearl-clutching.

 

[PAHusky]

It’s one thing to have an opinion. It’s quite different to slander a kid who you should be a fan of and who most evaluators have in the top 16 of the draft. He is the 4th option in this team. He isn’t nba ready yet he shoots like 80% in midrange(slight exaggeration), he distributes the ball as well as anyone in the team, and has two stellar defensive plays last night that helped seal the win. I mean, sometimes it’s best to keep your opinion s to yourself, especially when the actual take is moronic.

I think you’re interpreting differences of opinion as slander. You could look at Mullins’ game last night and say he made winning plays when it counts and you could see glimpses. You can also watch it and say he was 0-8 from 3 and got outplayed by the freshman on the 15 seed. Both opinions maybe not be true but both are valid. Just because you don’t agree with a take doesn’t make it moronic

 

[Dove]

The comments in last nights' chat was nuclear waste level tripe.

 

[aceboon]

We’ve gotten spoiled.

Castle, Liam, Mullins…our marquee freshmen of late have been soooo damn good, like, freshmen shouldn’t be this good, but we’ve just gotten used to it.

Mullins is sooooo freakin’ good: creative shot maker, elite moving without the ball in the halfcourt, brings it on the defensive end.

I realize it’s a lot to ask since he’s got NBA aspirations, but I’d be over the moon if he returns for his sophomore year. Until then, he’s one of those special freshmen where when I watch, I savor it because we have no idea how long he’ll be here.

This is 2026, the idea that freshmen aren't supposed to be good or much expected from them has been outdated for decades, and certainly outdated in regards to the level the past two freshman classes have performed at. Neither Liam or Mullins have performed up to expectations over the entire season and certainly not in the area they were advertised as elite, 3 point shooting.