Cullen Russo pf 6-9 2015 to Fresno State

[shockerfan]

@shockerfan: since you saw him play in person can you give us a description of his game? From the highlights he looks like a face the basket 4. Did he display any post moves? Also a queston on his height. He's listed at 6-9 but I saw a January article that put him at 6-6.

He was the biggest guy on the floor when i saw him (height wise). I would definately say he is closer to 6'9" than 6'6". I was at floor level and he was impressive. Torren Jones for Midland was physically bigger (more muscle...etc) but that didnt phase Russo. However, he is definately more of a face up player. Think of a bigger Darius Carter. He was the best big on the floor that night. He shot well. I thought Jones would push him around, but he didnt. He also played pretty good defense against Jones. Jones only went 3-11 or something. New Mexico did collapse on Jones some though. So it may have been a combination of things. I do recall Jones struggled with Russo's length though. He runs the floor real well and is a big time athlete. Not a great free throw shooter that night, but decent enough. He did hit 1 3 pointer and it was a pretty nice shot. That surprised me.

I talked to coach Dreiling (Midland coach) and he said Russo got better as the year went on. Shot better...etc. He thinks he would be a good get.

I was there to support Coach Dreiling so i was paying most attention to his team. I remember cringing every time Russo touched the ball because generally good things happened for them when he touched it. He turned it over a bit but both of these teams were playing pretty physical, tough defense. He also had a few antics. Nothing that were major, just enough to piss off the home fans lol.

[tropicalshox]

Thanks shockerfan. Holding his own against Torren Jones helps answer shocks02's question.

[shockerfan]

Thanks shockerfan. Holding his own against Torren Jones helps answer shocks02's question.

Yeah. He was definately more aggresaive than Jones and had him frustrated all night.

I will say that New Mexico and Midland are somewhat rivals and this game had post season implications (at least for Midland). So that may have cause him to be more hyped than usual.

But coach Dreiling said this was more of a norm from Russo during the last half of the year.

Regardless Jones can be a beast. So holding him in check was definately impressive

[KC Shox]

Pass. The dude's stats are unremarkable for a Juco player. There's no such thing as defense in Juco and that's the best he can do?

[shockerfan]

Pass. The dude's stats are unremarkable for a Juco player. There's no such thing as defense in Juco and that's the best he can do?

That is false about defense in JUCO. Some actually do. But to each his own.

And for the record, i dont think he would come in and dominate necissarily. But of we are looking for a big he MAY be about the best available that we have a shot to land.

[choida]

Way I see it... It's between clay or russo... Depends how much he trusts our back court situation after bcc van vleet graduates...it's a tough choice.... But I say they will take it year by year and try to get the big man that most want.... But can't go wrong with sitting a transfer point guard and building for year after

[pinstripers]

Pass. The dude's stats are unremarkable for a Juco player. There's no such thing as defense in Juco and that's the best he can do?

You better phone the coaching staff immediately.

[choida]

That is false about defense in JUCO. Some actually do. But to each his own.

And for the record, i dont think he would come in and dominate necissarily. But of we are looking for a big he MAY be about the best available that we have a shot to land.

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...

[tropicalshox]

For those curious about Torren Jones, projects as a high major big man but with baggage.

[Carolina_Shock]

How does he project/rank differently than Tevin Glass? Seems like a similar prospect taking a quick look.

[Ol skool]

[QUOTE=Carolina_Shock;571163]How does he project/rank differently than Tevin Glass? Seems like a similar prospect taking a quick look.[/QUOTE

Video highlight verbalcommits.com

[jocoshock]

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/cullen-russo

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

[RoyalShock]

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.

[shockmonster]

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

His coach says he will play the 4 at the next level. Supposedly he can guard inside and chase on the perimeter. A little bigger than Glass and hopefully he catches on to the offense before half the season is over. At 6'9 and 220 I would imagine he has a high ceiling. But there are some similarities to Tevin too.

[forevershockerfan]

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

Today's Eagle projected him as a power forward and referred to him as a multi-dimensional forward that can guard multiple positions. Our team for next Season seems to be grooming up with a sharp-shooting talented group of athletes that will provided us with more quality depth than even last Season at each and every slot. This squad could remind us some of the Notre Dame team we faced but deeper. ND had Kentucky on the ropes and had beaten NC and Duke earlier in their trek. Even losing Cotton which is tough, our overall D. should still be able to win games against teams like Indiana when we did not shoot the rock well. With this team, could we be a much better shooting team. I love all the fresh look of several new players that can sharp-shoot and score to blend in with our returning squad. They will all learn to play improved D. like never before too. Stay tuned.