Tip Off Classic 5 Takeaways: New London-Spicer dismantles shorthanded Roosevelt
A game that was supposed to feature two of the best guards in the state turned into a bit of a dud as New London-Spicer dominated a shorthanded Minneapolis Roosevelt club, 65-34. Here are five takeaways from the contest: No…
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Continue ReadingA game that was supposed to feature two of the best guards in the state turned into a bit of a dud as New London-Spicer dominated a shorthanded Minneapolis Roosevelt club, 65-34.
Here are five takeaways from the contest:
No Desi Sims spelled doom for the Teddies
Desi Sims is one of the top scorers in the state and the main reason Roosevelt was playing Saturday at Hopkins. With him, the team is capable of winning 15-20 games and being very good. We saw what they are capable of without him though Saturday as Sims was out. The Teddies scored just 17 points in each half, shooting a palty 12-46 from the floor. Sims not only piles up points himself, but his presence opens up a lot of space for his teammates.
Brandon Adelman played like one of the best guards in the state
Without one of the game’s featured guards, it was something of the Brandon Adelman show and he didn’t disappoint. The senior guard scored 20 points and consistently made plays on both ends of the floor. Roosevelt actually got out to a 12-5 lead early in the game and the game completely turned in about a two minute stretch where he knocked down a 3-pointer, got a steal, assisted on a basket off pick-n-roll in transition and drew a charge. He’s the type of star most small-school teams seem to need if they are going to go big – as in win conference and section titles – and he’ll lead the Panthers to a lot of wins this winter.
NLS is much more than just Adelman though
Adelman’s the man for the Wildcats, but he’s hardly alone. NLS has a really good outfit with upperclassmen all over the floor. Ryan Wygnanowski is an all-conference caliber off guard, Ander Arnold is an all-conference caliber wing and Jake Poole and Brandyn Harlow provide size and athleticism in the frontcourt. The Wildcats have an old, big, athletic team that will get contributions from a number of guys on any given night.
The Wildcats defense is going to cause problems for teams
The Wildcats have the athleticism, size and smarts to be a very good defensive team. Harlow is an anchor in the paint and with him, Poole, Adelman and Arnold, the ability to rebound shouldn’t ever be an issue. Wygnanowski is a pest on the perimeter and Adelman’s got the ability to defend anybody on the perimeter. NLS also showed the ability to use some zone Saturday.
Where does Roosevelt go from here?
The Teddies won 17 games a year ago and should be capable of matching that if Sims is in the lineup. Without him, it’s clear they are going to have a lot of trouble manufacturing points. Roosevelt has a tough non conference schedule that includes games against Breck, Jordan, Hibbing and games in the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud. The Minneapolis City Conference is also fairly open after Minneapolis North. Roosevelt has a chance at a very good season, but a lot of it hinges on Sims.