2025 Recruiting: Braylon Mullins update 7/13/24

[Ricker]

Time to organize spotters to deploy at Bradley, Hartford Hotels, popular restaurants, and strategic campus locations. (Most flights from Indianapolis to Bradley arrive by noon time today or not until late pm which doesn't seem a likely travel time). @Dove are you working this official visit? Camouflaged cleverly ? I hope this visit is spectacularly effective.

 

[navery12]

He shared on his story that he's visiting UConn today, so at least we know it's still happening

 

[bendm]

One and done pitch is aggressive. But that tells us how Dan feels about Mullins.

super aggressive. it would require Mullins starting on the wing alongside Thomas (hopefully) which would mean Ball is either in the nba next summer or still on the bench as a junior, and i wouldnt bet on either outcome

 

[Huskyforlife]

super aggressive. it would require Mullins starting on the wing alongside Thomas (hopefully) which would mean Ball is either in the nba next summer or still on the bench as a junior, and i wouldnt bet on either outcome

I could see Thomas starting as the "point guard" since his playmaking is actually very good. Between Thomas/Mullins/Ball you'd have to assume there's enough ball handling to run our sets, or a couple of those guys probably aren't 1st round prospects to begin with.

I also think Balls future is probably that of an off ball/third option ball handler anyways, so playing with 2 other natural guards might suit his game.

 

[awy]

instead of playing time they'll probably emphasize how well the staff can use and showcase his range of skills, pitch high level of success for him in the offense so that he can be seen as an impact type of player. cam spencer but with better physical tools and defense is a lottery pick.

 

[bendm]

I could see Thomas starting as the "point guard" since his playmaking is actually very good. Between Thomas/Mullins/Ball you'd have to assume there's enough ball handling to run our sets, or a couple of those guys probably aren't 1st round prospects to begin with.

I also think Balls future is probably that of an off ball/third option ball handler anyways, so playing with 2 other natural guards might suit his game.

that could work but then that assumes Mahaney is either in the nba next summer or coming off the bench as a senior. also not betting on either outcome right now.

so basically for thomas and mullins to both be starters in 2025, then either mahaney or ball have to be drafted next summer or coming off the bench as an upperclassmen.

i love the permutations

 

[navery12]

that could work but then that assumes Mahaney is either in the nba next summer or coming off the bench as a senior. also not betting on either outcome right now.

so basically for thomas and mullins to both be starters in 2025, then either mahaney or ball have to be drafted next summer or coming off the bench as an upperclassmen.

i love the permutations

Or the far more likely scenario is Mullins is coming off the bench and is one and done

 

[Huskyforlife]

that could work but then that assumes Mahaney is either in the nba next summer or coming off the bench as a senior. also not betting on either outcome right now.

so basically for thomas and mullins to both be starters in 2025, then either mahaney or ball have to be drafted next summer or coming off the bench as an upperclassmen.

i love the permutations

I think if we get both Thomas and Mullins, some guys will have decisions to make.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Or the far more likely scenario is Mullins is coming off the bench and is one and done

You have to admit this is an unlikely scenario though?

Unless he becomes the first bench player under Hurley to touch 25ish minutes, maybe that’s possible?

 

[auror]

You have to admit this is an unlikely scenario though?

Unless he becomes the first bench player under Hurley to touch 25ish minutes, maybe that’s possible?

3 guys coming off the bench for their teams went in the top 10 of the draft this season. Sarr played 17 min a night and went #2.

 

[awy]

play time doesn't matter all that much if the player shows enough to project a future star role. exception is maybe for projected high usage ballhandlers, and bigs who face durability/conditioning questions.

 

[Dove]

Time to organize spotters to deploy at Bradley, Hartford Hotels, popular restaurants, and strategic campus locations. (Most flights from Indianapolis to Bradley arrive by noon time today or not until late pm which doesn't seem a likely travel time). @Dove are you working this official visit? Camouflaged cleverly ? I hope this visit is spectacularly effective.

I've aged quite a bit. Hiding aint easy.

 

[navery12]

You have to admit this is an unlikely scenario though?

Unless he becomes the first bench player under Hurley to touch 25ish minutes, maybe that’s possible?

I'm not even sure it's that unlikely. There were 2 college guys in Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham who went top 8 and started a combined 6 games. And McNeeley is being projected as a lottery pick next year and while I think he starts there's at least a plausible scenario where it's Stewart and Karaban at the 3/4 and McNeeley gets his 25 minutes off the bench

 

[Huskyforlife]

3 guys coming off the bench for their teams went in the top 10 of the draft this season. Sarr played 17 min a night and went #2.

Sarr was a case of ‘tier 1’ measurables and potential over production. I heard draft analysts say he wouldn’t normally be the second pick in a draft either.

Mullins will need to be a case of production over measurables, unless he has length and athleticism that didn’t jump out in the highlights I watched awhile ago. I would imagine producing this way in a normal >20 minute bench role for Hurley would be hard, unless he puts up Reed Shepherd(unheard of) levels of efficiency. It’s within the bounds of possibility, but very unlikely.

I'm not even sure it's that unlikely. There were 2 college guys in Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham who went top 8 and started a combined 6 games. And McNeeley is being projected as a lottery pick next year and while I think he starts there's at least a plausible scenario where it's Stewart and Karaban at the 3/4 and McNeeley gets his 25 minutes off the bench

I think comparing him to the Kentucky guys is wrong. Everyone knew very quickly that Reed and Rob were the best guards in Kentucky, but Cal apparently thinks bringing his best guards off the bench is a competitive advantage.

Despite that, Reed averaged 29 minutes per night, the same as a starter. Mullins hitting that number seems unrealistic in a Hurley rotation based on available data.

Rob, on the other hand, only played 23 minutes per night. Doing some quick digging, we did have a 6th man average similar minutes under Hurley years ago, Brendan Adams. That teams starting wings were freshman Bouknight, and Vital. Maybe Mullins could reach 22 minutes in a situation like that, but then he’d also have to produce at the insane rate that Rob did in his minutes to be a one and done. Which is possible, but seems unlikely.

This is all because I also believe Hurley will start and play his best players the most minutes. So if Mullins produces like Reed or Rob, I think an incumbent is finding the bench.

 

[awy]

there's not much difference between 29 and 23 minutes a night for draft purposes. just a really good tourney run is enough if other things fit.

 

[Huskyforlife]

there's not much difference between 29 and 23 minutes a night for draft purposes. just a really good tourney run is enough if other things fit.

We’ve only had one 6th man reach 22 minutes under Hurley. Mullins may force Hurley to keep him in the game, but that also means talented players like Thomas/Mahaney/Ball/Etc are losing minutes.

 

[Ricker]

If you're athletic, 6'5 with skills, and, your 47% shooting from 3 successfully translates to the college game, Hurley might give you minutes.

 

[bendm]

If you're athletic, 6'5 with skills, and, your 47% shooting from 3 successfully translates to the college game, Hurley might give you minutes.

let's game out the 2025 G/W minutes for fun assuming we get Thomas and Mullins and still have Mahaney and Ball, which is the hypothetical that started this:

Mahaney 25 / Nowell 15
Thomas 25 / Mullins 15
Ball 25 / Ross 10 / Mullins 5

see the conundrum? i can see Mullins getting up to 20mpg off the bench but you're really cutting into everyone else's PT beyond that and Ross prob won't be happy with only 10mpg as a junior...

 

[imno1]

let's game out the 2025 G/W minutes for fun assuming we get Thomas and Mullins and still have Mahaney and Ball, which is the hypothetical that started this:

Mahaney 25 / Nowell 15
Thomas 25 / Mullins 15
Ball 25 / Ross 10 / Mullins 5

see the conundrum? i can see Mullins getting up to 20mpg off the bench but you're really cutting into everyone else's PT beyond that and Ross prob won't be happy with only 10mpg as a junior...

I can't see Nowell only getting 15 mpg in year 2.

 

[husky429]

We’ve only had one 6th man reach 22 minutes under Hurley.

I think that has more to do with talent than a systematic issue. If you're talented enough to help us win morw games, you play.

It's Hass, right? Hassan could've played 30mpg in a normal year but at the end of the day, Cam and Tristen were much better than him.

 

[RuffRuff]

Counting chickens before they hatch here. Would have to think Hurley has an acute pulse on how to sort it all out to win. I don’t sense bringing both Mullins and Thomas on while keeping everyone else will work. Something will give. I also don’t see Hurley leaning too much on freshman minutes. It just doesn’t work. Look at last years F4, Sears, Edey, whole NCSt team.

He plugged a very talented two way frosh in last year amongst a REALLY seasoned back court, and team. Going too young is not a recipe to win. These young bucks are exciting in theory but brining them in bulk and oversetting expectations on frosh minutes ain’t a winning recipe.

 

[bendm]

I can't see Nowell only getting 15 mpg in year 2.

prob not. i just dont think we have enough projected PT to land Mullins unless either Mahaney or Ball get drafted next year (along with AK, Liam, and Stew).

That's why my top 4 current wants are:
1) Thomas
2) Ament or Bundalo
3) Cenac or Reibe
4) Lewis

Thomas and either Ament or Bundalo could be one and done starters. Either Cenac or Reibe can backup Reed for 1 year (since bigs take longer to develop) and then start as sophs. Lewis would have to be ok w/ 10 mpg as a frosh:

Mahaney 25 / Lewis 10 / Nowell 5
Thomas 25 / Nowell 15
Ball 25 / Ross 15
Ament or Bundalo 25 / Abraham 15
Reed 25 / Cenac or Reibe 15

25: Mahaney / Thomas / Ball / Ament or Bundalo / Reed
20: Nowell
15: Ross / Abraham / Cenac or Reibe
10: Lewis

 

[RuffRuff]

Really think the right strategy is a 3 man class composed of a 2, a 3/4 and a 5.

Nowell should be the future 1. It’s not a position of need. Would seem that’s a target for next year, and to season up behind him.

Thomas or Mullins
Ament (strong offensive 3/4)
Bundalo

That would be a great land for the need and next gen lineup. Leave space for the portal.

 

[TheHorde]

3 guys coming off the bench for their teams went in the top 10 of the draft this season. Sarr played 17 min a night and went #2.

And is showing he’s not really ready for prime time yet, I think.