Paul Mulcahy

[soundcrib]

Jacob Young starts at PG next year. With Mulcahy we’ll have real depth at the 1 for at least two years. If JQ comes...

Mulcahy will be a solid, critical 4 year player at RU ala Geo. He can legit play 3 positions. But we really need Young at the 1 next year if we want to take a big step.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Is Jacob Young really a PG. His metrics at Texas don't look PGesque. It looks like he only had 21 assists all last year.

 

[RU82]

Paul's team is rated # 3 in the state for a reason. They certainly do not just play Skylands teams. Check their schedule they play a lot of big time teams. Last year Paul was unstoppable against Roselle Catholic. He almost defeated RC by himself' He also was selected as the MVP of the Hoop Group Classic in August over both Ranney players and many other big time players. I have seen him 9 times and every time I have been impressed. I have no idea why Greene has doubts about him.

I was at the RC game last year too, the only time I’ve seen him play in person. He was no doubt about it the most impactful player on the floor for either team. He just stands out as someone who is always making things happen. Kid plays with moxie. Can’t wait to see the kind of impact he makes at RU.

Like you, I’m very optimistic about his capabilities. All the talk about his potential shortcomings belie the fact that the talents he does have are super special. Most players, even really good ones, McD’s AA level and such, don’t have the uncanny talents Paul has. I came away thinking he was very underrated. He certainly didn’t have any trouble imposing his will against that loaded RC team. It was just that the rest of his team was overmatched.

 

[miketd1]

I've only seen the highlights posted earlier in the thread, but he doesn't seem overly quick.

My main concern is that he might struggle to get his shot off if his first step quickness isn't respected.

Then some here mentioned his release point being lower than optimal.

Finally, can he keep up with legit Big Ten guards or will we continue to struggle defending the high pick & roll/pop?

His game reminds me of Peter Kiss, which is solid. But if we want to push for the NIT, Peter Kiss-types should be coming off the bench.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I guess there's 2 ways of how fans value basketball players as far as immediate impact.

A) Can the player quickly become the top scoring threat or #1 or 2 offensive weapon on the court early his career??....That's not his strength so fans see 3 pointers and exceptional shooting as the largest impact, which is understandable when measuring his impact....it's not like he cannot score, but fans expecting Eli Carter, Corey Sanders immediate offense and ball dominate player skills as a scorer...?? That's not his role, nor should it be.

B) Does the player have a path or position towards playing time, so his factors into the Top 8 rotation?? In this case, yes, he frees up others from having to generate their own offense.

C) Does the player's strength or position "overlap", or duplicate whatever is already in place on the roster....?? In this case no, he's a different type of player with skill sets we don't have in place now.

If we are looking to avoid overlap, then Mulcahy is a match. If fans are only focused on shooting 3s and making deep shots, then they're going to be looking for something else.

Young is the scoring mentality every team needs at guard and is another Top 150 player. It's difficult to see how both players dont contribute and make Mathis, McConnell, Baker and Kiss better as a group next year in practice and during games.

My guess is Mulcahy has an assist for every 4 to 5 minutes on the floor by his sophomore season....If he plays well enough that should be 4 to 5 assists per game, which is very high for a underclassmen at this level. It should raise shooting percentages and all the measurables RU lags in right now.

 

[RU82]

I've only seen the highlights posted earlier in the thread, but he doesn't seem overly quick.

My main concern is that he might struggle to get his shot off if his first step quickness isn't respected.

Then some here mentioned his release point being lower than optimal.

Finally, can he keep up with legit Big Ten guards or will we continue to struggle defending the high pick & roll/pop?

His game reminds me of Peter Kiss, which is solid. But if we want to push for the NIT, Peter Kiss-types should be coming off the bench.

His game is nothing like Peter Kiss.

Mulcahy is all about attacking the defense whether by directing the offense through pinpoint passing, penetrating and dishing, or finishing at the rim. He has a super high BB IQ and he makes great decisions. You want the ball in his hands.

 

[miketd1]

His game is nothing like Peter Kiss.

Mulcahy is all about attacking the defense whether by directing the offense through pinpoint passing, penetrating and dishing, or finishing at the rim. He has a super high BB IQ and he makes great decisions. You want the ball in his hands.

I’ll defer to you as you probably know better (I’m more of a football poster).

My concern is how will his strengths overcome our perimeter weakness on both ends of the floor?

We will have difficulty winning games going forward unless we can make/defend the 3 better.

It’s been this way since Mack/Carter.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

I know nothing about him, what is his height?
Can he jump?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

We need 4+ capable perimeter shooters on the floor at all times. Can Mathis be one?

 

[higgins3]

How many teams in the country have 4+ capable shooters,though?

It is a trend, but far from every team has it.

Mulcahy may not have elite quickness, but he knows how to use his frame to get into people, and get positioning.

He is a player that's needed. I am not sure Young is looked to be any where close to .a pure PG. In fact, I do not think he will be if that is what people are expecting. He serves as a threat that can pass at times

For rest of year, I would like to see Pikiell play either Mcconnel, Baker, Kiss, EO, and Carter

Or Baker, Kiss, Montez Mathis, EO, and Carter. He needs to change it up.

 

[RUsojo]

Hes gonna be a great distributor and qb of the offense. He makes our team better next year and will probably play about 20-22 a night. From what ive seen of him, his outside shot isnt there just yet and who knows if it’ll ever be, hes an average defender against quicker guards but a high iq play who knows how to play basketball and where to be much like RHJ

If he plays 20 minutes a game next year we are in trouble IMO. God forbid him and kiss are on the floor together.

Jacob Young starts at PG next year. With Mulcahy we’ll have real depth at the 1 for at least two years. If JQ comes...

Mulcahy will be a solid, critical 4 year player at RU ala Geo. He can legit play 3 positions. But we really need Young at the 1 next year if we want to take a big step.

Jacob Young has to be good in order for Rutgers to be good. If Young can’t play 28 minutes a game we are going to be in year four and still not be able to guard a PG in conference.

Is Jacob Young really a PG. His metrics at Texas don't look PGesque. It looks like he only had 21 assists all last year.

As long as he can defend the point guard position he fills our need. Next year IMO we will see all sorts of 3 guard combos including Geo Mathis Kiss McConnel Young Mulcahy. He doesn’t need to be true point. As long as he can get to the rim and make good decisions when penetrating he will be a god send. Geo or McConnel or Mulcahy or even Harper Jr can get us into our half court sets.

 

[TDIrish27]

I've seen Mulcahy a bunch both in HS games and at Rebounds in Neptune.

He has one great quality that will really help him in that he can play with other good players. That's a skill many incoming frosh struggle with because in most cases THEY have been the great player.

His shot and athleticism are not high end but I would be shocked if he isn't a 20 minute a game guy next year.

Rutgers doesn't have a kid like him.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Or Baker, Kiss, Montez Mathis, EO, and Carter. He needs to change it up.[/QUOTE]

As long as he can defend the point guard position he fills our need. Next year IMO we will see all sorts of 3 guard combos including Geo Mathis Kiss McConnel Young Mulcahy. He doesn’t need to be true point. As long as he can get to the rim and make good decisions when penetrating he will be a god send. Geo or McConnel or Mulcahy or even Harper Jr can get us into our half court sets.

Defense, as a whole, is not a problem one bit. The needle needs to be moved on the other side of the court.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I've only seen the highlights posted earlier in the thread, but he doesn't seem overly quick.

My main concern is that he might struggle to get his shot off if his first step quickness isn't respected.

Then some here mentioned his release point being lower than optimal.

Finally, can he keep up with legit Big Ten guards or will we continue to struggle defending the high pick & roll/pop?

His game reminds me of Peter Kiss, which is solid. But if we want to push for the NIT, Peter Kiss-types should be coming off the bench.

He’s already a better player than Kiss.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

He’s already a better player than Kiss.

That is just downright silly to say. This is the precise reason I am trying to spread caution.

I honestly have no idea what Mulcahy will be. I can see him ultimately being a major piece to the program, but i can also see a potential of a low impact player. I know this can be said of any recruit, but I think it is moreso here. His game and body is evolving we don't know what he ultimately becomes. What we know is in the spring he was on the radar of big time schools. In the summer he wasn't.

 

[RUsojo]

That is just downright silly to say. This is the precise reason I am trying to spread caution.

I honestly have no idea what Mulcahy will be. I can see him ultimately being a major piece to the program, but i can also see a potential of a low impact player. I know this can be said of any recruit, but I think it is moreso here. His game and body is evolving we don't know what he ultimately becomes. What we know is in the spring he was on the radar of big time schools. In the summer he wasn't.

One reason I’ve neen sort of surprised at the narrative that recruiting has been so good. The two biggest gets of Pikes tenure he beat out Northwestern and an AAC UConn. I wasn’t expecting Pike to be a world beater but this is why it’s far from guaranteed Pike will get it done here unless reciting significantly picks up.

I still think he has everything at his disposal to make that leap in the 2020 class. But if he doesn’t it’s not a good sign.

 

[kcg88]

What we know is in the spring he was on the radar of big time schools. In the summer he wasn't.

Agree with the rest of your post but Florida offered Mulcahy on April 10. He committed to Rutgers on May 16.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Agree with the rest of your post but Florida offered Mulcahy on April 10. He committed to Rutgers on May 16.

Fake news on my part. Had timing a bit wrong. I know NOVA was interested for a bit.

 

[RUsojo]

Agree with the rest of your post but Florida offered Mulcahy on April 10. He committed to Rutgers on May 16.

Fake news on my part. Had timing a bit wrong. I know NOVA was interested for a bit.

IIRC @Russ Wood said they cooler off pretty quickly but I’ll defer to him. April feels so long ago.

 

[Mr Magoo]

That is just downright silly to say. This is the precise reason I am trying to spread caution.

I honestly have no idea what Mulcahy will be. I can see him ultimately being a major piece to the program, but i can also see a potential of a low impact player. I know this can be said of any recruit, but I think it is moreso here. His game and body is evolving we don't know what he ultimately becomes. What we know is in the spring he was on the radar of big time schools. In the summer he wasn't.

Believe what you want. I’m not going to argue with you. I’ve seen him play several times and his BB IQ would be top 3 on the team already. Kiss is a better shooter and of course is stronger given his age. I’d say Mulcahy is better at most everything else.

 

[kcg88]

IIRC @Russ Wood said they cooler off pretty quickly but I’ll defer to him. April feels so long ago.

They have two 5*s and a high 4* committed so it may have been that they offered Mulcahy but then felt better about their position with other higher-rated players.

 

[TDIrish27]

Mulcahy isn't close to Kiss athletically.

Kiss is one of the 2-3 best athletes on the team.

He has excellent Hops

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

I know nothing about him, what is his height?
Can he jump?

4'11", 240 lbs, 43 1/2 inch vertical jump

 

[Russ Wood]

Agree with the rest of your post but Florida offered Mulcahy on April 10. He committed to Rutgers on May 16.

IIRC @Russ Wood said they cooler off pretty quickly but I’ll defer to him. April feels so long ago.

Florida was not actively involved in Mulcahy's recruitment.

He was offered by Armon Gates who UF had just hired in April. Gates had been recruiting Mulcahy when he was at Northwestern. A couple of days after Gates arrived in Florida and offered Mulcahy he was out of a job at UF (he's now at Nebraska). Anyone who knows what happened to Gates while he was at UF isn't talking. I doubt that it has anything to do with him offering Mulcahy though.

 

[RUKnights86]

We should all be cautious regarding hyping up Freshman from day 1 when they step on campus. Almost all freshman aside from the 1 & dones are going to have freshman moments. The most important aspects of his game is his true PG skills, that combined with Young will more importantly allow Geo to play off ball guard again, allowing him to keep fresher legs by not having to run the show. If Paul can penetrate into the lane & has the vision we have seen in his HS games he will find guys open on the outside & then it is up to the shooters to knock them down. At some point if his mid range or shot is not strong & it develops, it will just help his all around game as defenders will not worry about drive first. We saw that with Corey's game & by no means am I comparing him to Corey but his last year on the banks he really got that foul line jumper to be a good part of his game & I think that was an under rated aspect of what made him better.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

The most hyped 138th rated recruit ever.

Let's see what he does against Big 10 D1 competition before anointing him the best thing since sliced bread. I hope he kills it but we have no idea right now. I'm concerned about his shooting and defense. I have not heard anyone mention his defensive ability.

The problem for this team is not getting open shots.... Right now, it is making open shots. Against Seton Hall, the team had a bunch of open shots.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Mulcahy warrants positive press and that should not be considered "hype"....there are actual benefits from being positively mentioned in the press as going to Rutgers, whenever he's mentioned in the local news, blogs and elsewhere.

Fans are just not used to a recruit, that is local and good, getting consistent press. Every other program promotes their recruiting classes, why should RU downplay a big win over a multinational champ like UConn, and local school like Seton Hall along with NCAA program that wins consistently like Xavier and B1G competition like Northwestern??

This time last year there were plenty of folks claiming Northwestern would win out for various reasons and they didn't.

 

[bac2therac]

One reason I’ve neen sort of surprised at the narrative that recruiting has been so good. The two biggest gets of Pikes tenure he beat out Northwestern and an AAC UConn. I wasn’t expecting Pike to be a world beater but this is why it’s far from guaranteed Pike will get it done here unless reciting significantly picks up.

I still think he has everything at his disposal to make that leap in the 2020 class. But if he doesn’t it’s not a good sign.

not sure what program you have been following but this is actually an uptick over what we have been doing in the past

 

[biazza38]

not sure what program you have been following but this is actually an uptick over what we have been doing in the past

I’ve seen that poster post about recruiting a lot when it comes to basketball. He’s clueless and doesn’t understand that we have actual B1G on the court

 

[kcg88]

not sure what program you have been following but this is actually an uptick over what we have been doing in the past

Recruiting hasn't really been the problem over the years. Rankings:

2005 - 43
2006 - 74
2007 - 50
2008 - 34
2009 - 232
2010 - 81
2011 - 18
2012 - 108
2013 - 100
2014 - 69
2015 - 42
2016 - 103
2017 - 63
2018 - 50

Pikiell hasn't given us a big upgrade in recruiting. The problem for over a decade has been a combination of inability to develop the talent being recruited, inability to keep players on campus, inability to foster a culture/lack of continuity, and some plain old bad luck.

13 of the past 14 years we've been in the top 110 of recruiting rankings. Just three times we've been in the top 110 according to KenPom.

 

[RUsojo]

not sure what program you have been following but this is actually an uptick over what we have been doing in the past

I’ve been watching. It’s not good enough. At lest for the expectations you and many others have been setting for performance this year and next. See the post above shared by kcg that is keeping it real.

That’s not to say it won’t get better. 2020 should be the class Pike finally breaks through. As long as he does that he’ll have done his job.

 

[RUChow]

I’ll defer to you as you probably know better (I’m more of a football poster).

My concern is how will his strengths overcome our perimeter weakness on both ends of the floor?

We will have difficulty winning games going forward unless we can make/defend the 3 better.

It’s been this way since Mack/Carter.

We'll defend the three when we stop penetration. Young will help in that area, not so much Mulcahy.

 

[zebnatto]

All I know of PM is what I’ve seen in highlights and read:

1) my guess, 20mpg as frosh
2) there’ll be games he’s eaten up by B1G veteran guards;
3) we’ll see some really sweet transition baskets;
4) adding Paul means it makes sense we play more zone than we have this year.

 

[higgins3]

All I know of PM is what I’ve seen in highlights and read:

1) my guess, 20mpg as frosh
2) there’ll be games he’s eaten up by B1G veteran guards;
3) we’ll see some really sweet transition baskets;
4) adding Paul means it makes sense we play more zone than we have this year.

I like the realistic expectations!

It will be interesting to see the breakdown of minutes next year in general.

 

[TDIrish27]

All I know of PM is what I’ve seen in highlights and read:

1) my guess, 20mpg as frosh
2) there’ll be games he’s eaten up by B1G veteran guards;
3) we’ll see some really sweet transition baskets;
4) adding Paul means it makes sense we play more zone than we have this year.

Agree on all points

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

The big question. What is Geo's primary position next year?

 

[kcg88]

The big question. What is Geo's primary position next year?

I assume it will be sort of like last season, where he'll be the primary ballhandler for stretches, but also on the floor with Mulcahy or Young and those guys initiate the offense.

 

[MadRU]

I assume it will be sort of like last season, where he'll be the primary ballhandler for stretches, but also on the floor with Mulcahy or Young and those guys initiate the offense.

And McConnell

 

[RUJMM78]

Recruiting hasn't really been the problem over the years. Rankings:

2005 - 43
2006 - 74
2007 - 50
2008 - 34
2009 - 232
2010 - 81
2011 - 18
2012 - 108
2013 - 100
2014 - 69
2015 - 42
2016 - 103
2017 - 63
2018 - 50

Pikiell hasn't given us a big upgrade in recruiting. The problem for over a decade has been a combination of inability to develop the talent being recruited, inability to keep players on campus, inability to foster a culture/lack of continuity, and some plain old bad luck.

13 of the past 14 years we've been in the top 110 of recruiting rankings. Just three times we've been in the top 110 according to KenPom.

What matters is Rutgers recruiting rankings as compared to league opponents.Since Rutgers has joined the B1G they have been unable to get out of the last place position based on won/loss record.As such its been caused by poor recruiting,poor coaching or a combination of both.Stats can be presented to make teams look better than they really are.The won/loss record is the measure that matters.B1G teams aren't standing still allowing Rutgers to catch up.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I think a big piece moving forward will be who joins Mulcahy with the final (unless someone transfer out). scholarship for next year.

Personally, I think it has to be an impact recruit to keep the program moving forward. Otherwise, we’ll be spinning our wheels compare to the rest of the B1G.