Miikka Muurinen

kyhankypanky

All-American
Mar 21, 2004
4,395
7,651
113
Muurinen and Stokes on the same team? That would age Pope 10 years putting up with those two. Drama city.
I think Pope MAY be realizing that to coach at UK successfully he will need to step outside his comfort zone and coach players that are more difficult than he’d like. But it’s also possible we’ll miss on these guys and simply lose 15-20 games
 

The_Catfather

All-American
May 21, 2002
14,042
5,240
92
He jumps high and is fun to watch but there's a lot of questions about his skill, commitment, etc. He moved to a higher level of Euro ball this year, barely played and apparently didn't get along with coaches. Could he be an effective PF in college? Maybe, but he's not a can't-miss stud and probably not a guy you want to throw $3-4 million at. Below is a quote from a Partizan fan who's familiar with him.


"I'm a Partizan fan and this checks out.

He just simply doesn't know how to play organized basketball.

The tactical aspects of the game are completely lost on him.

On defense he doesn't know when to rotate, when to switch, when to stay, gets in foul trouble wayyy too early on some dumb stuff, just looks completely lost on the court.

His role on offense wasn't that big, we just had him in the corner for most of our halfcourt sets, but he just wanted to be thrown alley oops and to attempt putback dunks.

Like he would just sprint to the paint and look really surprised when the ball handler doesn't attempt to throw a lob to him every time he does it.

As for the putbacks, every time someone attempts a shot he would also run full speed into the paint to try to dunk it back, leaving us in a 4v5 situation on defense most of the time.

He didn't play a lot for us, barely got any minutes, but you could still see that he just doesn't know what he's doing and just wants to get some highlights.

His ego was massive, even in those limited minutes he managed to get in multiple altercations with opposing players and pick up a few techs (on top of the already glaring foul trouble problem he has).

We have a player called Uros Mijailovic on the team.

He's 18 and doesn't remotely have the physical gifts that Muurinen has, but he's a miles better player on the court currently just because he knows basic tactical aspects and movement."
 
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AJG-15

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
1,941
3,374
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Miika went to one best Serbian teams, Partizan for their the coach Željko Obradović. They had a good chemistry . The Serbian coach showed Miika tough love and said that he is “Mature beyond his years.
Miika
had an agreement with Obradvic, one of the best coaches in Europe’s at developing players, to train him for one year and get him ready for NCAA.

Obradovic had to resign and was a replace by a Spanish coach who started blaming everyone including Miika. His interview got retweeted in USA and created a bad rep for Slim Jesus about maturity or readiness. They are pissed off that he is leaving Partizan after one year but that’s what he agreed with Obradovic.

He is ready for NCAA. If Ament was ready , Miika would explode under the right coaching. my two cents from someone that follows ex Yugoslavian and European basketball In general.
 

UKgrad22

Senior
Apr 9, 2026
192
503
93
I posted this in another thread, but probably more fitting here. I know there’s a ton of hype around Muurinen, but this is a really good article about him. One thing that stood out was this: “One media member around Partizan told HoopsHype that coaches within the organization described Muurinen's basketball IQ and fundamental knowledge as comparable to that of a player no older than 13 or 14, and his attention to detail and work ethic during practice leave much to be desired.”

 
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AJG-15

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
1,941
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Slim Jesus, the best European young prospect. 6’11, uber athletic, both parents played for Finland national team, mom played at Unc.

he killed in Bradley Beal AaU team before playing for Partizan. At last euro, played against nba stars, Jokic, the Greek freak and his brother etc, He was named the best European young player.


Pope had meet him face to face last year..miika liked pope offensive scheme. Bring him in Pope!
 

Lameguy

Freshman
Mar 20, 2026
56
84
18
Other than super athletic, does anyone know anything else about him. Can he shoot, rebound, 3pt%, FT%. I saw where he averaged 6pts in 10 minutes of play. UNC wants him bad
 

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
12,462
19,525
113
He would be A LOT of fun to watch. BBN would love him. Doesn't take **** from anybody, doesn't do these stupid layups that miss half the time.
 
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Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
21,148
8,610
113
I think we have to go ALL-IN on Mikka, like with Stokes.
yeah, it's in that territory for him and some others, I would think. I keep having Stokes visions in my head with Momcilovic standing at mid court in rupp draining them on a nice run.

Get them, pay them, roll the dice. Mark might slowly be piecing together a rather good team this year, than he has since he arrived. I sure hope so.

lots of permutations and moving parts got solidified with this move today, and if you stop to think of it, get Stokes, this team with him alone changes the dynamic of what this team will be like. I think we're just going to have to be patient and stay positive. There will be nowhewre for anyone to hide once it starts.

I'm as good with Stokes and company that CMP has got pretty much already, a couple more pieces sure to come, and we could really have a good season and surprise a lot of people.

Maybe even ourselves.

we shall see....

Go Big Blue
 

ThePopeMobile

Redshirt
Apr 24, 2026
58
34
18
yeah, it's in that territory for him and some others, I would think. I keep having Stokes visions in my head with Momcilovic standing at mid court in rupp draining them on a nice run.

Get them, pay them, roll the dice. Mark might slowly be piecing together a rather good team this year, than he has since he arrived. I sure hope so.

lots of permutations and moving parts got solidified with this move today, and if you stop to think of it, get Stokes, this team with him alone changes the dynamic of what this team will be like. I think we're just going to have to be patient and stay positive. There will be nowhewre for anyone to hide once it starts.

I'm as good with Stokes and company that CMP has got pretty much already, a couple more pieces sure to come, and we could really have a good season and surprise a lot of people.

Maybe even ourselves.

we shall see....

Go Big Blue
Dare I say 40-0?
 
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UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
3,670
6,487
113
I posted this in another thread, but probably more fitting here. I know there’s a ton of hype around Muurinen, but this is a really good article about him. One thing that stood out was this: “One media member around Partizan told HoopsHype that coaches within the organization described Muurinen's basketball IQ and fundamental knowledge as comparable to that of a player no older than 13 or 14, and his attention to detail and work ethic during practice leave much to be desired.”

And yet....the article sounds like they are a little butt hurt that a young kid as they put it with all the ability in the world is leaving for America
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,881
71,520
113
Big pass on this guy. I don't think his upside is worth the risk or money.
Yeah, I don't get the draw here. He just likes to dunk with do defenders in the picture. Try that in the SEC and he's going to get eaten up.
I'm not seeing anything that tells me he's some game changer.
 
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