Quote from: Red1 on November 23, 2008, 01:18:15 AM
Met_fan,

Good freshman is right.  Hamilton picked up Patrick Sullivan, up a 6-7 forward out of Delbarton private school in New Jersey.  He can shoot 3's well, blocks a lot of shots, rebounds like crazy, plays phenominal defense on the permieter, and in the midcourt in transition.  Hell I've started referring to him as mini-hansbrough.  One lacking thing though:  He loves to dunk, and he can't do it.  Went 0-3 on dunks in 2 games and committed 2 charges in the process. (Apparently he forgot he's not actually Tyler Hansbrough and is not capable of dunking straight over the top of people.)  On the plus side he was smart enough not to try a 4th time and resorted to normal layups (and those he didn't miss).

Less known (or looked at) is a guard they picked up named Russ Rosenband.  I don't know where he's from, but I can tell you where he's headed:  Starter, and perhaps all conference.  He was 7-13 from behind the arc over 2 games, money from the foul line, scored 17 points in both games, and did it all coming off the bench.  He also did it with lots of hands in his face.  The composure he showed knocking down shots with defenders right in his face was outstanding.  But this is where Hamilton's depth is scary.  Their starting point guard is out with an ankle injury (hasn't played yet), so this team is only gonna get stronger, and this money shooter will keep coming in unnoticed off the bench. 

This guy's weakness:  defense.  His feet aren't quick enough to defend guards and he resorts to a lot of handchecking and reaching in.  While the officials let 'em play style (which I'll admit was consistent both ways, albeit annoying) worked well for him today, he'll struggle mightily on D when a tight calling crew is officiating.

I don't know how good this team really is, but I hope their phenominal so that this won't be a bad loss for Bates.  We'll find out in early January when the contintals head to the midwest to take on the No.1 Bears from Washington Universtiy (Mo.) (great win over Augstana in OT btw), followed by Illinois Wesleyan.  The only other Nescac game to watch for with Hamilton is later in the season when they take on Williams.  I'm wondering about how weak the Nescac maybe or how strong Liberty League may have gotten given Bates' loss to Hamilton, and hearing about Amherst's scare at the hands of Skidmore.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Cheers,
Red1

Hi, Red 1 - Saw your comments on Russ Rosenband.  I watched him play in high school in Greenwich, Connecticut, and he can flat out light it up from way outside.   Absolutely phenomenal shooter with ultra-quick release and terrific form.  Had some huge games against some real good competition.   Agree might have some trouble against quick guards, but he has great instincts for the ball, along with quick hands.  I see that he's leading Hamilton in steals in early going even though he's playing less than 20 minutes/game.   Definitely a player to watch for the next four years.