Mullins first start maybe?

[7774]

I like Mullens being 6th man. He can come in for Ball, Stewart or Karaban. Come in at the 16 min time out and he can feast on players who may be a little gassed or their back ups. Still play him for 25-28 minutes. This is what Calipari did with Reed Shepherd and was their leading scorer and most talented player. Not that I think think Calipari is a brilliant strategist although he did outcoach that so called great coach Slick Rick in last years tournament

Cal did that because he made starting guarantees to specific recruits to get them to committ, thinking they would be the best players. Then they weren’t, but he was stuck, and it was a detriment to that team.

 

[boog204]

He'll 100% be the starter and get 27-32/min game very soon. That being said, I start Stewie tonight and let Mullins continue to get his sea legs. He's still a freshman who's getting into the flow of the game. Also, it would be good for Stew to have a cupcake game after two poor shooting games going into FLA and TX.

 

[aceboon]

Has Stew (who we do love) ever given us a 23 minute stat line like Mullins did vs. Kansas. I do not think this conversation is about potential, unless it's Stew's.

Mullins should start, but this was done in only 16 minutes

Memphis 99-97 UConn (Nov 25, 2024) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Memphis Tigers vs. UConn Huskies NCAAM game from November 25, 2024 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

 

[HooperScooper]

Yes - he started vs BC. (12 pts)

Correct, Mullins started against BC and played 17 minutes and Stewart played 20 minutes. I don't remember if there was a reason he only played 17 minutes. He got hurt before the Michigan State game so didn't play in that one.

I was actually going to ask that. Did he start in an exhibition? Thought he did. If yes, this sounds more like a Castle situation. When he was injured. I think he came off the bench one time. Then was the starter afterwards.

Yes, Hurley said the other day that he was going to ease Mullins back just like he did with Castle.

“The good thing is he’s gonna be able to come off the bench and just try to kind of help us and not have to carry this big weight. We’ll use a similar method of how we brought Steph Castle back, but I know he’s dying to get out there,” Hurley said.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Mullins should start, but this was done in only 16 minutes

Memphis 99-97 UConn (Nov 25, 2024) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Memphis Tigers vs. UConn Huskies NCAAM game from November 25, 2024 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.

www.espn.com

Thanks, I prob had that coming. Still, I've seen enough of Stewart to not expect that. Jury's out on Mullins.

 

[Umami Zen]

Mullins will be getting starter minutes whether he's starting vs A+M or not. More intrigued about Mullins on Tuesday with a healthy(?) Reed. Should be a great test for us. Like our chances at MSG.

A+M should be a great opportunity for our bench guys to get some run.

 

[HungryHu5ky]

There’s no question Mullins will start today .. he was already pegged as the starter b4 he got hurt & after last games performance he more than ready against lower competition today … 100% he starts

 

[Orc]

I just don't see Hurley starting Mullins tonight, not yet.

Would it hurt JStew's psyche now? I don't know. But, if Mullins has a few strong games then I can see him starting later in Ddecember.

Tired of waiting for Stewart to have a breakout season. This experiment needs to end. Start Mullins.

 

[imno1]

I like Mullens being 6th man. He can come in for Ball, Stewart or Karaban. Come in at the 16 min time out and he can feast on players who may be a little gassed or their back ups. Still play him for 25-28 minutes. This is what Calipari did with Reed Shepherd and was their leading scorer and most talented player. Not that I think think Calipari is a brilliant strategist although he did outcoach that so called great coach Slick Rick in last years tournament

Mullens can be 6th man 😊 But I want Mullins to start. He should be in with Alex and Solo. That lineup along with Tarris and Silas should frighten every opponent we face. I mean who you going to key on?

 

[GHSWolverines]

Mullins will be getting starter minutes whether he's starting vs A+M or not. More intrigued about Mullins on Tuesday with a healthy(?) Reed. Should be a great test for us. Like our chances at MSG.

A+M should be a great opportunity for our bench guys to get some run.

It would not surprise me if Reed did not play tonight. Next week are two big games

 

[Kenny11]

Everyone knows he’s going to be a starter so why not do it now

 

[Palatine]

It would not surprise me if Reed did not play tonight. Next week are two big games

I agree. There is no benefit to playing Reed tonight. Plus the more minutes we give to Reibe will accelerate his development. Win-Win.

 

[ucp990411]

Mullens can be 6th man 😊 But I want Mullins to start. He should be in with Alex and Solo. That lineup along with Tarris and Silas should frighten every opponent we face. I mean who you going to key on?

I agree that should be our line up at crunch time. When we get out to a 10-6 lead at the 16 min TO and then bring in our best player our opponent would be thinking WTF

 

[ucp990411]

I would think Reed might be thinking that his minutes may be dwindling with how well Reibe is playing and may want to play asap.

 

[ucp990411]

Mullins is too much of a weapon for that. This is a kid who can sleepwalk to 20 points and impact the game in a variety of ways. I'm excited to see what he can do with 30 minutes. He's already got a green light. He blows the roof off of this team's potential.

I am not saying Mullens should not be playing 25-30 minutes.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I would think Reed might be thinking that his minutes may be dwindling with how well Reibe is playing and may want to play asap.

I’m sure if the decision were up to Reed, he’d be playing. It’s not.

 

[LetsGoUC]

He's way to good to not start.

 

[ctchamps]

An easy opponent, having Mullins available must make Hurley feel like he just entered an all you can eat buffet. I'm far more interested in what lineups Hurley experiments with in this game. My expectation is we see a lineup of Smith, Mullins, Ross, Alex and Reibe as much as we see a lineup of Demary, Ball, Mullins, Alex and Reibe.

Ross is probably a better set up man for Mullins than Ball at this stage of the teams development. Plus that lineup with Ross and Smith should be a far better defensive lineup.

 

[superjohn]

I would think Reed might be thinking that his minutes may be dwindling with how well Reibe is playing and may want to play asap.

 

[aceboon]

I would think Reed might be thinking that his minutes may be dwindling with how well Reibe is playing and may want to play asap.

the over reactions about Tarris the past week on here have been bizarre to say the least

 

[Vancat]

I don't think Mullins will start tonight, but I think he should.

 

[ctchamps]

I would think Reed might be thinking that his minutes may be dwindling with how well Reibe is playing and may want to play asap.

I'm thinking Reed is secure with his opportunities once he is healthy and returns. And now is comfortable knowing he has a capable backup when he's not in the game removing some pressure when he's playing.

 

[RuffRuff]

It would not surprise me if Reed did not play tonight. Next week are two big games

Doubt he plays - if he couldn't play 3 days ago in a game that mattered, no point in playing him tonight unless the magic hands of God healed him. He'll be important against UF. That game will have some weird matchups as their 3 is 6'9". We will need Tarris healthy and rebounding in that one.

The great thing about Reibe's play is that it could scale down the need for Tarris out there from the 30 to 26-27. He's had a number of injuries already this year, so getting him ready for the stretch run is what it's all about.

 

[ucp990411]

I’m sure if the decision were up to Reed, he’d be playing. It’s not.

Sure about that? Hurley seemed to be frustrated about the situation.

 

[Lafayette]

IDK if he starts, but by Tuesday, barring anything bad happening, he will.

1. Minutes restriction was lifted - said so in the post game.
2. He was to be the starter and got as far as BC before injury
3. He lit up Phog so I think we can all say he's ready. Not sure about getting his sea legs as if you didn't see him sorry.
4. Tonight is more a gimme so yeah, he plays ~20 minutes give or take depending on need just to keep him fresh.
5. Ball benefits the most from Braylon playing. Pretty hard to effectively guard Ball and Mullens without Demary, AK, or Reibe getting a much easier look.
6. Reed, even if available and healthy, should just be riding a bike on the side, not risking an injury for tonight.

Expect Hurley to put a premium on defense like the last 16 minutes of Kansas and try some new offensive things out - this is a low risk game to try somethings in a friendly environment.