CIS Hoops.ca

Our good blogging friend Neate Sager chimes in with a pair of articles on his "Out of Left Field" site providing his thoughts on the Canadian team with an Eastern Ontario touch Sending In The Carleton Swat Team Neate also highlights the lone CIS player: "I know there was skepticism on some of the message boards about Bell and he hasn't taken a shot in two games, but the team's had a couple of nice surges when he's been out." Getting a charge out Bell's contributions For what it's worth, in my view Ryan Bell has been fine for Canada in his limited role. He took a big charge against Brazil in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night which kept Canada in the game and he was on the floor in the second quarter last night when Canada had a solid run to take the lead against Venezuela, making at least 2 solid decisions in transition including a sweet look to Carl English that led directly to a fast-break layup for Canada. At 6'4", he is long and intelligent enough to defend the ball (I can't remember anyone beating him off the dribble) and strong enough not to think you can post him up. He still has not turned it over in 2 games and gives you a big guard who can rebound as well. Given his limitations in being able to beat people off the dribble at this level, he is suited for a back-up role to give Jermaine Anderson a blow. If getting the right people the ball at the right time, not turning it over, defending and rebounding are his roles, then he's done very well up to now.

Unfortunately, the news on 6'5" Andy Rautins is not good as it was confirmed that he will miss the entire 2007-08 season at Syracuse due to the torn ACL injury he suffered early in the game against Brazil. Rautins, who will take a medical redshirt this coming season, hopes to be able to return to action next season and will be entering his junior year athletically with 2 seasons of eligibility remaining. Here is a report from Mike Waters who keeps a blog on Syracuse University basketball Rautins to miss 2007-08