2017-2018 Record: 24-5 (7-3); lost to Williams in NESCAC Semifinals, lost in NCAA Sweet 16
2018-2019 Projected Record: 28-4 (8-2), Win NESCAC Championship, Lose in NCAA Final Four
Key Losses: None
Continentals Starting Lineup:
G Tim Doyle ‘19 (10.0 PPG, 3.3 AST/G, 36.5% 3PFG)
Doyle’s game isn’t very flashy, but the 6’5’’ guard is an integral part of this Hamilton squad. A pesky defender with a knack for causing turnovers, Doyle tallied a career-high six steals against Amherst last season, and averaged more than steal a game in the 2017-2018 season. While his offensive numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, the Nuskayuna native certainly has the capability to put up points. Doyle recorded at least fifteen points in eight games, including a season-high 26 against Utica. He’s off to a great start in 2018-2019, shooting 57.8% from the field and dishing out a team-best four assists/game.
G Kena Gilmour ‘20: (18.5 PPG, 7.2 REB/G, 1.8 STL/G, 47.0% FG)
Gilmour’s transition from freshman to sophomore included a spot in the starting five, and boy did he deliver. The former NESCAC Rookie of the Year finished second in the NESCAC in scoring and led the league in steals, garnering All-NESCAC First Team honors and a spot on the All-Northeast Region Second Team. He dropped 40 points in Hamilton’s Sweet Sixteen defeat to Springfield, and the junior looks ready to lead his squad to their first ever NESCAC Championship. His 2018-2019 MVP campaign is off to a blazing start, averaging 19.5 PPG on 51.2% shooting to go along with 6.9 REB/G and 1.3 STL/G. The one knock on his game thus far, however, has got to be the poor 3PFG%; Gilmour is just 7-25 from beyond the arc, and he’ll need to find a rhythm from downtown before the conference slate begins.
G/F Michael Grassey ‘19: (12.8 PPG, 7.1 REB/G, 38% 3PFG)
Grassey is a pure shooter and only needs the slightest bit of separation to get off a shot. His eighteen threes made were good for 10th in the ‘CAC, and connected on 40% of them in conference play. He essentially finished tied with Gilmour as leading team rebounders (despite the shortest members of Hamilton’s starting five) and recorded four double-doubles. Through the first eight games of this young season, Grassey has upped his scoring average to 15.9 PPG, including a 26 point showing against Transylvania in late November. One thing’s for sure about Grassey: this kid hasn’t forgotten how to shoot. The senior from Winchester is torching opponents from downtown at an astounding 53.2% clip. A word of advice to NESCAC coaches: don’t play zone against this kid.
G/F Peter Hoffmann ‘19: (13.9 PPG, 5.0 REB/G, 1.4 STL/G, 56.1% FG)
Hoffmann was the team’s second-leading scorer last year and ranked fifth in the NESCAC in field goal percentage (56.1%). His numbers earned him a Second-Team All NESCAC selection, and captains this year’s squad with fellow teammate Michael Grassey. The 6’6’’ senior does most of his damage from inside the arc, and he should probably abandon the three ball all together (8-38 last season, 3-13 this season). Although his scoring has dipped since his sophomore season, the senior can still shoot the rock; Hoffmann tallied 18 points in Hamilton’s season-opening win against Centenary University, and poured in 16 a few games later against Carnegie Mellon. He might not be the player opposing defenses are entirely focused on, but lose sight of him and Hoffmann can and will make you pay.
F Andrew Groll ‘19: (7.4 PPG, 6.1 REB/G)
Groll is another one of those prototypical centers who does the dirty work on both ends of the floor. A starter his freshman and sophomore seasons, Groll came off the bench in 2017-2018, but regained his starting role for his senior year. Despite averaging 7.4 PPG, Groll was very effective from the field, shooting an even 50%. He’s also a threat on the offensive glass, placing 8th in the conference in total offensive rebounds. This season, the numbers are essentially identical.I know the Continentals are a deep squad with talented scorers, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Groll saw some more touches; not only would it establish a low post presence, but he could also attract an additional defenders, opening up the court to allow for a cutting teammate or leave the perimeter exposed.
Breakout Player:
G Mark Lutz: (11.6 MPG, 4.6 PPG, 0.6 TO/G)
Hamilton has a wide assortment of guards to choose from, so it’s hard for Coach Stockwell to allocate minutes to all his players. Lutz has improved his offensive game to earn those minutes. Just like many of his teammates, Lutz likes the make it rain from three; he’s made at least one three pointer in seven of Hamilton’s eight games, and averages 44.8% from beyond the arc. His most recent performance against SUNY Polytechnic was his best yet, where he scored 13 points and went 3-4 from three. He’s currently averaging close to 8 PPG while shooting 44.8% from long range. Lutz also does a great job at taking care of the ball, sporting a .5 TO/G average. If Hamilton ever finds itself in an offensive spunk, Lutz will most likely be the first guy off the bench to spark a run.
Everything Else:
Last season left a bitter taste in Coach Stockwell’s mouth as the Continentals lost a thrilling NESCAC Semifinal to Williams. Couple that with squandering a three point lead with four seconds to play in the Sweet Sixteen (Hamilton missed two free throws, allowing Springfield to launch a prayer three and send the game to overtime), and you’ve got a team that is angry and motivated to prove they are one of the best teams in the land. Currently ranked #3 in the country, there’s no doubt this Hamilton team is one of the favorites to not only grab its first NESCAC Championship, but also a National Championship; and how could you not love the potential this team possesses? They led the NESCAC in scoring this past season and returned four of their five starters. The one starter they did lose (no offense to alum Joe Pucci ‘18) averaged less than 6.0 PPG and was more of a floor general than anything. This team is an offensive juggernaut, currently averaging 92.1 PPG on 50.9% shooting. They seem to play a more small-ball approach, as their traditional center (Andrew Groll) only averages around 20 MPG. Instead, this team is full of tall, athletic guards that love to shoot.
Defensively, the Continentals were near the bottom of the conference in terms of points allowed (74.2 PPG), but did lead the NESCAC in turnovers forced by a sizeable margin. So far to date, the averages are trending in the right direction; Hamilton ranks top five in the NESCAC in teams in terms of points allowed (68.8 PPG), turnovers forced (lead the league with 17.3 TO/G) and rebounding (35.6 REB/G). Another major problem the Continentals had last season on the defensive end was fouling; they committed 19.1 PF/G, a number that only Colby and Trinity were able to surpass. Eight games in, and the number is worse, up to 20.3 PF/G (Apparently “keep your hands to yourself” was not preached at the team meeting prior to the season’s beginning). All jokes aside, Hamilton is trending in the right direction on the defensive side of the ball, but conference play will be the telling point as an indication to whether or not the Continentals have turned the page.
#YGTMYFT
I set aside this special acronym for specifically Hamilton. Games are won and lost at the free throw line (just ask Hamilton last season regarding Springfield). I know I’m reopening a wound that hasn’t fully quite healed, but the signs were there: the Continentals shot just 71.4% from the line in 2017-2018, and while that’s good enough for third in the NESCAC, it’s still not a phenomenal average. This season, they’re shooting…..61% from the charity stripe, second worst in the ‘CAC. Now before Continental faithful freak out, I expect this percentage to increase mainly due to the starting five’s lack of minutes thus far. Coach Stockwell has rotated a majority of his bench players into games for significant periods of time trying to figure out who he can count on for when the conference games come calling. Many of the poor percentages belong to said bench players, with the one exception being Peter Hoffmann (29.6% FT). Nonetheless, I have to say it, because conference games will be tight scoring and there will be times where the Continentals will have to ice the game at the line: Hamilton, YOU’VE GOT TO MAKE YOUR FREE THROWS!!!
After my quick free throw rant, I will say this Hamilton team can be really special. The NESCAC is one of the premier basketball conferences in D3, and there’s a strong possibility the Continentals will come out as the cream of the crop. In fact, I’m going as far as declaring Hamilton as the favorite to secure their first ever NESCAC Championship, and if they clean up the personal fouls on defense/improve their free throw shooting, this team can win a National Championship. This is a squad full of veteran players who got a taste of what they can accomplish during last season’s postseason run, and is one of the best and most consistent offensive team in the country. I expect big things from this Hamilton team, so don’t make me look bad.