Orange’s Hutchison looking forward to facing UConn
As a freshman at Notre Dame-West Haven five years ago, Brett Hutchison got to practice and travel with the varsity team.
The star of that team was Tremont Waters, who would go on to star for two seasons at LSU and play two seasons with the Celtics. Though three years apart, Hutchison became close with Waters, often exchanging sneakers. Waters — like Hutchison a diminutive point guard — became somewhat of a role model.
“I think the biggest thing I learned from Tremont, especially because he’s a smaller guard like me, is how hard you have to work,” Hutchison said. “Every time I’m on the floor, I’m probably going to be the smallest guy on it. It takes a lot more not only to get on the floor, but when you are on the floor, what you have to show to prove you’re worthy.”
Hutchison is learning that first-hand in his first season of college basketball. The 5-foot-10 Orange native is the lone freshman for Binghamton, which plays in the America East. He’s a preferred walk-on, recruited to play for the Bearcats, though they didn’t have an open scholarship for him.
As such, his role in practice differs from that of your typical walk-on.
“I try to be as vocal as I can in practice, talk a lot,” Hutchison reported. “A guy my size and speed, I try to play defense as tough as I can, and try to get up in on defenders.”
Hutchison played at Notre Dame-West Haven as a freshman, prepped two seasons at Northfield-Mount Hermon in Massachusetts, then returned to Notre Dame for his senior season. The Green Knights went 19-1 that season and were the No. 2 seed for the Division 1 state tournament before COVID-19 wiped it all out.
Last year, Hutchison prepped at the Canterbury School, which played only about a dozen games and had no postseason, due to the pandemic. He was recruited by Holy Cross and Binghamton, and thought he was going to end up at Holy Cross. However, he wasn’t able to get into the school, and wound up at Binghamton, where he’s been since early July.
“I’m so happy I ended up at Binghamton,” he said. “It’s been awesome. I’m the only freshman on the team, so everyone who’s been here has taken me in with open arms, teaching me everything. It’s great to be here.”
As for this season, Hutchison knows playing time could be limited under first-year coach Levell Sanders. He has yet to play in the Bearcats’ first two games, including Sunday’s 72-60 win at Sacred Heart.
That game is one of three that Hutchison will play back in his home state. On Jan. 26, Binghamton plays a league game at Hartford. On Saturday, the Bearcats play UConn at XL Center.
THIS WEEK’S AP TOP 25 BALLOT
Some of our Top 25 teams struggled to beat mid-majors this past week. But a win is a win, and it’s hard to penalize too much for a victory. Here’s our ballot for this week:
1. Gonzaga: First-ever top-5 battle at home for Zags Saturday vs. Texas
2. Purdue: Won first two games, 96-67 and 92-67
3. Kansas: Pretty impressive win over Michigan State at MSG
4. UCLA: If a game between two potential Final Fours tips off at 11:30 p.m. EST ...
5. Villanova: ... did it really happen?
6. Illinois: Illini face Marquette Monday night in Gavitt Games
7. Texas: Maybe Longhorns aren’t that good ... or maybe Gonzaga’s just that good.
8. North Carolina: Tar Heels struggled to beat Brown at home Friday night.
9. Michigan: Great showdown with Seton Hall Tuesday in Ann Arbor.
10. Duke: As great as win over Kentucky was, struggled vs. Campbell
11. Tennessee: Won first two games, 90-62 and 94-62
12. Ohio State: Narrow wins over Akron, Niagara have us re-assessing
13. St. Bonaventure: Trailed late vs. Canisius on Sunday
14. Indiana: Interesting bout with St. John’s on Wednesday
15. Baylor: Defending champs are still pretty good
16. Auburn: Awaiting UConn in Atlantis next week
17. Houston: Needed rally to beat Hofstra in season opener
18. Memphis: Looking as good as advertised so far (vs. weak competition)
19. Alabama: Dec. 4 showdown with Gonzaga looms
20. Maryland: Terps will miss defensive whiz Darryl Morsell, now at Marquette
21. UConn: Weak competition, but man, the Huskies have looked good
22. Arkansas: Probably should have had them ranked preseason
23. Syracuse: It’s Boeheim ball up north this season
24. Seton Hall: Absolutely throttled Yale on Sunday
25. Florida: Convincing win over Florida State gets them in