Paul is very good. I have seen him play 10 times over the last two plus years. I cannot believe how many posters are picking on his game. Somehow I think most of them never saw him play. Watch the tape of his game against Roselle Catholic last year in the state tournament at Rutgers. Nzei Reid and Whitney and the other 6'10" guy who went to South Carolina could not stop him. Gill St. Bernard lost their center last year after about 10 games for the rest of the season yet Paul and four pretty small guys gave RC everything they had. RC was lucky to win. Paul scored over 30 points by going at them all night long. He is a very confident and hard nosed player. He also might be the most unselfish player I have ever seen in high school ball.
Mulcahy
- Thread starter JDNB
- Start date
I think the reviews of where Mulcahy is today, is fine for discussion, because there's an expectation of Mulcahy playing minutes and being asked to play against the caliber of players in this league......players like Zavier Simpson (Michigan), The Iowa deep shooting PG, players like Isaiah Washington (Minnesota) and other hard nosed guards that can defend like Seton Hall's Quincy McKnight.
I am not quite sure how the fan base has automatically made this leap that Mulcahy finds the floor for 25 to 27 minutes next year, there's a stable of guards on the roster that can also play and play well. I made the comparison that Mulcahy's impact next year would probably be where Caleb McConnell is showing right now. I know fans are somewhat lukewarm on McConnell, but he's a definite B1G player and has skills that are similar to Mulcahy...I believe McConnell also has a somewhat funky shot release, but both players have a solid in-between game, good floaters in the lane and know how to score against quicker players.
We have 15 to 16 more games this year to develop the guards we have and figure out who competes for these minutes next year. There really is a very soft landing for Mulcahy, we have depth at guard and McConnell (At least in a short time frame) has proven he can play the point at 6'6", which is what Mulcahy is, size wise....McConnell isn't electric with quickness, but understands angles and creating space to shoot.
There is no magic wand next year where Mulcahy walks through the door and into the starting lineup and Baker is suddenly freed up to run around screens and launch jumpers. The ball will be in his hands some, with McConnell for some possessions and Mulcahy as well. The goal is to have less "empty possessions", where the ball lands with a player who cannot dribble, pass, shoot or create his own offense and if that means we play 3 guards a lot next year, so be it.
And teams are going to enjoy playing off on Mulcahy, because he's a better passer and he'll likely have room to shoot, based on the current scouting reports. If Paul continues to work and improve and teams try and crowd him, or try to force him to drive and make plays, they're going to be playing into the strength of his playmaking ability, by finding players off the dribble. If Paul works on his jumper like he has been, he'll score and contribute with passing, FT's and midrange as well.
My "comp" or comparable is McConnell....and if you see McConnell contributing in half court, in transition, I see the same for Mulcahy. McConnell just arrived without the hype and fanfare of the local player who signals another change in culture at RU, like Baker, Myles Johnson, Kiss, Thiam, Eugene, Doucoure and the 2018 kids and Jacob Young. I think it's just best to not assume anything with Mulcahy next year and let the minutes get earned on the court, in practice and during games.
OR let's put it bluntly.....if you review box scores of RU games and see 15 to 18 minutes for a Thiam or Kiss and see some games with no points or very little scoring, or a game with little to no assists and an occassional rebound or two and then plug in Jacob Young or Mulcahy into those 15 to 20 minutes of playing time, would the stat line for those minutes be the same or better??
I would imagine in 18 to 20 minutes of time, we'd see a couple of baskets, a couple of assists, some better ball movement and more opportunities from Young and Mulcahy and more space for McConnell AND Baker to find spots to shoot and score....get passes up the court to Mathis and Harper in transition, to slash/drive to the rim.
There's going to be an impact with Mulcahy (And Young) playing at RU folks, stop looking for how much it will be and just realize another gap on the roster gets closed when he arrives.....The gaps on the roster likely go from weaknesses to team strengths, very soon.
I am not quite sure how the fan base has automatically made this leap that Mulcahy finds the floor for 25 to 27 minutes next year, there's a stable of guards on the roster that can also play and play well. I made the comparison that Mulcahy's impact next year would probably be where Caleb McConnell is showing right now. I know fans are somewhat lukewarm on McConnell, but he's a definite B1G player and has skills that are similar to Mulcahy...I believe McConnell also has a somewhat funky shot release, but both players have a solid in-between game, good floaters in the lane and know how to score against quicker players.
We have 15 to 16 more games this year to develop the guards we have and figure out who competes for these minutes next year. There really is a very soft landing for Mulcahy, we have depth at guard and McConnell (At least in a short time frame) has proven he can play the point at 6'6", which is what Mulcahy is, size wise....McConnell isn't electric with quickness, but understands angles and creating space to shoot.
There is no magic wand next year where Mulcahy walks through the door and into the starting lineup and Baker is suddenly freed up to run around screens and launch jumpers. The ball will be in his hands some, with McConnell for some possessions and Mulcahy as well. The goal is to have less "empty possessions", where the ball lands with a player who cannot dribble, pass, shoot or create his own offense and if that means we play 3 guards a lot next year, so be it.
And teams are going to enjoy playing off on Mulcahy, because he's a better passer and he'll likely have room to shoot, based on the current scouting reports. If Paul continues to work and improve and teams try and crowd him, or try to force him to drive and make plays, they're going to be playing into the strength of his playmaking ability, by finding players off the dribble. If Paul works on his jumper like he has been, he'll score and contribute with passing, FT's and midrange as well.
My "comp" or comparable is McConnell....and if you see McConnell contributing in half court, in transition, I see the same for Mulcahy. McConnell just arrived without the hype and fanfare of the local player who signals another change in culture at RU, like Baker, Myles Johnson, Kiss, Thiam, Eugene, Doucoure and the 2018 kids and Jacob Young. I think it's just best to not assume anything with Mulcahy next year and let the minutes get earned on the court, in practice and during games.
OR let's put it bluntly.....if you review box scores of RU games and see 15 to 18 minutes for a Thiam or Kiss and see some games with no points or very little scoring, or a game with little to no assists and an occassional rebound or two and then plug in Jacob Young or Mulcahy into those 15 to 20 minutes of playing time, would the stat line for those minutes be the same or better??
I would imagine in 18 to 20 minutes of time, we'd see a couple of baskets, a couple of assists, some better ball movement and more opportunities from Young and Mulcahy and more space for McConnell AND Baker to find spots to shoot and score....get passes up the court to Mathis and Harper in transition, to slash/drive to the rim.
There's going to be an impact with Mulcahy (And Young) playing at RU folks, stop looking for how much it will be and just realize another gap on the roster gets closed when he arrives.....The gaps on the roster likely go from weaknesses to team strengths, very soon.
Big Mulcahy fan. I wasn't picking on him at all. It was a simple question about anyone that plays high level basketball and a low push shot. I've seen his work out video on YouTube so I figured he's training with someone, somewhere.
Anyways, that's what we do on this board. We analyze...everything. Corey can't go left, Geo isn't quick enough, Issa has no confidence, Pikiell's sub patterns are questionable, why are Auntie Anne's Pretzels only on one side of the RAC?...
Wait until Paul suits up in Scarlet. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
Anyways, that's what we do on this board. We analyze...everything. Corey can't go left, Geo isn't quick enough, Issa has no confidence, Pikiell's sub patterns are questionable, why are Auntie Anne's Pretzels only on one side of the RAC?...
Wait until Paul suits up in Scarlet. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
In the beginning of the year my expectations was the days of default minutes were over. Unfortunately unless a few of our guys step up their games we are still handing out minutes that are in a desperate need for an upgrade.
I am thinking next year for sure default minutes are over. Hopefully Pikiell will have to sharpen his pencil and find a way to get minutes for some people who really need and deserve them.
I will maintain my view that Mulcahy may be a future starter and a B1G caliber guard OR an end of the rotation guy. I think it is really difficult to see how his game translates to the B1G. How does he fit with Mathis, a wing, and 2 bigs on the court? Who does he defend in our game tomorrow against Purdue or last week vs. OSU? These are questions that get asked of all HS players who aren't 5 star kids going to UK or Duke.
I am thinking next year for sure default minutes are over. Hopefully Pikiell will have to sharpen his pencil and find a way to get minutes for some people who really need and deserve them.
I will maintain my view that Mulcahy may be a future starter and a B1G caliber guard OR an end of the rotation guy. I think it is really difficult to see how his game translates to the B1G. How does he fit with Mathis, a wing, and 2 bigs on the court? Who does he defend in our game tomorrow against Purdue or last week vs. OSU? These are questions that get asked of all HS players who aren't 5 star kids going to UK or Duke.
A couple of points / not necessarily about Mulchay:
1. I’d like someone - anyone who can SCORE
Which will help the team too
2. Is it possible to have Mulchay, Baker,Mathis,Harper and a big(Johnson),...with McConnell and Young coming in as 6th men
3. With the numbers Mulchay is putting up does he get re/evaluated and earn a 4Th ⭐️
Mo
Mulcahy has a lot of weight on McConnell and could probably defend the 3 a lot easier than McConnell could, and already looks like he's been hitting the weight room. So, I'm not super concerned about him defending PGs right away. I also think that both McConnell and Baker are obviously good passers, but Mulcahy really is in another echelon when it comes to passing.
And the obsession on this board with analyzing the release point of guys jumpers is a little insane. In the off-season, Mulcahy is literally paying to train with people who work on his fundamentals. Do a YouTube deep dive if you want to get into that. 60% of the 3s we miss are open shots, so I'm less worried about a 6'6" kid having a hard time shooting a shot that he gets off pretty quickly and just not with as high a release as some internet posters would like.
That doesn't mean Mulcahy starts next year. That said, neither McConnell nor Geo nor Mathis ever averaged a triple double in high school, or had the ball in their hands for 85% of their games in high school. It's still high school, but he may adapt a little faster than people think.
And the obsession on this board with analyzing the release point of guys jumpers is a little insane. In the off-season, Mulcahy is literally paying to train with people who work on his fundamentals. Do a YouTube deep dive if you want to get into that. 60% of the 3s we miss are open shots, so I'm less worried about a 6'6" kid having a hard time shooting a shot that he gets off pretty quickly and just not with as high a release as some internet posters would like.
That doesn't mean Mulcahy starts next year. That said, neither McConnell nor Geo nor Mathis ever averaged a triple double in high school, or had the ball in their hands for 85% of their games in high school. It's still high school, but he may adapt a little faster than people think.
OK here’s the source of optimism I have for Mulcahy next year. I have spoken to Coach Pike and Knight about Paul and he will be our point guard because frankly he sees the floor like nobody else, is a great passer and will make the guys around him better. However, his best attribute is “ he hates to lose and plays with a chip on his shoulder”!!! He has some real good mental toughness. With that said, our guys have to get better.Pike is always talking about the importance of practice and spending extra time in the gym to improve skill sets.
I’d be shocked if Mulcahy is not the staring point guard by Christmas next year. No one on this team compares to him at the point.
The value of Mulcahy as a point guard is dependent on the players he passes the ball to who have scoring capability.Right now there are very few on the squad.
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I agree that "there are very" on the squad, and I expect his passing to contribute to their success and bringing out how good they are.
Mulcahey is a pass first playmaker. He's not going to be trying to create his own 3 off the dribble. His 3s will likely come from ball movement when he is set and wide open. The obsession with focusing on his release is completely overblown. Doubt it will ever be any sort of significant issue for him. This season he also seems to be shooting the 3 at a decent clip. His playmaking ability is obvious and will make the entire team better. Rutgers always struggles to score and a playmaker like PM will give Rutgers some much needed easy buckets
Dude, He's being given the keys to the car my man. 37-40 minutes in more like it. It will be his team, period.
37-40 minutes for a freshman at the point guard position? From day one? I'd be stunned.
I won't be stunned because its the agreement they made AND he is better than the players on the roster. He just is. Now, does that make RU a BIG10 contender? No, but he is an upgrade and will play from minute one.
Come on, man, you know there's no "agreement" with Mulcahy to start him, let alone to play him 37+ minutes. That's just ludicrous.
I agree with what Hawk said above - Mulcahy will have to share time (at least initially) with McConnell, Baker, and probably Young at PG until he proves he can play effectively at this level.
I think we all hope that Mulcahy will eventually be our full-time starting PG, but the guard positions are pretty stacked next year, and I can't see PM consuming 30+ out of the 80 minutes, or frankly even 30 out of 120 minutes if you include the WF/3G position.
No agreement? WTF do you think he is coming to RU? You guys literally don't know a thing about recruiting. Sure if he gets here and he is just horrible, they can't honor it but that is not going to be the case. His HS coach and his family and RU all decided on RU in part bc of the fact he is going to play every minute if he is healthy etc. He will run the show. this is a fact and one sort of known. this isn't like Goeff Billet or some other past Top 150 wannabe. He can play and RU identified him, explained their position and made their deal early and that's that.
I wouldn't be surprised if he starts, but with a team that has the kind of depth at guard Rutgers projects to have... I'd be shocked if he plays 37-40 minutes a night, even if he's excellent. 28-32 minutes a night? More likely.
Also, I really believe he can play and I think he's going to be a big piece, but it's also not like he's rated a 5 star by these recruiting services.
Funny post, in light of article interviewing Billet. I think Mulcahy is great, but you're f'ing way off. There was no agreement, and Mulcahy will not come in as the highest ranked kid on the roster. He might be the best, he might not... that's what this thread is about. But you are acting like this is the type of agreement top-5 one and down kids have. This is not the case.
Anyone with inside knowledge know where does Jacob Young play and what type of contribution should we expect from him?
Why would a parent his kid to come in and play 37-40 minutes at the point in the B1G? We talking a one and done?
Just seeing him at one open practice I can see him as a change of pace primarily SG off the bench to provide instant offense.
Probably also matches up best on other teams fast PGs.
He appeared to be the fastest guy on the team.
Look at it this way. Why would a top 5 NJ kid come to Rutgers? Why - just an utter disaster of a program for going on 3 decades! He chose RU in part because he was told "You will be our Magic Johnson from Day one." WHAT ELSE could he sell to Sina and the kids parents? What? I do have some knowledge of it but like any choice, there are MULTIPLE factors. Staying close to home, building something but by in large the head coach saying, "We love you, We will build around you, We see you with the ball in your hands at ALL TIMES, we see you leading this league in assists and we are going to get better in the Big 10 because of you! You will play in the NCAA and you will run our show" Thats what was promised.
When you are not realistic about how just terrible this program has been in his and his parents entire lifetimes - you just sit there and say, oh they promised him nothing bla bla...But you are blind to the reality. It's the main reason he signed.
Remember this thread where a poster said his teammates didn’t like him?
Never was confirmed and actually watching games I see just the opposite:
https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/t...t-for-gill-st-bernards-at-the-weekend.147739/
Never was confirmed and actually watching games I see just the opposite:
https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/t...t-for-gill-st-bernards-at-the-weekend.147739/
A sizable portion of what RUthless has written in this thread is on the money. With that said, his delivery could use a great deal of couth.
The rest of what he is saying is pretty much true. The minutes part is ridiculous. Anyone who knows anything knows he's not playing 40 minutes a game as a true freshman. Literally no one does. The minutes leader in the entire B1G is playing 35 minutes per game. A poster said 28-32 minutes if he's awesome which sounds more realistic.
I have ano idea who you are but I believe every word of this save the 37-40 minutes comment. I am sure he was told he would be given the keys.
No chance that happens next year....i am thrilled Mulcahy is arriving but I need to see significant progress in his game and significant decline in the performance of Baker, Mathis, McConnell and Jacob Young between now and then. Setting proper boundaries and expectations is important. He's not playing 37 minutes a game next year. I would be happy with 20 quality minutes where he's able to play well.
No player plays well over 34 to 36 minutes a night as an underclassman unless they have elite talent and physical skills. He will play well on both ends but is not capturing 37 minutes a game as a frosh.
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Every quality kid is sold on a program—in terms of RU that means what a huge part of turning around the program PM can be, how important he is, how he can be starting pg freshman year. We ALL get that. Suggesting that “an agreement was made” implies something guaranteed, contractual, posted by some with deep dark knowledge of the inner workings. Come off it. And 37-40 minutes shows Ruthless has no clue.
LOL 37-40 mins from Day 1.
With all the guards on the roster Mulcahy will be brought along like the other freshman are.....slowly from the start and earning his minutes. He’s a PG and an elite passer with height and will ultimately play a lot of minutes for sure, and he’ll definitely be THE PG his JR/SR year, but who knows how many MPG by the end of next year.
Mulcahy will make everyone better on offense by setting guys up for open shots in the right position...Baker, Harper for 3s, Mathis in transition, the bigs underneath. Our offense will seem like it’s been miraculously fixed. When was the last time we had a real point guard???? Good days ahead at the RAC
But 37-40 from Day 1????....no way!!!
With all the guards on the roster Mulcahy will be brought along like the other freshman are.....slowly from the start and earning his minutes. He’s a PG and an elite passer with height and will ultimately play a lot of minutes for sure, and he’ll definitely be THE PG his JR/SR year, but who knows how many MPG by the end of next year.
Mulcahy will make everyone better on offense by setting guys up for open shots in the right position...Baker, Harper for 3s, Mathis in transition, the bigs underneath. Our offense will seem like it’s been miraculously fixed. When was the last time we had a real point guard???? Good days ahead at the RAC
But 37-40 from Day 1????....no way!!!
This may very well have been Pike's pitch, but without the "from Day 1" part, and certainly without the 37-40 minutes part. I mean, you could probably count on one hand the number of college basketball players that average 37+ minutes per game, and I would venture a guess that NONE of them are true freshmen.
Antoine Davis at Detroit plays just over 37 minutes per game as a true freshman. Probably doesn't hurt to be the coach's son.
