Rupert is the first big guy we've had in a long time that has quickness rivalling a guy named Randal Falker.
Not getting him more than 8-9 minutes is a mistake. Same for Cade. Nothing like game experience - just way more valuable than practice.
As a soph, Falker averaged 15.6mins., 4.1pts., and 3.9rbs per game. Also had 30 blocks. Most minutes went to Josh Warren, who had inferior numbers in every category. Sr. year RF led the team with 13ppg and 7.2rbs per game in 29.2 minutes. 43 blocks.
Mullins has been a good defensive coach. Offense not so much.
Have to say I was very unhappy when I saw D'Amico starting over Rupert. That is just plain dumb. I like Rupert and think he can develop into a darn good player for us. He's very quick for a 6' 8" guy - you can't teach that.
I also thought CH not getting any minutes was dumb! No question he would have changed some of their shots. Don't have a shot chart, but it seems that UNLV scored a lot of close in shots 2nd half.
Without an inside presence (and TD is NOT an inside presence), we're going to lose a lot of games in the MVC. Ebube should help if he ever gets back, but our current coaching decisions are not smart.
Mullins just ignores inside play and plays DOmask to exhaustion - ridiculous.
CR - 19 mins. 7 pts, 7 rbs (3 offensive rbs), 3 TOs
TD - 18 mins. 3 pts, 3 rbs, 3 TOs
I agree with Spike that an improved Banks looks like a better option at PG.
Domask played a great game while being double/triple teamed all night. Jones didn't score a point in the 2nd half. We miss Ben Coupet's 11 pts and 4.6 rbs per game. We miss Kavion Pippen. We miss Cade Hornecker. We miss Clarence Rupert......
IMO Mullins’ toughest looking team in his SIU tenure so far was his first team. They definitely performed best in February; the right time of year to be peaking. Sure, freshman Marcus Domask played quite a few minutes, but not to exhaustion like he has every season since. Oh, and who manned the 5 spot? Big Barrett freaking Benson!
There’s adequate size on this roster even with Ebube and Muila out.
I know Bryan is smarter than his woeful rotational choices so far, so again I’ll reiterate that I just don’t get it..
Also, if this is what we can expect from Xavier Johnson, he’s not the answer at PG.
--Insert something witty here--
IMO Mullins’ toughest looking team in his SIU tenure so far was his first team. They definitely performed best in February; the right time of year to be peaking. Sure, freshman Marcus Domask played quite a few minutes, but not to exhaustion like he has every season since. Oh, and who manned the 5 spot? Big Barrett freaking Benson!
There’s adequate size on this roster even with Ebube and Muila out.
I know Bryan is smarter than his woeful rotational choices so far, so again I’ll reiterate that I just don’t get it..
Also, if this is what we can expect from Xavier Johnson, he’s not the answer at PG.
You had 3 guys that could score the basketball in Domask, Benson, and Eric McGill and then once Lance started getting going towards the end of the year, you had 4 legit scorers. And they still played the tough defense they’re playing now.
It wasn’t a perfect offense by any stretch and was ugly a lot but they had just enough scoring combined with defense to win games once they started rolling. Unfortunately, Domask seemed to have his minutes catch up to him down the stretch and that ended the season. Hoping that doesn’t happen again this year.
Mullins has been a good defensive coach. Offense not so much.
Have to say I was very unhappy when I saw D'Amico starting over Rupert. That is just plain dumb. I like Rupert and think he can develop into a darn good player for us. He's very quick for a 6' 8" guy - you can't teach that.
I also thought CH not getting any minutes was dumb! No question he would have changed some of their shots. Don't have a shot chart, but it seems that UNLV scored a lot of close in shots 2nd half.
Without an inside presence (and TD is NOT an inside presence), we're going to lose a lot of games in the MVC. Ebube should help if he ever gets back, but our current coaching decisions are not smart.
Mullins just ignores inside play and plays DOmask to exhaustion - ridiculous.
CR - 19 mins. 7 pts, 7 rbs (3 offensive rbs), 3 TOs
TD - 18 mins. 3 pts, 3 rbs, 3 TOs
I agree with Spike that an improved Banks looks like a better option at PG.
Domask played a great game while being double/triple teamed all night. Jones didn't score a point in the 2nd half. We miss Ben Coupet's 11 pts and 4.6 rbs per game. We miss Kavion Pippen. We miss Cade Hornecker. We miss Clarence Rupert......
Banks struggled, badly, yesterday when he was out there. Obviously Johnson also was bad. With the overall PG play being as poor as it was (0 points, 0 assists combined), it’s a mini-miracle the game was competitive.
Mullins has been a good defensive coach. Offense not so much.
Have to say I was very unhappy when I saw D'Amico starting over Rupert. That is just plain dumb. I like Rupert and think he can develop into a darn good player for us. He's very quick for a 6' 8" guy - you can't teach that.
I also thought CH not getting any minutes was dumb! No question he would have changed some of their shots. Don't have a shot chart, but it seems that UNLV scored a lot of close in shots 2nd half.
Without an inside presence (and TD is NOT an inside presence), we're going to lose a lot of games in the MVC. Ebube should help if he ever gets back, but our current coaching decisions are not smart.
Mullins just ignores inside play and plays DOmask to exhaustion - ridiculous.
CR - 19 mins. 7 pts, 7 rbs (3 offensive rbs), 3 TOs
TD - 18 mins. 3 pts, 3 rbs, 3 TOs
I agree with Spike that an improved Banks looks like a better option at PG.
Domask played a great game while being double/triple teamed all night. Jones didn't score a point in the 2nd half. We miss Ben Coupet's 11 pts and 4.6 rbs per game. We miss Kavion Pippen. We miss Cade Hornecker. We miss Clarence Rupert......
Banks struggled, badly, yesterday when he was out there. Obviously Johnson also was bad. With the overall PG play being as poor as it was (0 points, 0 assists combined), it’s a mini-miracle the game was competitive.
Banks wasn't great for sure, but he's still much more of a scoring threat than Johnson. Johnson is a zero threat on offense against a team that plays good D. I'm afraid PG will be a major weakness all season.
