Firstly, I'll go ahead and admit here that at this same time last year I was hyping a player who admittedly started strong but then lack of defense caused him to fade for most of the year, especially after Domask injury. This year I have a new man crush. It's at this time that I strongly advise everyone to JUMP ON THE MUILA train. I feel like I'm in the minority here, but it despite Filewich's really impressive freshman showing last year, JD simply has tools that can immediately impact a game. Let's not forget that he was ranked #24 in ALL of JUCO I think too many people are selling him short. I get it, Kyler stepped up last year and surprised many of us. And, I promise, my thoughts on JD being the surprise and key for this team is more about my high expectations and praise for him than anything negative about Filewich, bc I love that kid.
My BOLD prediction for this season is that, if healthy, Muila will end up on the MVC newcomer team and there will be games where he simply dominates.
Between him and Wonders, I'm not sure who the bigger X-Factor is.
I agree. Our 2nd Team could be damn near as good as our 1st Team. Nice problem to have. I just don't understand the lack of respect for D'Avanzo. He carried us down the stretch last year, yet nobody thinks he should be a starter??
I agree. Our 2nd Team could be damn near as good as our 1st Team. Nice problem to have. I just don't understand the lack of respect for D'Avanzo. He carried us down the stretch last year, yet nobody thinks he should be a starter??
I think it's possible D'Avanzo starts but I like him better with Muila as a defensive player that plays close to the basket. I also think it's possible Muila starts at Center. I don't think it matters who starts though because minutes are going to be abundant for everyone.
How does Coupet fit in. Has anybody heard how he's doing?
How does Coupet fit in. Has anybody heard how he's doing?
How does Coupet fit in. Has anybody heard how he's doing?
I did see the “miked up practice “ last week. He looked very good and a likely starter.
How does Coupet fit in. Has anybody heard how he's doing?
I did see the “miked up practice “ last week. He looked very good and a likely starter.
That's good news. I don't think they brought him in to sit the bench!
https://twitter.com/THefferman/status/1450849630888017921
Mullins also said the only injury was Trent Brown was dealing with some back issues but he didn’t seem overly concerned.
Mullins sounded generally upbeat and was high on both Muila and Filewich. He said Coupet has added a lot of muscle since being on campus.
Still lots to play out when it comes to figuring out rotations. No questions asked about the freshmen. First look comes in the exhibition game next week …
Mullins sounded generally upbeat and was high on both Muila and Filewich. He said Coupet has added a lot of muscle since being on campus.
Still lots to play out when it comes to figuring out rotations. No questions asked about the freshmen. First look comes in the exhibition game next week …
Speaks highly for the training staff that a guy who is a 23 year old athlete can add muscle in just a few months.
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James Madison
I am going out on a limb here and predicting a breakout year for ......Trent Brown.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
It really got me pumped up for the season hearing details from Coach about the team. Obviously he is not going to say anything negative about any of the players. He pretty much said Player X has made a lot of progress over the summer and fall. Player X has been in the gym every day and is working hard.
That being said, I think there were a few things that could be taken away from the call.
1. JD Muilia will provide them with a defensive presence down low that wasn't a strength last year. Mullins specifically mentioned his quick feet and ability to switch over to help teammates who might have let a player by them. He also said that he would also help offensively, in that he is very quick and will get scores on the fast break
2. Jones - without saying it, it seemed that Coach was saying they have worked with him on reducing TO's. He said that what makes Jones so successful was his absolute lack of fear and his high level of confidence. That is something you find in elite players. They don't want him changing his aggressiveness and want him to continue to shoot (as he was the valley's best 3pt shooter last year), but they also want the game to continue to slow down a bit for him so he can make better decisions.
3. Coupet - I know it has already been mentioned but it says so much to me that a young man can put on 20lbs of muscle in just 4 months. That obviously takes a LOT of dedication. Mullins also mentioned that he is different than an other guard or forward on the team as he provides length. They expect he will also improve the team's defense.
4. Depth - When asked if the team would need a 3rd player to step up in scoring to help Jones and Domask, Coach said 'we will need a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th player to step up'. He noted that with the depth this team has that the players on the floor can go all out and not conserve energy to keep fresh for the entire game as they had to do last year.
There were other takeaways, but those were a few key ones that I noted. I absolutely positively cannot wait for the exhibition game.
It really got me pumped up for the season hearing details from Coach about the team. Obviously he is not going to say anything negative about any of the players. He pretty much said Player X has made a lot of progress over the summer and fall. Player X has been in the gym every day and is working hard.
That being said, I think there were a few things that could be taken away from the call.
1. JD Muilia will provide them with a defensive presence down low that wasn't a strength last year. Mullins specifically mentioned his quick feet and ability to switch over to help teammates who might have let a player by them. He also said that he would also help offensively, in that he is very quick and will get scores on the fast break
2. Jones - without saying it, it seemed that Coach was saying they have worked with him on reducing TO's. He said that what makes Jones so successful was his absolute lack of fear and his high level of confidence. That is something you find in elite players. They don't want him changing his aggressiveness and want him to continue to shoot (as he was the valley's best 3pt shooter last year), but they also want the game to continue to slow down a bit for him so he can make better decisions.
3. Coupet - I know it has already been mentioned but it says so much to me that a young man can put on 20lbs of muscle in just 4 months. That obviously takes a LOT of dedication. Mullins also mentioned that he is different than an other guard or forward on the team as he provides length. They expect he will also improve the team's defense.
4. Depth - When asked if the team would need a 3rd player to step up in scoring to help Jones and Domask, Coach said 'we will need a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th player to step up'. He noted that with the depth this team has that the players on the floor can go all out and not conserve energy to keep fresh for the entire game as they had to do last year.
There were other takeaways, but those were a few key ones that I noted. I absolutely positively cannot wait for the exhibition game.
Hopefully Coupet is good enough to help guard the bigger, talented guards in the league such as AJ Green and Isaiah Mosley. That is where I see him making the biggest impact for a team like this.
Yes, that along with this experience, added strength, etc. I really believe the depth and DEFENSIVE improvements this team will have this year will allow them to put a scare into the top 4 Valley teams, as well as non-conf opponents.
