Justin Hamilton plays the Iowa Energy
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
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The DMR really loves to revisit Hamilton's famous quote that he wanted to be closer to home when he transferred from ISU. He obviously didn't want to share his real reason for wanting to get out. He must have been really set on his decision to transfer to LSU (much farther from Utah than Ames), when Hoiberg was unable to flip him. Since he played as a true freshman and sophomore with the Cyclones, he was able to spend his redshirt year at LSU waiting to be eligible. He had some very nice games in the one year he played for LSU. I caught a few of those on ESPN3.
Bailing out on McDermott was commonplace in that era, so while Hamilton's decision to leave was disappointing, you could not really say it was senseless. Agreeing to play for Hoiberg would have been a big opportunity, but I figure he didn't want to go back on his word to play for LSU. The decision I think was most ill advised, though, was in leaving LSU a year early to enter the NBA draft. In this age, I just think players not a lock to be a lottery pick are better off staying in college as long as possible. LSU was a much better team with Ham in the lineup, and if he had taken them to another level, into the Big Dance, in what would have been his 5th year senior season, I think he moves up to the 1st round of the NBA draft.
Bailing out on McDermott was commonplace in that era, so while Hamilton's decision to leave was disappointing, you could not really say it was senseless. Agreeing to play for Hoiberg would have been a big opportunity, but I figure he didn't want to go back on his word to play for LSU. The decision I think was most ill advised, though, was in leaving LSU a year early to enter the NBA draft. In this age, I just think players not a lock to be a lottery pick are better off staying in college as long as possible. LSU was a much better team with Ham in the lineup, and if he had taken them to another level, into the Big Dance, in what would have been his 5th year senior season, I think he moves up to the 1st round of the NBA draft.
If Ham stayed, good chance Hoiberg would have made the tourney that first year IMO. But why does the DMR think we care about him anymore?
No chance. The team that went 3-13 in Conference play with one player becomes a NCAA tourney team? Laughable
You apparently do not remember how many really close losses we had . There were a ton that went to the wire.
I've always thought this. That team desperately lacked solid and consistent post play. Vanderbecken worked his rear end off, but he was essentially a tall shooting guard. Ejim was good for a Freshman, but still a Freshman. I love what that team did Hoiberg's first year, but they were deficient in more ways than one.
True but it wasn't as if Hamilton was some game changing player. ISU would've won more games, no doubt, but still not a NCAA team, NIT bound with something like 6 wins in conference.
His offensive game was really coming along and you have to remember he was option 2 in the post when he was there. As the featured post I really think he would've come into his own.
His leaving was really what sent me over the edge on McDermott. If he couldn't relate to and teach a big white guy then who the hell could he relate to?
I doubt we would have made an NCAA tournament like this...
1 - Diante
2 - Scottie
3 - Uncle Jake
4 - Ejim
5 - Big Ham
Vanderbeken first off the bench at 4-5, then Godfrey, really thin at guard, though, in having a much younger Bubu as your first option after the above.
We would have won a few more games, maybe ~20 and finished in the middle of the Big XII, maybe NIT, but I doubt the NCAA was coming.
I remember that for being one of the most entertaining Iowa State teams I've ever seen. Sure, they didn't win much, but watching Diante go wild, JVB and SC go deep, and Ejim's raw energy and talent was a revelation after the snore job of the McDermott era. Maybe I am used to it now, but, it was really refreshing to see and a harbingers of things to come with Fred in having something fun and good again finally.
1 - Diante
2 - Scottie
3 - Uncle Jake
4 - Ejim
5 - Big Ham
Vanderbeken first off the bench at 4-5, then Godfrey, really thin at guard, though, in having a much younger Bubu as your first option after the above.
We would have won a few more games, maybe ~20 and finished in the middle of the Big XII, maybe NIT, but I doubt the NCAA was coming.
I remember that for being one of the most entertaining Iowa State teams I've ever seen. Sure, they didn't win much, but watching Diante go wild, JVB and SC go deep, and Ejim's raw energy and talent was a revelation after the snore job of the McDermott era. Maybe I am used to it now, but, it was really refreshing to see and a harbingers of things to come with Fred in having something fun and good again finally.
It would have been interesting to see what would have happened had he stayed. But I think he could have put us over the edge in 3-4 of those close conference losses that year.
I was always someone who thought that McDermott was probably a win or two away from turning things around at Iowa State. He always seemed so close, but nothing ever seemed to go right. Justin leaving was one of those things that really made me start to doubt it though. It was just kind of the peak of those dark days.
And it was those days that remind me that what has happened the last 4 years is something to enjoy.
I was always someone who thought that McDermott was probably a win or two away from turning things around at Iowa State. He always seemed so close, but nothing ever seemed to go right. Justin leaving was one of those things that really made me start to doubt it though. It was just kind of the peak of those dark days.
And it was those days that remind me that what has happened the last 4 years is something to enjoy.
We lost 8 games by 5 points or less that year plus 2 overtime games. That was the year Colorado got shafted with a 21-13 record, so most likely would have needed to be better than that.
I thought Fred had given Hamilton the same treatment he gave Dendy. I think I remember there being reports that Hamilton expressed interest in staying at ISU after the coaching change was made but that Fred didn't want him anyway. Think about it, Ham didn't exactly fit the mold of player that Fred has been looking for ever since he took the job.
