Cullen Russo pf 6-9 2015 to Fresno State

[shocka khan]

Here's a Q&A with Russo from a Minnesota source:

http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/showthread.php?61312-Q-amp-A-Cullen-Russo-Talks-Recruiting-With-Upcoming-Visits-to-Wichita-St-and-Gophers

And another thing you can count on in regard to juco is that most of the guards have never heard of an entry pass. So scoring opportunities by bigs are rare.

If you watched Cincinatti's Coreontae DeBerry this year, he's a good example. I watched him at Hutch last year and was not impressed at all. But he was a serviceable back-up for the Bearcats.

We need more than a serviceable back up. We have several of those already. We need someone who can come in and start.

And if I were king of the world, I'd also like him to be at least 6'10" with athleticism.

[jdshock]

I love all the fresh look of several new players that can sharp-shoot and score to blend in with our returning squad.

The best part is that you get an exponential effect when you add sharpshooters. Having two offensive powerhouses on the floor at the same time in Cle and Baker was crucial to our success. If you double team one of them, you're just picking your poison. It definitely looks like next season we'll always have two incredibly skilled shooters on the floor if not more. I think that Baker, CF, and ZB are all going to be able to put up some serious numbers and all three might have 20 pt games next season. In particular when FVV is there to manage the floor.

[wusphlash]

Questions. Can he contribute on the defensive end? Does he have the presence to clog the middle of the lane? Does he have hands that once they're on the ball it's his? If so, I'm on board.

[forevershockerfan]

The best part is that you get an exponential effect when you add sharpshooters. Having two offensive powerhouses on the floor at the same time in Cle and Baker was crucial to our success. If you double team one of them, you're just picking your poison. It definitely looks like next season we'll always have two incredibly skilled shooters on the floor if not more. I think that Baker, CF, and ZB are all going to be able to put up some serious numbers and all three might have 20 pt games next season. In particular when FVV is there to manage the floor.

These are valid points you mention. What also intrigues me is grooming new solid guards to be able and ready to take the baton and produce when Baker and FVV graduate. Replacing those 2 will be tougher than bending rusted nails, but getting a jump start now will be of essence in such efforts.

[RoyalShock]

We need more than a serviceable back up. We have several of those already. We need someone who can come in and start.

And if I were king of the world, I'd also like him to be at least 6'10" with athleticism.

My point was that DeBerry (who's stats were not as good as Russo's) was much better at Cinci than I would have ever anticipated. Heck, I wouldn't have thought he could be a starting center on a mid-level Valley team. As fans, juco big men can be difficult to evaluate, and stats do not tell the story.

[forevershockerfan]

There was this Division 3 Juco player that used to play here and when the lights were beaming, he really played good for us. I think his name was Cle. Hall was not chopped liver either. These 2 are a hard act to follow but I do really dig the ability of our Coaching Staff to evaluate players. Mr. Baker was a player we bumped into along the way with no stars attached to his name but has fit in with awesome fashion here. In the scheme of things, the Marshall Plan has a special ability to bring in players that can fit our System and then help us beat teams with highly touted players and maybe that defies logic but happens quite often.

[Dan]

If 3G thinks that we can go 3-headed at the 5 with Morris/Wamukota/Nurger, perhaps a good 4 man with offense is what we need. I like Kelly, but he is very limited offensively. It would be nice to have a rotation of Kelly, McDuffie and this guy at the 4. That would give us the height and athleticism that we missed this year.

[Ol skool]

Says he is a small forward. Thought we needed a "big"?

Looks more like a stretch 4 to me. Marshall is confident that the bigs we have now will be groomed into the three headed monster we had before. And is focusing on the four spot where we had to rely on an undersized wessel for the most part. With someone like this guy wessel can concentrate on the three spot. Along with maybe mulder and:or brown.
And Russo along with Kelley and Hamilton competing for time at the four.
Just My thought of possibilities .

[RoyalShock]

If 3G thinks that we can go 3-headed at the 5 with Morris/Wamukota/Nurger, perhaps a good 4 man with offense is what we need. I like Kelly, but he is very limited offensively. It would be nice to have a rotation of Kelly, McDuffie and this guy at the 4. That would give us the height and athleticism that we missed this year.

Excellent point, @Dan:.

[shockmonster]

It would appear that there would be no more Wessel at the 4.

[wufan]

Exactly... This point last year after a perfect season we got glass and Bush... And first time I've seen a juco leave after a year... So either we get a juco or transfer that sits...

James Anacreon transferred out after one year.

[Art Bunch]

He runs and jumps like a much smaller player. Very athletic. Let's get him in here asap.

[Ricardo del Rio]

4. Wessel, Kelly, Hamilton

4. a. Shaq.

4. b. Brown.

Where does Russo fit?

[Ricardo del Rio]

He runs and jumps like a much smaller player. Very athletic. Let's get him in here asap.

Art, I have wanted to ask this question of you for awhile. Are you related to James?

[pinstripers]

4. Wessel, Kelly, Hamilton

4. a. Shaq.

4. b. Brown.

Where does Russo fit?

might depend on who else is leaving