What Rhode Island MBB will Miss About Hassan Martin
With the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season and the conclusion of Hassan Martin's collegiate career, it is time to evaluate what Rhode Island MBB will miss about him, both on and off the basketball court.
1. Blocks - Hassan Martin can block basketballs. Hassan Martin can block any ball in any sport. Hassan Martin can practically block the entire world. If Hassan Martin blocks you in a game of pickup basketball, check your phone immediately after his block because he probably blocked you on social media too. Creighton's Justin Patton learned the hard way in the first round of the 2017 NCAA tournament and the best of the best have learned not to test the Rams' #12 on the defensive end.
2. No more Mario and Luigi - The star-studded partnership of E.C. Matthews and Hassan Martin has come to an end. Martin will no longer be able to be on the court in Kingston, RI to be the Luigi to E.C.'s Mario. This duo constantly took care of business of the court while photobombing and videobombing one another off the court.
3. Intensity - You are not a real Rhode Island Rams basketball fan if you have never seen Hassan Martin scream like a lion.
4. Leadership - Beginning in the 2017-2018 season, Martin will no longer be around to help advise and teach his teammates. Kuran Iverson's transition and Cyril Langevine's progression was sped up by the teachings of the big man that donned #12 for four seasons as a Rhode Island Ram. While he was around, Hassan Martin provided the guidance that his team needed to be successful on the court and stay out of trouble off the court.
5. An offensive post presence - Going forward, Dan Hurley and his coach staff are looking to find out which of their frontcourt players can make an impact on the offensive end in the post. For the past four seasons, trying to score in the post has not been an issue with Hassan Martin on the block.
6. Rebounding - In a team that has always been dependent on defense and rebounding, Hassan Martin provided both and he cleaned up the glass really well. As a Rhode Island opponent, you either boxed Martin out or the rebound was his.
7. Dunks - A Rhode Island Rams basketball game was never complete without a dunk by the Staten Island native. I mean, who is really going to forget Martin dunking all over PC's Rodney Bullock and watching that dunk be repeated played all over ESPN and social media? The numerous left-handed jams by Martin almost broke a few rims.
