Just some comments after watching that stellar Stanford-Rhode Island ('98) game -- immortalized by the Mad Dog Howl -- on ESPN Classic. I watched the game live in '98 but didn't pay too much attention to Cat. Most of the attention on that team was focused on Tyson Wheeler. Watching the game again, it was interesting to see how little Mobley's college game resembles the style he currently plays. Obviously, college shot clock and zone D have a lot to do with that, but he didn't even show any inkling of the one-on-one showmanship or dribbling theatrics he loves so much as a pro. He was also quite active on defense against Stanford. (side note: Cat appeared to be significantly shorter than he is today.) Cat's line from that game: Mobley - 20 points, 6-10 FG, 5-6 FT, 5 boards, 3 assists, 35 minutes. Of course he did get the ball stolen in the game's most crucial moment (it appeared to be a foul), but his boy Tyson blew a chance to tie the game by (badly) missing free throws at the end. Who followed Cat's college career? What was his game like back then? I followed Steve pretty closely at MD and his game hasn't really changed much.
The only college game I got to watch Cuttino extensively was Rhode island's upset of Kansas a few years back in the tournament. He looked pretty good back then. I think he had like 27 points in the game.
I saw every game cat played in the last three years he was at URI. I live about two miles from the university and went to every home game. I had the pleasure of having him coach me a couple of years while at summer basketball camp there. Hes a cool guy to hang out with and his game has changed drastically since his arrival in the NBA. He never used to have the great first that gives him teh great one-on-one game. I have enjoyed watching him mature over his four years in the league. TheFreak, he was never def player of the year, just A-10 player of the year in his last year.
I was at URI. Cuttino and I first met in the gym during our freshman year. he was a skinny kid and a redshirt that year I think. I have watched almost all of his collage games. I was a cheerleader for basketball and football as a freshman so I went to the away games too. As far as what has changed about his game, well I will tell you the biggest. Cat has always been a gym rat, and It has payed off. he loves to lift and work out and it is his Physical development that has made him a star at this level. I have said this before around here, but when I first saw him in game, we all used to pick on his funny name. he was so damn skinny it was hard not to find something to pick on. now cuttino is a physical specimine. his gym ethic is amazing and it has made his offensive game much better. I do however feel that he is still adjusting to his bigger body (which developed his senior year at URI). his D will, and has improved, but its hard to get used to that additional mass. RR5, I lived at 1308 Ocean road in narragansett for 2 years (down by the Bonnevue), do ya know where that is?? I dormed in Burnside when I lived on campus.
The Voice, Ya, i actually just moved to narragansett about 6 months ago and its prob bout a two minute drive from where u live. I used to live over on rt 138 by the kingtons campus.
The first game I saw Cuttino was the game versus Kansas. It was a Sunday afternoon, and Cuttino was draining mid range jumpers. Rhode Island built a 10 point lead in the second half and kept it to preserve one of the biggest upsets in the tournament. The 97-98 Kansas went down as a big dissapointment. They were the number 1 seed in their regional and featured future pros such as Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce.
I remember during the 98 draft scouts were saying Cat wouldn't score many points on the NBA level but he would be a great defensive player. I never thought Cat would be averaging almost 22 a game either. After his rookie season he just blew up.
