How Paul Mulcahy Changes Everything

[Eagleton95.99]

Who wants to talk about Paul Mulcahy? https://www.onthebanks.com/2021/9/2...e-pikiell-big-ten-jacob-young-ncaa-tournament

The article suggests that Paul will be the primary ball handler, and will make up for Jacob Young's loss by setting up other players more.

It asserts that we will benefit from Mulcahy's more efficient ball handling:

"Over the past two seasons, Mulcahy had an assist to turnover ratio of 1.93 compared to Young who had a 1.03 assist to turnover ratio. From a pure production standpoint, Young dished out nine more assists over the previous two seasons (150 to 141), but committed double the turnovers as Mulcahy (146 to 73)."

Seems to me this misses the point that Mulcahy was mostly shut down as a ball handler whenever a team applied any on ball pressure. After teams figured that out, he stopped playing that role. So he never had to deal with making assists while he was the focus of the D.

I think Paul's a great player. Great part of our team. I'm just surprised he's seen as being in this role when he hasn't been able to do it in the past.

Who wants to offer an over/under for the second half of the season, for the percent of possessions where Pike has Mulcahy as the primary ball handler?

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Paul is actually the best ball handler this team has imo

 

[Rutgers25]

Paul is actually the best ball handler this team has imo

he struggles with on ball pressure. we really don’t have a really good ball handler unless Miller is that guy

 

[zebnatto]

If people want to pressure Paul when he has the ball, he has to make the other team double him to achieve that. I think he has the height and patience to take advantage of 4-on-3 over the rest of the floor if his teammates know their cuts and positioning well.

 

[satnom]

Paul can dribble the ball up the length of the court but don’t see him blowing by small quick BIG level guards. Paul can look over smaller guards in half court offense. If he shoots the ball well or takes it to the paint to score he will draw double teams and he will avg 7-9 assists per game. If he shoots occasionally or shoots a low avg, teams will just back off and RU will play a 4 on 5 offense.

If Paul takes his offense to the next level he will be a problem for defenses. If his offense stays the same he will be a problem for RU offense. I think PM takes the next step forward. He’s stronger, more confident and has an improved shoot. He’s definitely not as quick as Jacob but he’s bigger and stronger with handle.

Looking forward to Paul’s progression as a player and leader.

GO RU

 

[Eagleton95.99]

If people want to pressure Paul when he has the ball, he has to make the other team double him to achieve that. I think he has the height and patience to take advantage of 4-on-3 over the rest of the floor if his teammates know their cuts and positioning well.

He's never been able to do that. 1 on 1 pressure has too frequently made him pick up his dribble or get rid of the ball just to get it out of his hands.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Coach has made it crystal clear to anyone he talks to that Paul is his point guard. I'd still take a "figuritive" bet last 10 possessions of a close B1G game the ball will be in Geo's hands. Wouldn't mind losing the bet.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Coach has made it crystal clear to anyone he talks to that Paul is his point guard. I'd still take a "figuritive" bet last 10 possessions of a close B1G game the ball will be in Geo's hands. Wouldn't mind losing the bet.

Agree.

 

[RUDieHard]

I think Paul will take a significant step up this year as an upperclassmen. I think he'll do well as a PG on offense. Even if not, I think we have enough guys who can bring up the ball if needed.

My concern is defended the small, quick PGs which I hope we will be able to do. I know Jalen Miller is supposed to be that defender but not sure if he will be a liability on offense.

Anyone know if Miller can shoot?

Also, which teams have that small, fast PG? I know Curbelo is one.

 

[Russ Wood]

Paul can dribble the ball up the length of the court but don’t see him blowing by anyone.

GO RU

FIFY

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

I think Paul will take a significant step up this year as an upperclassmen. I think he'll do well as a PG on offense. Even if not, I think we have enough guys who can bring up the ball if needed.

My concern is defended the small, quick PGs which I hope we will be able to do. I know Jalen Miller is supposed to be that defender but not sure if he will be a liability on offense.

Anyone know if Miller can shoot?

Also, which teams have that small, fast PG? I know Curbelo is one.

Probably 12 teams. I doubt he would ever be tasked to guard someone like Curbelo or another similar PG.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Probably 12 teams. I doubt he would ever be tasked to guard someone like Curbelo or another similar PG.

Not sure how defends that guy....but probably not Paul. When you look at the X amount of questions about the team this could be my #1.

 

[toby83]

was about to bring up Curbelo , and Jaden Ivey at Purdue. who guards them?

 

[RUChoppin]

Mulcahy's ball handling fell off after he broke his finger and couldn't straighten it. You can see his assist to turnover ratio drop after that point, as well as his overall number of assists per minute.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I think we are going to see experiments and ways to expand the offense away from worrying about who brings the ball up.

It comes down to getting the maximum amount of efficiency out of what every player does best. We found a role for Paul last year, by finding what he could do, which was take and make corner threes. What Mulcahy can also do well, is handle the ball, AFTER it has gotten past half-court.

What that means is you can start Paul off the ball and run him through pick and rolls, with Cliff, with Hyatt and with others on the roster. I also think Mulcahy and Agee/Cliff looks like a good 2-man pick and pop/roll game, because Cliff and Agee offers some touch from 10 to 17 feet.

I don't see any reason why the thought has to be that the Point Guard brings the ball up, in order to be considered the point guard. Point guard is your "playmaking position", not the fastest player or most athletic player who can handle the ball......we can all agree Jacob Young was probably the fastest player RU has had in the backcourt in many years and could breakdown anyone in a 1 on 1 competition.....however, he had no instincts as a point guard on how to look for open teammates or initiate offense.

If you inbound the ball to Geo Baker or even Ron Harper, you can pass the ball forward quickly to Mulcahy at the half court line and allow the other guards to get into position to catch passes, cut or screen or whatever is required.

OR, Paul can be the primary person who inbounds the ball, but my guess is, after made FTs, that will be Cliff, Agee, Hyatt or RHJ asked to inbound the ball.

If you have a big man inbound the ball, as Mulcahy brings the ball up, that big man can essentially create traffic to help relieve pressure, so the defender has to work around the moving big man, as he runs up the court. Myles Johnson actually was good at this and if Myles turned to catch the ball after half-court, the big man can then pass to the wings and start the offense.

This whole notion that you want to wear out Mulcahy physically by asking him to bring the ball up, 30 minutes a game is foolish. It will be by committee......Mulcahy, Baker, Caleb, Harper, Jaden Jones and Jalen Miller all can handle the ball.

I also don't see a situation where you will get the most efficient or effective Mulcahy, anything beyond 28 minutes a game. The amount of work required of a guard, executing plays, shooting, fighting over screens, defense....all of that wear and tear, works against the player from a fatigue perspective.

The primary reason why I believe Mulcahy was a hidden weapon on corner 3s, was the fact he wasn't guarded closely and he wasn't asked to handle the ball full-time. That keeps him fresh and able to knock down shots.

The key for RU and Mulcahy, for those who are going to hang onto every word of what Pike says, instead of watching what actually has to happen, is this.....how good of a player can Jalen Miller be defensively?? If he is as good as advertised defensively and can be a defense first guard, who can also handle the ball, he should play anywhere from 14 to 18 minutes a game. I would really like to see Miller tasked to pester the Curbelos, Phinnisee, Jaden Iveys and other teams 3rd or 4th guards if the opponent has players off their bench.

I am looking at this from a team perspective, Mulcahy can hit 4 to 6 assists a game by playing off the ball in half court and driving aggressively and decisively from the wings..... He has the size, strength added to absorb contact. If he is a willing driver, looking to score, RU is in very good shape. That is the "point guard", we need, not who brings the ball up court.

 

[GM]

I don’t really think getting caught up with who is guarding who is really necessary since they will probs switch most things.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

I think we are going to see experiments and ways to expand the offense away from worrying about who brings the ball up.

It comes down to getting the maximum amount of efficiency out of what every player does best. We found a role for Paul last year, by finding what he could do, which was take and make corner threes. What Mulcahy can also do well, is handle the ball, AFTER it has gotten past half-court.

What that means is you can start Paul off the ball and run him through pick and rolls, with Cliff, with Hyatt and with others on the roster. I also think Mulcahy and Agee/Cliff looks like a good 2-man pick and pop/roll game, because Cliff and Agee offers some touch from 10 to 17 feet.

I don't see any reason why the thought has to be that the Point Guard brings the ball up, in order to be considered the point guard. Point guard is your "playmaking position", not the fastest player or most athletic player who can handle the ball......we can all agree Jacob Young was probably the fastest player RU has had in the backcourt in many years and could breakdown anyone in a 1 on 1 competition.....however, he had no instincts as a point guard on how to look for open teammates or initiate offense.

If you inbound the ball to Geo Baker or even Ron Harper, you can pass the ball forward quickly to Mulcahy at the half court line and allow the other guards to get into position to catch passes, cut or screen or whatever is required.

OR, Paul can be the primary person who inbounds the ball, but my guess is, after made FTs, that will be Cliff, Agee, Hyatt or RHJ asked to inbound the ball.

If you have a big man inbound the ball, as Mulcahy brings the ball up, that big man can essentially create traffic to help relieve pressure, so the defender has to work around the moving big man, as he runs up the court. Myles Johnson actually was good at this and if Myles turned to catch the ball after half-court, the big man can then pass to the wings and start the offense.

This whole notion that you want to wear out Mulcahy physically by asking him to bring the ball up, 30 minutes a game is foolish. It will be by committee......Mulcahy, Baker, Caleb, Harper, Jaden Jones and Jalen Miller all can handle the ball.

I also don't see a situation where you will get the most efficient or effective Mulcahy, anything beyond 28 minutes a game. The amount of work required of a guard, executing plays, shooting, fighting over screens, defense....all of that wear and tear, works against the player from a fatigue perspective.

The primary reason why I believe Mulcahy was a hidden weapon on corner 3s, was the fact he wasn't guarded closely and he wasn't asked to handle the ball full-time. That keeps him fresh and able to knock down shots.

The key for RU and Mulcahy, for those who are going to hang onto every word of what Pike says, instead of watching what actually has to happen, is this.....how good of a player can Jalen Miller be defensively?? If he is as good as advertised defensively and can be a defense first guard, who can also handle the ball, he should play anywhere from 14 to 18 minutes a game. I would really like to see Miller tasked to pester the Curbelos, Phinnisee, Jaden Iveys and other teams 3rd or 4th guards if the opponent has players off their bench.

I am looking at this from a team perspective, Mulcahy can hit 4 to 6 assists a game by playing off the ball in half court and driving aggressively and decisively from the wings..... He has the size, strength added to absorb contact. If he is a willing driver, looking to score, RU is in very good shape. That is the "point guard", we need, not who brings the ball up court.

When I was saying that PM can’t handle on ball pressure, I was talking about half court. My recollection, for what it’s worth, is that PM had a little a run two years ago where he was playing some point, also doing the point forward thing some, effectively. Just a few games. Then teams figured out he can’t handle pressure and that was the end of that.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

was about to bring up Curbelo , and Jaden Ivey at Purdue. who guards them?

cliff is important

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Paul will get us in offensive sets. He will be an extension of Pike on the floor. As NJH says it can be taxing bringing the ball up against man pressure. We have a host of guys who can handle and 1 pest can only guard 1 player.

 

[RUChoppin]

Was away from my computer before, but have the stats in front of me now.

In the first 18 games, Mulcahy averaged 3.3 ast/1.6 tov in 29.1 minutes, for a 2.03 ast/tov ratio (4.5 ast/40 min, 2.2 tov/40 min). Then he dislocated his pinky during the 2/13 game, and it was stuck in bent position after the game during an interview.

Over the next 3 weeks (6 games) through the remainder of the regular season, he averaged 1.8 ast/2.0 tov in 24.7 minutes, for a 0.92 ast/tov ratio (2.2 ast/40 min, 3.2 tov/40 min).

Over the final 4 postseason games (Indiana/Illinois/Clemson/Houston), he averaged 2.5 ast/1.5 tov in 23.0 min, for a 2.5 ast/tov ratio (4.3 ast/40, 1.7 tov/40).

I'm pretty sure that the injury hampered his handle.

 

[BigRnj]

We are a bit slower without JY and MM… but keep in mind ball movement, moving without the ball and good shooting can equalize speed. Ask Iowa and Wisconsin.

 

[richthedentist]

Paul is actually the best ball handler this team has imo

Not sure about the rest of the thread but too many times when the ball is in his hand the ball movement stops he does make some good passes sometimes
He also is not quick enough to beat his man off the dribble now sometimes he can take his man down low because of his size but that’s strictly in a post up position

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

he struggles with on ball pressure. we really don’t have a really good ball handler unless Miller is that guy

he doesn't have to bring the ball up the court and beat a press. all he has to do is take over in half-court offenses and dish... in that role he can make opponents pay for pressuring him (I think and hope)

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

he doesn't have to bring the ball up the court and beat a press. all he has to do is take over in half-court offenses and dish... in that role he can make opponents pay for pressuring him (I think and hope)

The only problem is a guy can only make an opponent pay in the half court is if he beats his man and forces help to come over.

Will he dribble penetrate past his man to force help?

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

The only problem is a guy can only make an opponent pay in the half court is if he beats his man and forces help to come over.

Will he dribble penetrate past his man to force help?

Have you not seen PM take small guards to the hoop? Have you not seen him make a move to create an angle for an entry pass? He is bigger than most defending 1s and 2s... he can use his body and see over them easily enough.

What is it with you guys?

Plenty of teams have post players dishing from the top of the key. If this is the plan it will be the plan because Pike sees that it can work. And if it doesn't work with particular matchups the plan will change.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Have you not seen PM take small guards to the hoop? Have you not seen him make a move to create an angle for an entry pass? He is bigger than most defending 1s and 2s... he can use his body and see over them easily enough.

What is it with you guys?

Plenty of teams have post players dishing from the top of the key. If this is the plan it will be the plan because Pike sees that it can work. And if it doesn't work with particular matchups the plan will change.

No,I have not seen him consistently beat smaller guards to get to the hoop. I don't think anyone has. Not PM, not Geo, not Montez, not McConnell.....only Jacab Young did it.

I responded to your comment "pay for pressuring him". If one defender is pressuring a guard you can't make a defense pay for pressuring him.

He has been great against zones playing in the middle and ball movement in the half court....very important.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I responded to your comment "pay for pressuring him". If one defender is pressuring a guard you can't make a defense pay for pressuring him.

Fundamental misunderstanding of spacing on defense. Getting too close to your guy can create opportunities. You seem to favor blowing by your guy, penetrating and dishing as opposed to off-the-ball movement by everyone else creating opportunities. I, for one, would prefer to see more motion offense when we get into half-court O. And PM will feed the bigs pretty well without having to blow by a smaller, faster guard.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Fundamental misunderstanding of spacing on defense. Getting too close to your guy can create opportunities. You seem to favor blowing by your guy, penetrating and dishing as opposed to off-the-ball movement by everyone else creating opportunities. I, for one, would prefer to see more motion offense when we get into half-court O. And PM will feed the bigs pretty well without having to blow by a smaller, faster guard.

As I said above, the problem with PM has been that he has not been able to beat on-ball halfcourt pressure though a pass or penetration. Generally pressure has resulted in him having to get rid of the ball quickly...not to make a play, but just to get it out of his hands. If PM is given some breathing room, he will pick you apart. But is shut down by being pressured. So that's what I'm looking to see in terms of improvement.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

As I said above, the problem with PM has been that he has not been able to beat on-ball halfcourt pressure though a pass or penetration. Generally pressure has resulted in him having to get rid of the ball quickly...not to make a play, but just to get it out of his hands. If PM is given some breathing room, he will pick you apart. But is shut down by being pressured. So that's what I'm looking to see ion terms of improvement.

Yep, Not sure what games the other guy has been watching...maybe his High School games.

 

[RUChoppin]

As I said above, the problem with PM has been that he has not been able to beat on-ball halfcourt pressure though a pass or penetration. Generally pressure has resulted in him having to get rid of the ball quickly...not to make a play, but just to get it out of his hands. If PM is given some breathing room, he will pick you apart. But is shut down by being pressured. So that's what I'm looking to see ion terms of improvement.

Mulcahy would frequently dribble past his defender into the top/center of the lane and pause while keeping his dribble - which would be a more effective move if he would look to pull up and score from there more often, or make a final move to the rim. Creating a threat in the middle of the defense worked more often earlier in the year, where they would collapse down on him and open up guys on the outside - but once it became apparent he wasn't really a scoring threat from there, they stayed home on their men.

Just looking to score more will open up things for Mulcahy - if the opponent only sees you as a facilitator, you aren't going to draw in the defense. He's a 6-6 PG, and he should be able to pull up in the midrange on almost anyone guarding him to get a clean look. Hoping this is an area that he improves on in his third year.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Mulcahy would frequently dribble past his defender into the top/center of the lane and pause while keeping his dribble - which would be a more effective move if he would look to pull up and score from there more often, or make a final move to the rim. Creating a threat in the middle of the defense worked more often earlier in the year, where they would collapse down on him and open up guys on the outside - but once it became apparent he wasn't really a scoring threat from there, they stayed home on their men.

Just looking to score more will open up things for Mulcahy - if the opponent only sees you as a facilitator, you aren't going to draw in the defense. He's a 6-6 PG, and he should be able to pull up in the midrange on almost anyone guarding him to get a clean look. Hoping this is an area that he improves on in his third year.

I seem to recall that he had a nice run of playing point forward at the top of the key for a few games. Then teams started pressuring him resulting in turnovers. And that was the end of that.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

I don't want to come off as negative about PM. I think he's a great player and I'm glad he's here. And if we have a good year I think he will be one of the reasons. But I see him playing his role. And, until I see it, I'm still skeptical that his role is initiating the offense in the halfcourt against high pressure Big Ten defenses.

I would LOVE to see PM grow and be able to play the lead role. It would be a thrilling development for PM and for Rutgers and something to really cheer for.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

From the almost 90 minutes or so from yesterday, Paul looked pretty good, seemed to add more strength without necessarily "bulking up",: and looks more comfortable catching and shooting in drills. I think the projections about where Paul could be as a college player, will be much more visible with this group of players vs last year.

A lot of basketball isn't really improving on the weaknesses as much as having a chance to highlight what you can do well. Not necessarily a knock against where Paul was last year, injury and fatigue take a toll on your production. But Hyatt and Jones provide more jump shot assists available for Mulcahy than Mathis and Young would.

 

[trotter]

Paul needs to take more shots in order to extend the defense. If they don't respect his shot we will be playing 4 on 5 in half court.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

As I said above, the problem with PM has been that he has not been able to beat on-ball halfcourt pressure though a pass or penetration. Generally pressure has resulted in him having to get rid of the ball quickly...not to make a play, but just to get it out of his hands. If PM is given some breathing room, he will pick you apart. But is shut down by being pressured. So that's what I'm looking to see in terms of improvement.

WHEN has he been assigned to do that? we always had guys out there to do that 1 on 1 crap... why would we ask PM to do that? Why do you want that to be the responsibility of the PG in half-court sets?

In any case.. I hope we get to see how he does directing the offense and then we can discuss how important it is to be able to blow by guards.

Here's what I want to see.. PM with ball top of key.. Geo and Harper make moves from baseline toward the arc.. maybe with screen help.. PM dishes and then, say, RH takes the ball and if open shoots the three or if the defender is still coming fast then RH blows by him creating openings for big men whose man left him to go stop penetration.

That's what I want to see.. TEAM offense.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

WHEN has he been assigned to do that? we always had guys out there to do that 1 on 1 crap... why would we ask PM to do that? Why do you want that to be the responsibility of the PG in half-court sets?

In any case.. I hope we get to see how he does directing the offense and then we can discuss how important it is to be able to blow by guards.

Here's what I want to see.. PM with ball top of key.. Geo and Harper make moves from baseline toward the arc.. maybe with screen help.. PM dishes and then, say, RH takes the ball and if open shoots the three or if the defender is still coming fast then RH blows by him creating openings for big men whose man left him to go stop penetration.

That's what I want to see.. TEAM offense.

I think you may be responding to someone else in your comments about "blowing by guards". That's not a point I was harping on. My point is this: whether from the top of the key, or on the perimeter, PM can't hang onto the ball long enough to make a play if he gets pressured. Too often he has to pick up his dribble or pass while not in the flow of the offense.

I get what you are saying about team offense. But sometimes you need a ball handler to make plays and get things going. If all we have is team offense then this point is moot and we don't need a PG or lead guard or a playmaker at guard. Great if that happens. But if we are talking about a PG and playmaker...then I'm saying PM can't posses the ball long enough in the face of pressure to run the offense against good defenses.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

And regarding blowing buy guards from the perimeter, let's unpack that. JY was uber quick and he could blow by someone even if they were leaving a good buffer. Baker isn't as fast. He needs to have the threat of making a jumper to suck someone in before penetrating.

If they are pressured though, both of them can make the defender pay by penetrating and playmaking. PM, if pressured, too often has to just meekly pass it to avoid a turnover.

So I'm not saying that to be good a guard has to be able to take people off the dribble to initiate the offense or make a play. But a basic floor of competency for a lead guard is that they need a credible threat of penetrating and playmaking to keep defenders honest. Otherwise they will pressure you non-stop.

 

[willisneverrana43]

What's he changing. The guy's been here for some time.

 

[zappaa]

PM has a huge roll and he will contribute greatly.
Experienced and game tested.
That said he is not breaking a press, and not beating opponents best ball on ball defender to the hoop.
Geo will bring the ball up the court, and we’ll learn quickly about Miller

 

[zappaa]

What's he changing. The guy's been here for some time.

He’s not a point guard, that would be the change if it were tried for an extended period of time