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C Byron 'B.J.' Mullens (Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo - Japan)

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I don't blame the coaching staff on this, B.J. wasn't playing well and the coaches have to try and win the game. The play that set me off was I believe in the 2nd half. Diebler took an open three off a curl, B.J. had set the screen and is about 15 feet from the basket. When Jon lets the shot go B.J. puts his arm up in a premature celebration in anticipation of the shot going in instead of crashing the glass and starts to trot down the court. Of course the shot missed and our 7-footer is no where to be seen near the rebound. Needless to say I noticed he was yanked on the next dead ball as well he should've been. I don't feel sorry for him in the least that he played 12 mintues, he obviously wasn't as mentally focused as you need to be in a game like that and didn't give a championship effort. If he was giving great effort in those 12 minutes I'd say he'd have a point, but he didnt' give great effort and I'm sad to see he feels entitled to more playing time when he didn't make the most of the minutes he was given.
 
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daddyphatsacs;1431811; said:
I can't blame Matta for not playing the guy. He doesn't owe anything to anyone, B.J. is a great talent, but he is a freshman. He needs to realize that. Matta will give the chance to play, but you have to earn it. How can you teach learning experiences (something that most coaches do over time) when you are called out for doing so? I think the ego's of some of these guys has gotten to be a bit much. It's been documented that BJ has had a hard road. I wish him the best; judging by his comments, I have the feeling that he won't be around for 2009-10.

Sadly, I am having flashbacks of D. Cook a couple of years ago.
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he's definitely been catching some heat elsewhere for appearing to be biding his time until the draft. i'm not sure i agree with that, but something has definitely been off with him lately. i'd love to see him tear up sienna. from looking at their roster, it looks like he should have a great shot at it.

the play that got me fired up at bj was when he let the guy under his arm to get the rebound on a free throw.
 
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Mullens' NBA Draft Stock Continues To Drop - by Dave Biddle 3-18-09

A quick fact and a fast opinion:

Fact: B.J. Mullens? stock has dropped considerably according to NBA scouts the last four months.

Opinion: But not nearly enough that Mullens will return to Ohio State next season.

The 7-foot freshman center was projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by several publications when the 2008-09 college basketball season began.

However, now Mullens has slipped all the way to 17th in ESPN.com?s latest draft projections. I personally don?t think he?ll fall that far in the draft, but there is no getting around the fact that Mullens has went from possibly the top overall pick, to on the fringe of a lottery pick.

However, I still think there is no doubt he will leave OSU following this season. Even if he does slip just outside of the lottery ? or if he goes late in the lottery like I think he will ? that?s still plenty of money to entice a young man with Mullens? background to turn pro. Or someone from any background for that matter.

People could argue for hours if Mullens is ?ready? for the NBA, but that?s not the question. The question is whether he?s going to leave and I think he?s already decided he will. Ohio State fans hope he?ll go out with a deep run in the NCAA Tournament (or at least a win over Siena on Friday in Dayton and then a good game against No. 1 Louisville on Sunday) but I think it?s safe to say Mullens? days as a Buckeye are almost over.

But is there any chance he will look at his sliding draft stock and decide to give it one more chance at Ohio State in 2009-10? Again, I don?t think so because I believe Mullens has already reached his decision. People can change their minds, but I think OSU fans should enjoy Mullens? final collegiate games in the NCAA Tournament.

* Here is Mullens? scouting report from ESPN.com:
Positives: Legit 7-footer. Elite athlete for a big man. Strong, NBA body Big hands, long arms Explosive leaper Runs the floor Strong finisher at the rim Can finish with either hand Jump-shot range out to 15 feet.

Negatives: Year older than everyone in draft class. Raw, basketball IQ limited Lacks aggression Takes plays and games off Trouble focusing Lacks defensive discipline Needs better effort rebounding
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Continued.....


Ohio State Buckeyes College Football Recruiting, OSU Big Ten Football, OSU Basketball - Bucknuts.com
 
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Rob Oller commentary: Early exit by Mullens seems likely
Friday, March 20, 2009
By Rob Oller
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

B.J. Mullens used the expression "one and done" three times in a 10-minute conversation this week to describe the NCAA Tournament exit policy.

The fearful Ohio State fan will worry that the freshman 7-footer was subconsciously describing his future with the Buckeyes, the parallel being that the lose-and-go-home mantra of March Madness rings similar to the lose-and-go-get-a-job tune sung by players such as Mullens who are considering leaving college early for the NBA.

I won't allay those fears, for it is quite possible, even probable, that the final game of Mullens' college career will coincide with OSU's final game of the season. So keep an eye on the center out of Canal Winchester tonight in a first-round game against Siena, because if the Buckeyes leave town early, Mullens might, too.

The strongest evidence comes from Mullens himself, who given the chance this week to publicly commit to returning for his sophomore season declined to do so. If Mullens were certain of returning, he is enough of a straight shooter to say so.

Instead, after telling me he has yet to reach a decision, there was this exchange:

Me: "Do you think you're ready right now to play in the NBA?"

Him: "I think I am, but we'll find out."

Read into that what you will. I take from it a player who won't be coaxed into staying at Ohio State based on the premise that his game still requires seasoning before he can be effective in the NBA. He doesn't think so, in part because much seasoning already has taken place, not so much with basketball skills but through the slap to the head that comes when a high school star turns into a college sixth man.
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BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Rob Oller commentary: Early exit by Mullens seems likely
 
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BJ is a great talent and seems like a great kid. I hope whatever he decides to do, he is able to make it work out for him and his family and his future.

I hope he brings it all and leaves it on the court in the tourney, his college legacy and draft status will be affected by his effort this weekend.
 
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B.J. Mullens, meanwhile, offered no assurances.

?I?ll sit down with my family and friends and see what?s best for me and my family,? Mullens said in the hallway outside the Ohio State locker room in University of Dayton Arena.

Mullens said he has not made a decision whether to stay or go and said the disappointing first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament is ?definitely going to play a factor in it.? But he also said he has not enrolled for the spring quarter at Ohio State, which begins March 30.
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Turner reiterates: ?I?ll be back? (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)
 
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Lauderdale was our better Center overall throughout the game.

Still, would have been nice to see how he'd develop with a whole offseason of training. I guess we'll never know.

I really do think this is a mistake though. He probably won't be one of the first four Centers taken in this draft, and I'd be shocked if he's playing in the NBA soon(i.e. he'll be playing somewhere in the NBDL).

Best of luck to him should he decide to leave.
 
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BJ has the potential to do a lot more as a college player and as a Buckeye, but I strongly believe that if a guy wants to go to the Association and can, then he should follow that.

Good luck to him. The upside is that if he goes somewhat late in the first round, he may find himself in a situation with a little less pressure and more realistic expectations than what Oden faced.
 
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The second NBA contract is the big contract. If you're not ready to contribute in the first two or three years in the league, you are actually costing yourself money in the long run.

But there will be money immediately available with the rookie contract. Tough to expect a young man to think that far ahead about investing in an uncertain contract 3 or 4 years down the road.
 
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Someone posted it elsewhere and it bears repeating: BJ is not ready for the NBA, but the NBA is ready for him.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid he's gone and will leave without much of a legacy at the school he committed to in 9th grade.

I wish him the best, and hope his NBA dreams come true.
 
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