It was a really nice event. The turn out was pretty solid. I'd say nearly 300 in attendance. The current team scrimmaged a line-up of recent Rambler stars - Krut, Dante, Braden, Tom W, Custer, Tate......And these guys played hard. They did not just go through the motions.
I tend to be a bit over critical, but I'd say that overall - the 2025-26 ramblers were very impressive and we should be excited about the season.
Rotation notes:
The starters were actually: Rubin, Houinsou, Tavarez, Dotson, and Glazkov First off the bench (at the same time) - Amos, Love, and surprise! Nic Anderson.
First big off the bench (not considering Amos as a big....yet)....was Richardson. Braden Young did not get in until late in the first half.
As noted - Ola-Joseph and Harris were on the bench but did not play.
Most important! Justin Moore looked really good in warm-ups and was not wearing a brace. Drew made a comment post scrimmage that his rehab is going very well and he should be back to full practice in September. Great news.
Individual player notes:
The most impressive new player was Cade Dotson - incredibly strong build and nice release on his jumper. Plays with confidence and swagger. Made at least 4 threes. Going to be a major contributor. Didn't really notice his playmaking ability but this game did not really allow for that ( I'd say - given how early it is - we didn't run a lot of planned offensive sets. A lot of perimeter passing and post out passes - I'd guess that 2/3rds of our shots were 3's.)
Amos looked great. Very long and active player. Made 3 straight 3's at one point - though I hope he doesn't see this as his role on the team. I think he's big enough for some minutes at the 5 if Richardson and Young are not ready yet. We will have terrific size when he is on the floor with Rubin and Kymany
Kymany seemed bigger than last year.
Tavarez definitely flashed. Made a couple of really long 3s. Good all around floor game.
Richardson will give us some good minutes. Didn't get a shot and I didn't notice any rebounds, but he did play pretty good defense on Krut (who is in terrific shape and played a fantastic game - he's added a long step in one handed push shot to his arsenal - he made at least 3 of them).
Most surprising player to me was Nic Anderson. He looked great shooting 3's in warm-ups - I think he made one in the game. Not tall - but long arms and quick. Very heady player for a freshman - good one on one and help defense and a knack for weak side rebounding (similar to Marquise Kennedy).
If anyone was a little disappointing, it was Danil. Made back to back 3s at one point, but still hesitant to take shots and there were several obvious examples of lacking court awareness. At one point Drew got in his face pretty good - for not passing into a Braden Young on Braden Norris mismatch in the post. Good for Drew!
Chuck Love only played about 4 minutes before turning his ankle. He rushed a couple of shots that were way off - but at least he took them. Probably has a ways to go on defense, Dante made him look silly on one move.
And one last comment - Braden Norris was outstanding in this game. I don't know if he is playing anywhere now....but he sure should be.
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