The URI basketball team has player movement involving former, current and future players.
The most noteworthy, for the present, is that Will Daniels has signed to play for the Chicago Bulls. He will head to Florida this week to play for the Bulls from July 7 to 11 in the 2008 Orlando Pro Summer League.
In addition to the Bulls, the event features players from the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets and Seattle SuperSonics. Three of the top four picks from the 2008 NBA Draft are expected to participate: Derrick Rose (Chicago), Michael Beasley (Miami) and Russell Westbrook (Seattle).
Daniels was not selected in last week's draft. He averaged 18.6 points and 6.5 rebounds for URI, and became the first URI player since Tyson Wheeler (1996-97, 1997-98) -- and just the third URI player ever -- to earn First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors in consecutive seasons.
Orlando Pro Summer League games will begin at 3 p.m. from July 7 to 10, and at 11 a.m. on July 11. A live video webcast of every game will be available on orlandomagic.com. Box scores, game recaps and cumulative statistics from the event will also be made available by visiting www.orlandomagic.com.
Rhody coach Jim Baron reports that Hakim McCullar, a little-used 6-7 freshman forward on this past season's team, has decided to transfer. He has visited Toledo and Delaware.
Meanwhile, three of the five players the Rams have signed for next year -- 6-9 forward Orion Outerbridge, 5-8 guard Stevie Mejia and 6-4 guard Jamal Wilson -- all are on campus, attending summer classes and getting acclimated to the school.
They are the three players expected to be most ready to help the Rams, who also have seven returning players. All three are expected to contend for playing time immediately.
The two other signees for this year, 6-8 forward Ryan Brooks and 6-4 guard Rand Dezouvre, apparently have not been cleared to play for next year. Their status is uncertain.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Duquesne basketball coach Ron Everhart, who has turned around one of the nation's worst Division I basketball programs in only two seasons, signed a three-year contract extension Wednesday that runs through the 2013-14 season.
Duquesne hadn't had a winning season since 1993-94 before it went 17-13 last season, only two seasons after the Dukes were 3-24 under former coach Danny Nee. Everhart's first Dukes team went 10-19 in 2006-07, despite having five players shot following an on-campus party two months before the season began.
Everhart also has dramatically upgraded the Dukes' recruiting, signing players who were recruited not only by other Atlantic 10 Conference programs but also Big East Conference schools.
Recent signees include B.J. Monteiro, the Connecticut high school player of the year; Aleksandar Milovic, a highly sought European swingman; and Rodrigo Peggau, a promising power forward. The Dukes also signed Melquan Bolding, a 6-foot-4 prep school swingman who initially committed to Louisville.
"I'm fortunate to be part of a program here at Duquesne that has been given a strong commitment for excellence by the administration," Everhart said. "We have a commitment that allows us to compete at the highest level of the Atlantic 10."
Duquesne president Charles J. Dougherty and athletic director Greg Amodio both praised Everhart for his strong work ethic and for revitalizing a long-dormant program.
Before Everhart arrived, Duquesne had records of 3-24, 8-22, 9-21, 9-20, 5-23 during a run of eight consecutive bad seasons from 1998-99 through 2005-06.
Duquesne, once one of the East's top basketball schools, hasn't been to a postseason tournament since going to the NIT in 1994 and hasn't been to the NCAA tournament since 1977.
Everhart, formerly the coach at McNeese State and Northeastern, virtually rebuilt Duquesne's roster from scratch following the 2005-06 season, with 10 new players recruited and two others transferring. Everhart was forced to reshape his roster again this spring after junior center Shawn James and junior guard Kojo Mensah declared for the NBA draft.
James and Mensah, unhappy with their playing time last season, sued the school this week, alleging it did not provide adequate security at the on-campus party in September 2006. Both were shot following the party, James in the foot and Mensah in the left arm.
Now that Everhart has reshaped the roster again following a second upheaval in three years, he is looking to build a stable program that is regularly in the mix for deep runs in the Atlantic 10 tournament and also plays regularly in postseason tournaments.
"Being close to home means a lot to me and my family," said Everhart, from nearby Fairmont, W.Va.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Bernadette McGlade was selected Monday as the new commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference, replacing Linda Bruno.
McGlade had served as the associate commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1999. Bruno resigned in December.
McGlade has spent nearly 30 years in college athletics as a competitor, coach and administrator. A former basketball player at North Carolina before going on to coach at Georgia Tech, she was the tournament director for the 1993 women's Final Four. She was a member of the women's tournament selection committee from 1995-2000 and joined the ACC in 1997.
No, it is not to celebrate his graduation from URI, but rather to prepare for life after college. Daniels' agent, Andy Miller, has a number of his clients -- players hoping to be drafted -- in Vegas. They are working out and playing basketball while awaiting word on who will be invited to Orlando, the final pre-draft camp.
In other URI basketball news, word is leaking out for next year, although not from the Rams. The team prefers not to discuss its schedule until everything is in place. However, Central Connecticut and New Hampshire have announced they will be visiting the Ryan Center next season.
Also, work for a tournament Thanksgiving week is apparently virtually complete. That event will include four games, one at home, one on the road and then two at The Palestra in Philadelphia to determine the title. URI is set to host Hartford and visit Monmouth. Possible opponents at The Palestra include Penn State and Villanova.
"There's still a lot to do, but we're in better shape than we were at this time last year," one school official said of the scheduling situation.
Finally, there is no word yet on the final make up of next year's team. As it is, the team has one too many players with those returning and five signed for next year. There also is word of a possible transfer.
Current indications are that any cutbacks are likely to come from the new players signed for next year. Hakim McCullar and Will Martell, two little-used freshmen last season, both are working hard and making improvements and appear likely to stay.
In one interesting Atlantic 10 development, Shawn James of Duquesne, the brother of URI forward Delroy James, has hired an agent and thus will not return to school for his final season of eligibility.
St. Bonaventure losing two players, including top frosh Morgan
OLEAN, N.Y. (AP) - St. Bonaventure forward Matt Morgan, a two-time Atlantic 10 Conference rookie of the week last season, is one of two players who announced Friday they're transferring.
Freshman guard Hillary Haley is also leaving the school. St. Bonaventure did not provide reasons for their transfers or say where they were going.
"It's unfortunate that Hillary and Matt won't be a part of the resurgence of this program," said coach Mark Schmidt, who completed his first season with an 8-22 record. "We wish them the best not only in their college careers, but with all their future endeavors."
Morgan averaged 3.4 points in 28 games, but enjoyed an eight-game stretch when he averaged 10.4 points and five rebounds. Haley averaged 5.6 points and 2.4 rebounds over 29 games, including 14 starts.
The Bonnies added swingman Michael Davenport on Thursday when he signed a national letter of intent. Listed at 6-foot-3, Davenport averaged 11 points and five rebounds as a senior playing for Cincinnati's Archbishop Moeller High School last season.
Providence College's search for a new basketball coach has focused on Drake's Keno Davis. The 36-year old coach has emerged as the favorite to be the next Friar coach.
On Monday, the rumor mills focused on Karl Hobbs and Kevin Willard. However it is Davis who could be hired as the next PC coach, as early as tomorrow.
More in Tuesday's Journal.
Providence College's basketball program is just about to wrap up its annual team banquet downtown at the Biltmore.
There is no news on the coaching front. Athletic director Bob Driscoll was not in attendance and is said to be actively chasing a replacement for Tim Welsh. It is not clear whether Driscoll is in town or traveling, although it appears he was out of town talking to a one particular prospect.
Just an informed guess here but I'm hearing George Washington's Karl Hobbs is still alive in this race. Iona's Kevin Willard and Hofstra's Tom Pecora are not viable names, it was learned on Monday.
More on the dinner in Tuesday's Journal.
AMHERST, Mass. -- Travis Ford has told Providence College officials he will not accept their offer to become the next coach at PC, deciding instead to remain at the University of Massachusetts.
There is no word on the Friars' next move in their coaching search, which began when they fired Tim Welsh nearly a month ago.
We do not expect a decision on PC's courtship of Travis Ford tonight.
Ford and his wife spent all day with PC athletic boss Bob Driscoll and schools president Rev. Brian Shanley. They were still on campus tonight but no announcement from the school is forthcoming. No press conferences are set for tomorrow at this point either.
Ford has a team banquet at the University of Massachusetts scheduled for Thursday night. It would be a major shock if he doesn't give PC his decision by then.
Could Ford turn the Friars down? Sure. He'd be walking away from a huge payday, Big East notoriety and a chance to live in a more vibrant, urban community than Amherst but he's done a very good job at UMass and proven he can win a lot of games (49 in the last two years) in the Atlantic 10. Only fear that he can't do the same (or something remotely close) at Providence should keep him from saying yes to the Friars.
PROVIDENCE -- Providence College's search for a new basketball coach has focused on Massachusetts coach Travis Ford.
Ford, 38, is in Providence today and meeting with athletic director Bob Driscoll. He and his wife just finished a tour of the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
There are no indications that an agreement between the two sides is complete but this is the strongest sign yet that the four-week search could be nearing an end.
"I have not scheduled any press conference for today.'' PC associate athletic director Arthur Parks said.
Ford met with Driscoll at the Final Four in San Antonio. On Tuesday, he issued a statement from his office at UMass that said he no longer wished to be considered for the coaching job vacancy at LSU.
"I would like to make clear that I do not want to be considered for the head job at LSU," Ford said in the statement. "There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about me and the job at LSU. I feel that it is necessary to state that I do not want to be considered for the job."
Ford's interest in other jobs was not addressed, however. UMass finished 25-11 this past season in Ford's third year at the school and the Minutemen lost the NIT championship game to Ohio State, 92-85.
URI forward Will Daniels has decided not to take part in the Portsmouth Invitational draft camp.
Daniels, who was in Texas last week for the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star game at the Final Four, has had a hectic schedule and decided not to go the event in Virginia that runs Wednesday through Saturday.
Daniels had five points and five rebounds in the NABC game as his National All-Star team won, 108-103. Demarcus Nelson of Duke had 21 points Josh Duncan of Xavier 19 for Daniels’ team.
URI guard Parfait Bitee will compete in Portsmouth this week. He is on the Cherry, Berkaert & Holland team with guards Joe Crawford of Kentucky, Derrick Lowe of Washington State and JaJuan Smith of Tennessee along with forwards Brian Butch of Wisconsin, Patrick Ewing Jr. of Georgetown, James Mays of Clemson and Sonny Weems of Arkansas.
Providence College athletic director Bob Driscoll is traveling to San Antonio today. The city is the site of Saturday's Final Four and the national title game Monday night.
Once he checks into his room, Driscoll will be inundated with `Who are you going to hire?' questions from the hundreds of AD and coach-types who fill Final Four cities every year. Driscoll is expected to meet with the candidates he says are on his `short list' beginning Saturday.
One name that's appeared in The Journal since Tim Welsh was fired three weeks ago is that of Tim O'Shea, the former URI and Boston College assistant who is now the head coach at Ohio University. O'Shea is one of the coaches likely to sit with Driscoll over the next few days.
O'Shea has compiled an impressive resume at Ohio, a member of the Mid-American Conference which happens to be one of the most competitive leagues in the country. Over the last 18 seasons, only one school (Kent State, 2001-02) has repeated as conference tournament champion.
Ohio won that tourney in 2005 and put a major scare into Billy Donovan and Florida before losing, 67-62. The Bobcats finished 21-11 that season and that success has continued with O'Shea's teams winning 19, 19 and 20 games the last three years. In his seven years as coach, Ohio has beaten North Carolina, DePaul, Virginia, Cincinnati, Rhode Island (twice), St. Joseph's, Maryland and St. John's.
Ohio finished 20-13 this season, including the win at Maryland and over SJU in Hawaii. Interestingly, the Bobcats thumped Jim Larranaga's George Mason team, 69-57, in February when it erupted for 50 second half points. Larranaga is the coach who turned down an offer to come to PC on Wednesday.
Neither Driscoll or O'Shea will comment publicly about a potential meeting. That means we can't report it. But it seems likely the two will talk. Who else will get Driscoll's ear. Brown's Craig Robinson seems likely. So does UMass' Travis Ford but the Kentucky native is reported to be waiting to see if he can get involved at LSU.
We've been posting today on the ProJo's Sports Blog. Don't want to short change the Hoops Blog, however.
Here are the last 3 entries on a busy day for the Friars.
Larranaga Gets 3-year extension
Not a shock. Jim Larranaga has reached agreement on a 3-year extension to his contract at George Mason.
Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Tom O'Connor announced today that Larranaga has signed a three-year extension at George Mason. Larranaga is now signed through the 2014-15 season.
"Jim (Larranaga) is a terrific ambassador for George Mason University,"
O'Connor said. "Obviously with the 2006 run to the Final Four, our basketball program and the University have garnered a lot of national attention. On top of that he is a tremendous basketball coach, he's our coach and I'm proud to say that he will continue to be our coach for the next seven years."
"I've made it clear over the years that my family and I have loved it here at George Mason," Larranaga said. "I feel very fortunate to work under the great leadership of President Merten and Tom O'Connor. I feel very connected to both the George Mason and the greater Fairfax County communities. We have enjoyed their great support and it continues to grow. I've said before that I hope to retire here at George Mason and this contract extension allows me to do just that."
Posted by Kevin at 4:48 PM | Permalink
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PC renews search for coach
PC athletic director Bob Driscoll just issued a press release. Here's what it says:
"Over the last several days it became public knowledge that we were in discussions with George Mason head coach Jim Larranaga about becoming our men's basketball coach. We offered him a very substantial package but he was too comfortable in his current situation and opted to stay at George mason. As a result, I will continue to have ongoing discussions with the other finalists in this search. I remain very optimistic that we will find a head coach who will embrace the rich tradition of Friar basketball and move the program forward."
Who's next for the Friars? Certainly not clear at this point but they're likely to look at Davidson's Bob McKillop (who won't be interested), Brown's Craig Robinson, UMass' Travis Ford, Arizona's Kevin O'Neill and Ohio U's Tim O'Shea. But this race is now wide open.
-- KEVIN McNAMARA
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Larranaga says no to Providence
Jim Larranaga has decided to remain as coach at George Mason and not accept an offer to come to Providence College, according to PC associate athletic director Arthur Parks. A release from athletic director Bob Driscoll is due at any moment.
Will Daniels is going to finish his college basketball career at the Final Four.
The URI forward has been selected to play in the annual National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star game Friday in San Antonio. That is the event that kicks off Final Four festivities.
Daniels will play on the same team with Josh Duncan of Xavier, the only other Atlantic 10 player selected.
Others on the National All-Stars, to be coached by Oliver Purnell of Clemson, the past president of the NABC, are Sean Singletary (Virginia), Jonathan Wallace (Georgetown), Cliff Hammonds (Clemson), DeMarcus Nelson (Duke), Ramel Bradley (Kentucky), Shan Foster (Vanderbilt), James Gist (Maryland), Joe Jones (Texas A&M), and Jason Thompson (Rider).
The American All-Stars, to be guided by Dave Odom, the outgoing South Carolina coach, are Jamar Butler (Ohio State), Drew Neitzel (Michigan State), Mike Green (Butler), Courtney Lee (Western Kentucky), Robert McKiver (Houston), Kyle Weaver (Washington State), Alex Harris (UCSB), Maarty Leunen (Oregon), Charles Rhodes (Mississippi State), Brian Butch (Wisconsin) and Aleks Maric (Nebraska).
Daniels is the first URI player ever to take part in the event, which is sponsored by DiGiorno. The game, which will begin at 6 p.m. eastern time Friday, will be telecast by the CBS College Sports network. The game will be held on the same court as the Final Four, the first time that has been done.
Daniels finished his career with 1,678 points and 662 rebounds. This past season, Daniels led URI and ranked fourth in the Atlantic 10 in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game. He also registered 6.5 rebounds, good for second on the squad and 11th in the conference. The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder is the first URI player since Tyson Wheeler (1996-97, 1997-98) and just the third URI player all-time to earn First Team All-A-10 honors in consecutive seasons.
Cavel Witter hit a 3-pointer from the left wing with three seconds left _ his only basket of the game _ to give Creighton a 74-73 victory over URI tonight.
Rhode Island led virtually the entire game, by as many as 17 points. But, in a replay of the Ranms' loss to Charlotte in the Atlantic 10 tournament, Creighton hit four 3-point baskets in the final three minutes to rally and win it.
P'Allen Stinnett and Booker Woodfox each had 22 points and each had four 3-point hoops for the Blue Jays. Wil Daniels had 16, JImmy Baron 13 and Lamonte Ulmer 12 for the Rams who finish 21-12.
Creighton had pulled within four, at 54-50, and had all the momentum before URI just got a huge lift from Jason Francis.
Francis rebounded a missed shot and put it back it to make it 58-50. URi had hit two free throws in between. Francis was fouled and missed the free throw. But Kahiem Seawright rebounded, got it to Jimmy Baron who hit a 3-pointer to make it 61-50 with seven mintues left.
Back-to-back 3-point hoops by P'Allen Stinnett and Booker Woodfox have made it a game here at the Qwest Center.
The two hoops, 20 seconds apart, have helped the Creighton get within nine of URI, 52-43. Parfait Bitee just scored off the drive to make it 54-43 with 11:42 left.
Anyone who wonders about whether post-season play really is different than the regular season should see what is happening in the second half here at the Qwest Center.
The bodies are banging all over the place on both sides. But the officials are choosing to let the players play. Overall, the lead has not changed. URI is up 50-33 with 15:34 left.
What is clearly different is that the officials are letting the players play. The Creighton fans are booing when they see collisions bothering Bluejay’s shots. But the same thing is happening when URI is trying to shoot.
After struggling badly over the last six weeks, URI just played its best half of basketball in some time. The Rams lead Creighton 45-30 at halftime in the opening round of the NIT.
The Rams have made 18 of 34 shots, while holding the Bluejays to 35 percent (12-for-34).
The URI lead peaked at 17 points, at 31-14 and 33-16. The Rams had the Creighton fans murmuring as they had back-to-back dunks by Lamonte Ulmer and Kahiem Seawright. Seawright had a pretty pass to set up Ulmer and Marquis Jones an equally nice pass to set up Seawright.
With its 3-point shooting ability, though, Creighton can make up ground quickly. Forward Dan Watts had a trey from the top of the key to give the Bluejays some spark and get the crowd back into it.
Still, URI continued to use its speed to help set up good shots. Will Daniels has taken advantage with 12 points and Jimmy Baron 10. Booker Woodfox has nine for Creighton.
The news is good on Keith Cothran. He has been able to stand and flex his right leg during time outs. There is no indication Cothran will be able to return but he at least is moving around freely.
URI continues to play well here but has just suffered what could be a serious setback.
Jimmy Baron hit a 25-footer to make it 25-14 URI over Creighton with 8:08 left. As Baron was shooting, Cothran went in to get position for a possible rebound. His feet got tangled with a Bluejays’ player.
Cothran went down in a heap as Baron’s shot went in. He was attended to by trainer Mike Monteiro and had to be helped off the court. It is difficult to see exactly what the problem is. Monteiro is working on both of Cothran’s legs, bending and stretching as Cothran sits at the end of the bench.
A run of 12 straight points has given URI a nice start in its NIT game against Creighton.
It is 15-7 with 11:30 left.
Creighton scored on its first possession, a 3-pointer by Nick Bahe. Rhode Island then ran off the next 12, including a dunk by Jason Francis and five straight by Jimmy Baron. Will Daniels also has had a 3-pointer.
Rhode Island is bigger than the Bluejays and has a 9-5 advantage on the boards. Creighton has just begun pressing and already caused two Rhody turnovers off the press.
It is a hectic night here at the Qwest Center, and not just because of the Rhode Island-Creighton game. This building _ which is a gorgeous facility on the edge of downtown Omaha, several miles from the Creighton campus _ also is the site of first and second-round NCAA game Thursday and Saturday.
All kinds of people, a lot of them in suits, are working in the building tonight. The thing is, a good number of them are not here for the game. They are from CBS television and the NCAA, planning for the NCAA Tournament contests that will be in this building later in the week.
It also is different in the stands. Creighton was 15th in the nation in attendance, averaging 15,700. However, it does not look as if there will be anywhere that many people here tonight.
URI is without one of its coaches. Pat Clarke is making a hectic but happy return home. He received a call this morning that his wife, Kristin, had gone into labor and he caught the first plane home to be with her.
The teams just turned in their starting lineups. Jason Francis, who has been in and out of the lineup in the second half of the season, is back in.
Kevin McNamara chatted with projo.com readers at noon today about college hoops. Here is the transcript of the chat.
Kevin McNamara: Hello hoop fans. We'll be here for about an hour answering your questions on the NCAA tournament, PC, URI and Brown hoops. We don't have many questions in our Q already so fire away and I'll give it my best shot for a return volley.
THL: I don't believe there are very many Friar fans who give a damn about the NCAA Tournament. All we want to know about is the status of Tim Welsh, and who is going to be the coach come next season. I writing this question on last Friday afternoon, so maybe you've got some answers by now to the questions that everybody wants answers to.
Kevin McNamara: Here's what we know about the PC job. Bob Driscoll is clearly focusing on a few coaches who are still working with their current teams. That makes this week a pretty slow one on the search process. He'll certainly do backround checks on some of his top choices. Who are the 3-4 guys he's focusing on? Too early to tell. At this point, he won't contact coaches until their teams are done playing so I wouldn't say anybody is a leader. Some coaches also won't get involved unless they are contacted by PC first. So who is going to be the next PC coach? I don't know and I know Bob Driscoll doesn't either at this point.
james donald: What about the Georgte Maswon Coach
Kevin McNamara: Is this Jimmy Donaldson? If so, come on in here and you do this chat.
b1: Kevin you do a great job. Jim O'Brien has been a popular name in the coaching rumor mill but he hasn't been mentioned so far in the press. Is he at all being considered to be replace Welsh?
Kevin McNamara: If i was doing this search, I'd think about Jim O'Brien and speak with him but it seems as if PC is scared away by his transgressions with the NCAA while at Ohio State.
Bobbyg: While a little early in the procedings, the obvious question is who might be in the mix to replace Timmy W?
Kevin McNamara: These are the guys I'd be talking to, in no particular order: Phil Martelli, Bob McKillop, Jim Larranaga, Craig Robinson, Kevin O'Neill. Other guys who I wouldn't suspect would have an interest who I'd call on include Anthony Grant (VCU), Jeff Van Gundy (likely NBA return) and Sean Miller (Xavier). That's called shooting for the moon.
Red: Kevin: Does the URI administration have any idea how restless the natives are? Not just the few of us on the projo board, but others I talk to are frankly embarassed at the way things went down the dumper. We need change -- what will it take?
Kevin McNamara: You are wasting your breath. First of all, URI is more than happy with a 21-win season and return to NIT for first time in several years. Now the next step is geting to the NCAA's. I think the Rams are positioned to remain in that mix over the next few years. They've recruited well and have talent in every class in their program. Did things fall apart at the end of this season? Of course. But the big picture is a positive. Besdies, there is absolutely no way URI can get out of Jim Baron's contract even if it wanted to. He is owed 5 more years. Barring an unforeseen embarrassment, URI would have to privately raise big $$ for a buyout. That is not on anyone's radar screen, even if a small pocket of fans think it should be.
kurtsletten: Kevin, it seems to me that a coach with a solid recruiting background should be a high priority. Both Rick Barnes and Pete Gillen seemed to be able to pry away blue chippers away from the bigger schools (i.e. Michael Smith, God Shammgod) while Welsh always seemed to be searching for a a diamond in the rough (i.e. Gomes). Your thoughts?
Kevin McNamara: The perfect staff at Providence would include an innovative coach willing to try something different in X's and O's. He'd also be someone who loves recruiting and the challenge of trying to target top 100 players and getting them. More importantly, PC needs a coaching staff filled with recruiters and guys with connections. If someone can be hired and bring a top recruit along `a package deal' all the better. Finally, the staff needs to be good at individual workouts so the players in the program get better once they are here. That's asking a lot and I don't know if a staff with that makeup is even possible but that is my goal if I'm Bob Driscoll.
nelsonstmafia: kevin - 34 at large bids, 26 went to "bcs" schools, leaving just 8 to smaller conferences. what does it say about the a-10 and the level of competition that URI played against this season?
Kevin McNamara: The A-10 made great strides this season to get back into that upper echelon of leagues. Now it has to build on it. Three bids this season, 4 or 5 next year. Repeating its N-C success is clearly paramount because RPI's for all the schools slide once conference play begins..The A-10 will get its share of bids if it is the 7th or 8th conference, staying ahead of the Missouri Valley and Colonial, for example. If it slides back to 10th or 11th, it will struggle to get at-large bids.
kurtsletten: Kevin, any thoughts as to where Welsh ends up next?
Kevin McNamara: I keep hearing from other coaches and plugged=in media types that Tim Welsh could get hired by another school in the next few months. I believe that. The question is would Welsh want to coach at a school like Toledo, which just opened? Good league (MAC) but you have to live in Toledo. That's a question only Tim can answer.
jim: On name I haven't heard menioned is Tommy Amaker at Harvard who has Big East ties. Assuming that PC can't persuade a big name coach to come here, what about a top assistant coach. Maybe a guy like Chris Collins or even Richard Pitino.
Kevin McNamara: Tommy Amaker is not on the radar, and should not be. He's at Harvard for a reason. he didn;t get it done at Michigan. Michigan. PC will not hire an assistant coach. That is suicide in a conference where you coach against Pitino, Boeheim, Calhoun, Huggins, ect.
Bobbyg: I am hopeful that the returning PC team will entice a decent coach into realizing that they are not inheriting a broken program, but one that could (make that "should" with the right coaching) get into the NCAA next year. When I hear Larranaga and O'Brien I think their better days have come and gone. Of course, when you bring the hot young coach in you risk another Pitino or Barnes situation where they are exiting in 2 - 3 years after some quick success. It ain't easy being a small school in a big league. Driscoll has his work cut out for him. But I have faith in Driscol and more in Fr. Shanley.
Kevin McNamara: Right now I think PC would be thrilled with a 3-5 year run by a coach that is good enough to send him on to greener pastures. Winning is what it's all about. if that wasn't the case, Tim Welsh would still be the coach. As for your take that PC should be in the NCAA's nexty season, I doubt they will be selected pre-season in the Big East's top 7.
rhody85: How about Travis Ford, or is he to smart to think he could win on a consistent basis at PC, I do think you can win at PC, just not consistently.
Kevin McNamara: Travis Ford belongs in the South, not in Rhode island. I think he needs to get UMass into the NCAA's before he moves on. He's doing a fine job in Amherst right now.
Eileen: What about Tim O'Shea?
Kevin McNamara: Good coach who's won a lot of games in a difficult league. Someone who is on the radar, for sure.
rhody85: How good is Ben Eaves supposed to be?
Kevin McNamara: I haven't seen Ben play in a while but reports from URI's coaching staff were that he will help right away next season. He needs to shoot the ball well from outside to play a lot of minutes. He'll compete with LUlmer and Delroy james for minutes.
Friar Fan: Kevin- I was shocked when Driscoll said he was going to be a one man search commitee. He said his experience as a hockey coach allows him to make the call. That scare you?
Kevin McNamara: I much prefer the 1-man committee approach to the URI-like Gang of 10. That is unweildly and insulting to candidates, in all honesty. PC is a private school and can run searches anyway it chooses. URI and other public schools are bound to use committees for important hires. I think Bob knows enough people that he wil listen to important ones to get names to explore and then do his homework to investigate and meet ones he really likes. Then they come to PC and meet Fr. Shanley and others. That's how it'll play out. It could take awhile to get to the end.
rhody85: Is Eaves in anyway a Will Daniels substitute? Or is that asking too much?
Kevin McNamara: It's asking too much. Will was a 2-time all-league player. Ben has yet to prove he can play at this level. Just getting him to play 20 minutes a game and score 8-12 points a game would be a good 1st year in my book.
rf1: It seems that the A-10 has a perception problem. Everyone was talking about the league's great OOC season. Yet the league is later crucified because some of its top teams lose to teams in conference. The converse is not true for teams in the Big East. You hear very little when it comes to bubble talk about WV losing to Cinci, Villanova losing to Rutgers, or Syracuse losing to South Fla and Cinci. You instead hear how tough a league like the Big East is. The Big East was the RPI fifth rated league ( the A-10 was the RPI 7th rated league). It is the opposite for the A-10. Why is this? Do you think it is fair?
Kevin McNamara: The numbers don't lie. I think the Big East had six teams in the top 25 or so of the RPI. The A-10 had 1 (Xavier). Huge difference there. When you play so many good teams in conference, you can't damage yourself all that much with a `bad' loss. Not the case in the A-10. I agree with your premise that the A-10 has a perception problem. Dayton, for example, should've really been considered stronger for the NCAA in my eyes. The issue there was a horrid final 12 games. The conference RPI's do not matter. At all. ACC was #1 and it got 4 teams in. Look at individual resumes and then ask yourself, is this team's records better than another. Do that with Dayton and Villanova, for example. It's very, very close but I'm sure the committee members would say Villanova had better wins later in the year. Dayton's wins over Louisville and Pitt were somehow downgraded. I'm not sure why.
rhody85: Any word on Scott Cordischi being picked up by another local radio station to do an afternoon sports talk show, I already miss having a Rhode Island option during tourney time. Find myself trying to get the FAN out of NYC, although you did a great job on EEI yesterday they don't do a good job with college hoops.
Kevin McNamara: Losing The Score is a tragedy for RI hoop fans. A real tragedy. No word this early on local sports radio getting back into Rhode Island and I'd say it is a long shot. The Score's ratings were very low and that led to its demise. In retrospect, talking Pats/red Sox 52 weeks a year and trying to mirror WEEI was a knockout mistake. That may be what `the public' wanted but it didn't help the station very much. I find it hard to believe there isn't a market for a station that does Sox/Pats and PC/URI a little more often. ..I'm with you. hearing defensive line talk in March turns my stomach. I also think its a shame and downright sinful for Citadel to dump the Score as quickly as it did and not give these guys more of a going away package. Radio is an awful business.
Kevin McNamara: Out of questions guys. Fire away. How about the NCAA tourney??
rhody85: Will Billy Baron prep after next year or is he ready for D1 play?
Kevin McNamara: I think Billy Baron should go to prep for the next 2 years. My opinion only.
kurtsletten: Kevin, can you tell us anything about PC's lone recruit for next year, the kid from New Jersey? Is the consensus that he is a Big East type player?
Kevin McNamara: Bilal Dixon enjoyed a very good senior season in New Jersey. He's seen as a typical Tim Welsh recruit: a sleeper. Good news is he owns the type of physical body to perhaps play some right away. He's a little bigger than Jon Kale. We'll see if he's better.
Red: Out of questions? You haven't answered my follow-up yet.
Kevin McNamara: Repeat please, Red.
rhody85: Is there a small station in RI that has sports talk, I thought I heard that. Is Cordischi doing the broadcast of the Brown game tonight?
Kevin McNamara: I do not know of it. If you do, fire it my way. In know that Scott and Russ Tyler are doing the Brown-Ohio game tonight on 790-am. There's a note on that in our paper today.
nelsonstmafia: kevin - do you see any big surprises in the coaching carousel? every year, someone gets fired or leaves a good job for another out of the blue. what do you predict for this year?
Kevin McNamara: There always are Nelson. Like Tubby Smith leaving Kentucky to go to Minnesota a year ago. I think PC would love to get lucky like that. Tough to predict who would be that big domino to fall.
CranstonFriar: Is there a surprise candidate people haven't heard about who might be a candidate for the PC job? and how long can the search go before it impacts recruiting?
Kevin McNamara: I'm sure a name or three will sirface over the next few weeks that you'd call a `surprise.' That's the nature of the beast. As for recruiting, its effected recruiting all year. Big Time. I'll be writing on that in the next few days.
rhody85: I thought there was a small station in Woonsocket that did sports talk for a few hours, although I can't remeber where I heard that. The score should have made a run at the rights to URI after losing PC. I think PC made a mistake on going to EEI.
Kevin McNamara: You're wrong on that one. If PC didn't go to WEEI, it would be up sh&%#'s creek right now. The Score would be gone and they'd be on an oldies station. if this happened last year, PC would have no leverage with its negotiations with WEEI. They snuck in just in time. The URI-WHJJ relationship has been a good one for URI but signal issues are a major problem with stations around Rhode Island.
Red: You said the administration is happy wih 21 wins and a trip to the NIT. Those 21 wins are an ilusion for a numbe of reasons, not the least of which is the 30-game regular season. We were picked to finish at or near the top of our league, but we finished, what, eighth? And who did we beat? Nobody playing in the NCAA. And when we started circling the drain in the last seven-eight weeks, what adjustments were made? He had the best pure shooter in the country and couldn't even get him open. And how many point guards abused us on simple pick-and-rolls? You need at least two hands to count them. And they're satisfied with all this?
Kevin McNamara: Got it, Red. Satisfied, sure. Thrilled? Of course not. I think URI's talent base was exposed in A-10 play. Not enough big men and lack of point guard depth was a real issue. As for defense, that'll be priority numbert one in the off-season. I know this doesn't answer your question but, believe me, there is no `Get Baron' sentiment in Kingston with the people that matter. None.
SU Fan: Kevin you think there will be any kids flunk out from PC with the staff gone? Bye the way word on campus here is Greene is not going to class and is gone for next year.
Kevin McNamara: If you mean Donte Greene, that's too bad. He said after Big East loss that he's back if he's not in top 5. I'll believe that..Too early to guess if PC has any academic issues.
CranstonFriar: How secure is Paul Hewitt at GaTech?
Kevin McNamara: I hear he's secure now. After next year could be another matter. I'd try to talk to him, for sure. I think he'd be an excellent fit at Providence.
rhody85: Ideally both Rhody and PC would have consitent success, do think Rhody in the A10 is set up to have more consistency than Providence in the BE?
Kevin McNamara: Define consistent success? Winning seasons, NIT's, NCAA's?
rhody85: You and PK do a great job, I hope you both get to follow the teams on the road next year.
Kevin McNamara: Plans are a go. Right now anyways. It helps when you avid fans keep reading our stuff. Please keep it up.
rhody85: 4 out of 5 years in either NIT or NCAA's.
Kevin McNamara: I feel that's asking an awful lot for both schools. If I had to answer your question, I'd say it's easier to get to the NIT at URI than PC. It may be easier to get to NCAA at Providence since the Big East gets 6-8 bids every year and th A-10 gets 2-3. But it's very, very hard at both of these schools.
SU Fan: I read where PC's AD said he expects thenm to be in the top 5 or 6 in the conference every year. You know what schools he thinks you guys should be ahead of?
Kevin McNamara: I am not in agreement with that. Just my opinion. I agree with you. PC finishes 7th next year. Name the 9 teams it finishes ahead of?
617rhodyfan: kevin - USC/kansas state, who do you like?
Kevin McNamara: I like So. Cal. To go a long ways. Final Four is possible.
Kevin McNamara: Thanks a lot everyone. Enjoy the tournament. This is the best time of the year for us basketball-crazed fans.
Kevin McNamara will be online from noon to 1 p.m. to take your questions about the NCAA Tournament and other college basketball matters. You can submit your questions now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, pick a display name (you don't need a password) and enter the college hoops chat room. Remember not to press enter or click send until you have completed your thought. Questions will display to the room as Kevin answers them.
Here is PC's official release on the firing of Tim Welsh....
WELSH WILL NOT RETURN AS PROVIDENCE COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Providence College Athletic Director Bob Driscoll announced today (March 15) that men’s basketball Head Coach Tim Welsh will not return to coach the Friars in 2008-09. Driscoll met with Welsh today to discuss the situation.
“I appreciate all the hard work and dedication that Tim has put into this program over the last 10 years,” Driscoll said. “He represented the College with dignity and class. However, I felt that it was in the best interest of the program and Providence College to make a change in leadership.”
His 2007-08 Friar squad registered a 15-16 record and a 6-12 mark in the BIG EAST. The Friars finished 12th of 16 teams in the BIG EAST this season. The Friars’ season ended on Wednesday when they were defeated by West Virginia, 58-53, in the First Round of the BIG EAST Tournament.
Welsh was named the 13th head coach of Friar men’s basketball team on April 2, 1998. In his 10 seasons as a head coach at Providence, he led the team to a 160-143 mark (.528) and a 72-92 record (.439) in BIG EAST regular-season play. In five of his 10 seasons the Friars qualified for post-season action. Providence was selected to participate in the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and 2004. The team also played in the NIT in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
Driscoll plans to begin a search immediately for a new head coach.
“This is a very important decision and I will work diligently to find someone who will lead our men’s basketball program and guide our student-athletes,” Driscoll said. “Providence College has a rich tradition in men’s basketball. I have very high standards for the program and I expect that we will find the best person to move the program forward.”
Tim Welsh Coaching Record at Providence College
AT PC: 10 years 160-143 .528; Big East: 72-92 (.439)
Providence College will have a new basketball coach next season.
The school is set to announce that it has fired Tim Welsh with one year left on his contract. More details to come. An official announcement is expectred at any moment.
The Flyers just completed a 63-62 overtime victory over the tough Billikens. Click here to see our A-10 scoreboard (which will soon include a box score of the Dayton-Saint Louis game). Next up in Atlantic City is Saint Joseph's vs. Fordham.
URI's the lower seed, they just lost to Charlotte on Saturday night, and they closed out their season by losing seven of their last nine games. Yet URI is a one-point favorite in tonight's rematch with the 49ers. Projo.com readers so far don't agree with the Vegas oddsmakers; we've been asking for people to predict whether either URI or PC will win a first-round conference tournament game, and the fans aren't giving either team much of a chance, so far.
With 152 votes in, 62 people (41 percent) are predicting a URI victory, 48 (32 percent) are predicting a PC victory, and 53 people (35 percent) are picking both teams to lose. Just 16 voters (11 percent) say both local teams will win today.
Kevin McNamara: Hello everyone. Obviously one of the busiest times of the year for college hoop mavens. I'm headed to NYCity later today to get ready for tomorrow's PC-West Virginia game. I'm packing right now. Should I go light or heavy?
Kevin McNamara: Please forward your questions. I have about 15 in the Q right now. I will not answer the PC coaching situation over and over and over. I will take questions on URI and Brown as well as NCAA tourney questions. We'll go for about an hour.
BedfordPenthouse: What does Tim Welsh have to do at this point to get an extention going into next year?
Kevin McNamara: Here goes with the Tim Welsh category. The PC coach is obviously on very shaky ground right now. You can debate whether that is fair or not but it is fact. No decision has been made on whether his contract is extend or not. I know this as fact. Can he save himself at this point? That's debatable but he can make it interesting with, say 2 wins this week. Getting to Big East semis with team would be a major achievement....As to new coaching names, let's just say that I've done my share of research. Most of the names fans are tossing about have NO interest in coming to Providence. They either can get better jobs, have a better job or don;t like the chances to win here. I do think that if TW were to get fired, the Friars can find a good coach and won;t have to pay $800K-plus. I think Bob Driscoll will aim high and see if he can get a proven winner. If that doesn't happen, he'll have to get creative and think broadly. That is risky but if Welsh isn't the coach next year, there are no guarantees that the next coach is `better' than he is. If this reads like I am not going to discuss Larranaga, O'Brien, Christian, Van Gundy, ect. you are correct.
BedfordPenthouse: The two names that people have been throwing around to become the next Friars coach have been Jim Larranaga and Jim O'Brien. Of the two, who is better for this job?
Kevin McNamara: Ditto.
THL: Have you heard anything new regarding a coaching change at PC?
Kevin McNamara: Ditto.
pcfan: Hello, Kevin: Should PC be eliminated tomorrow, and the season officially end, do you have any sense of a timeframe for when (or if) PC will replace Welsh? Is it likely that he will "resign" or do you think PC will fire him? Thank You.
Kevin McNamara: As for timing, if PC goes down tomorrow, I would think early to middle next week they have an annoucement on whether the coach is in contract negotiations or moving on.
FriarFan: When will PC make a coaching announcement? What do anticipate regarding their decesion? Thanks.
Kevin McNamara: See above.
BedfordPenthouse: Will Greedy Peterson be in a Friars uniform next season?
Kevin McNamara: I think Greedy has the potential to be a good Big East player. He is undersized, however, and needs to learn how to play without the basketball on offense. That's been his issue late in this season. Tim Welsh would love to have Greedy back. if he's not the coach, you'd have to ask the new guy.
BedfordPenthouse: While his brother will most likely go to UCONN, what are the chances that Majok Majok ends up with the Friars?
Kevin McNamara: All recruiting is up in the air at Providence. That's been the main problem with the decision to let this season be a `referendum' on Tim Welsh. No way anyone would commit to PC in this scenario. The staff has worked the junior class but fallen behind other competitors. Majok Majok is just a name. PC doesn't `lead' for him, in any way shape or form.
matt: kevin ,next year coach baron will give us the excuse that when you lose seniors like Will Daniels and Parfait Bitee that it is tough to replace them. Knowing that will be his excuse next year - what possibly could his excuse be for the collapse we witnessed this year? I think he needs to take responsibility for this. 2007-2008 was supposed to be THE YEAR. Not qualifying for any tournament is totally unacceptable. I hope Thorr Bjorn recognizes this.
Kevin McNamara: I am as surprised as anyone that the Rams have faded here in February-March. I hope they can win a game in Atlantic City and find their way into the NIT or CBI but it will be tough, as Paul Kenyon's article in today's Journal correctly points out. What is the `excuse?' It's lack of defense. Why is this? URI patterned its game after the run-and-gun NBA teams and when its offense was roaring, the Rams were very good. When the O stalls a bit, the defense isn't there to back things up. Losing WDaniels, PBitee and Joe Mbang is very big for this team. URI fans are learning how tough it is to get to the NCAA's.
Ben: Hi, Kevin. URI basketball has seen yet another embarrassing, horrific collapse under Jim Baron. While this guy seems like a nice man who appears to run a clean & honest program, I (and other URI fans) feel that he is not a good coach and has worn out his welcome as coach of the Rams. His teams ALWAYS finish worse than they started. He has never won an NCAA tournament game & has only been there twice in well over 2 decades as a head coach. In fact, neither of those trips were with URI. His offensive strategies are incredibly simple, predictable, and easy to defend once you see what they're doing. This man is not capable of better than getting to the occasional NIT. Do you think that URI would make a coaching change if the state's financial situation were better and/or his contract was closer to its end? And, do you personally feel that Jim Baron has performed adequately in his 7 years (that's almost a decade) at URI?
Kevin McNamara: I won't speculate about Baron's future at URI. I will state that he isn't going anywhere. URI's decision to lock him up for 10 years was an odd one at the time and severely handcuffs the school. It's a 1-way deal that only favors the coach. It also gets very expensive as the years roll on so buying him out is not an option. I personally feel they shouldn't even think about that and no one at Rhody is. Baron has rebuilt the program to his liking and winning 21-22 games this season is a very good year. Obviously expectations were raised once the Rams got off to such a hot start and now people are disappointed. The good news is the staff is working hard to stock the program with good players, more needed size and some additional athleticism. I think a core of Jimmy Baron, KSeawright, Ulmer, Cothran, Delroy James is pretty good. If some of the newcomers can help a bit, the Rams will be in the A-10 mix once again. That's very different from the poorer years that Baron endured trying to get the program back on track.
rhodewarriorlm: Tough question Kev! Baron is a really likable guy and the job he first took over in Kingston was far from a tea party. He has done good things for the program yes. With all of that good will acknowledged Coach cannot seem to get any team to the NCAA's? His best teams at Rhody (this year) and the (Dustin Hellenga) team both had swoons that cost them post season play under Baron. Putting the good will aside for a moment do you really think Jim Baron is anything more than a NIT coach in his best? Do you think Rhody fans have a point in being really upset with the coaching staff regarding this years collapse?
Kevin McNamara: Look above. Getting to the NCAA is hard, especially at a school like URI which is not a top 5 Atlantic 10 program. Not yet, anyways. I think the student-athlete center being talked about will help a lot and recruiting the last 2-3 years is clearly going well. Getting ahead of Xavier, UMass, Temple, Dayton, St. Joe, St. Louis (on the rise) consistently is asking a lot if you cheer for the Rams. If the A-10 remains a 1-3 bid league, do the math. Cracking the NCAA's is a tall order.
rhodewarriorlm: With the swoon in full scale at Rhody do you see them inning any games in the A-10 tourney. If they get eliminated in the 1st or 2nd round do you even see them getting an NIT invite or will the severity of the swoon keep them out of even the NIT?
Kevin McNamara: If URI loses to Charlotte, I think there is a very good chance the NIT passes on them. Hope not. Beat the 49'ers and things clearly improve. problem is A-10 is loaded with NIT-type teams (Charlotte, Temple, Dayton, St. Joe).
rhodewarriorlm: Lets get things flowing for next year.... who has the better recruting class for next year- URI or PC? Can you tell us about either class?
Kevin McNamara: That's for the easyt question. URI in a landslide. The Rams have signed a good, deep class that was badly needed. Lots of promise anyways. PC had one scholarship and used it on Bilal Dixon, a player who could see time right away. URI's class depends on several players academically qualifying. Things look good now but anything can happen with kids these days. Big men Ryan Brooks and Orion Outerbridge are the keys. Both aren't bangers but are athletic and can run the floor. Think Will Daniels, minus 20 pounds. Raw but talented. Remember, the Rams also welcome transfer Ben Eaves, who PC badly wanted out of prep school. He's impressed all year in practice.
rhodewarriorlm: Where (if you do) do you have Will Daniels going in the NBA draft? Do you see him having a productive career or will he ride the pine and be out of the league in a year or two?
Kevin McNamara: I am not hearing much on Will and the NBA. I see his name on some web sites (nbadraft.net, for example) but no scout I've talked to says they see him as a 1st rounder. Will is an NBA 3-man who lacks quickness and will have major defensive issues. He needs to go to pre-draft camps and prove that scouting report wrong. We all know he can score. He'd have a great European career because of those skills but he'll try to make a run at the NBA first. We all wish him luck. He's a good kid.
THL: Is there any serious recruiting being done at this time by the Friars?
Kevin McNamara: I would say no. Any HSchool coach with a clue would know PC's coaching sitaution has to be cleared up before I can take what PC's assistant are saying seriously.
mando11522: Rhode Island's chances of winning the A-10...semms there path isn't to bad
Kevin McNamara: Winning the tournament? Let's just beat Charlotte first. URI lost to the 49ers at Ryan Center just a few days ago. That sounds like a very tough first round game.
friar fan: Kevin- Do you think Gonzo is in trouble for his actions Sunday with his press conference and screaming at a SHU official to "get out of my face"?
Kevin McNamara: That's one of the issues I can't wait to hear more on once we get to New York. I know Gonzo is intense but his inability to control that intensity is one of his major faults. It's not winning him any friends, that's for sure.
mando11522: thoughts on uri chances at winning the a-10
Kevin McNamara: see above.
THL: With San Diego winning the WCC by beating Gonzaga last night, do you feel that the Zags will still get a bid to the dance using up an at large bid?
Kevin McNamara: Thanks for the NCAA question. Best time of year speculating on who does and does not get in. Gonzaga will definitely be an at-large pick. The Zags play a great schedule, won enough games out of conference and were regular season champs in a good league. The West Coast will now get 3 bids: Zags, SDiego and St. Mary's. All three should be watched closely in your pools next week.
Blue Elvis: Looking ahead to next year for the Friars, it seems to me that getting Randal Hanke into the weight room should be a priority. It seems when he plays tough, the Friars play better as a whole team. (I live in DC, and rarely get to see PC games, so I am basing this opinion off of what I read. Let me know if I am off-base).
Kevin McNamara: That's a good call. Randall has enjoyed a very good season after coming in with all sorts of question marks hovering over him. Fans expected him to be good right away and that didn't happen. Tim Welsh didn't play him early on, which was based on shoddy practice efforts, but may have been a mistake. Obviously the Friars needed Hanke to be a legitimate offensive team. He's playing well in the post right now. Hanke will never be the Incredible Hulk but does work in the weight room. Not sure what his upside physically is, though. That's why getting Bilal Dixon, a banger, was so important for next year. Jon Kale's inability to fill that role consistently has hurt this team.
THL: Dwain Williams....In your opinion, has he played his last game in black and white? What are his issues?
Kevin McNamara: Word is Dwain is in the doghouse and is `concentrating on his academics.' Don't know for sure but sounds like he's struggling academically and needs to go to every class. Just a guess, which I guess we're allowed to do in a chat but not the newspaper.
mando11522: As everyone knows san diego won the WCC and south alabama and VCU lost in there conference torney's...who's bubbles just burst because of those teams winning/losing...
Kevin McNamara: These are the teams on the bubble right now. They don't want to see anymore upsets. I think South Alabama (RPI 24) had better watch out. It has 20 wins against teams ranked 100 or higher on RPI. I'd take Dayton over that every day. Dayton, St. Joe, Villanova, Syracuse, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oregon are just some of the teams that better win a game or two to lock up bids. It would be a shame of the A-10 only got 2 bids. They don't deserve more, however. Beat teams you're supposed to (re:Dayton & St. Joe) at home and you'd be in...I look at quality wins and playing well late. Those are the 2 things I like best.
rodfromcranston: Come on Kevin. CFL's teams always fade at the end of the season. This is THE biggest collapse in URI history, and yet not ONE word of media criticism.
Kevin McNamara: Rod. Let's get JHarrick back! Just bustin'. It is a major collapse but I think URI fans got juiced up over a team that was always flawed. Then the flaws came through. Look at you 5-man. An unheralded JUCO who can't score. That led to rebounding an interior defense issues. Also, the schedule didn't help. URI played great in the Syracuse win but didn't have to play great to win any of its other NC games (Providence included). Once they started playing good teams (especially on the road) at least once a week in a much-improved Atl-10 then things began to crack. You want to kill the coach? Go ahead. But I fault talent issues more than X's-and-O's. They need better players, especially on the interior. That's the coach's fault, too.
mando11522: Florida, Ohio st., Cuse, or Kentucky...which outta those 4 do you think will legit get in the NCAA
Kevin McNamara: Good question. If it's those four, I'd probably have to go with Ohio State. They beat SYR head-to-head back when Eric Devendorf was playing. They're playing well now. Excellent coach. I think what kentucky and Florida did in the N/C season cannot be overlooked. You can't whack bad teams, lose to ALL the good ones and then get healthy in conference. That tells me your conference isn't all that good.
THL: Your old friend, Ron Borges wrote in the Attleboro paper that Dwain Williams was told not to go anywhere near the team....Does this relate to your answer above that he is/has to devote time to academics?
Kevin McNamara: Ron Borges? Peter Gobis covers PC up in Attleboro. My reference to Dwain's academic issues was cut out of a PC Journal I wrote for Sunday's paper. Dwain is out for the season with an ankle injury, by the way. You should probably focus on the guys who are healthy.
URIGONZO: Kevin, a lot of blame on URI Projo board has been placed on Coach Baron for the late season collapse. I for one think it is lack of effort on the part of the player's i.e. not playing hard on defense and letting a guard go from the 3-pt arc to the hoop without stopping him. Do you feel the player's could have done better, or does the task of motivating them fall squarely on the coaching staff??
Kevin McNamara: It's a team game and the coaches & players work together. Coach's fault? That's what the fans always say. It's the player's job to execute and URI's players obviously have not done a good job with that. As I stated somewhere above, I think this team was always flawed with its lack of size and once opponents figured out how to slow the offense down, the Rams' main strength was sapped....Growl all you want Ram fans. You've won 21 games and I like the talent in the program. Getting to that next, NCAA ,level is hard.
KD: What's your read on W. Efejuku? Coaching challenge? Out of position? Why the incredible inconsistency?
Kevin McNamara: I think Weyinmi Efejuku is a talented player but not nearly as talented as PC fans think. His mental approach to the game has clearly been hurt by inconsistent playing time and clashes with the coaching staff. If he gave a better effort on defense and off the glass, he'd play more. He also needs to improve his ballhandling so he can get his own shot more often. That is PC's number one problem. Without a PG, there are few players who can break a defender down a get their own shot. Watch tomorrow's WVU game closely and count how many times a guy makes a move and gets off a clear jumper or continue past a defender or three and makes his way to the rim...You'll be amazed at the low number.
Kevin McNamara: Guys. I have to wrap this up. I saw all of your questions but i do have to pack. So what's the answer, light or heavy???
Talk college hoops at 11 a.m. today with Kevin McNamara
Kevin McNamara will stop by the office today just before heading down to New York City for the Big East Tournament to take your questions about the Friars and the Rams, who are on their way to the A-10 tourney in Atlantic City. Kevin will be in the college hoops chat room at projo.com to answer your questions from 11 a.m. to noon.
You can submit a question now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chatm, choose a display name (you don't need a password), enter the college hoops chat room and begin typing. Do not hit enter or click send until you have completed your thought. Questions will display to the room as Kevin answers them.
The Atlantic 10 just announced their post-season awards. Here is a link to the league's official release.
URI's Will Daniels made the first all-league team but no other Ram player was mentioned in the top 15 players. Parfait Bitee was an all-defensive team pick and Jimmy Baron was named to the all-academic team.
The A-10 Player of the Year was UMass' Gary Forbes. Rookie of the Year was Kevin Anderson of Richmond and Xavier's Sean Miller was the Coach of the Year.
The regular-season came to a disappointing finish for URI as it was beaten by Charlotte, 74-64 tonight.
Leemire Goldwire (34) and Lamont Mack (19) combined for 53 points for the 49ers, who finish 18-12, 9-7. They will be the sixth seed in the A-10 tournament.
URI, losers of seven of its last nine, finished 21-10 and 7-9. It will be the 11th seed and will get to play Charlotte once again, Wednesday in the Atlantic 10 tournament at 9 p.m.
Kahiem Seawright had 17 points and 15 rebounds for URI, but the Rams shot only 33.9 percent overall and 3-for-21 on 3-pointers.
Charlotte continues to use the 3-point shot to hurt URI.
The 49ers have made 10, in 20 attempts, as they lead 52-50 with 10:38 left. URI is only 3-for-16 behind the arc.
URI survived a slow start to the second half. It missed its first six shots, two good looks on 3-pointers from the corner by Jimmy Baron. Baron is 0-for-7 3-pointers on the night. Lee Goldwire has 21 points for Charlotte.
The regular-season finale for URI is playing very much like so many other A-10 contest this year _ close.
The Rams lead, 38-35 in what has been a wild, at times out of control, half with both teams running all over but not finishing plays well.
The biggest margin either has had was 11-5 by URI. Charlotte came back to go on top 17-13 and the game has been tight the rest of the way.
URI was hurt when Parfait Bitee, who had 10 early points, went to the bench with more than eight minutes left with two fouls. Kahiem Seawright has continued his storng recent play with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Rhody is only 2-for-11 on 3-pointers.
Lamont Mack has 12, all on 3-pointers and Leemire Goldwire 11 for the 49ers.
Every game, it seems, an opposing player seems to go nuts against URI.
Tonight, it is Charlotte forward Lamont Mack. The junior colelge transfer already has made four 3-point baskets. That has helped the 49ers lead much of the way, although URI leads 24-22 with 7:44 left in the first half.
Parfait Bitee is the biggest reason URI is ahead. He already has 10 points, including the only two 3-pointers the Rams have had.
Senior Night ceremonies were crisp, relatively brief and emotional here at the Ryan Center tonight.
The fans arrived early and were ready to recognize the seniors. Head manager Pat Henderson of North Kingstown, Joe Mbang, Parfait Bitee and Will Dnaiels all were given rousing ovations by the fans. All four seniors are on schedule to receive their degrees.
Robert Carothers, the school president, and Thorr Bjorn, the ahletics director, joined coach Jim Baron in honoring the players.
URI knows that if it wins tonight it will be the sixth seed in the A-10 tournament and meet Saint Louis, which would be the 11th seed, Wednesday at 9 p.m. in Atlantic City.
The three other games that impact URI’s seeding all have been completed, with La Salle and Saint Louis losing and Dayton winning. That leaves La Salle and Dayton at 8-8 and Saint Louis at 7-9. If URI beat Charlotte, those two teams would be 8-8, too, making for a four-way tie for sixth through ninth seeds.
URI would win the tiebreaker because it is 3-1 against the others in the tie. Dayton would be seventh leaving Charlotte and La Salle to meet in the 8-9 game.
If Charlotte beats URI tonight, it would be the sixth seed and URI would drop to the 10th seed. That would mean a first-round game against Dayton at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
If I read the crazy A-10 standings correctly, one small piece of the puzzle for seedings for the conference tournament fell into place tonight.
By beating Duquesne, Temple moves to 11-5 and assures itself of no worse than the No.3 seed, and becomes odds-on favorite to be No. 2. Even if it loses its last game Saturday, at home against La Salle, the Owls can do no worse than tie for second.
Massachusetts, Richmond and Saint Joseph's also could be in that tie. Temple would win all tiebreakers unless it finishes in a deadlock with only Richmond. Richmond beat the Owls so it would be No. 2 and Temple No. 3 in that scenario. That is unlikely, though, on several levels, not the least of which is that Richmond must play Xavier in its regular-season finale Saturday.
Any other scenario with Massachusetts or Saint Joe's involved and the second seed would go to Temple. The bottom line is Temple is almost sure to be the second seed.
With no major surprises tonight _ how about that for a statement rarely heard in the conference this year? _ numerous possibilities remain for URI and most other teams. If we are going to have fun, why not have a six-way tie at 8-8 for fifth through 10th spots?
It's quite possible. This is all that needs to happen: Charlotte beats GW Thursday and Xavier tops Saint Joseph's. Then, on Saturday, URI beats Charlotte, Saint Louis defeats Duquesne, Dayton tops Saint Joseph's and Temple turns back La Salle.
Then, the season would end with Charlotte, Dayton, La Salle, URI, Saint Joseph's and Saint Louis all at 8-8. Considering everything that has happened this season, it would be a perfect way to end.
Yes, I have at least tried to decifer what would happen in that case. Here would be the records among the teams involved in such tie: Dayton would finish 5-2 against the others, the Rams, Billikens and 49ers all would be 3-3, La Salle 2-3 and Saint Joseph's 1-4. I assume that means the Flyers would be the five seed, the Hawks the 10, the Explorers the nine and we'd need more work to figure out 6, 7 and 8 among the 49ers, Billikens and Rams.
In one major piece of news, Duquesne might be without its star forward Shawn James for the rest of the year. He has a shoulder injury and did not play in the loss at Temple tonight.
Will Daniels has been voted to the National Association of Basketball Coaches District I All-Star team.
The URI forward is joined by A.J. Price and Jeff Adrien of Connecticut, Tyrese Rice of Boston College and Gary Forbes of Massachusetts on the first team.
URI's Jimmy Baron and PC's Geoff McDermott both earned second-team berths along with Hasheem Thabeett of UConn, Matt Janning of Northeastern and Marcus Blakely of Vermont.
The 75 players earning first-team berths in the 15 regions are those considered for All-American honors.
Another painful loss for the derailed Rhody Rams. This time George Washington torched the Rams from outside and ran away for a 85-68 victory. URI has now lost five in a row and six of seven to fall to 20-9 and 6-8 in the Atlantic 10.
Damian Hollis led GW with 22 points. Noel Wilmore added 21 on seven 3-point shots.
Will Daniels led the Rams with 24 points. Parfait Bitee and Jimmy Baron added 13 apiece.
Yep, you read that right. George Washington is killin' the Rams at the break, 49-25. This got real ugly in the last three minutes as a 25-21 game became a blowout. Five straight 3-pointers did the trick for the home team.
Jim Baron is emptying the bench tonight. Not only have we seen Will Martell but now fellow frosh Hakim McCullar is in the game. He's played a grand total of one minute in Atlantic 10 action this season.
URI had cut the GW lead to four at 25-21 but the home team has scored eight straight and leads 33-21 with 3:31 left.
The Rams are off to a sluggish start and trail, 13-9, at the 12 minute time out.
URI missed its first seven shots but was only down 5-0. URI is shooting 28 percent (4-14) at this point.
Will Martell is on the floor for the first time in 7 games. Haven't seen him since PC game.
No, URI fans. The bad news isn't that I'm here covering the game instead of Paul Kenyon, who has fallen ill and couldn't make the trip.
The bad news is that both Jason Francis and Joe Mbang are not dressed for tonight's game against George Washington due to ``a violation of team academic policy.' Not sure exactly what that is but it sure seems like the two frontcourt players skipped a class or three recently. Too bad. Jim Baron needs all the players he can get in order to snap out of a four-game losing skid.
We'll see if that happens here at GW's Smith Center. The Colonials are good here. They've beaten Dayton and St. Louis here, that's two teams the Rams have lost to.
Here's some good news for Ram fans. The last road trip I took with Rhody they but a licking on Syracuse. Maybe we'll be a good-luck charm.
Because of a late change in his schedule, Kevin McNamara will not be able to do today's hoops chat as planned. He sends his apologies and encourages readers to still send in questions; he will answer some of them later this week on the College Hoops Blog.
To send a question: go to projo.com/chat, click the red "launch chat" button, choose a display name (you don't need a password) and enter the college hoops chat room. When typing a question, do not press enter or click send until you have finished your thought.
Saint Joseph's is maintaining full control here against URI.
URI scored the first basket of the second half to get within nine. But the Hawks responded with five quick points and have not let their lead get out of doble digits since.
URI just played one of its poorest halves of the season.
Saint Joseph's has a 44-33 lead at the half and it has done it despite playing the last 11 minutes without its two best players. Pat Calathes and Ahmad Nivins both picked up two early fouls. They went to the bench when they did and did not return.
The Hawks are 15 for 23 from the field. Rob Ferguson leads the way with 12 points.
The half, though, said more about URI than the Hawks. The Rams did not play well at all. For the second game in a row they have hurt themselves with turnovers. They have eight at the half, which have turned into 11 Hawks' points.
The score was 24-24 before Saint Joseph's went on an 18-4 run. For much of that run, four URI starters, Will Daniels, Jimmy Baron, Kahiem Seawright and Jason Francis were on the bench.
The Hawks and Rams have battled evenly on the scoreboard in the first 8:30, but URI has more reason to be happy than Saint Joseph's.
It is 15-14 URI with 11:30 left. But what could be the big news is that the two best players for the Hawks, Ahmad Nivins and Pat Calathes, both have two fouls and are on the bench, at least for now.
Delroy James and Jason Francis each have four for URI.
The countdown to game time has just moved inside the five minute mark and it is much quieter at the Ryan Center than it has been for the past couple games.
That does not mean that today's Rhode Island-Saint Joseph's game is any less important. While both teams are struggling _ URI has lost four of five and the Hawks three of their last four _ both are still very much in the NCAA Tournament chase.
There are no surprises in the starting lineups for either team.
Multimedia: Paul Kenyon previews URI-Saint Joseph's
Click the play button below to see and hear the show, as Paul Kenyon previews the Rams game Sunday against the Hawks, and about the team's psyche as its struggles continue.
Two huge turnovers on back-to-back possessions by URI in the final 90 seconds, which were quickly turned into seven points by Massachusetts, were the difference as the Minutemen beat the Rams, 98-91.
The game was close and fast paced throughout with neither team able to get an advantage in the second half. The lead changed hands 12 times and there were 16 ties.
A URI turnover that turned into a basket by Ricky Harris gave UMass the lead at 87-86. Another Rhody turnover on the next possession turned into five points for UMass. Etienne Brower, who stole the ball from Kahiem Seawright, was intentionally fouled by Seawright. Brower made both fouls shots, then drained a 3-pointer as well.
Brower had 26 points, Gary Forbes and Chris Lowe 21 apiece for the Minutemen , 17-9, 6-6. Will Daniels had 23 for URI.
URI has just scored six straight points to take an 83-80 lead with 2:52 left in what has turned into another in a series of terrific A-10 games.
The entire second half has been back and forth. The ability to score off the drive has been the difference for the Minutemen and Chris Lowe and Gary For bes have hrt URI badly, jsut ast hey did in the first meeting between the teams.
Will Daniels had 21 for URI. And the Rams continue to get help from the lilttle used Delroy James and Marquis Jones.
The pace is high speed, but neither team has been able to get any advantage in the second half here at the Ryan Center.
UMass just took the lead, 62-60, on a 3-pointer by Etienne Brower, who is having a superb game.
Will Daniels has had a big second half to help URI. The Rams had the biggest advantage of the second half, that at 50-46. There have been 11 ties and 10 lead changes.
A wild first half has finished with Rhode Island leading Massachusetts 41-39.
The folks watching on ESPN2 have seen a fast-paced show that has had both teams make big runs.
URI, down 30-20, went to some unusual combinations to help it come back and take a lead at the break. Delroy James, who joined the team and mid-season, and freshman guard Marquis Jones both have played a lot and played well.
The Rams had a unit of James, Jones, Joe Mbang, Parfait Bitee and Keith Cothran on the court when they made their comeback after the Minutemen had run off 12 straight points.
Chris Lowe has been outstanding for the Minutemen with nine points and five assists, although Jones has slowed him down a bit. Etienne Brower has 15 points.
Will Daniels has nine for URI. He sat for seven minutes with two fouls. Bitee has eight. URI has been hurt by 11 turnovers.
UMass has just run off 12 straight poitns to turn a 20-18 deficit into a 30-20 lead wit 7:26 left in the half.
Chris Lowe is killing the Rams. He not only has nine points as he has driven to the hoop, he also has three assists. He just set up Etienne Brower for a 3-pointer, Brower's second in the 12-point run.
URI has gone to a zone to try and slow down Lowe but that has not worked at all.
Chris Lowe is at it again, helping his UMass basketball team do serious damage against URI.
Lowe, the UMass point guard, already has two driving hoops and has set up another off the drive as the Minutemen lead the Rams, 15-14, with 11:54 left. Lowe is simply too quick for any of the URI guards and is getting to the hoop jsut as he did in the first meeting between the teams when he went for 23 and 6.
Blue is the color of choice tonight for the URI-UMass rematch.
Fans have been encouraged to wear Rhody blue for the game. The fact that it is on ESPN2 has meant more students than usual not only are wearing blue, but have their faces painted blue, too.
The Rams and Minutemen put on a fun show two weeks ago in Amherst with UMass winning 78-76. Chris Lowe, the UMass point guard, was the star of the game, shredding the Rhody defense for 23 points and six assists. It will be interesting to see how the Rams play Lowe tonight.
For the second game in a row, UMass is starting freshman Matt Glass at the off guard in place of Ricky Harrins. URI has Jason Francis back in the starting lineup at center.
Mike Marra, the All-State shooter from Smithfield, has verbally committed to play at Louisville. Marra will sign with the Cardinals this November and enroll in the fall of 2009.
"I feel excellent," Marra said today from his prep school, Northfield Mt. Hermon. "It was a little overwhelming at first but I'm excited it's over and I'm going to Louisville."
Marra ended his recruitment when Cards coach Rick Pitino saw him play Wednesday against Winchendon School. It was the first time Pitino saw Marra play in person.
Marra becomes the second Rhode Island junior to commit to a big-time school. South Kingstown's Erik Murphy picked Florida last month.
More on Marra's pick in Friday's Journal.
Click the play button below to see and hear the show, as Paul Kenyon previews the Rams game tonight against the Minutemen, and talks about where URI stands in the chase for an NCAA bid.
A new community sprang up last night at the University of Rhode Island. They are calling it Baronville.
Students wanting to make sure they will get tickets to Thurdsay night's URI-UMass game were setting up tents outside the Ryan Center. By 9:30 p.m., seven tents had been put up.
Those students wanted to be first in line when student tickets become available at 10 a.m. Thursday. In all, 1,500 free tickets are kept for each game for students. However, for the last two games that has not been enough and some students have been turned away.
Baronville residents will assure themselves of being first in line.
The game will be ``Celebrate Rhode Island Night'' at the Ryan Center. Among other activities, the World Series trophy will be available for viewing and photos, courtesy of the Red Sox, beginning at 6 p.m.. Pro golfer Brad Faxon will be honored with a ``Community Hero'' Award. Also, Tony Lepore, better known as Providence's dancing cop, will perform at halftime.
URI coach Baron to appear on Mike & The Mad Dog show today
Rhode Island basketball coach Jim Baron will join WFAN's Mike Francesa and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo on their radio show today at 3:05 p.m. Click here to listen to the live audio stream.
Smithfield shooter Mike Marra, a top recruit in the class of 2009, may be set to pick Louisville. The Scout.com recruiting web site is reporting that Cards coach Rick Pitino is going to watch Marra play in person for the first time this season on Wednesday. Marra is a post-grad at Northfield-Mt. Hermon School in the Berkshires.
Here's the lihttp://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=2&c=730245nk.
Both PC and URI have recruited Marra but PC essentially took itself out of the running by letting coach Tim Welsh's contract situation linger. Marra could wait until the summer or even next fall's signing period before making a decision but he has visited Louisville and the Cards are the one school recruiting him the hardest right now.
Seniors Josh Duncan and Drew Lavender made the key plays down the stretch as Xavier fought past URI, 81-77 tonight at the Ryan Center in a terrific game.
Duncan got in foul trouble but still played much of the final 10:29 with four fouls. He had 23 points, including a key 3-pointer and a big hoop from in close late in the game.
Lavender, who was questionable because of a sprained left ankle, had a 3-pointer as the 35-second clock was going off and then added three free throws in the the final minute.
The third Xavier senior, Stanley Burrell, added three free throws in the final 30 seconds.
Parfait Bitee had a career high 25 points and Will Daniels 23 for the Rams, now 20-6, 6-5 in the A-10. Xavier, ranked 10th in the country, goes to 22-4, 10-1 and has won eight straight.
That's because URI, down 50-38, just URI ran off 13 straight points for a 51-50 lead. Stanley Burrell finally broke the run with a baseline bucket that has Xavier on top 52-51 with 11:59 left.
Will Daniels had eight points in the run to give him 20 on the night. Parfait Bitee has a career high 19 and just missed his first shot of the night acojple minutes ago.
Xavier has looked very much like one of the nation's best teams as it has built a 44-34 lead over URI at the half.
Josh Duncan has been the star with 15 points. He has not missed a shot as he has gone 5-for-5 from the field (one 3-pointer) and 4-for-4 from the foul line.
But Xavier is much more than one player. The Muskies are showing the balance, rebounding strength and defense that has made them the 10th ranked team in the nation.
Parfait Bitee had 14 points for URI. Jimmy Baron, being hounded by Stanley Burrell, is yet to score. He is 0-for-3 from the field. After the game was tied at 25 Xavier went on a 16-2 run to take control.
Xavier has wasted no time showing why it is the 10th ranked team in the country.
The Muskies hit seven striaght shots, three of them 3-pointers, to take an early lead against URI. It is 22-16 with 11:34 left in the half.
B. J. Raymond has come off the bench to hit a pair of 3-pointers and Josh Duncan also has five points off the bnech.
URI is playing well offensively. Parfait Bitee has a pair of treys and Will Daniels has sevne points. At this point, at least, Xavier simply is playing better.
The players are on the court for final warm-ups for one of the biggest games in Ryan Center history.
Xavier, which is up to 10th in the latest Associated Press poll, takes on URI, which is undefeated (11-0) at home.
It is a night for colors. It is pink everywhere in the building. It is the second annual ``pink out'' to raise money for the Gloria Gemma Breast Research Cancer Fund. Workers are in pink, pink pom-poms have bene left for the fans and t-shirts are being sold for $5. The game is a sellout, URI's third of the season.
The other focus is Lavender, as in Drew Lavender. Xavier's senior point guard was questionable because of a sprained left ankle suffered in the Muskies last game, at Charlotte.
Line-ups were jsut posted, as they are required to be 12 minutes before game time, and Lavender is in the starting five for the Muskies.
PC guard Jeff Xavier grabbed his foot late in the Louisville game and is clearly bothered by pain but he's playing today against G'Town. In fact, he and Weyinmi Efejuku are the first players out shooting at The Dunk right now.
The hustle award today goes to Associated Press basketball writer Jim O'Connell. He drove up from New York this morning and will cover both PC-Gtown and URI-Xavier. Haven't asked him yet, but my guess is he's driving back to New York after the game in Kingston wraps up.
On another front, URI AD Thorr Bjorn is disagreeing with a note in Sunday's Journal that intimated that the Rams bussed to Philly for last week's loss to Temple because of budgetary concerns. Bjorn said the plan for months was to bus to the game and drive home afterwards.
"It was a department decision," Bjorn said. "When you think about the two hours before the flight and security at the airport, it's almost the same time to take the bus."
URI has chosen to bus to Philly several times over the years. While the 5-hour drive (on a good day) is bothersome, it does allow the coaching staff the freedom to leave when they want and the team to stop and eat when it chooses.
Ryan Center sold out for tonight; Lavender's status still unknown
How big is basketball fever at URI? So big that some students paid for tickets for tonight's game against Xavier.
The game is a sellout. The last tickets went about 11 a.m., purchased by students.
About 200 tickets were left beginning the day. That is in addition to the 1,500 put aside for students, the free tickets given to students for every game.
Student tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. The first students got in line at 4:30 a.m. By 9 a.m., one Ryan Center worker reported counting 160 students in line. Once ticket windows opened, the 1,500 tickets were gobbled up in about 45 minutes.
When students were told the student allotment was gone, some asked about buying the remaining $8 tickets. By 11 a.m., the students had paid for the last available tickets and made it the third sellout of the season.
Xavier coach Sean Miller reported in the A-10's weekly conference call this morning that no decision had yet been made on the status of starting point guard Drew Lavender. Lavender sprained his left ankle in the game at Charlotte last week.
``We're going to play it smart,'' Miller said, adding that the team had to be concerned about other games down the road. However, Lavender was seen walking around with his teammates at the shootaround today and appeared to be moving without a problem.
URI coach Jim Baron said during the conference call that his team was preparing as if Lavender was going to play.
On today's sports cover, Bill Reynolds profiles URI star Will Daniels, as the Rams get ready to play Xavier. Paul Kenyon has a preview of that game, while Kevin McNamara previews the PC Friars' game this afternoon against Georgetown. And Sean McAdam reports on why Fort Myers is a more peaceful place to be than Tampa.
Jimmy Baron: Hello everyone - I'm online and looking forward to answering some of your questions...
Keaney_Blue: Jimmy, how frustrating was last night's loss considering it was the first away game in a while where the team came out strong? Also, Rhody is starting to get a reputation that we can't win on the road. Do you feel that is fair?
Jimmy Baron: Keaney Blue - the Atlantic 10 is as tough as its been in a while and road wins are very hard to come by. Hopefully we can take the lessons we've learned on the road and put it into the next six games.
great8: Jimmy. what do you expect out of your brother Billy in the college ranks if he reaches his potential?
Jimmy Baron: great8 - Billy still has 2-3 years to prepare for the college level.
twisted3829: hey jimmy, how much did last night hurt and how do you think the team will bounce bak agasint X?
Jimmy Baron: twisted - we haven't lost two straight games all season long. We know Xavier is a good team and we'll have to be at our best.
Bruce: Jimmy: What are the toughest and easiest aspects about playing for your father?
Jimmy Baron: Bruce - the easiest is that I can approach him, anywhere and anytime, to talk to him. It's a little easier for me to talk to my coach. The hardest part is when I'm not playing my best or doing what I need to do on the court, he is the hardest on me.
Sam Worthen: Jimmy-Tough loss last night. Who is the toughest player to defend in the A-10?
Jimmy Baron: Sam - Will Daniels, actually.
Keaney_Blue: Jimmy, how do you feel Delroy is coming along for someone who didn't practice with the team for half of the year?
Jimmy Baron: keaney - Delroy is coming along well, mainly because he plays so hard. Perhaps it's because he sat out for so long, but he brings it everyday.
617rhodyfan: Jimmy - How often do you work on your free-throw shooting and how much pride do you take in it?
Jimmy Baron: 617rhodyfan - I take a lot of pride in my FT shooting because it's something I've worked on my whole life. So when I miss a FT - like I did last night - it really bothers me.
Ben: Do you feel any added pressure at home? Whenever you take a shot everyone stands up and expects you to make it. How do you feel about that?
Jimmy Baron: Ben - I feel like everyone is behind me when I shoot. It's a tremendous confidence booster because 8,000 people think it's going in...
great8: Jimmy, you guys were somewhat of a sleeper last year in the A-10 tourney...who might be this year's sleeper?
Jimmy Baron: great8 - The tournament is up for grabs. All 12 teams can win it legitimately. We just need to put ourselves in the best position possible.
keaney_blue: Tough loss last night, but keep your head up and keep battling. Here's a nice easy question, do you feel you were slighted in this year's EASports NCAA Basketball? They don't even give you credit for being a 3 point shooter. I mean come on!!
Jimmy Baron: keaney-blue - I don't play EA Sports...I play College Hoops 2K8. It's a much more accurate game...
Sam Worthen: Jimmy, I am a huge fan of your game. Is there anybody that can beat you in H-O-R-S-E?
Jimmy Baron: Sam - Alright, alright. Right-handed or left-handed?
twisted3829: jimmy im here on campus with you and see you guys around all the time. how often do you get stopped by people who are fans and talk about the game?
Jimmy Baron: twisted - The student body is tremendous. From eating in the dining halls, classes, walking around, everyone's really excited about the season. It's great.
great8: which team in the A-10 has the best home court advantage, excluding URI?
Jimmy Baron: great8 - St. Bonaventure. It's a tough trip to get to Olean, you can't just fly in or bus in - you have to do both. It's similar to a place like Washington State. Plus, growing up in Olean, I know that the community thrives on St. Bona basketball. Dayton, Xavier have larger arenas that are always filled, plus smaller gyms like St. Joe's and Fordham are tight and the fans are on top of you the whole time.
bluesong2: from experience (was in the pep band at URI)..its wonderful that the basketball teams appreciate tehir fans
Jimmy Baron: bluesong - We love our fans, and love playing in front of them. There's nothing better than a Ryan Center sellout.
617rhodyfan: Jimmy, thanks for chatting. Can you talk about what the team does to put a tough loss behind them and get ready for a big game against a tough Xavier team?
Jimmy Baron: 617 - today is a much needed day off from team practice. I'll still get into the gym and get my shots up. Between today and tomorrow, I will get 5,000 shots up. As a team, we need to continue to do what we've done all year following a loss...
Red: Jimmy: Thanks for doing this chat. Can you give us a quick summary of how your basic half-court offese is suppose to work?
Jimmy Baron: Red: the main key is the get the ball inside and work inside-out.
bluesong2: Is it hard keeping your grades up while playing so much?
Jimmy Baron: bluesong - it's extremely hard. Gina Sperry, who works with our entire team, does a great job helping all of us with our studies, class schedules, and anything related to academics. For instance. we got back early this a.m. from Temple (3 a.m.) and my first class was at 9:30, followed by an 11 a.m. study session. Same goes for all of us - if we don't go to class, we don't play. There's no gray area.
FriarMike: Jimmy..Despite being a Friar fan, I'm a big fan of your game and I have can't help but be impressed with what your team has done this year. Just wondering..in year's past when the fan base has been tough on your father, is it particularly hard on you? Are you able to ignore it?
Jimmy Baron: FriarMike - everywhere my father has coached, the fans bases have been tough. Fans expect results quickly. For example, my father won his first 5 games at St. Bonaventure. After they fell to 5-1, someone left a For Sale sign on our lawn... It doesn't affect me as much, because I'm used to it and I use it as motivation. Especially some of the more recent television reports... But this year, as well as last year, URI fans have been the best I've ever experienced.
Red: Jimmy: How high is Monty's ceiling? How much better is he going to get?
Jimmy Baron: Red - The sky is the limit for Lamonte. And I do mean sky. At times, the laws of gravity do not apply to him. The lob passes he catches, on the break, are amazing to watch. It's fun to throw it up there and watch him go get it.
Ben: In the game versus Temple last night was there a specific play called at the end of OT?
Jimmy Baron: Ben - There were only six seconds left and we had to go the length of the floor. The play was to get the best shot possible.
great8: I'm guessing you've shot around with Tommy Garrick, think he could of played on this year's squad?
Jimmy Baron: great8 - Coach Garrick is one of the best players to wear a Rhode Island uniform. He could play anytime, anywhere.
Brian Z: Hey Jimmy, I'll ask you the same question that I asked Will during his chat. Which of your teammates - current or former - have been the most influental in your development both a player and a leader? Good luck the rest of the way.
Jimmy Baron: Hi Brian - Great question...it's tough to single out one person, but Parfait has helped me defensively. He works tirelessly at it. Kahiem and Will have helped to play with more confidence over the past two seasons. Another former URI player who has helped me a great deal, especially before I came here, was Lazare Adingono.
Ruthie: I heard you are single now....any chance of a date? I like your three point shots ;-)
Jimmy Baron: Ruthie - It's funny how everyone knows I'm single now...considering I only told my teammates... My only date plans for tonight are about 20 feet from the Keaney baskets. No offense...
guy: Whastup Jimmy, I've just been wondering if there was any particular reason for the recent decrease in Jason Francis' playing time and any changes in the starting 5 lately.
Jimmy Baron: Guy - Jason's been hurt. But he's one of the toughest guys on the team - if he could play, he would.
Red: Jimmy: Do you and/or your teammates ever read the projo.com URI board? What do you think about it?
Jimmy Baron: Red - I don't read it.
Ben: Has their been any talk of your or Will's future after URI basketball? What are your plans?
Jimmy Baron: Ben - The only future we're focusing on is Monday night vs. Xavier.
twisted3829: jimmy how far can you shoot accurately?
Jimmy Baron: twisted - 35 feet or so, depending on how I'm feeling.
Ben: If you are going to make a run at the A10 championship, which I think URI is poised to do, what do you think yourself or the team as a whole can do to get better and make it all the way?
Jimmy Baron: Ben - We've had some experience with this, playing in two tournaments. The biggest thing we need to improve on is playing the third game as well as the first game. It's tough playing three games in three days.
Keaney_Blue: Jimmy, you have been part of some amazing games over the past 3 years. What are your top 3?
Jimmy Baron: keaney blue - Good question. This season, the Providence win, at Syracuse, and Duquesne, because we struggled all game long.
Greg: Thanks for the insights and distraction from the day job. Good luck Monday night, and I'll be yelling from the stands!
Jimmy Baron: Thanks Greg.
Ben: What was the hardest part about the playing at UMass? They are obviously a good team or did the crowd play a bigger role?
Jimmy Baron: Ben - To be honest, the crowd wasn't really a factor. Our students made the trip up to Amherst and were as loud as theirs. They're a good team and we missed a lot of layups.
whaddadump: Are you a Patriots fan?
Jimmy Baron: whadda - I respect the Pats a lot, but growing up in Olean, I'm somewhat of a Bills fan. I did root for the Pats in the Super Bowl this year.
Brian Z: Jimmy - have you ever seen another human being with bigger hands than Jason's?
Jimmy Baron: Brian - Absolutely not.
matt: Jimmy, the Temple, Umass, and Dayton losses all could have been wins if Rhody had made more free throws. Any concerted effort being made by the team regarding this?
Jimmy Baron: Matt - Free throws are a big part of any game, especially down the stretch. But there were a number of different factors in each of those games that could have changed the outcome.
rhody5: Jimmy..I live right down the street from Hendricken. and saw you play many terrfic games there. How did Hendricken basketball prepare you for D-I College Ball?
Jimmy Baron: Rhody5 - Hendricken was a great place to go to high school - everyone there cared so much about you as a person first. Coach Gomes and his staff were terrific, as was Coach Reilly at Worcester Academy.
crbarts: Hi Jimmy, change of topic, just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentines Day and I'm proud of you. Keep up all the hard work you have done to get here.
Jimmy Baron: Crbarts - Happy Valentines Day...I love you, too, Mom.
Jimmy Baron: It's getting close to the 2 p.m. hour...just a few more questions before I head off to the gym...
camaljockey1855: whats olean like
Jimmy Baron: Olean is a very unique place.
twisted3829: jimmy where do u prefer to eat on campus? butterfield or hope?
Jimmy Baron: Twisted - Subway, actually. I like the International (pizza & wings), too. I don't have a meal plan...
RhodyFan: Jimmy, do you think URI relies too heavily on shooting from the outside? I come to every home game and I think we'd benefit from a stronger inside presence. What do you think?
Jimmy Baron: Rhodyfan - We like to work inside-out and take the best shot possible. Sometimes it's a three, sometimes it's inside.
guy: What about that Shaq to Phoenix trade.. good move?
Jimmy Baron: Guy - Shaq does whatever it takes to win. Hopefully the trade and the critics will motivate him like it did with the Lakers and Heat.
Rhody1: Hey Jimmy, great stuff this season. What do you think are going to be the biggest factors for you and team in order to have a successful game against Xavier on Monday night?
Jimmy Baron: Rhody1 - I'll close with this question... Xavier will be our toughest opponent of the season, so far. They have six guys averaging double-figures, so you can't just key on one or two people. They might be a top-10 team in the polls coming into the game. We need to learn from our mistakes from last night and UMass and use these next four days to prepare for the biggest game of the season. We need ALL the Rhody students, fans, and community to come out and also support a great cause in the Pink Out.
URI guard Jimmy Baron will answer projo.com readers' questions in a live chat today from 1 to 2 p.m. You can send in your questions now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, choose a display name (you don't need a password) and enter the college hoops chat room. When typing a question, remember not to press enter or click send until you have completed your thought. Questions will display to the room as Jimmy answers them beginning at 1.
Temple kept fighting from behind and finally caught and passed URI tonight.
The Owls won, 92-89 in an overtime thriller.
URI led for the first 38 minutes, by as many as 16 points. Temple made numerous comeback attempts and the Rams held them off time after time. Finally, with 1:58 left, Temple tied it at 74. It was 76-76 at the end of regulation.
The Owls led by six early in overtime before URI rallied and tied it at 86. Hoops by Mark Tyndale and Lavoy Allen and two free throws by Dionte Christmas won it for Temple. URI got the ball back with six seconds left, but Jimmy Baron's off-balance 3-pointer to tie it from 28 feet was short at the buzzer.
Christmas had 25 and Tyndale 24 f or Temple. Will Daniels had 24, Parfait Bitee 17 and Keith Cothran 14 for URI, which drops to 20-5 and 6-4 in the conference.
The second half has been a game of runs, with the bottom line being Temple closing in on URI.
It is 55-47 with 12 mintues left and the Owls will be at the foul line when play resumes.
Temple scored 10 straight points early in the half to close within five. URI responded with eight in a row of its own. The Rams have not been as sharp in this half and it looks like it will be very much a game down the stretch.
URI just played one of its best halves of the season, certainly one of its top 20-minute efforts since the start of the A-10 season.
The Rams lead Temple, 44-32.
URI has done it with a nice blend of running and 3-point shooting. Keith Cothran, who received his first start of the season, responded a 10 first-half points. A 23 percent 3-point shooter, Cothran was 2-for-2 behind the arc.
The Rams were 7-for-15 on treys. Temple, on the other hand, is 4-for-16. The Owls have taken as many shots from 3-point land as inside the arc, which is a surprise since they started the game hurting URI inside, including three hoops by 7-foot center Sergio Olmos.
URI has used all kinds of combinations. Delroy James gave the team a lift off the bench with four points, including a pretty move that set himself up for a 15-footer. Freshman Will Martell played two minutes, too, and did his job.
The bad news for URI is that it was up 16 with 10 seconds to go. Temple scored five five seconds left, stole the inbounds pass and Chris Clark scored at the buzzer to make it 44-32.
The first 10 minutes have provided some interesting developments at the Liacouras Center.
URI leads Temple, 22-16, thanks to its 3-point shooting. Four different players already have treys for the Rams.
URI started Keith Cothran, his first start of the season. That meant a small lineup. Sergio Olmos, Temple's 7-foot center, took advantage with three early hoops. URI responded by inserting Will Martell, its rarely used 6-11 freshman, into the game.
URI guard Parfait Bitee pipcked up two fouls in the first four minutes and has not played since.
The URI basketball team has to hope the game against Temple tonight goes better than the trip here.
It took the team more than eight hours to bus from Kingston to Philadelphia Tuesday night, a trip complicated by snow and an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. The Rams did not arrive at their hotel, just down Broad Street from the Temple campus, until 12:30 a.m.
In the past, URI came to Philadelphia by plane. Cost considerations have shifted the trip to a bus.
As with just about every game these days, the contest is a key one. The people here believe Temple is for real as a contender. They say the Owls have improved noticeable as the season has progressed.
Following a week in which they lost at UMass and barely pulled out a win at Fordham, the Rhode Island Rams fell a little farther from the Top 25 today.
The Rams received 15 votes in the AP poll, putting them in 29th place overall and well below 25th-ranked St. Mary's, which has 204 votes. Last week, the Rams were the 28th-ranked team, with 89 votes.
URI got 21 votes in the ESPN/USA Today poll, placing them 29th there as well. The 25th-ranked team, Marquette, got 64 votes.
URI fans asked to "Pink Out' Ryan Center for Xavier game
Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson
The scene at last season's Pink Out Night, when URI played UMass.
URI will be counting on fans to be a big source of support when they try to beat Atlantic 10-leading Xavier on Monday, Feb. 18. At the same time, many of the fans will also be supporting the battle against breast cancer. That's because it will be the second annual "Pink Out Night" at the Ryan Center, when fans are encouraged to wear pink clothing to show support for the cause and the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Last year's Pink Out Night, which coincided with a URI win over UMass, raised $10,000.
Pink Out T-shirts and pink ribbon pins will be available for a $5 donation before and after the game. Click here for more information.
For perhaps the first time all season, the URI basketball team had a right to leave a game thinking it had stolen a victory.
Rhody nipped Fordham, 65-63, in a thriller in Rose Hill Gym this afternoon. Fordham led most of the way. It was up 42-33 with just over 10 minutes left before URI rallied. Jimmy Baron, who had not scored to that point, got it started with eight straight points.
Will Daniels, Parfait Bitee and Keith Cothran all made big plays to get Rhody on top. It led 59-54 with 38 seconds left. Fordham kept fighting and, with the help of two big URI turnovers, had a chance to win it after a Brenton Butler steal in the final seconds. But Bryant Dunston’s hurried 3-pointer at the buzzer was short.
Daniels finished iwht 18 points, Baron 13, Kahiem Seawright and Parfait Bitee 11 apiece. Marcus Stout had 19 and Bryant Dunston 17 for Fordham.
URI moves to 20-4, 6-3 in the Atlantic 10. Fordham falls to 8-12, 2-6.
Welcome to the Bronx. Sorry we’re late. We have connections problems at Rose Hill Gym, so we will be able to update everyone now, which is halftime, and at the end of the game.
It’s probably better we haven’t had a chance to do anything thus far. The first half we just saw was easiest the ugliest of the season for URI.
Fordham leads, 29-25. And it probably should be ahead by more.
URI made only four of its first 22 shots. It has missed lay-ups and lay-ups and more lay-ups. Fordham has not been very good, either, but it has led throughout, by margins of 15-6 and 23-8. URI has come back slowly, almost painfully. Coach Jim Baron used 10 players in the first 14 minutes, but nothing seemed to work. Only some good offense by Will Daniels has kept URI close.
Anyone thinking of driving to the Bronx tomorrow for the URI-Fordham game should be aware that no tickets are available.
Joe DiBari, a Warwick native who is Fordham's sports information director, reports that the contest has been sold out for two weeks.
Fordham's Rose Hill Gym, the oldest building in use for Division I basketball, seats only 3,200. A number of tickets were sold by telephone and over the internet, DiBari said, meaning that URI is likely to have a strong representation at the contest.
Talk college hoops Thursday with URI's Jimmy Baron
The Rhode Island Rams' guard will be available to answer projo.com readers' questions in a live chat on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. You can send questions in ahead of time: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, choose a display name (you do not need a password) and enter the college hoops chat room. When typing a question, do not press enter or click send until you have completed your thought. Questions will display to the room as Jimmy answers them.
Massachusetts outlasted URI, 78-76, tonight in a wild one at the Mullins Center.
The Minutemen led for all but six seconds. Joe Mbang scored on a putback to put URI ahead 55-54 with 10:49 left.
UMass responded by scoring six points in the next 33 seconds, on back-to-back three-point plays by Gary Forbes and Chris Lowe.
While URI never caught up, it hung in and had a chance to tie it in the final seconds. It got the ball back with 16 seconds left behind by three. After a time out, the Rams got the ball to Keith Cothran. He opted to move to the hoop and missed a driving layup. Gary Forbes was fouled with eight seconds left and made one free throw to make it 78-74. Will Daniels scored with one second left for the 78-76 final.
Fobres finished with 26 points and Lowe 23 for the Minutemen, 15-7, 4-4 in the A-10. Will Daniels had 19, Parfait Bitee 17 and Jimmy Baron 10 for URI, 19-4 and 5-3 in the conference.
URI has not played well, but it has fought back to pull within one, 54-53 with 11:22 left. Parfait Bitee (17 points) and Will Daniels (10, eight in the second half) have led the rally.
The game has been much as expected with both teams racing up and down. Neither is shooting well, but it sure has turned into an entertaining show.
Chris Lowe is giving URI fits driving to the hoop. He has 16 for UMass.
Massachusetts took 43 shots. Rhode Island got off 29. Guess which team is ahead at the half?
URI probably should be happy it is down only five, 39-34.
The Minutemen outhustled and outworked the Rams in the half. URI, which had only five turnovers in the victory over Dayton Saturday, has 12 turnovers that have led to 14 UMass points. UMass also has 11 second-chance points.
Gary Fobes has 13 poitns for UMass, although he is only 6-for-17 from the field. UMass is just 3-for-17 on 3-pointers.
Guards Parfait Bitee and Jimmy Baron have kept URI in it with 10 points apiece.
Unlike last season when UMass took an early lead against URI and controlled the game throughout on the way to a 22-point victory, Rhode Island is battling back this tinme.
The Rams got as close as one point and now trail the Minutemen 21-18 with 7:35 left.
UMass has had 26 shots to URI's 16, in part because the Rams have eight turnovers.
Turonver problems, missed shots and lack of rebounding are hurting URI badly at the start at the Mullins Center.
UMass has jumped to a 19-10 lead with 11:43 left in the first half. They have done it by forcing six Rhody turnovers (to two for the Minutemen). UMass also has a 13-9 advantage in rebounding. It already has seven second-chance points.
URI is 1-for-10 from the field.
Parfait Bitee has seven points for URI. Will Daniels is playing and does not seem to have to be having any problems with his sprained ankle.
There is a big-time feel here at the Mullins Center tonight.
A big crowd is filing into the Mullins Center for the URI-UMass game. It is ``black out’’ with all students being given black t-shirts.
A television crew from CSTV is doing the game. The officials are Jim Burr, Tim Higgins and Mike Stephens, three guys usually seen doing prime-time games involving the Big East, Big 10 or ACC.
URI coach Jim Baron, who has been battling flu-like symptoms, rejoined his team today and is here, ready to go. They have me sitting in the last season at the end of the press table next to Baron, so I'll get a first-hand view on how well he is feeling. Rhody forward Will Daniels is going to go, too, despite his sprained left ankle.
There even is some real news. URI has announced a lineup change. Forward Delroy James will get his first collegiate start in place of Jason Francis.
There is a good sized delegation of URI students sitting in the upper arena. They have been doing some URI chants, which has gotten the big UMass student section to respond. It's fun already and game time is 15 minutes away.
The Rhode Island Rams women's hoops team won an afternoon game today in New York against the Fordham Rams, 57-55, behind Safi Mojidi's 13 points. Click here to see the box score.
With the win, URI improves to 3-4 in the Atlantic 10 and 10-12 overall, while Fordham falls to 0-8 and 0-23.
Below is the transcript for this week's college hoops chat, with Bill Reynolds. Next week, we'll have URI guard Jimmy Baron at 1 o'clock Thursday. More details on that later.
Bill Reynolds: Hi everyone, i'm in the house and ready go
marchessau: I can understand how you can attack PC fan's booing at the Dunk. It is college sports and the student athletes shoild not be exposed to booing. However, how else do you suggest fans who are totally frustated with Welch show their concern when the college administration seems completely oblivious to their concerns?
Bill Reynolds: Fans can express their displeasure by e-mailing the AD, e-mailing the president, whatever. in other words, there are better and more effective ways to it.
PC 71: Bill- Great article the other day about Welsh. I have been a fan sense 71 but will never give one more dollar if the powers to be get rid of Welsh this year.When you look at his record of getting us to post season { NIT, NCAA} why can't folks see he is right in line with every other coach during the Big east years?
Bill Reynolds: PC '71, let's forget welsh for a second. in the 30-year history of the Big East the Friars have one had two years where they've won an NCAA Tournament game, '87 and '97, and have never been a consistent winner in the Big East. that's just a fact. So it seems to me that fan dissatisfaction - however understandable - should be put in a larger context.
friarfem: bill, i read your article today about welsh and the fans--i'm part of that fan base, but not a booer--i don't think its good for the kids trying to win nor the recruits sitting there--some of your comments though are confusing--it doesn't sound like you think we should be in the big east 'cause we can't recruit the players we need--reasoning being we're recruiting against some heavy hitters, true, but why than can baron recruit-yes, the a10 is not as strong top to near bottom as the big east, so baron is probably recruiting against several teams for top players rather than 7-8 schools--what i see is though is that each year under welsh we've had this wishy washy type seasons--
Bill Reynolds: Friarfem, good question, and sorry i'm confusing. PC should be in the Big East, because it's too much of a cash cow not to be in it. But to think it's somehow the school's birthright to be very successful in it - when it really hasn't been in 30 years - is unrealistic. which doesn't mean it can't happen - history tells us it can - but it's not easy. History tells us that, too. It seems to me that the real problem is not Welsh's coaching - regardless of what you think about it - but the fact that there's not one player on the Friar roster that any of the top teams wanted. Take away McDermott - recruited by Duke, every other Friar is essentialy here because the glamour teams didn't want them. The result? Up and down seasons, just what we have now.
THL: Thank you for your time today. At this stage of the season...do you feel that Tim Welsh will be the coach of the Friars next year?
Bill Reynolds: I wouldn't went to bet my life on it.
PC4eva: whooooooooooooooaaaa. I understand that expectations need to be tempered. But is it too much to ask to win more than 2 Big East tourney games?
Bill Reynolds: PC4eva, no, it is not too much to ask to be better than 1-7 in Big East tournament games, as Welsh has been.
Josh M: Bill, as usual, many thanks for all your great material. What do you think are going to be URI's biggest strengths and weaknesses down the line? Do they have the talent to pull off an upset if they make it to the big dance?
Bill Reynolds: Thanks for the kind words, Josh. I think URI definitely has the potential to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. Their biggest strength? Multi-dimensional. The fact they could pound Dayton last week with Will Daniels being a non-factor is a great sign. Weakness? Their lack of a big defensive presence underneath.
THL: Bill, do you believe that Sharaud Curry, if cleared by the doctor, should play rather than red-shirting and saving the year for the future?
Bill Reynolds: THL, if were advisiog Sharaud Curry I would tell him to red-shirt. certainly it's in his best interest at this point. Whether it's in the coaching staff's is another question.
PCfan78: But don't you agree at some point a coach has done as much as he can with a program. Isn't a new or a different approach sometimes a positive.
Bill Reynolds: PCfan78, I do agree that at some point a coach as done about as much as he can with a program, and I also know that 10 years is a long time to be anywhere in this day and age, but that's for the school to decide. In regards to Welsh, I just don't like the booing
Wally: Hey Bill really enjoy your column and keep the book referrals coming. First of all I am releasing a statement: This whole booing thing from Friar fans is upsetting. Friar fans have a history of showing their ignorance by leaving early win or lose and chooosing the wrong venue when displaying their frustration with the coach. For the most part though Friar fans are very loyal and passionate about their team. I get so mad and embarassed at the booing. Anyway, what do you think the Administration has planned for Coach Welsh? I believe that if they don't want him they should buy out his contract at the end of the season. Of course they better have a replacement in mind that can recruit and has thick skin, so that leaves Bobby Knight out. Hey Bill remember our days in the Air National Guard ond our basketball tournaments with the Army. I have meetings from 12 - 2 today, but I am looking forward to your response! Thanks Bill!
Bill Reynolds: hey wally, I know that PC fans are loyal and passionate. I also know it's frustrating when you are paying good money to watch a team that doesn't live up to your expectations, and I know that coaches in this day and age get bought out all the time. It's the booing I don't like.
rhody74: Bill, I know you're not the URI beat reporter .... but have you heard how Will Daniel's ankle is doing? Will he be available against UMass?
Bill Reynolds: rhody74, i hear that Will Daniels will play.
THL: If Tim is gone next year, where do you feel the Friars will look for a replacement. a mid major head coach, an assistant from a big time program, or a head coach currently at a so called high major program?
Bill Reynolds: THL, if PC were to replace Welsh odds are they would go out and find the Tim Welsh of 10 years ago, a successful coach at a mid-major school.
riron: bill what is the problem with weymi Ef.. he makes PC a much more explosive team when he's on the floor yet welsh is not playing him--is there a problem?
Bill Reynolds: riron, i really don't know the problem with Weyinmi. He's the ultimate trick or treat player, and I've long thought that as he goes the Friars go. He is the best athlete on the team, can be explosive, and I always think the Friars are better off when he's in the game, but that's just me.
PC4eva: and if we are going to punt on being competitive in the Big East, why stay in the league?
Bill Reynolds: pc4eva, if PC were not in the Big East they'd be back in Alumni Hall and no one would care. We've all been too spoiled.
friar: Thanks for your time today Bill. Any word on Curry being redshirted?
Bill Reynolds: Friar, I would bet anything that he will be red-shirted, but then I would have bet on the Pats winning the Super Bowl, too.
rhody74: Bill .... as a URI fan, I'd be thrilled if PC gave Tim a 10-year extension, but that's just me. ;-)
Bill Reynolds: rhody74, great line. you should be doing this chat, not me. Just as long as you don't fire Baron and bring back Harrick and give him a 10-year extension
Josh M: Bill, what are your thoughts on RIC's potential in tournament play? They started off with a bang with the Holy Cross win, played Umass Dartmouth tough (with a rematch still to come) but got wiped out by Amherst and havent received any top 25 votes in a couple of weeks.
Bill Reynolds: Josh M, you just made history with the first RIC question.
All i know is they're not as good as they were last year - no crime in that - so I wouldn't get my hopes up.
PC4eva: BIll, thanks for taking the questions. I know that I made a comment earlier which was critical of Welsh...and I am. His biggest failure to me is his inability to a) consistently develop players and b) the systematic loss of players throughout their 4 years. Thoughts? Having said all that though, PC fans have to decide for themselves what type of coach they want. A solid, apologize the phrase, "mediocre" coach, or a bright s"shooting star" who always has eyes for the next job. You cant have it both ways. I dont think Welsh fits either bill, which is why I am not a huge supporter.
Bill Reynolds: PC4eva, good question, eva, a sold ``mediocre'' coach or a shooting star? In a perfect world I think any program would want the bright shooting star, for when he leaves that means he had great success or he wouldn't be leaving, if that makes any sense.
friarsb: Hi, Bill..Many people are thinking that if Coach Welsh is not back next year, that the decision process for a replacement may involve not only Fr. Shanley, but also folks like Dave Gavitt and even Rick Pitino. If this is the case, do you think Richard Pitinio would be a legitimate candidate for the PC job?
Bill Reynolds: friarsb, i love Richard Pitino and think that someday he will make a great coach. But he is in no way ready for a job like this. Not now.
THL: Bill, on the other hand, if the Friars somehow make a comeback and manage to finish the season strong, and Tim is extended...do you see a three year extension so he can recruit being to tell the kids that he will be at PC in the future?
Bill Reynolds: THL, if PC does decide to extend Tim Welsh it would probably be in the two- or three-year range.
Bill Reynolds: I've got 10 minutes left if you're still in the house here
ladygrad: Bill, lately you have been like a rational parent getting kids to stop squabbling. If we are passioante about our teams, we are accused by media (Giacobbe) of pretty much having no life. If we do not express pasion about our teams, we are accused of having no spirit or loyalties. So how do we show our balance?
Bill Reynolds: ladygrad, you're right, it's like a balance beam. Just don't cross the line, and booing does that. anyhting short of that? go to it
THL: Bill, thanx for answering these questions....one more quickie...in your opinion, what was the best Friar team of the BE era?
Bill Reynolds: THL, I think the most talented Friar team of the Big East era was the '97 team, which had three guys who eventually spent time in the NBA on it, but the '87 team was the most fun. no one could have made up that year.
ladygrad: Do you think Coach Baron is a target for being recruited by other schools?
Bill Reynolds: ladygrad, jim baron absolutely becomes a target for bigger schools with his great season. that's how the system works.
friarsb: Bill...another question: Do you have any insight relative to the new CBI tournament? Does it start this year, and is it designed for teams that don't even make the NIT?
Bill Reynolds: friarsb: the new CBI tournament starts this year and will be selected after the NIT field is selected. There's no truth to the rumor the Friars are a lock.
ken: I couldn't disagree more . . . booing does not cross the line. Yelling obscenities and throwing things crosses the line. Welsh has earned the booing with zero NCAA wins, 2 NIT wins, and 1 Big East tourney win in 9 years. When I'm frustrated at a game I cant email the AD!!!
Bill Reynolds: ken, you can if your bring your Blackberry. just kidding. I understand your frustration, i just think booing hurts a progam more than it helps it, regardless of the circumstances.
Bill Reynolds: Thanks everybody. I'm told there will be a full transcript of this chat online later today at projo.com, and I apologize for any questions i didn't have time for. Over and out.
Sports columnist Bill Reynolds will answer projo.com readers' questions in a live chat today from noon to 1 p.m. You can send in your questions now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, choose a display name (you don't need a password) and enter the college hoops chat room. When typing a question, remember not to press enter or click send until you have completed your thought. Questions will display to the room as Bill answers them.
The senior forward has scored 11 second-half points to help URI open its lead against Dayton to 56-38 with 12 minutes left.
Mbang has had two 3-point baskets and one monster pumping dunk off a Lamonte Ulmer steal and pass.
Mbang's last 3-pointer, from coach Jim Baron's lap at the URI bench, forced Dayton to call a time out and the crowd was up and roaring as the players headed to the bench.
URI took an early lead against Dayton and has maintained it throughout the first half. The 36-27 lead the Rams have at the break is the largest of the game.
Jimmy Baron has led the way with 13 points, although he missed a free throw with 3.2 seconds left in the half, his second miss of the season, first in A-10 play.
URI is 6-14 on 3-pointers. Dayton is 0-6. URI, mostly Parfait Bitee, has done an excellent job of Dayton star Brian Roberts, who has only four points. There havebene only five turnovers in the game, two by URI.
The pace of the rematch between Dayton and Rhode Island is different than the first. The ball is not going in nearly as much for either team as when Dayton beat URI, 92-83 earlier.
The good news is that URI leads, 21-14 with 7:35 left.
The Rams have four 3-pointers, two by Jimmy Baron and one apiece by Parfait Bitee and Joe Mbang. Dayton has been taking the ball to the basket and has not had any treys.
It has been the Jimmy Baron Show early on at the Ryan Center.
Baron has had two 3-point hoops and one from 15 feet to help the Rams lead early, 13-10.
Dayton has dominated the rebounding and has stayed in thanks to a couple of second-chance baskets, the most recent one by Charles Little, who is playing despite an injured foot.
The last ticket for today's URI-Dayton game was sold at about 11 o'clock this morning. The students, who were allowed to begin picking up their free tickets at 10 a.m., gobbled up their 1,500-ticket allolment bt 12:15 p.m.
That means a complete sellout for what shapes up as a fun game.
The Flyers outran the Rams, 92-83, in their first meeting. Dayton gets a boost today. Forward Charles Little, who has been out with an injured foot, is back sooner than expected and will play.
The final score was 78-64 Rhode Island over Richmond tonight. But it wasn't that easy.
URI finally shook off the pesky Spiders in the final eight minutes to win and raise its record to 18-3, 4-2 in the A-10. Richmond falls to 10-9, 3-3.
Richmond led 49-48 before Kahiem Seawright, Lamonte Ulmer, Joe Mbang and Jimmy Baron led the surge that gave Rhody the victory. Will Daniels finished with 17 points and Seawright 16.
URI and Richmond are going back and forth with neither team able to gain much of an advantage in the second half. Rhody leads 50-49 with 11:12 left.
The Rams have had problems with Richmond's zone defense. URI already has 16 turnovers, many trying to drive into the middle of the zone.
Kahiem Seawright has had the last six URI points including a drive that put the Rams back up, 50-49. The Rhody fans are uneasy as Richmond has done a nice job keeping the game to play the way it wants it.
URI and Richmond have taken turns making runs and it ended with the score tied at 35 at the half. URI, led by Will Daniels, built leads as high as eight early on. But the Spiders put together a 12-2 run, holding URI without a field goal for more than six minutes, as they took a 30-28 lead.
A 3-pointer by Daniels and driving hoop by Parfait Bitee put URI back ahead, but a 3-pointer by David Gozalvez tied it at 35.
Will Daniels had made back-to-back 3-point plays to give URI a 26-21 lead against Richmond.
Daniels first drained a trey from the top of the key, then scored off a fastbreak drive, was fouled and made the free throw, too. It was the 19th time this season Daniels has had a conventional 3-point play.
Both teams continue to score well. URI got out of its man defense for one trip. Richmond got a 3-pointer from Ryan Butler and the Rams went back to the man defense.
Both sides are off to a strong start, at least on offense, at the Ryan Center.
It is 18-15 Rhode Island with a time out with 11:33 remaining. URI is running when it can and has 3-pointers by Jimmy Baron and Parfait Bitee.
Richmond, in its Princeton offense, also has looked very sharp. URI is playing man defense this far and the Spiders are doing an excellent job getting in the lane for short hoops.
College basketball's one and only group of Spiders visits the Ryan Center tonight.
Richmond enters to play URI with a 10-8 record, 3-2 in the Alantic 10. North Kingstown native Mark Kwolek, who is now the sports information director at Richmond after previously working at URI, was just telling stories about how rapidly the Spiders have come along. The team is dominated by freshmen and sophomores. It comes in off its best win yet, an 80-63 rout of Dayton Saturday.
URI has changed its starting lineup. Jason Francis is ``a bit banged up,'' team officials reported. He will be replaced by Lamonte Ulmer. It is the first change in the starting lineup for the Rams all season.
Will Daniels: Hi everyone - Will here. Just want to say hello before we get going with the chat. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by.
Rhodewarrior: Will, you guys are off to a great start- congrats! What are you guys doing to intensify your defense this year. There are a lot of open looks for other teams and with a deep bench what are the plans to get a March Ready defense in order?
Will Daniels: What's up RhodeWarrior - we need to keep preparing in practice for our opponents. Team defense requires helping each other out, talking on D, and that's what Coach B stresses.
AnthonyD: Will i went to red hook high school, i was a freshman when you were a senior and i remember you playing against greg nero and how everyone said that greg was better. You've obviously proved who was better. Im glad to see how much you've accomplished at rhode island and hopefully people from around here will get the chance to see you play in the NBA next year. Keep up the good work.
Will Daniels: AnthonyD - Greg is a good player and a friend and it was great playing with him during high school. It's good to see him having a lot of success over at Fairfield. I think Red Hook beat us all four years when I was at FDR, so thanks for not bringing that up.
PlayerNumber6: Will, Thanks for being part of this great team at URI. Your style of play has gotten you into foul trouble a couple of times this season. However, during the St. Bonaventure game, you and your team mates did an excellent job preventing this foul trouble. Have you been working on this aspect of your game with your team?
Will Daniels: Player6 - the better team defense we play, the easier it is for us to stay out of foul trouble. It's on all of us to do that. In the St. Bonaventure game, we did a better job of limiting penetration and keeping our man in front of us. That's what limited our foul trouble.
twisted3829: will awesome year so far. how does the team feel about the student support you are getting not only at games but around campus? Also how do you feel about being on ESPN2 and on national television?
Will Daniels: Twisted - thanks very much. We enjoy the student support and we're encouraging more to come out for the rest of the season. As far as the national attention, it's been great. But we need to keep up our success to remain in the national spotlight.
Bruce: Will: Congratulations on a great season to date! Two questions--first, tell us about your relationship with Coach Baron. Secondly, I noticed that, on some of your threes, you have a very flat arc and on others, the arc is much higher. Is that done on purpose? Good luck on the rest of the season.
Will Daniels: Bruce - Coach B and I have a great relationship. He is the main reason I chose Rhode Island four years ago and I enjoy playing for him. We've been through a lot together and it's helped our relationship grow. As for my jumper, I try to shoot with a high arc and sometimes it doesn't work out that way...
617RhodyFan: Hey Will, hope to see you onto bigger and better things both this year and for the rest of your playing career. Can you talk a little bit about the team's comfort level playing at the Ryan Center? Obviously it's very high with your record at home.
Will Daniels: 617 - We're very comfortable at home. Our fans do a great job of supporting us, which has a lot to do with it. We're very confident at home, which plays a key role in our home wins.
GandysFantasy: Will, first of all, congratulations on an outstanding URI career thus far. What would it mean to you, as a senior, to actually reach the NCAA Tournament. What are your goals for the remainder of the season?
Will Daniels: Gandy - it would mean a lot to me as a senior - as well as Parfait and Joe as seniors - to be able to make the NCAA tournament. We as a team take things one game at a time, but our primary goal is to reach the NCAA tournament and win it.
Brian: Hi Will. Which of your former teammates were especially heplful in your developement, both as a player and a leader? Thanks and good luck the rest of the way.
Will Daniels: Brian - All of my former teammates have helped me along the way. But two stick out in my mind: Dawan Robinson and Randy Brooks. Dawan taught me about leading by example and Randy has taught me more about playing at the Division I level and how to be more of a vocal leader.
section104: Will, It's been awesome to see you mature over the years. How was your experience at the Lebron camp this past summer? Do you see it helping your draft status come draft time?
Will Daniels: 104 - it was a great experience to be at the LeBron camp and play amongst some elite college players - Jon Scheyer from Duke, KC Rivers from Clemson, Scottie Reynolds from Nova and Jason Thompson at Rider. LeBron playing with/against us also helped. A camp like that can only help you in the long run.
URIGONZO: Hi Will, As a team leader is it difficult to get the team up and ready during A-10 play?? It seems like URI now has a target on its back and every game from here on out will be a tough one, especially road wins. Personally I feel a huge burden lies on your chest as the team leader to not only get yourself ready for these tough games night in and night out, but you must also make sure your teamates are ready to rumble.
Will Daniels: Gonzo - no, it's not difficult to get the team up for A-10 play. The entire team is determined and motivated and knows what it's going to take to achieve our goals.
keaney blue: Hey Will congrats on a great start this season. On the same lines as PlayerNumber6, it looks like GW had everything going at you in an attempt to get you into foul trouble. Did you get that feeling?
Will Daniels: keaneyblue - GW is an aggressive team that attacks a lot. So it's easy to get called for cheap fouls. We've been working in practice on doing a better job with team defense, which should help with that problem.
RHODY 09: Will, congrats on the great season so far. What do you guys plan to do differently on Saturday to prepare for the big rematch against Dayton?
Will Daniels: Rhody09 - I think we have to play better defense than we did out there. Do a better job containing and contesting shots, and limiting their strength as a team. Dayton is one of the best teams in the league and we need to bring it on Saturday.
RhodyFanForLife: You’ve improved every year since you’ve been at Rhode Island, going from a skinny freshman to one of the top players in the league. What has helped you improve over the years?
Will Daniels: RhodyFanforLife - I dedicated myself to lifting weights and working out. I also make sure I get my time in the gym to get shots up and practice. Experience has a lot to do with it, because you know what to expect every season.
drose: You guys have taken over as "the team" in Rhode Island. How important was the victory over Providence to you and to the rest of the team?
Will Daniels: drose - It was an important win because it's an in-state rivalry game and it meant a lot to us and our fans. It's always good to beat a team in the Big East, which gets a lot of national exposure.
Sam Worthen: Alright, alright. Will you are having a great season. Who is your favorite pro player?
Will Daniels: Sudden Sam - I don't have one favorite pro, but I like different aspects of different players games. I like Kobe's leadership, how a guy like LeBron dominates but keeps his teammates involved. Kevin Garnett has a warrior's determination.
URIHoopsFan: Hi Will, what has been the most memorable game in your Rhode Island career?
Will Daniels: URIHoopsfan - Wow...good question. I'd have to say the win at Syracuse this year because it showed how hard we had to fight through adversity, nobody expected us to win against a program like Syracuse in an arena like the Carrier Dome that had 22,000 Orange fans. It was the third Big East team we beat this year, so we celebrated in the locker room after the win which made it even more special.
GandysFantasy: have you ever met some of the ram greats from the past - cat mobley, tyson, sly, lamar etc
Will Daniels: Gandy - I know Tyson, he plays with us in the offseason. I've always been a fan of and wanted to meet Cuttino Mobley and Lamar Odom. Hopefully I'll get the chance someday.
URIHoopsFan: Will, why do you wear #25?
Will Daniels: URIHoopsfan - My two favorite numbers are 21 and 5, and when I got here, Scott Hazleton had 21 and Dawan had 5, so I picked 25 to compliment them both.
redfoxes2005: As a long time season ticket holder I just want to let you know how much enjoyment the team has provided this season. Games are so much fun that I hope we get to see many more this season (post season too !!) My question to you is what is a typical game day like for you. What do you do and how do you prepare for that nights game. Thanks and continued success the rest of the way. GO RHODY !!
Will Daniels: redfoxes - We have the same routine on every gameday. Shootaround is very important, pre-game meal is important but the most important thing is getting a good amount of rest before the game.
GandysFantasy: Will, let's have a prediction - Giants vs Pats?
Will Daniels: Gandy - Pats win, but it'll be close.
marc: Hey Will, great year so far. How do you and the team feel about the upcoming dayton game?
Will Daniels: marc - We play Richmond tomorrow night. That's our only focus - one game at a time.
Bruce: Will: Of all the A-10 arenas, which is your favorite to play in (beside the Ryan Center, of course) and which is your least favorite to play in?
Will Daniels: Bruce - My favorite road arena is Xavier, even though the fans get on you the whole time, it's a great atmosphere to play a game. I don't have a least favorite.
Chris: Will, I graduated in 2006 and miss making it to every game as I once did. Was it disappointing getting dropped from the top 25..and is that extra motivation for you and the team?
Will Daniels: Chris - yes, it was disappointing to drop from the top 25 polls. But it is extra motivation for the team to work harder and try to get back in.
thatdamram1: will, i really like the focus that this team has. what do you do as an individual to keep your focus, any superstitions?
Will Daniels: thatdamram - I remember our team goals whenever I start to lose focus. I realize that bad things can happen whenever you start to lose focus. As senior leaders, myself, Parfait and Joe have to be the most focused on the team - there's no next year for us. I don't have any superstitions.
Rhody74: Hi Will .... the team seems to be especially close this year. Is that true? If so, how important is that to your team's success?
Will Daniels: Rhody74 - Good question. The team is closer this year than in years past. It plays a lot in our success and our motto this year is "brotherhood" and to treat every individual on the team like a brother.
Sam Worthen: Alright, alright. With the A10 having a great season, how many teams do you see dancing in March (besides the mighty Rams)?
Will Daniels: Sam - I think that the league is as tough as it's ever been in my four years here. I expect there to be a good number of teams happy on selection sunday. We're working hard, every day, to make sure we're one of them.
Rhodewarrior: outside of yourself who do you find to be the best player in the A-10?
Will Daniels: Rhodewarrior - I'd say Brian Roberts from Dayton, my boy Ahmad Nivins from St. Joe's, Gary Forbes at UMass, Dionte Christmas at Temple is really good. And there are many others. The A-10 has a lot of good players.
GandysFantasy: Will, you committed to URI over 4 years ago. Have your expectations been met, here in Kingston? How good has the "URI experience" been for you?
Will Daniels: Gandy - The URI experience has been great. I established a lot of relationships with many people and it's helped me mature as a man. Coach B preached it before I got here, and pretty much every day since, about the importance of earning your degree and graduating. I'm proud to be on track to graduate in May.
thatdamram1: will, who is the guy that you would least like to play "horse" with on this team?
Will Daniels: thatdamram - Jimmy. No question.
RHODY 09: Will, you are obviously a huge powerhouse within the team's dynamic on the court, both with your playing and leadership abilities. Who do you see stepping up next year to take over this role?
Will Daniels: Rhody09 - With me, Parfait and Joe moving on, I see Jimmy and Kahiem stepping into a senior leadership role. They're already leaders on the team, and that should continue into next year.
Will Daniels: It's getting close to wrap up time, so I'll take one or two more questions.
Rhodewarrior: Whose idea was it to put that slogan on the back of uniforms. While self explanatory in nature what exactly is the genesis and what is it that you believe in?
Will Daniels: RhodeWarrior - "Together We Believe" came from Kahiem Seawright. It basically means that as a team, if we want to achieve our goals, we have to do it together.
uri07: Will, when you started here as a freshman I could see and told everyone that you would end up a big time player at URI. Early on with the team struggling the first few years did you ever feel like it wasn't going to happen here
Will Daniels: URI07 - When I joined the URI program, I always had confidence that we would be a good team and establish ourselves. With hard work, dedication, and believing in ourselves, we've become a team to reckoned with.
Will Daniels: Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat. I had fun talking with you all and I hope you continue to support our team. Don't forget that Parfait will be chatting on Thursday as well (on ESPN.com) - be sure to ask him some tough questions! Go Rhody!
The Rhode Island Rams' senior star Will Daniels will be available to answer projo.com readers' questions in a live chat today at noon. You can send questions in ahead of time: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, choose a display name (you do not need a password) and enter the college hoops chat room. When typing a question, do not press enter or click send until you have completed your thought. Questions will display to the room as Will answers them.
St. Bonaventure gave its home fans a reason to get excited for a few minutes, anyway, as it pulled as close as seven points to URI with five minutes left. But the Rams steadied and went on to an 89-77 triumph over Bona tonight at the Reilly Center.
Daniels finished 24 points. JImmy Baron added 18, Parfait Bitee 16 and Joe Mbang 11. URI (17-3, 3-2) hit a season highg 13 3-pointers. Zarryon Fereti had 26 points and Tyler Relph 16 for the Bonnies (6-13, 0-5).
The shots are not falling nearly as well for either team in the second half.
URI leads 64-50 with a time out wiht 10:51 left. Both teams have gone to man defense and it has given the other more trouble than the zones that were played much of the first half.
URI has made three more 3-pointers to give it 12 on the night, matching its season high.
It is 50-35 URI at the half, but St. Bonaventure has started making some shots and giving the Rams a bit of a challenge.
Just as it fell behind because of the 3-pointer, Bonvanture rallied behind the outside shot. It made four treys in the final 5:10 of the half. Bona drew as close as 12 when it ran off seven straight to make it 46-34.
Baskets by Will Daniels and Jimmy Baron held get the Rhody lead to 15 at the half.
Daniels has 14 points for URI and Zarryon Fereti 13 for the Bonnies, who have made 9 of 10 free throws. URI is 3-4 from the line. URI is 19-for-24 from the field, 9-for-16 on 3-pointers. It's season high on 3-pointers is 12.
Rhode Island has had seven 3-point baskets as it has built a 32-14 advantage over St. Bonaventure with 6:33 left in the first half.
The Bonnies are playing a 2-1-2 zone challenging the Rams to make shots and URI is doing just that. Parfait Bitee and Jimmy Baron each had had two treys, Will Daniels, Keith COthran and Joe Mbang one apiece.
Rhode Island already has forced the Bonnies to call two time outs as it has jumped to an 18-4 lead 7:11 in.
URI scored on its first four poessions for a 10-2 lead. They included 3-point hoops by Will Daniels and Parfait Bitee. Bona coach Mark Schmidt did not like what he was seeing and called a time out 2:40 into the game.
The Bonnies went six minutes without a hoop. Another 3-pointer by Bitee helped get the lead to 18-4.
Welcome to Olean, where it is cold, but not much different than it is in Rhode Island.
The good news is that while there is much snow on the ground, there were only light flurries today. It made it easy to get around and let both URI and St. Bonaventure prepare normally for tonight’s game at the Reilly Center.
This is still Jim Baron country. Baron is in his seventh year as URI coach, but he is still very well remembered in Olean. The teaser headline on page 1 of the Olean Times Herald today, referring to a story in the sports section, read ``Baron versus Bonnies tonight.’’
On North Union Street, Angees is a restaurant/bar that is one of the main gathering places in town. It still offers the Baron Sausage Sandwich. The menu reads that it is, ``a sausage patty with onions and peppers, just the way the coach likes it.’’ It costs $4.45.
Pat Henderson, URI’s lead manager, had one Friday night after practice. He gave it an A-plus. However, this afternoon, as he was speaking with radio broadcaster Steve McDonald, he dropped it to a ``B,’’ saying there were aftereffects that made it a bit less desirable
URI got back on track in Atlantic 10 play tonight, using some excellent second-half shooting to beat George Washington, 81-70.
GW hung in through the first half, trailing 44-39 at the break. The Rams hit their first four shots after intermission, three of them 3-pointers, to build a double-digit lead, then broke it open midway through the second half. Joe Mbang hit two straight 3-pointers to make it 72-51 and the Rams coasted from there.
Jimmy Baron had 17 points, including the 1,00th of his career. Parfait Bitee had 14 points, Will Daniels and Mbang 13 apiece. Maureece Rice had 17 for GW, all in the first half.
URI has just broken open a wild game with George Washington, and senior forward Joe Mbang was the guy who did it.
Mbang, who has not shot as well this season as he did last year, just drilled back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Rams a 72-51 lead with 7:56 left. Mbang is in the game because Will Daniels is in foul trouble again with four.
URI is trying to break it open here at the Ryan Center.
The Rams came out and hit their first four shots of the second half, good for 11 points. Jimmy Baron had another 3-pointer then Will Daniels, who had bene scoreless in the first half, had eight in a row including two treys.
GW coach Karl Hobbs called a time out to try and strem the tide but the Rams are up, 55-42.
Jimmy Baron and Lamonte Ulmer have combined to give URI a 44-39 lead at the half over George Washington.
Since our last report, GW scored sevne points in a row to take a 33-28 lead. Guard Maureece Rice has been outstanding with 17 points.
Baron helped the Rams rally as he has had 12 points, including the 1,000 point of his career on a 3-pointer from the left corner with 3:02 left in the half.
Ulmer had a steal and dunk, a dunk off the fastbreak on a pretty feed from Parfait Bitee, and then a tip-in at the buzzer to give URI the five-point lead.
George Washington is not playing like a team averaging 62 points a game.
The Colonials have been more than willing to race up and down the court with URI tonight and they are more than making it a game.
Rhode Island leads, 28-26, with 6:31 left in the first half. Guard Maureece Rice has 12 points for the Colonials. GW also is outrebounding URI thus far. Parfait Bitee has 10 for URI.
The speed is back for the URI basketball team. But maybe not the defense.
After scoring a season low 61 points in a loss at Saint Louis in their last start, the Rams are playing at the pace they like in the early going against George Washington. GW, which has had trouble scoring this season, does not seem to mind.
The teams are tied at 20 with a time out with 11:03 left in the first half. The Rhody guards have 15 points thus far, seven from Parfait Bitee, six by Jimmy Baron and two by Keith Cothran.
Everyone at the Ryan Center is ready and raring to go.
Hi. It’s been six days since URI played, it just seems as if it has been even more than that. After losing two of its first three Atlantic 10 games, the Rams badly need a victory. The problem is they have to face their nemesis, George Washington. The Colonials have beaten URI six times in a row, the last in the A-10 title game in March of last year.
GW is not the same team this time around. It is 5-8, 0-6 on the road. URI is 8-0 at the Ryan Center.
Multimedia: Paul Kenyon previews URI-George Washington
Click the play button below to see and hear the show, as Paul Kenyon previews the Rams game tonight against the Colonials; it's at 7 at the Ryan Center, and you'll be able to see it on Cox 3.
Paul Kenyon: Hi everyone. It’s nice to be here on game day. I’m not like the players and coaches. I’m happy to talk on game day. So let’s get started.
Pam: I'm a Duquesne alum -- why do you think the Atlantic 10 is so competitive this year?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Pam. There certainly is no doubt about how competitive the A-10 is with everyone having at least one loss already.My personal opinion is that there are two big reasons for the upswing. One is that the schools have done a good job hiring coaches. The league went through a down cycle when it lost coaches like John Calipari, Thad Matta and Oliver Purnell to higher paying jobs and John Chaney to retirement.Your alma mater, for one, made what looks to be a great move with the hiring of Ron Everhart from Northeastern. The Dukes are good this year and will be even better next year. It takes coaches some time to get their program in place. To coin a phrase, it’s a process. The fruits of the process are now becoming visible at Duquense, URI and many of the conference schools.The second factor, I think, is just normal a normal cycle. The top conferences do not have ups and downs. But conferences like the A-10 must deal with that issue. There were losses to the MAC and Colonial and other conferences in the last several years. Those conferences are in more of a down cycle now, the A-10 very much on the up side.
rocky rhode: Paul, if URI does not win the A-10 tournament, is there any shot at an at-large NCAA bid?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Rocky. There most certainly is a chance for URI and all the conference schools to receive NCAA Tournament bids this year beyond the one automatic for winning the A-10 tournament.The conference is holding strong at seventh on the RPI. It has eight schools in the top 100 in the RPI. It has had so much success on non-conference games that it is now all but a certainty that the conference will get multiple bids.Virtually every forecast I’ve seen in the last couple weeks has the A-10 getting at least three bids and perhaps four. I’d agree with that. Some are worried that the conference teams will beat each other up, as has been happening already. But the position is so strong there will be a strong A-10 representation in the tournament this year.
gorhodyMA: Paul, George Washington's defense seems to be almost as good as St. Louis's. Do you see URI continuing to struggle tonight, or do you think they'll break out of their slump?
Paul Kenyon: Hi GoRhody. It will be a major surprise if URI does not get back to scoring well tonight. GW is second to Saint Louis in a number of defensive categories, but it plays very differently than the Billikens do. Saint Louis made it a half court game. GW is more willing to move, maybe not as much in the past, but it still has some excellent athletes. Besides that, the game is at the Ryan Center, where URI’s numbers have been outstanding this season. The Rams shoot very well in their building. Finally, if you have been around the tam you have heard the emphasis on ending the GW hex after six straight losses. I know GW has struggled a bit offensively, but I expect a lot of points tonight
woosterbilligs has entered the room "college hoops"
friar1: Hi Paul - will URI be able to retain JB is he is approached by higher eschelon schools who could double his current salary?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Friar. Welcome. As you saw last week, the Baron talk already has begun. Former Friar coach Fran Fraschilla recommended him to Big East and ACC schools in his blog. If one of those schools does come calling and really wants Baron, there is nothing URI can do. If it does offer him a chance to double his salary, he obviously would have to listen. That being said, I think the only way that happens is if URI not only makes the NCAA Tournament but wins a couple games in the tournament. I fully expect Jim Baron to be back coaching the Rams next season
Paul Kenyon: Hi Wooster. If one game can be considered a stall, then yes, that is where the Rams are.
woosterbilligs: Hi Paul, Just wondering if you think the Rams have stalled a bit since URI has played a relatively scant schedule since mid-December?
Paul Kenyon: To continue with the response to Wooster. The Saint Louis game was the first I have seen all season in which the Rams had a bad day. Saint Louis dictated the pace and feel of the game, URI never got in a rhythm and it lost a game it would expect to win. Unless a team is Memphis or Kansas, you have to expect some nights like that. URI is good, but not so strong that it cannot expect to have an off night. With six days to regroup, there is no reason not to expect the team to return to playing better tonight
woosterbilligs: But, It really isn't a one game situation. They played some poorer teams that gave them a game, like those games in Texas, and then looked tired against Dayton and downright confused against an assailed St. Louis squad. Don't get me wrong, I like this team and where they are headed, but this seems a longer trend than one game, no?
Paul Kenyon: I don’t know if I would agree with you, Wooster. I did not see the games in Texas so I can’t speak for those, but for the vast majority of time URI has done a good job of getting games played the way it wants. It has played hard and it has played well
tomg: Paul, will Providence red shirt Curry? It seems the injury is taking a long time to recover from.
Paul Kenyon: If we see Curry playing again this season I think it will be a major surprise. It gets less and less likely that he will return with each passing day. Not only does Curry have the foot problem, but his family situation is difficult, too, with a younger brother who is going through difficult times. From all I hear, the odds are strong that Curry will sit out the rest of the season.
woosterbilligs: Not questioning the effort or the results, just noticed a trend watching from afar in comparison to some other highly touted teams. Trust me, after a long hiatus from owning season tickets, Jim Baron has brought me back into the fold with his playing style, his players on a talent and overall basis, and his approach to our fan base. Sorry if my question seemed negative because I am not when it comes to my Rhode Rams.
Paul Kenyon: I’m sure the Rams are happy to have you back, Wooster. Your questions are fair. I just disagree. The loss at Dayton had much more to do with Dayton playing well than the Rams playing poorly. URI was good in that game. Dayton was excellent. I was impressed with Duquesne, I think the Dukes are going to be very good. URI did not play great in that game, but I thought it played solidly. The SLU game is the one game that was a poor outing for the Rams. Their job now is to make sure it is only one game.
rhodyrudder: Hi Paul. So you expect that the problems displayed in the SLU game (bad fouls by Will, poor shooting by everyone, a lack of sharing the basketball) are a minor blip, and the team will be able to get back to running on all cylinders tonight?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Rudder. I think you describe my view well. That is very much the feeling I get from the team. It did not play well in Saint Louis, even with support from fans like you who were there. It was just one game. There is every reason to expect the team to get back to scoring a lot of points tonight. The job will be to stop GW from scoring. I can’t believe GW is only averaging 62 points. I like its personnel. If point guard Travis King was not out with a knee injury I would have expected the Colonials to be a major factor again this season.
URI Rams beat writer Paul Kenyon will take your questions in a live chat Wednesday at noon. You can send in your questions now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, choose a display name (you don't need a password) and enter the college hoops chat room. Remember not to press enter or click send until you have completed your thought; questions will display to the room as Paul answers them on Wednesday.
Saint Louis has given URI some chances to come back in the second half, but the Rams have not taken advantage.
The Billikens lead 45-35 with 11:25 left.
After leading by four at the half SLU opend its lead to nine. URI rallied to within 37-35 and got the ball back three times, but could not convert. The Billikens have just run off eight straight, capped by a 3-pointer by Tommie Liddell, for the 45-35 lead.
Will Daniels has sat most of the game. He had three first-half fouls and picked up his fourth 15 seconds into the second half.
URI just had its lowest scoring half of the season and perhaps its worst all-around half, as well.
Saint Louis has dictated the pace and feel as it has taken a 27-23 at the break at the Scotttrade Center. The game is playing at a crawl compared with most Rhode Island contests.
URI went 6:59 without a field goal in the middle of the half. It allowed several easy hoops for the Billikens on drives to the basket. With ice under the surface it is cold in the building and the game has that feel, too.
URI is 9-for-29 from the field, which includes making its last two tries. Will Daniels played only nine minutes because he has three fouls.
The vibes are not goof for URI 12:31 into the game agaisnt SLU.
The Billikens lead, 13-12, in a game being played at their pace. Which is to say much slower than URI wants it.
The Rams went 6:59 without a field goal, which has to be their longest scoreless stretch of the season. What's more Will Daniels has picked up three fouls and is on the bench.
That what has happened here over the last five minutes in the URI-Saint Louis game. Rhode Island made two early 3-pointers, one by Will Daniels and one by Jimmy Baron. That is enough for a 6-5 lead with 11:57 left in the half.
The Rams have missed their last eight shots. The Billikens have missed their last five. The Saint Louis people say they have seen it before. SLU missed 23 shots in a row in its 45-20 loss to GW last week. For URI, though, this is very different.
The pace also has been slow, mch the way the Billikens want it.
It is cold in St. Louis tonight, but starting to warm up in the Scotttrade Center. Some warmth is needed. It is cool in the 20,000-seat building right now.
Welcome to the URI-Saint Louis Atlantic 10 game. We’ve just spent a pleasant time listening toth Ray Cella, A-10’s associate commissioner, telling stories about how unpredictable the conference is. Three games in and only one team, Charlotte, is unbeaten in conference play.
Two of the three ranked teams, Dayton and Xavier, both lost last night. Rhode Island will be out trying to prevent a hat trick tonight.
The image many fans have of Saint Louis is that it is not very good because it only scored 20 points in a loss at George Washington last week. The truth is the Billikens are 9-7 and a soild team, especially here where they are 7-2.
It will be a battle of wills, with URI trying to push the pace and the Billikens trying to slow it down.
Northfield Mt. Hermon junior Mike Marra, a native of Smithfield, recently visited Louisville and reports are that he may picks the Cardinals soon. Marra is a top recruit of both Providence and URI.
According to the Scout. com network, Rick Pitino’s Cardinals are in the lead for his services.
“We visited Louisville Dec. 29 and it was a great visit,” Marra’s mother told InsideTheVille.com. “Louisville has offered him and it was good to see the school. We loved it and so did Michael.”
“I loved it a lot,” Mike Marra said. “We came down the day of the Iona game. I watched the game at Freedom Hall which was great. Then I got to stay in the dorm that night which was nice. I (toured) the campus and saw the new practice facility which was amazing.”
Speculation abounds in basketball recruiting circles that Marra could end his recruitment with an early verbal commitment to Louisville soon. Mrs. Marra said that is very likely to happen.
“He’s very excited about Louisville,” Mrs. Marra said. “Right now they are his number one choice. We’re kind of holding out a little longer to see what happens and we also want Coach Pitino to see him play because he hasn’t seen him play in person yet.”
“I’m not ruling out making a commitment and I definitely like Louisville a lot – I can see myself going there,” Mike Marra said. “But I don’t know if I’m ready to make the commitment right now. It’s possible that I do make the commitment, though. As of now, Louisville is my favorite of the teams who have offered.”
Kevin McNamara: Hello college hoops fans. Just left the TV where George Mitchell is going on and on about his steroids report. Needless to say, spending an hour with you folks is more enjoyable. Keep the questions coming. We have about a half dozen in the Q right now.
THL: Good afternoon. During the last chat I asked about the field for next year's Annaheim Classic. You told me that you would check on it. Were you successful?
Kevin McNamara: I am sorry but I have not checked. I promise to follow up on that and get the teams in the paper this week. Thanks for reminding me.
Friar Rob: Kevin, thanks for your terrific coverage of college hoops. Keep up the good work. What is the story with Curry redshirting this season? I thought the decision had to be made before the USF game?
Kevin McNamara: Thanks for the kind words. I do not feel Curry will play this year. With 14 regular season games remaining, I don’t see it as a wise choice for Sharaud to make a comeback. Will he get to close to 100 percent by the end of this season, or perhaps by Feb. 1? I believe he will. But I do not feel playing in 10-12 games helps his future or the teams at this point. He has not practiced at all and just getting him up to game speed and integrating him into the lineup doesn’t make sense to me.
As for the redshirting issue, the act of applying for a redshirt doesn’t occur until a player needs one. In this case, Curry would not have to apply for one until after NEXT season. He has one year of eligibility left that he will use next season. Then he can apply for a fifth year, which he undoubtedly would get. Tim Welsh has taken the stance that there is nothing to talk about with Curry until he is healthy enough to at least practice. We are not there yet. However, I can certainly see the writing on the wall
terwilliger: Kevin Re the foul shots at the end of the uri game sunday. Once the official has awarded a foul shot to a player and he shoots it, doesn't it have to stay in the books? Suppose Jimmy Baron had missed that first shot (one and one-8th team foul), would the URI coach have had the privilege of getting the call switched to Kareem after Duquense scored (potentially) a game winning hoop? (Remember Tyus Edney from UCLA?). It seemed bizarre, and it might be important next time. In my mind the call is akin to a baseball appeal.. Once the next pitch is made (in this case once the foul shot is taken) there is no appeal. The Dukes coach cleverly earned himself two options. In other words two players had to make the same shot!
Kevin McNamara: Good question. The rules do not state that you can't wipe off a foul shot. The officials are obliged, however, to make sure the correct shooter goes to the line. That was the error that the refs corrected. The scenario you bring up is an excellent one. If Baron misses and the Dukes go down and score can URI say the wrong shooter was at the line. I guess they could but since Coach Baron thought jimmy was the one who was fouled, that would not have happened. I will ask on official that one and get back to you. Excellent question.
GoRhodyMA: Kevin - which St. Louis will show up on Thursday, the one that took Dayton to overtime or the one that scored 20 pts vs. GW?
Kevin McNamara: I am willing to give SLU the benefit of the doubt and say they will play tough at home against the Rams. Scoring 20 points in a game is just bizarre, to say the least. The Billikens are better than that, but not very good. They must try to slow the tempo against URI and will certainly do that. I don't see Rick Majerus' best attempts as being good enough. Give the Rams another hard-fought win and a needed road victory. BTW, Dayton's injury to Chris Wright is a major one fo the Flyers. They will be in trouble the next two games, hosting Umass and going to Xavier.
hoop fan: Kevin- Sunday night Len Robbins on the Big East show on SNY said PC was one of the 3 hardest jobs along with South Florida and Seton Hall. He also along with the moderator said PC was lucky to have Welsh. Your thoughts?
Kevin McNamara: First of all, I respect Lenn Robbins a lot. He’s a close friend and we’ve talked about these subjects a lot. The question of which is the hardest job in the Big East is a good one. I think everyone would agree that South Florida tops the list. It’s a football school in a football state, although Billy Donovan has showed that all things are possible and the plethora of talent in the state give Stan Heath a fighting chance, for sure. I also agree that Seton Hall is a tougher job than Providence. The move out of the Meadowlands was a huge positive for the Pirates but moving into a similar sized building (18,500) still is not what college teams need. Not playing on campus hurts all of the Catholic schools very badly and is the reason why Villanova is ahead of the game in that regard. Now which is the third hardest job? Providence looks like it to me. St. John’s would be right after PC but I feel the Red Storm is a good recruiting class away from getting back into the top half of the Big East. Whether the current head coach can deliver that is another question.
PC lacks a lot of things other schools in the league take for granted. The biggest is recruiting ability. Look at the long history of PC hoops. They do it with under-the-radar kids, not studs. Best example is the fact that two high-major kids are in Rhode Island right now: Erik Murphy and Mike Marra. I’d be surprised if PC gets either one. Murphy has 7 schools and PC isn’t one of them. That tells me a lot and it isn’t good.
Is PC lucky to have Tim Welsh? I think PC’s ability to win in the New Big East is unclear right now. This isn’t the league Rick Pitino and Rick Barnes faced. It’s much better and more challenging. Is Welsh the coach to keep PC in the top 6-10 every year in that environment? I am not convinced. This year and next, with a veteran team, will answer that question. Many Big East people feel that the results Welsh has delivered at PC are about what the school should expect. Which Big East jobs do you see as tougher than PC?
Analyst: Kevin - can Brown which lives and dies with the 3 beat out a much more athletic Cornell and a comparable Yale for the League title or will there be too many nites when both McAndrew and Huffman are off to win the12 games it will take to win the title? Have you noticed that is is rare when both of them score 20 or more together (is that a psychological/ sibling rivalry thing)?
Kevin McNamara: I am high on Brown. I think Craig Robinson is doing an excellent job with a team that lacks an awful lot of answers. Obviously, the Bears cannot have a game where Mark McAndrew and Damon Huffman both struggle shooting the ball. Can 1 be good and the other shaky? That wouldn't be good either. I think the good news is the league will be wide open enough for you to stub your toe 2-3 times. I see 11-3 as a Ivy title-winning record. Brown is at Yale Saturday. Needless to say, that is a very big game. The good news is the Bears have played so well on the road this season that I'm sure they are looking forward to the trip.
THL: At this stage of the season have you changed your mind on where the Friars will finish in the BE? An extension of that Q is do you think they will make the Big Dance...and if not, does TW get fired?
Kevin McNamara: I do not think that making the NCAA's is an all-or-nothing proposition for Tim Welsh's future at PC. I feel it should not be. Bob Driscoll has publicly stated that he wants to see continued improvement from the team this season. The loss of Sharaud Curry to injury certainly should be considered and will be. I see the Friars as a 2nd tier Big East team that can still make an NIT-NCAA run but also will have trouble making the Big East Tournament, if you can believe that statement. The difference between 7-8th place and 12th place will be very slim in this conference. I see the Friars fitting in that spot. Obviously, the teams that play with the most consistency will be the ones that qualify for New York and be in position to go to the NIT/NCAA.
joey the ram fan: hi kevin great job with all the info... i know rhody has some decent guys locked up for next year with orion outerbridge and the 5-7 point guard from mass... any others of note and pc is losing only burch so what does the freshman class consist of????
Kevin McNamara: The URI recruiting class holds excellent promise. You mentioned Outerbridge, who is talented but a bit of a project, and Stevie Mejia, who will compete with Marquis Jones for PG playing time. The Rams also like Ryan Brooks, a long 6-8 forward who has played very well in S. Jersey; Canadian athlete Randy Dezourve; and Jamal Wilson, a big-time athlete from Philly. Getting them all academically qualifed is now the focus.
Kevin McNamara: PC has one signee ro replace Burch. They could sign another player for 2008 and the staff is looking at PG and a big man.
ramfan: Kev- you do a great job for both pc and uri, especially for a Cuse grad! thanks, any thoughts on the Friars playing Kale, Hanke and Mcdermott together? with 5 guards rotating, and Hall and Peterson backing up the 3 front spots it could give the friars some size and strength while still keeping the offense flowing and some pressure D out front.
Kevin McNamara: You mentioned virtually everyone on the roster in the frontcourt and that's probably who'll you see play. Tim Welsh clearly likes to use his bench this season and thinks the depth can be a factor. I know that McDermott/Hanke do tire and that's hurt the Friars in the past. If they can get something out of Greedy/Kale/Hall every game, they'll be better for it. Playing McDermott/Hanke/Kale together is not the team's best defensive lineup, by a long shot. I don;t think you'll see that often at all.
terwilliger: Thanks Kevin (re uri foul shooter)I still think that coach Everhart got a two for one special. He must have brought his CVS card to the RYAN center.
Kevin McNamara: I know that CVS is big in Pittsburgh, too. Wouldn't be surprised if Coach Ron is a card-carrier.
mjsback04@hotmail.com: In 2002-03 and 2003-04 PC had the following players: Kabba, McGrath, Douthit, Sanders, Gomes, Augustin, Mills, and Hill. In those two years, PC had as much talent as anyone in the country yet they did not win a tournament game. Do you agree with this assessment? Can you do a where are they now segment on former PC players?
Kevin McNamara: I do not agree with that assessment at all. As much talent as anyone in the country? How about as much talent as anyone in the Northeast! I'd say Boston College (Craig Smith, Jared Dudley, Sean Williams) had more. PC fans always overrate their talent and that's the case this year, too. That PC group has one sure-fire pro (Ryan Gomes) and a fringe one (MDouthit). That's fair talent, not a lot. They needed more, clearly, to make a deeper run in the NCAA's. Now should that team in 2003 have beaten Pacific? Yes. Wonder how that win would change people's perception of the program. By the way, that team would face long, long odds in its second round game: versus Kansas in Kansas City.
chris: Can and will URI go 4-0 leading up to the Dayton rematch? URI has given up too many points vs Dayton and Duquesne compared to previous games...what will they need to do to solidify the defense?
Kevin McNamara: URI's next 4 are at St. Louis, home to GWashington, at the Bonnies and home vs. Richmond. You could say this is the `easiest' stretch of the A-10 season but going on the road twice is never easy. I do agree that Rhody will win all four and host Dayton at 5-1 in the league. The best defense for this team is either better offense or defensive rebounding. They aren't built to be a lock-down defensive team. It's just the way it is. Doing a better job off the defensive boards is key.
GoRhodeIslandURI: Kevin, ESPN Bracket logy has URI a 6 Seed. If/when Rhody makes the Tourney what do you think their seed will be? Also ESPN has PC out do you think PC can make the dance?
Kevin McNamara: As a 6 seed, that means the Rams are one the 20-24 line in the field. Sounds about right. The Rams have a strong RPI and need additional road wins over good teams to solidify their place both in the NCAA field and as a top 5-6 seed. Remember this: URI will face an absolute killer 1st round game in the NCAA unless it someone finds its way into a top four seed, which looks like a stretch. Even then, a 4 plays a 13 seed and those teams are dangerous. So 5 seed, 6 seed, 7 seed. Doesn't matter much. What you want to avoid is a 2nd round matchup against a 1-2 seed.
ramfan: Kev- last question for this week. Coach Baron seems far more creative this year. Can the rams win the A-10 and make a run in the tourney?
Kevin McNamara: Certainly can. Their offensive ability makes them a very dangerous team. Looks around the country at plenty of teams that struggle to score (Michigan State, for one). That will not be a problem for the Rams, almost no matter who they play. Defense and rebounding are the keys for URI to make any kind of a post-season run.
THL: Recruiting----Kevin, with TW's status up in the air, how do you look at current recruiting for the very important 2009 class?
Kevin McNamara: I think it is hard for any recruit to commit to PC without the school commiting to its coach. It's that simple. And, yes, the class of 2009 is a very, very important one if the Friars don't want to take a big-time dip after the McDermott/Hanke/Efejuku/Xavier/Curry/Kale class leaves after next season.
terwilliger: thanks Kevin Coach Baron is the definition of integrity but in theory he could have created that scenario. How loudly would coach Everhart have yelled if Jimmy missed the shot? Ans. not at all! And, how distracted could he have possibly been at that moment (and his assts). not to see that it was Jimmy shooting. I think that he got two for one. It was a great game!
Kevin McNamara: It was a great game. One of the best I've seen this year. You can go `round and `round with the end of the game scenario in that one. Enjoy the spinning!
Kevin McNamara: Almost set to wrap things up guys. Fire away any late 3-pointers.
I HATE PC: will Will Daniels win A-10 player of the year? Or is that Roberts award to lose?
Kevin McNamara: Will Daniels can certainly win the PofY award in the A-10. Roberts has played very well but if the Rams beat Dayton in two weeks and go on to finish 1 or 2 in the conference, I can't see where Will can't be the choice. He's having an outstanding senior season.
ernieDwannabe: Kevin. there are a number of good RI players outside of Marra and Murphy- Can URI or PC help Jerrell Gomes through Juco to the big time, and what about Bruce Sobers in WestWarwick (a GeoffMcdermott clone!)
Kevin McNamara: I hear good things about Gomes and Sobers, although they may not be D-1 prospects. I haven't seen either myself so I don't want to say that for sure. I know that both PC and URI monitor the locals and have AAU ties in Rhode Island. Marra and Murphy, however, are a cut above.
rhody22: Kevin, Baron uses Cothran at the point sometimes. Do you think he can handle those duties?
Kevin McNamara: Keith is an interesting player. I'd say he's a developing offensive player without a true position. A combo, for sure. Defensively, he's as good as you're going to find. I'll take him on my team and over time he has a chance to be very, very good.
rf321: How good is Jeff Xavier ?
Kevin McNamara: Jeff X is very good. A better deep shooter than I realized and PC's fiercest defender. He needs to keep being a stronger leader and shake up a few teammates who don't play as hard as he does. He is another guard I'll happily take on my team.
I HATE PC: How many teams have a better 1-2 scoring punch then URI's dynamic duo of Jimmy Baron and Will Daniels?
Kevin McNamara: Not many. I think that's pretty clear. Don't see another one in the entire A-10.
THL: Bilal Dixon is having a great HS season...can he be an impact player on this Friar team as a freshman....and Thanks for your time today.
Kevin McNamara: Hearing good things on Bilal. Next year he'll have to beat out Hanke, Hall and Kale for playing time. Tough to do.
Kevin McNamara: That's all folks. I'll be back in this forum in a week or two. You can always forward questions to us and either myself or Paul Kenyon will answer them for you. Take care.
Talk URI and PC hoops with Kevin McNamara today at noon
Kevin McNamara will answer your questions on Tuesday at noon in our next projoSports hoops chat. While we said in today's newspaper that this would be a PC chat specifically, Kevin is happy to take your URI questions as well. You can send your questions to Kevin now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, pick a display name (you don't need a password) and enter the college hoops chat room.
Remember not to press enter or click send until you have completed your thought. Questions will display to the room as Kevin answers them on Tuesday.
The Rhode Island Rams have fallen one place in both the AP writers poll and the ESPN coaches poll, but last week's loss to Dayton did not relegate them to the realm of the unranked.
URI is 23rd in the latest AP poll, down from 22nd last week, and 21st in the coaches' poll, down from 20th.
Jimmy Baron's 12-foot baseline jumper with three seconds left gave URI an 80-78 victory over Duquesne today at the Ryan Center.
URI trailed, 78-77, when Baron made his winning shot. The Rams forced a turnover when Duquesne inbounded the ball. Kahiem Seawright was fouled and made one of two free throws for the 80-78 final.
The game was tied 11 times and there were five lead changes. Will Daniels led URI with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Baron finished wth 14 points. Reggie Jackson led four players in double figures for the Dukes with 19.
Duquesne leads, 67-66 with a time out with 6:56 left. The Dukes just ran off 10 straight points, in less than two minutes, to tun a 3-point deficit into a seven-point lead. URI steadied behind the play of Will Daniels and has made it a thriller.
The second half is playing much like the first half at the Ryan Center, except that the teams have exchanged roles.
URI was the chaser the entire first half. It worked to prevent Duquesne from getitng too big a lead. In the second half, the Rams quicly took a lead, got it to 48-42 and threatened to take control.
The Dukes, though, have fought back. They tied the score at 52. A 3-pointer by JImmy Baron has made it 55-52 Rhody with 11:53 remaining.
After trailing throughout, URI has come back and pulled within one of Duquesne at the half, 38-37.
The Rams actually took their first lead of the day on a layup off the break by Keith Cothran with 37 seconds left in the half. That made it 37-36 Rhody. A dunk by Shawn James, his third of the day, gave the Dukes the lead at the break.
Duquesne is 10-0 when leading at the half. The Dukes are shoting 53 percent, which means opponents have hit 59 percent of their shots against URI in the last three halves the Rams have played.
Will Daniels has 11 points and JImmy Baron nine for the Rams. Gary Tucker has come off the bench and played nicely for Duquesne with 12 points, including two 3-pointers.
The game has been wild at times. URI has 10 turnvoers, Duquesne nine.
The action has kicked itno another gear at the Ryan Center _ a higher one.
Duquesne has outplayed URI most of the way here and twice led by as many as eight, the second at 25-17. URI has gotten better as the pace has gotten faster. The Rams pulled within one, 27-26, on a 3-pointer by Will Daniels.
Two dunks by Shawn James have helped the Dukes pad their lead again to 36-31.
The Rams are having trouble both shooting and protecting the ball as they trail Duquesne, 14-11, with 11:39 left in the first half.
URI is 3-for-12 with five turnovers. Duquesne's Shawn James is part of the reason. He is one of the nation's leading shot blockers. He already has three today.
We’re ready to start adding up the points here. It will be a surprise if we don’t see at least 170 points between the Duquesne and URI teams this afternoon. The Dukes lead the Atlantic 10 in scoring at 87.2 and the Rams are third, at 83.6.
In a rarity for Ryan Center games, the visitors got here ahead of the home team. The Duquesne players have been shooting around for about 90 minutes. The crowd here includes A-10 commissioner Linda Bruno.
Providence College recruit Bilal Dixon is shining at Queen of Peace in New Jersey. QoP is ranked second in North Jersey and Dixon is averaging 14.3 points, 12 rebounds and 7.5 blocks. The 6-8 center is seen as one of the underrated players in the state. is a fine feature story on Dixon from the Bergen Record.
Dayton held off a second-half rally by Rhode Island and beat the Rams, 92-83, at the UD Arena tonight.
For a game that had no lead changes and only one tie (at 6-6), it was a great show. Dayton played a sensational first half, making 20 of 27 shots as it built a 54-41 lead at the break.
Rhode Island kept plugging away and more than made it a game. It twice pulled within three, the second at 71-68 with 7:55 left. Jimmy Baron, with 26 polints, Will Daniels with 25 and Parfait Bitee with 15 all were excellent.
Dayton was led by 23 by Brian Roberts, its star. Roberts got plenty of help, including 14 points frm Marcus Johnson.
Dayton is playing a terrific game, but URI is not backing down.
The Rams are fighting back and just forced Dayton to call a time out with 12:06 left in the second half and URI back within six at 64-58.
Jimmy Baron, who has been excellent, and Parfait Bitee each have hit 3-pointers and Will Daniels added three more on a drive and-one to get URI as close as it has been since late in the first half.
Dayton is ranked as the 17th best team in the country in this week's Associated Press poll, but the Flyers just played a half worthy of a top 10 team.
Dayton made 20 of 27 shots _ that's 74 percent_ as it raced to a 54-41 lead over URI here at the UD Arena.
The Flyers have played beautifully as they have scored from everywhere. Their work includes going 7-for-12 on 3-pointers. The team averages sisx made treys per game.
URI is shooting 53 percent (16 for 30) but it has trailed throughout. The halftime lead is the largest of the game.
Brian Roberts had 11 points and Marcus Johnson 10 for the Flyers. JImmy Baron leads URI with 12.
There is no sparring here at the UD Arena. The Rams and Flyers have come out in high gear.
Rhode Island made five of its first nine, shots including two 3-pointers by JImy Baron. But the Rams have trailed throughout because Dayton is on fire. The Flyers made six of their first eight shots.
Dayton averages six made 3-pointers per game. It already has made four as it has built a 23-16 lead with 11:53 left in the half.
This is the best place in the Atlantic 10 to see a game, and one of the best in the country. Add the fact that two nationally ranked teams are here tonight and the URI-Dayton game figures to be a good one.
Already, there is bad news for the Rhode Island people who would prefer a quieter setting. Dayton returns for the second semester earlier than most schools. Classes resumed Monday, so a full complement of students is expected in what should be a crowd of more than 13,000.
The Dayton press notes have a item that points out why the tradition here is so good. The Flyers, 17th in the latest Associated Press poll, are 64-8 in their home arena as a ranked team. Overall, the Flyers are 121-33 when ranked nationally.
URI has a 12-80 record when competing against ranked opponents.
The good news for the Rams is that none of those records count. URI is fit and healthy and ready to get it on.
It's a very big night for the URI basketball team. The Rams are tipping off at Dayton in easily its most important game of the season. Ram fans who think the URI-PC game tops all are wrong this year as nationally ranked Rhody plays nationally ranked Dayton at the Flyers' sold out arena.
NCAA tourney organizers look for big wins when they pick and seed teams and there's no bigger way to make an impression that winning on the road against a power team. Right now Dayton is the best team URI has played all season. Better than Providence, better than Syracuse. The Flyers are a top 10 RPI team and represent a chance for a huge win that URI may not see again this season.
The Rams' story is certainly catching on. Jim Baron and his team are front page national news today in the USATODAY newspaper.
PC opens its Big East home schedule tonight. To say this is a must-win for the Friars certainly isn't over-stating the Friars' plight in life. PC is 0-2 in the conference and while there are 16 more conference games to play, Tim Welsh's Friars aren't playing well. They need to get rolling or teams in the Big East will welcome a visit from PC.
For you PC bashers out there, check this out. It's obviously still early to predict any NCAA brackets but that's what ESPN's Bracketology does on a weekly basis. While URI is in the field as a 5 seed, PC is also safely in. The Friars are a 10 seed. This is a direct reflection on PC's strong schedule thus far and not on how the Friars are playing. It does, however, point out that it is much too early to write any team off. Especially a Big East team with an RPI at around 30.
Two disturbing games in the Big East last night if you're a PC person. Marquette, the same team that drubbed the Friars by 29 last week, struggled mightily to fight off Seton Hall, 61-56. Only a 3-pointer by Dan Fitzgerald in the final 10 seconds secured the win. The Warriors put 96 points up on Providence last week.
Then DePaul, which looked good in beating Villanova and PC last week, was crushed by Georgetown at home. The bottom line? If the Friars don't start playing better quickly, they're in for a long Big East season.
Click the play button below to see and hear the show, as Paul Kenyon previews the Rams huge conference opener out in Ohio. You won't want to miss this one.
Assumption College won its 1,000th men's basketball game on Dec. 29, becoming the 16th school in New England to reach that milestone. Adding wins from 2007-2008 to the won-lost records at the start of the season as listed in the current Assumption newsletter, the University of Rhode Island is third and Providence College seventh in total victories. URI has 1,299, PC 1,249. According to the newsletter, this is Rhody's 103rd season, PC's 84th.
Connecticut is New England's all-time leader with 1,454 victories. Springfield College, basketball's birthplace, is second with 1,305. After URI come Williams (1,206), Yale (1,274) and Holy Cross (1,256).
After Providence, the list includes Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Amherst, Boston College, Northeastern, Trinity, Tufts, Saint Michael's and Assumption in that order.
Paul Kenyon: Hi everyone. Mike McDermott has set up our chat today to have me here in the office on the way to the airport. I'm ready to go, so let's get right into it.
Firm: Pal- this is the deepest Rhody team I have seen in my years of following the program. Do you agree with this assessment? Also, do you see Delroy James breaking into Coach Baron's rotation and mking a contribution this year? What can we expect from this newcomer?
Paul Kenyon: I agree with your first point Firm, about the depth. I don’t think there is any doubt this is the deepest URI team in years, if not ever.
When Al Skinner was at URI, it was his preference to have a smaller rotation, a preference he still relies on. Al wanted seven guys he could depend on. He made them his guys and he stayed with them. There were many years in which URI did not even fill the scholarship limit, by choice.
Jim Baron is doing things differently right now, in part because of the style of play he is using. He feels he needs more bodies to be able to push the pace as much as he wants to. He wants to go as deep as possible. The good news is that the roster allows him to do so. The nine-man rotation he has used all year has worked nicely. Every guy has contributed.
And now, as you point out, there is a 10th guy ready to help, too. I definitely think Delroy James will become a factor. It might not happen right away, but it will happen.
I got to see a couple practices before last season began when Delroy was allowed to work with the team.
At that point, he was very much ready to be part of the regular rotation. After missing so a year and a half he needs time to get back in the swing of things. But as everyone saw in the FDU game, he is on his way. He will help this year and be a very significant factor over the next three years.
Ethan, South Kingstown: Paul, two friends and I are driving out to the Dayton game from Kingston.
How will URI handle the vociferous Flyer fans?
With so few Rhody Rowdies on hand, what (if anything) will the Rams have to do differently to recreate their road success at the Carrier Dome?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Ethan. Drive safely, please. It’s great to hear that some people are excited enough about the team to make the drive to Ohio.
I think you will enjoy the atmosphere in Dayton. Many of us feel it is the best in the Atlantic 10. You will stick out if you are not wearing something red.
I also think you will feel comfortable. I’ve found the fans in Dayton to be as civil as any around. It’s an older crowd, in large part, a crowd that respects good basketball.
While Dayton has won 24 of its last 26 games in the building, URI has won each of its last two games there. I remember the last-second shot by Dustin Hellenga to beat the Flyers a few years ago.
URI has played well on the road in the last two years. There is no reason to think that should change tomorrow night. We’ll all be disappointed if it is not another close game between two outstanding teams.
GandysFantasy: "Hello PK - URI hoops has come a very long way since the "Jerry! Jerry!! Jerry!!!" days, when complete pandemonium seemed to be the order of the day. Can you provide a perspective on how stable the program is today, versus the complete and utter destruction of the Harrick/Jerry D years? (PS - it's looking like a GREAT day to be on the links on Tuesday!!! That'll cure the RI winter-time blues!)"
Paul Kenyon: Hi Gandy. It is golf season somewhere. Rhode Islanders Brad Adamonis and Patrick Sheehan tee it up on the PGA Tour in Hawaii this week. And I’m betting Triggs, Montaup and Exeter will be doing some business back here this week, too.
But we can wait a bit on the golf. The basketball is too much fun right now. Your question about the stability of the program brings up what I think is the biggest reason of all URI fans should be excited.
You are correct that the stability is there, not just for this season, but for the next few years, as well. Even losing three key players after this year, there already is enough talent on the team to expect a solid, if not strong team, again next year.
The reports we are getting on this year’s recruits are very positive, too. Anyone who follows on Journal chat board has seen posters keeping everyone up to date on several of those players.
To make matters even better, the stability in the athletic department is as good as I’ve ever seen it. I had a conversation with Gregg Burke yesterday about work that is being done to get more students involved and how the student attendance has gone up markedly this year. The school is still putting together -- and selling -- ticket plans for the eight A-10 games, Burke said.
As we’ve seen over the last few days, the television situation is improving, too. I believe 10 of the next 12 games will be televised.
There really are many reasons for Rhody fans to be encouraged
GandysFantasy: Paul, I am of the opinion that the ProJo does a very good job covering the local and regional college hoops scen; mine apears to be a minority opinion. Between you and K-Mac, along with Billy Reynolds (who knows New England hoops history better than anyone), the ProJo provides the Ocean State with ample coverage, yet it's never enough for many delusional Rhody diehards. How do you respond to your many critics?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Gandy. Thanks for the kind words. We do appreciate the support.
Frankly, I feel strongly that you are correct, too. I’m kind of the third wheel when it comes to the basketball coverage here, so please let me speak about the other two. There is no other newspaper in New England, and very few in the country, that have a one-two punch like we have in Bill Reynolds and Kevin McNamara.
Bill Reynolds is simply as good as it gets when it comes to New England basketball. He literally wrote the book on the subject. No one knows the game, or cares about the game any more.
Kevin McNamara picked up the fever growing up in Coventry and has become one of the very best college basketball people in the country. With the Big East headquartered here in Rhode Island, Kevin has gotten to work with many of the best basketball people in the country, on and off the court. He does a great job not only with game coverage but with his Sunday round-ups.
There are reasons to criticize us here. But I would strongly defend the coverage the Journal gives college basketball.
TonyP: Hi Paul, you and I were at URI together with mutual friends but hereis my question. DO yuo know waht ever happened to John Fultz?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Tony. It’s nice to have another old guy here.
I remember seeing John Fultz make many, many shots. Today, most of them would count for three points, not two as they did then. I’m sorry I can’t help you, though. I don’t know about John's whereabouts. Sorry.
TonyP: Will URI win the conference?
Paul Kenyon: If someone forced me to pick the conference winner right now, Tony, I would have to stay with Xavier, the pre-season pick.
I guess that’s one of those picks for the program. The Musketeers’ have the program everyone else in the A-10 would like to copy. It really is a class program that is able to attract top quality players year in and year out.
As they’ve shown with their scoring explosion in their last three victories, twice going over 100 points with seven players scoring in double figures, they are very, very good again.
The good news is that they have more competition than ever. URI and Dayton, obviously, are going to give the Muskies everything they have. As I said in a chat here a couple weeks ago, I am very impressed with Massachusetts, too. I can’t wait to get to see Duquesne coming into the Ryan Center next week. It is the wild card in the race.
GandysFantasy: PK, you must be looking forward to the game in Dayton. What is the atmosphere like at that arena, and what can fair-weather fans learn from the Flyer Experience?
Paul Kenyon: For those who enjoy college basketball, I would heartily recommend seeing a game in the UD Arena.
You are right, Gandy, I am looking forward to seeing another game there. The place is different, almost a throwback. For those of us who are old enough to remember the 1960s and 1970s, it is almost like going back. My memories of those days are that crowds went more to enjoy the game and root for their team than root against the opponents. The atmosphere was fun. There was no profanity, less booing of officials and coaches. It was just a fun thing to do.
That’s the way it still is in Dayton. While there is good student support, the building is so big, seating over 13,000, that the crowd is older. It is more pleasant than is some arenas. The fans have seen great basketball for more than 40 years in the city and they seem to appreciate good play from both sides.
I’m going to quote Jimmy Baron in tomorrow’s pre-game story saying ``the atmosphere in Dayton is second to none.’’ As far as the A-10 is concerned, I couldn’t agree any more strongly.
South County: Paul, what does Rhody have to do to get tapped for NCAA this year?
Paul Kenyon: Hi South. Want to talk magic numbers even before conference play begins?
Why not? Let me throw one up. I’ll go with 25.
If URI has 24 victories on Selection Sunday it will be worried only about where it will play in the NCAA Tournament, not whether it will be invited to the dance.
The 14 victories and great RPI rating -- I believe it is at 17 now -- makes it possible to look ahead. Let’s say the Rams go 10-6 in the conference to get to 24 victories and tie for third in the conference. That gives them a first-round bye and then they win their quarterfinal game in the A-10 tournament to get to 25 victories.
The view from here is that they would still be in the 30s in the RPI at that stage, especially if the wins included one or two against the other contenders. All victories beyond 25 would be simply getting themselves a higher seed.
rhodyrudder: Hi Paul. Thanks again for doing the chat and for your coverage of the Rams. I want to ask about Rhody's home court advantage at the Ryan Center. The atmosphere for the PC game was as good as I've seen in any arena for college basketball. Do you think they will be able to get crowds of 7000 or more, and can they run the table at home?...Also, a quick question regarding the game tomorrow. You mentioned that it would be on channel 64. Is this the local Fox affiliate, or is it #64 on the Cox cable, which currently is not showing any programming at all? I can't even turn to it.
Paul Kenyon: Hi Rudder. Let’s do the last part first. The Cox Communications people tell me that it is Channel 64 on your television, not the local Fox affiliate. I think it’s great everyone did so much work to get the game on.
As for the Ryan Center atmosphere, I’ve spent so much time here today complimenting Dayton and Xavier, I’m glad you asked about the Ryan Center. URI fans have reason to be proud of the building and they have turned it into a major boost for the program. Having students sit so close to the action makes it fun. At times, some students might have gotten a bit carried away. But security guards now are stationed neat the visiting bench and those who get rowdy are kicked out of the building. That’s happened at least a couple times in the last two years, which makes it better for everyone.
I mentioned earlier that I spoke to Gregg Burke, the deputy AD yesterday. One of the subjects he touched on is work he is doing to increase attendance. Ticket plans are now available for A-10 games only, plans that would allow a fan to have the same seat for all remaining games. Gregg told me about the student group he has organized to give him advice and suggestions. Already, more student tickets have been distributed than in the entire 2004-05. Hopefully, I’ll get to tell everyone more about that in the next couple weeks.
The part about being unbeaten at home is asking a lot? If the Rams can sweep a home schedule that includes visits from Dayton, Xavier, Duquesne and Saint Joseph’s, they will truly have a season to remember. That’s a tall order and one I would doubt the team could pull off.
GandysFantasy: Paul, did you ever think you'd see a building as grand as the Ryan Center hosting URI basketball games? Does it need any improvements (other than more fans!)?
Paul Kenyon: Let me relate one quick story about one of my first visits to the Ryan Center.
I gave myself a little tour from top to bottom to see what the facility was like. As I’m finishing, I ran into a couple people I know who had been just ahead of me. They had finished doing the same thing.
One of them looked at me and his first words were, ``Can you believe how nice this place is?’’
It is one of those reactions that made two points. First it was that the planners _ and Ron Petro deserves the most credit on the design. It will be his most long lasting legacy to the school _ really did a great job. It is a facility to be proud of, a great place to watch a game.
The second point was more a Rhode Island thing. It seemed as if he was saying he was so accustomed to having things go wrong. His reaction was like, ``We really did this one right.’’
I wholeheartedly agree.
The one constant problem since day one is the sound system. When I arrived for the FDU game workers were trying to deal with the sound system to make it better. There are parts of the building where the sound simply does not travel well.
TonyP: Paul I now work at U of Florida where of course the program is on the rebound after a few great years. THe question is will URI ever be able to compete on the level of a UF/Tenn?KY level?
Paul Kenyon: Tony, we can’t get too carried away here.
The quick answer to your question is that you are looking at the view from the top. There is no way in the world a URI can compete on a regular basis with a Florida. Anyone who visits the facilities, who sees the budgets, who sees the fan support, knows it is simply impossible.
But as we are seeing this year, it is very possible for URI to compete at a high level, if no the highest level. We’ve spoken here today about the Ryan Center, the increasing fan support. The pieces are there for URI to be very good at its level. And that level can include being a top 25 team in basketball.
Paul Kenyon: That's it for today everyone. Sorry I couldn't get to everyone's questions. I enjoyed it. It's off to the airport.
The Rhode Island Rams have moved from number 23 to number 22 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. The Rams easily defeated Fairleigh Dickinson in their only game since the last poll was released. Their next game is Wednesday night against 17th-ranked Dayton, which moved up from number 20 in last week's poll.
This is the Rams' third consecutive week in the national rankings.
Rhode Island is 20th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, up from number 22 last week.
Also this week, Xavier made it three Atlantic 10 teams in the Top 25, as the Musketeers reached number 24.
North Carolina remains the top-ranked team in the country in both polls, followed by Memphis, Kansas, Washington State and UCLA.
There is good news for those who hoped to see URI's Atlantic 10 opener in Dayton Wednesday.
The good will be televised, after all.
CSTV, the network that holds rights to A-10- telecasts, worked out an agreement to telecast the game with WHIO-TV in Ohio. That group then reached an agreement with Cox Cable in Rhode Island to have the game shown on Cox Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The game also will be shown on CSTV and over the internet through Dayton's website, DaytonFlyers.com.
College basketball writer Paul Kenyon will take questions from projo.com readers in a live chat on Tuesday at 11 a.m., just before he boards a plane on his way to cover URI-Dayton on Wednesday. The chat will last about an hour. You can submit your questions about URI basketball now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, pick a display name and enter the college hoops chat room (you do not have to enter a password; do not check "enter as member"). Type in your question -- remember not to press enter or click send until you have completed your thought -- and Paul will see them when he enters the room on Thursday. Questions will display as he answers them.
The second half became play time for URI as it pulled away to a 94-63 rout over Fairleigh Dickinson.
After a slow start in which they trialed 19-16, the Rams took total control, hitting 23 of 33 shots from the field in the middle of the game and taking total control.
JImmy Baron led the way with 22 points, including 6-of-8 3-pointers. Lamonte Ulmer was the guy who provided the spark that got the Rams going. He finished with 13 points, including a couple dunks.
Kahiem Seawright added 12, Will Daniels 10 and newcomer Delroy James 10. Manny Ubilla of FDU set a Ryan Center record with 39 points.
Forget about that slow start the URI basketball team had tonight.
It is midway through the second half now and the Rams are doing what a top 25 team is expected to do. They have pulled away from Fairliegh Dickinson and are in total control.
It is 69-44 with 11:01 remaining. Jimmy Baron has made a cople more 3-pointers to give him six on the night and 22 points in all.
Still, the player of the night has been Lamonte Ulmer who came off the bench and led a 14-2 run that turned a 19-16 Rhody deficit into a 30-21 lead. Ulmer has 13 points, including a couple spectacular . But it was his defense that sparked the rally and helped wake URI up from its slow start.
URI has not played anywhere near its best game, but it still has matters under control at the Ryan Center.
Sparked by the shooting of Jimmy Baron and the all around play of Lamonte Ulmer the Rams lead Fairleigh Dickinson, 44-31 at the break.
Baron has 16 points, incuding 4-for-6 on 3-pointers. That does not include another 3-pointer than he shot left-handed, after the whistle blew, from the left corner.
Ulmer came off the bench after URI had started slowly and made several big plays to get his team going. They included a steal and two-handed dunk, a putback hoop off a missed shot and another dunk on an alley-oop pass from Baron.
The bench brigade has come in and given URI a spark.
Lamont Ulmer, in particular, has bene excellent as RHody has taken a 23-19 lead over FDU after a very lethargic start. Ulmer had a steal and two-handed dunk and a putback basket, among other work
It certainly does not feel like a top 25 atmosphere early at the Ryan Center.
URI and Fairleigh Dickinson are running up and down with lots of 3-pointers being hoisted, not much passing and not a lot of defense, either. FDU leads, 13-10, with 13:38 left in the first half.
All is ready for the final non-conference game of the season for URI at the Ryan Center.
With game time approaching the crowd is small, smaller than wold be expected for a nationally ranked team. One topic of pre-game talk has been first semester grades where the Rams apparently did almost as well as they have been doing on the court. Every player on the team did fine. Several, according to people here, were in the 3.0 range.
Fairleigh Dickinson, the opponent tonight, has a team that is small overall but quick. The Kinights like to run and shoot 3-pointers so we should see a lot of points.
Audio slideshow: Paul Kenyon previews URI vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
Paul Kenyon took some time this morning to talk about the Rams' game tonight against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights. While URI-FDU might not sound like much of a rivalry (actually it isn't at all), Paul notes that the last time these two teams played, it changed the course of Rams basketball. Click the play button below to see and hear the show.
After yet another long break of no college basketball games in this state, it's back to work for these fingers.
The Rams just wrapped up a title in a tournament in Corpus Christi, Tex. They took care of business and won two games they had no business losing, even if they did not play well in the second half of the Georgia Southern win. Jim Baron's Boys return home today and will play FDU Wednesday to wrap up their impressive non-conference slate.
Rhody is also getting ready for its A-10 schedule and what's shaping up as a huge A-10 opener comes Jan. 9 at Dayton. The Flyers blitzed Pittsburgh last night at DU arena, a major surprise only by the final score. If fans actually watched the game (instead of the Patriots), three things led to the blowout.
*Horrible officiating that cost Pitt its dominant center, DeJuan Blair, most of the game.
*An injury to Levance Fields
*Brian Roberts.
Dayton will jump into the top 25 this week and join the Rams as the A-10's poll reps.
The PIThttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07364/845485-175.stmT news could be very bad if Fields' ankle injury is severe.
By the way, an A-10 and Big East prediction in today's Journal was indeed written before last night's games. However, we're sticking by our guns. It's Pitt (with a healthy Fields) to win the Big East and Dayton to finish 4th in the A-10. Call me crazy. See you in March.
At Providence, the Friars are preparing for a N/L game against St. Peter's Monday at 2p.m. Then they'll hit the road for the first two Big East games, at Marquette and DePaul. The Warriors (yep, I can call them that on this blog) are now healthyhttp://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=701690
....just in time for the Friars.
Sharaud Curry did not return to campus in time for the resumption of practice on Friday. He's home in Atlanta helping his mother deal with his ill younger brother. Best of luck to the Curry's on this important matter.
This personal issue will more than likely take Curry out of this week's games. We'll see if he's ready to practice a bit once he returns to campus Monday.
Audio slideshow: Paul Kenyon previews URI's weekend in Texas
Paul Kenyon took some time this morning to talk about the Rams' appearance this weekend in the Islander Invitational in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Rams take on Eastern Michigan tonight at 6, then play either Texas A&M-Corpus Christi or Georgia Southern on Saturday. Click the play button below to see and hear the show.
Here are a couple of excerpts from Paul's comments:
On defending the Top 25 spot: "When the players step on the court today, there's a different sense, that, 'Hey, we've got something to protect here, something that really is special.' ... It puts some pressure on, but I think at the same time it may even add to the intensity and to the focus of the team, so I don't think it's necessarily bad at all.
On tonight's opponent: "Eastern Michigan, the team they're facing tonight, it's a very average team. They're 4-5, they don't seem to do anything special. They obviously want to keep the game under control ... Frankly it's the kind of team that -- as Hofstra was, as other teams have been early in the year -- that URI just imposes its will on and beats them by making them play the game the way URI wants it."
Paul Kenyon: Hello everyone. It’s nice to be here. Hope everyone has had a pleasant a week as I have.
I’m a rookie here, so if we seem to be going slower than you are accustomed to with Kevin McNamara, it’s only because I am slower. Let’s get started:
Rhodewarrior: PK, thanks for the slide show video clips you guys are posting on ProJo.com. I enjoy them and think they are a nice addition to the site as I also think these chats are great too. I am one usually very critical of the ProJo but these are positive steps so hats off. To this end do you plan to be doing any featured stories on URI players/recruits this year. I find most of the journalism at the ProJo on hoops to be reactive "stating of the facts" or pure editorial based comentary. Would love to see some hard core reporting based on some first party research. Any shot of it?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Rhode. You have noticed, obviously, that we are in a state of transition here.
As with so many newspapers, the Journal is experimenting in many areas on exactly how to balance newspaper coverage with on-line coverage of all our teams and events. As part of those changes, I’ve been moved over for most of the last three months to help with high school coverage. Kevin McNamara has been running all over the place keeping up with both the Friars and Rams.
The editors here have decided to make more changes. Effective the first of the year, the plan, I am told, is to go back to the old system where Kevin will deal with PC and I will be primarily responsible for URI. Obviously, with the Rams playing so well, I look forward to it. It is a fun team to watch and also an enjoyable group to be around, both home and away, so I’m happy with the decision to go back to the old system here.
Thanks for the kind words about the slide shows. I like them, too. I had several people talk about them at the Hofstra game. Mike McDermott, our online sports editor, puts them together. Mike’s plans is to do the slide sows for all home games and as many road games as possible.
rhodyrudder: Paul, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thank you for your coverage of the Rams. We fans of Rhody are obviously in a state of euphoria about the team's start to the season and their national rankings. We hope that the Journal has noticed and is willing to allocate more resources to you so that you can be a "true" beat reporter. Are you going to Texas for this weekend's tournament?
Paul Kenyon: Am I allowed to say hi in this venue to people I recognize?
I’m assuming I am so I will let everyone know that Rudder, as he goes by here, is one of the true diehard Rhody fans. We’ve spent many, many nights together watching URI games home and away, going back to the day when Rudder worked for the stats crew.
Well, Rudder, I’m writing this from the Journal office in Providence. No one is with the team in Texas. We are told the two games in the Islander Invitational will be the last two that we will not staff.
gorhodyMA: Paul - How much difficulty does URI's A-10 schedule present, particularly the first game on the road vs. Dayton?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Go. Atlantic 10 play this season should be better than it has been in five or six years. Most of us have been focused on URI, Xavier, Dayton and UMass because of their great starts. But what has helped the conference climb to eighth in the RPI ratings, as of today, is that the overall strength is better than it has been in a while. Teams like Saint Joseph’s, Duquesne (which I like a lot) and Charlotte all could make waves and even the teams at the bottom are no longer walkovers.
As far as URI is concerned, the schedule works out extremely well, I think. It breaks very much in the tam’s favor this year. That means, of course, that when everything reverses next year, it will be more difficult then. But since we all are focused on the top 25 team taking the court right now, this year is set up nicely. Xavier, Duquesne and Saint Joseph’s all visit the Ryan Center, which is a huge break for URI.
Being partnered with Dayton and UMass, meaning having two games against those schools, make the schedule more difficult than most others. But it will help the RPI numbers which are going to be important in March.
Bos8: Whats going on with URI's recruiting in 2009. We have heard names such as Austin Carroll and Paris Bennett. Who else are the staff targeting?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Bos. I’m going to let you down here. I’m afraid you are ahead of me when it comes to recruiting. I’ve learned through the years that rating high school players is an inexact science and that actual performance often turns out very differently than would be expected according to the ratings.
I am not one to get very involved with recruiting. This year, since I’ve been around the team less than I usually am, I know even less than usual.
The one thing I will say is that with the current staff, whoever the team is involved has a great chance to be successful. Pat Skerry, in particular, has emerged as one of the best recruiters in the Atlantic 10. Coach Skerry is a star in the making himself. With him combining with Jim Baron, Kevin Clark and Pat Clarke, the future is extremely bright for the Rams
44: Paul... Happy Holidays and hope all is well. From a match-up standpoint, who do you see as Rhody's biggest A-10 hurdle? I'm not so sure its Xavier. Thanks.
Paul Kenyon: Hi 44. If you are talking who the chief competition will be for the A-10 title, I still think it will be Xavier. As everyone knows, the Muskies lost three key players from last year, led by Justin Doellman, who was a URI killer. But the Xavier program is clearly the model program in the conference. The team knows how to win. With Drew Lavender and Stanley Burrell, Xavier has a senior backcourt with tons of talent.
If you are asking me which team specifically matches up best with URI, I’d go with UMass. As A-10 fans have seen, the Minutemen are doing this year what URI did last season. That is, with Stephane Lasme and rashaun Freeman gone, they have stopped slowing the pace and pounding the ball inside and instead and turned everyone loose. They are tying to outrun and outscore everyone.
I think Gary Forbes is one of the three best players in the conference. The backcourt, of Chris Lowe and Ricky Harris is developing rapidly into one of the very best in the conference. They make the running system work. Harris might be a candidate, with Parfait Bitee for most improved player in the conference.
The Minutemen are going to be good against everyone. The two URI-UMass games should give us some of the most exciting play we will see all year.
Rhody74: Do you think URI's current success is sustainable. In the past, we've had extreme cycles of good and bad. Do you think Baron's "process" will work for the long haul?
Paul Kenyon: Hi 74. Great question. As you know, this is a topic that is thrown around often, not just among all the fans, but among those of us who cover the team, too.
The pet peeve for those of us on this side, getting to see all the other schools and how they operate, is that it is not easy for most schools to put together a long run of success. When you see other programs you appreciate they are doing the same thing your school is doing. A program like Xavier has everything in place. Just about everyone else has strengths and weaknesses that create swings up and down. I guess what I’m saying is that expectations from fans sometimes can be unfair.
That said, URI is in position to move up the ladder and be one of those teams with a better chance to put a long line of 20-win teams together. The program, as it now stands, is in as good an overall condition as at any point in the 19 years that I have been covering the team. The talent already is on campus, with Delroy James and Ben Eaves ready to jump in, to be strong again next year. The word scouts deliver is that this year’s recruiting class is excellent. The five players signed all are A-10 level players and in some cases potential stars.
I guess what I’m sorry 74 is that I would not spend as much time right now telling Rhody fans to calm down and keep things in perspective as I usually do. The picture for the next two, three, four years is truly bright.
Rhode Island Red: Paul: What does Jim Baron mean by "part of the process"?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Red. The process really has become THE fun word around Coach Baron. If I had a penny for every time I’ve head him say it I’d be able to pay all my bills for Christmas presents. The coach has been kidded about it so much that he smiles now every time he mentions it.
That being said, if you get to listen to him talk in casual conversation, you understand what he is trying to say. For Jim Baron, being a basketball coach is not simply making decisions for the 40 minutes the game is played. As so many of the best coaches are, he is more than a coach. He is an educator. He means it when he talks about the needs for his players to be students first and basketball players second. He means it when he talks about study halls. I remember the first year URI played at St. Bonaventure under Baron, he took me for a tour around the Reilly Center, showing me some of the work he had done while he was with the Bonnies. Most notably he brought me into the weight room. You could hear the pride in his voice as he spoke about how he and his staff had made it happen.
The process, I think he is tying to say, is the entire picture. It is about getting good people on his team, having them be good students and represent the school well. It sure seems to be working from where I sit.
urirx: hi paul. it will be great to have a beat writer back covering rhody. what game are you most looking forward to the rest of this season?
Paul Kenyon: Hi RX. Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it. I’m very happy to be back.
Let me give you two games I look forward to, one for the place, the other for the game itself.
My favorite place to visit in the A-10 is Dayton. The facility is excellent, the people are fun and the entire scene, as it is arranged, is what college basketball should be. The people there do a fabulous job. As I was saying earlier about seeing what other schools have, Dayton is another example of a school that does things the right way. The fact that the team is good and should be a major factor in the A-10 makes it even better. I look forward to being there for the conference opener.
As for the game I would pick to be the best. I mentioned earlier that I am very high on UMass. Thanks to the schedule, we will get to see the Rams and Minutemen go at it twice. We might approach a total of 400 points in the two games.
URIGONZO: I agree that the only way a team beats URI is by outscoring them (UMass). Do you see any team in the conference who can shut URI down defensively, with a half-court trap perhaps, or do you think the only way to beat them is to turn loose and run like the wind?
Paul Kenyon: Hi Gonzo. My initial reaction is to say that someone should be able to find a way to slow the Rams down, but I can’t believe anyone is going to be able to stop them from putting up good numbers.
One of the real strengths of the team is the ability to score points in so many different ways. We saw a bit of it against Hofstra. There are going to be days when the threes don’t drop. When a team goes 6-for-24 on 3-pointers you would expect it to have major problems.
That never happened against Hofstra because this team gets points by beating teams down the court. Keith Cothran and Lamonte Ulmer are being used so well. They enter the game when the opposing tem might be getting a bit tired and they turn the speed up two notches. They get easy points off the break or off the glass. They are two of the biggest reasons the team is better than it was last season.
Kahiem Seawright has not been as steady thus far as he was last year, but he is showing that he is coming on and he can get points in the paint. The Rams truly are one of the best offensive teams in the country.
Rhodewarrior: I know it is a little early but what can Rhody fans expect from Billy Baron as opposed to Jimmy Baron Jr.? How are their play styles similar and different?
Paul Kenyon: Rhode, I suggest that you make it a point at one of the URI games to say hi to Billy Baron. He’s never afraid to say hi to anyone.
As you know, he sits behind the bench at most games. Since the Hendricken season has begun, he will have to miss some games now but I’m sure he will be there for many. I recommend saying hi because Billy is the most outgoing of the three Baron men. Jimmy is very much like his father in the sense that he is gentlemanly and polite and very composed. Billy is more active and well, at least from what I’ve seen, a bit louder than his father and brother. When I’ve run into Billy we’ve had fun because that’s the way he is.
His father and brother tell me that Billy is an excellent shooter in the family tradition, but he also is more of a pure point guard than Jimmy. Billy is still growing. He’s about 6-feet now. He’s a fun kid. I wish him well.
Rhodewarrior: Do you see URI winning the A-10 championship this year in Atlantic City?
Paul Kenyon: If someone forced me to make a pick right now _ I guess you’re doing that Rhode _ I would have a list of six or seven teams that have a legitimate shot at winning the A-10 title. URI has to be first or second on that list as we stand.
I do know one thing, it will be nice to go to Atlantic City. The conference has been searching for a home for a long time and the event last year in Atlantic City went beautifully, as well as any A-10 tournament ever. I think there’s a strong chance the event has found a home.
College basketball writer Paul Kenyon will take questions from projo.com readers in a live chat on Thursday at noon. The chat will last about an hour. You can submit your questions about URI basketball now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, pick a display name and enter the college hoops chat room (you do not have to enter a password; do not check "enter as member"). Type in your question -- remember not to press enter or click send until you have completed your thought -- and Paul will see them when he enters the room on Thursday. Questions will display as he answers them.
Audio slideshow: Paul Kenyon previews URI vs. Hofstra
Paul Kenyon took some time this morning to talk about Saturday's game between the Rams and the Pride at the Ryan Center. Click the play button below to hear Paul's comments, and see pictures of the two teams and their key players.
Here are some excerpts from Paul's comments:
How hard will it be to come back from a two-week break? "In this case, I think, a little bit more difficult than it usually is. Just because of the way the first part of the season ended. Obviously, that win at Syracuse was as good a win as the team has had in years. Everybody's flying high. They're 10-1, it hasn't been this good in 10 years at URI, and all the sudden they have to take two weeks off and go through exams. And -- I don't know about the players -- to me it seems even longer. It almost seems like we've finiished one season and the two-week delay seems more like a month, waiting and wanting to see if they can carry this on."
Is reaching the Top 25 a big deal for the players? Absolutely, positively. It certainly is. Jim Baron, being a coach and saying what 99 percent of the coaches would say, is trying to avoid all talk, dismissing it and saying, 'I don't really care.' But if you're anybody else associated with the program, from the players to the fans -- particularly a program like URI that strives for attention and has a very rabid core base of fans, but very much wants to expand that base -- being in the Top 25, with all the extra added attention that brings, would be a major accomplishment."
On Hofstra: "Hofstra as a team is very young. They're going to play three freshmen a lot of the game, and it's a team that URI should beat at this point. But having a guy like [national scoring leader Antoine] Agudio that can light it up makes them a dangerous team."
Kevin McNamara took questions from projo.com readers today from noon to 1. Click below to read the questions and Kevin's responses.
Kevin McNamara: First off, welcome everyone. I haven’t done a chat on projo.com in some time but the tools we now have available for this exercise are much improved. Hope everyone enjoys the give-and-take.
I will answer as many `good’ questions as I can in 1 hour. I am the judge and jury on the `good’ questions. Let me also get a few things out of the way. Yes, I went to Syracuse and URI’s victory was a painful one for all Orange People. However, I learned long ago that we do not `root’ in my business. Was I rooting for SU to win the national title in 2003? Absolutely. Do I root for them to win every regular season game they play, no. I frankly don’t care that much. In fact, I was thrilled for URI because they clearly needed to get a big win much more than The `Cuse. They’ve had plenty over the years.
I want URI and PC to do well. Every year. BOTH of them. Not just the Rams. Not just the Friars. This helps our readership, keeps the coaches and players happy and even keeps the fandom happy (sometimes). I can’t emphasize these points more strongly
thl: Kevin, what do hear, if anything, about an extension in the works for Coach Welsh?
Kevin McNamara: There is no news on any extension talk with Tim Welsh and PC. He has this year and next on his contract.
thl: Any news available regarding recruiting for 2009?
Kevin McNamara: PC is out of scholarships for the frosh class of 2008. However, the staff is always monitoring players and it’s fair to say that center-power forward and point guard are the two positions they’re looking at. Right now it seems as if the more pressing need is at point guard and a few players are being evaluated. Think pass-first PG, not a big scorer.
RhodeWarrior: URI's athletic style and number of people who can flat out score makes us a tough match up for others. We also seem to lack a true inside presnece and our rebounding can be suspect. Based on these observations how far can URI go in the tournament assuming they make it at their current level?
Kevin McNamara: I think URI’s team this year is very, very hard to defend. Its ability to score from multiple angle and multiple people are it’s strong points. Defense, rebounding, inside presence are all concerns. But as a coach you try to maximize your strengths and that’s what URI has done thus far.
If the Rams face an opponent that can lock down on defense (perhaps like Providence did in the first half a few weeks back), then they’ll be in trouble. That’s why rebounding (which I do not see as a weakness) and defense are all Jim Baron is talking about these days. Those are difference makers for the squad
RhodeWarrior: Over the years we have heard Jim Baron refer to "the process" many times. The terminology "process" has almost left the vocabulary now that he is having some success. Have you ever had the opportunity to ask him what exactly the process entailed and what his timeline was against this "process"?
Kevin McNamara: I don’t think JBaron ever had a timeline on his `process.’ He was clearly speaking about assembling a team of players who understood what hard work, good study habits and buying into a system is all about. That took 6 years. Even in the early years when the Rams went to the NIT, Baron knew he didn’t have everything in place. He is always looking for more help from the administration and that’s part of the process, too.
RhodeWarrior: Where would Syracuse team this year fare in the A-10? Where would PC fare in the A-10 this year? Where would URI fare in the Big East this year? What is your opinion as it has been an ongoing chat on the ProJo message board?
Kevin McNamara: The weight of URI’s win at Syracuse took a serious blow over the weekend when SU lost Eric Devendorf to a season-ending injury. Without him (and Andy Rautins, another knee casualty), the Orange will be hard-pressed to get into the NCAA’s.
Where would this team finish in the Atlantic 10, without Devendorf? I think in the top 3. URI and UMass winning at the Dome is a major, major deal. It is very hard to do. Syracuse wouldn’t lose many at home. Donte Green and Jonny Flynn would be candidates to win Player of the Year honors in the A-10 and Jim Boeheim would be as good as any coach in the league.
Put it this way. SU would have a MUCH easier time squeezing its way into the Big Dance this year playing in the A-10 instead of the Big East. It just would never (or rarely) be on TV
Kurtnyc: Has there been a shift in strategy for recruiting at PC over there last few years. It seems that the Welsh staff doesn't even attempt to go after the top 100 recruit, but focus's on the "diamond in the rough" and hopes they get the next Ryan Gomes. The Barnes and Gillen staff's maybe didn'y get all the top 100 guys they went after (they got a few) - but it seems this staff doesn't even try to compete with other Big East team in going after those top kids anymore. Is this the the real strategy of this staff? Thanks
Kevin McNamara: While PC does not currently sign many top 100 players, I would say it’s false that they don’t get any and don’t compete with Big East schools for players. That’s clearly wrong. In the last few years, Dwight Brewington, Gerald Brown, DeSean White, Geoff McDermott, and Greedy Peterson were all on someone’s top 100 list. McDermott chose PC over Duke and BC. Not Big East but tall timbre. Greedy chose PC over Rutgers and Cincinnati.
This staff has targeted several highly-rated players and lost them. This list is a long one but includes Rakim Sanders, Demetris Nichols, Andy Rautins, James Gist, Allen Chaney and many others. While still trying for some of them, reality hits and this staff cuts to Plan B kids when a Florida, Syracuse, Ohio State turns up the heat
Mbanghasups: Kevin, In the most recent polls URI is ranked 28th. Xavier drops from 17 to out of the polls with one loss and no other A-10 team is ranked despite 4 teams from the A-10 having better RPI's than some already in the poll with similar records? Am I paranoid or is the A-10 being slighted?
Kevin McNamara: Does the A-10 get slighted? I think it does. URI, X, UMass and Dayton are all off to great starts. I vote in the AP poll and have voted Xavier every week. I voted them 18th this week. URI was 21st. The fact that the league’s TV package stinks really hurts.
The only way to garner more respect and separate from the Colonial and Mizzou Valley is to win games, get into the NCAA's and win some more. That hasn't happened in the A-10 for three years now. Maybe it changes in 2008
Rebound 1: If PC goes .500 in the Big East do you think they will make the tournament or have the early season losses made it that that they have to win 10 or 11 games to get in?
Kevin McNamara: PC's early-season play has not hurt its NCAA chances. Miami and Rhode Island are both off the excellent starts with the Hurricanes truly one of the nation's surprises. The Rams are going to win a lot of games in the A-10. South Carolina is the game PC should not have lost. That one clearly can hurt them. Beating Florida State this weekend is extremely important for the Friars. If they can go 9-3 into the Big East, their RPI and sched strength will be a real asset
TONY: HOW MANY TEAMS WILL THE a10 HAV E IN THE ncAA TOURNEY THIS YEAR
Kevin McNamara: Tony, impossible to tell right now. How many times have we seen a team start well, roll up a 14-1 record and lose 7 of 9 and go to the NIT. A lot. I do think the A-10 is looking at multiple at-large teams so, to answer the question, I see 3 teams Dancing. At a minimum.
friar1: Does TW need to WIN an NCAA game to come back next season?
Kevin McNamara: That would not be my measuring stick. But I do not make the call.
Rebound 1: What is Sharrod Curry's status?
Kevin McNamara: Check out today's paper or go online at projo.com/pc. Curry update is there. I'm holding my breath that he steps on the court some tomorrow. We'll see.
hoopsaholic: Kevin, do you ever want to punch Sam the Ram in the face?
Kevin McNamara: Daily.
hoopsaholic: Kevin, what do you think of Brown's chances in the Ivy League this season?
Kevin McNamara: At last, a Bruno fan! I think Cornell is the heavy favorite to win the Ivies. The Big Red is very impressive. After that, I feel brown can play with everyone in the league. Penn and Princeton have fallen back to the pack, which is great for Brown. If Craig Robinson's younger players develop, there's hope for an IVy title soon. This year may be asking a lot. The keys will be consistent play from the inside talent like Friske, MacDonald and development of a frosh or two. I like the perimeter players but they need help.
RhodeWarrior: Kevin, it is consensus of URI fans that the ProJo slights URI mens basketball while continuing to give PC a better shake. I think this arguement has merit. What is your honest opinion and why do you think this happens if indeed the coverage is not equal?
Kevin McNamara: I think I answer this question every time I address URI fans in a speech/talk/chat. Contrary to popular opinion, we do not sit in our offices on Fountain Street and think of ways to stick it to URI fans. Coverage questions are best addressed to my editors. I go where they point me. I am the beat writer for PC’s men’s team and college basketball in general. This fall I was also assisting in covering URI’s team, which I enjoy. Frankly, many papers would have a writer cover two teams like this, although the Journal realizes that this isn’t possible due to the schedules the two teams have.
The examples of the paper favoring PC are often based in error. The URI bulletin board (which we all do read) is a frequent fountain of those errors. For example, the coverage of the URI-Syracuse game. Someone who obviously did not see our paper on Dec. 9, claimed the game story was minimized. In fact, it was placed in the news lead position, stripped down the side of the Sunday paper with a big headline. Inside was a full, complete Rams Journal. You will not receive better coverage for a road game. Ever.
Our previews of the two teams this year were extensive and, in my opinion, URI’s was more prominently played in the paper. Again, if you don’t actually see the newspaper and are only reading online, it is impossible to see how a story is played/pictures, ect.
Do we favor PC in years the Friars are strong in the Big East and the Rams aren’t very good. Of course. We should. That’s news judgment. Do we play up a sellout PC game against a ranked Big East team over a URI-St. Bonny game that doesn’t mean much? Of course. We should. Will we play up Xavier visiting URI this year over whoever PC plays that day? Of course. That’s a huge game. It’s a case-by-case basis. It changes by the year, if not the week.
So, in summation, I do not agree with your `consensus opinion.
Kevin McNamara: Good news everyone. Bill Reynolds is in The House.
Kevin McNamara: But Bill does not chat. Sorry.
THL: friar1: Does TW need to WIN an NCAA game to come back next season? Kevin McNamara: That would not be my measuring stick. But I do not make the call. What would your "measuring stick be?"
Kevin McNamara: Sorry about that. If PC makes the NCAA's this year, I would extend the coach.
Rebound 1: What's going on with Hanke? Do you ever think he will ever turn into a decent Big East Player? Or should he head to the golf course?
Kevin McNamara: Never played golf with Randall but I hear he rips the *#%& out of it. Probably can't putt. Randall is doing better every day. His timing isn't there and when he's not rebounding at all his defensive liabilities are magnified. That is why he was not playing. Now he's improving and it is clear to everyone that he owns the biggest upside of any big man the Friars have. Will he be as good as the player we saw two years ago? Don't know if that will happen.
TONY: HEre is an off the wall question. WHen I was at URI they had a player named John Fultz. I know he played in the ABA but what is he doing now?
Kevin McNamara: Can't help you there. I know of John but have no idea where he is now.
Wally: I watch PC play. i.e. Miami, South Carolina and it actually hurts to watch. Crazy shots, lethargic passes, no disipline and just not taking care of the ball. My ? is, do they actually practice?
Kevin McNamara: I agree with you Wally. My biggest issue with the Friars - Tim Welsh agrees - is their offensive inconsistency. Turnovers are a problem. This is directly attributed to the lack of good point guard play. Dwain Williams is a PG in name only. He is a fine shooter who hasn't shot very well. GMcDermott and Weyinmi Efejuku actually have more assists at this point of the season. An offense cannot run smoothly without good PG play.
friar1: Could you ever see Jeff Van Gundy being interested in the PC job if it were to be available in the next year or two?
Kevin McNamara: No. I cannot. Pro guys do not want to go to college and deal with kids. You can't cut your mistakes.
Mbanghasups: How would you classifly yourself-- more of a PC fan or more of a Rhody fan? Please be honest and dont be political. I am just curious.
Kevin McNamara: Mr. Mbang...nice name. I use my own. I am not a fan of either team, as I addressed earlier. I do want both teams to do well, however. It helps me, you, the players and the coaches.
RhodeWarrior: Please tell us what you are hearing about URI recruiting?
What do you know about the players he has signed for next year? Will the ProJo be doing any stories on these players?
Kevin McNamara: URI has assembled a strong group of recruits and I think doing stories on some of them is a great idea. Like all classes, the academic progress of several of them needs to be watched. If they all project, Jim Baron will be a happy man and welcome lots of needed talent to the program. I hear good things about all of the recruits.
Mbanghasups: What do you know about Delroy James? Can he make an impact this year? next?
Kevin McNamara: Last one for Mr. Mbang. Delroy James is reputed to be a versatile, strong forward who can score. Who wouldn't want one of those? While he's been working out at home in Brooklyn he has not spent a day or practice with the team. Don't see how you can throw a kid like that into the mix in the next few weeks. Will he make an impact at all this year? I say he will. Next year he and transfer Ben Eaves will help replace Will Daniels.
FriarFan: Pitino was (supposedly) quoted as saying that he left Providence too soon. Any chance he'll ever come back? Does PC have the funds to pay that type of salary?
Kevin McNamara: I don't take what Rick Pitino says as Gospel. After all, he's the guy who once explained himself by saying, ` well, I meant it when I said it.' Did Rick leave PC too early/ Of course not. He went to the NY Knicks. Then to Kentucky. That is the Big Time. He will never coach again at Providence. Ever.
jfrech21: In your opinion, is Jimmy Baron Jr. the best pure shooter in the country?
Kevin McNamara: Yes he is. Look this up, Ram fans. After his first EXHIBITION game as a Ram, I wrote that Jimmy would be the best shooter the state has seen since Joe Hassett. I stand by those words. I love watching shooters and Baron is as good as it gets.
BH: Kevin, what do you think of the new-look Dunk? The locker-rooms (including a flat-screen TV), bigger facility, etc.? Will this lead to a bevy of high-quality recruits? If so, does TW have any more excuses?
Kevin McNamara: The Dunk is in Stage 2 of a three stage process. Right now it looks like a construction zone, or an unfinished project. Like it should. Ask me this next November when everything is in place. Will the Dunk help PC get recruits? Well TWelsh may actually choose to take recruits to the arena in the future. He does not now if someone visits and a game isn't being played. The `new' Dunk is badly needed, for the entire state. But what it does is get PC into the game, not above too many programs. When it is done, I'd still rather see games at a half dozen other Big East arenas.
FriarFan: While were on the subject of mascots, what's your perspective on URI-PC relations? PC got a bad rap last year for the mascot assault but this year PC students were having bottles thrown at them and the Ram in front of the section making obscene gestures but no outcry and newspaper articles. I may be biased but it seems unfair. Do you think its a healthy rivalry between the schools or should it change?
Kevin McNamara: In all honesty, what goes on in the stands with fans is the last thing I'm looking at during a game. I did not see any obscene gestures. They normally `stick out.' I do not think it's a healthy rivalry, for a lot of reasons, but it is a game that should be played. Only once a season, by the way. If the two schools are ever in the same conference (that `aint happening) they'll play twice a season.
Dave: Why did it take Randall Hanke so long to get "game-ready". Specifically why wasn't Tim Welsh called to task on Randall not playing or only playing minimal minutes against Maine and Harvard? Shouldn't those games been critical with regards to Randall's being game-ready??
Kevin McNamara: The kid wasn't ready to play. That's what the Coach determined. Isn't that his job? I wanted to see him play earlier and so did you but it did not happen. Coach's Decision, as Bill Parcells used to say. Good thing is he's playing now.
ALice: Do you think that PC and/or URI will ever be able to compete with teams like DUke, UCLA, Kansas, FLorida or do yuo think they are at best hoping to be " the best of the rest?"
Kevin McNamara: Absolutely. Not. Ever. No chance. Sports are all about talent and Duke, UCLA, Kansas, Florida always get the best players in the country. Can PC/URI occassionally shock one of those schools. No doubt. It's happened. But they will NEVER be able to do it on a consistent basis.
Kevin McNamara: Actually, maybe they can. If PC/URI decides to pay $3 million a year for a big-time coach, it could happen. But that is not going to happen.
gary: What is your true opinion on this Friars team and do they have a shot of winning any postseason games????
Kevin McNamara: I need to see how Sharaud Curry is integrated into a team with a healthy Randalll Hanke and new players like BMckenzie and Greedy to make a proper call. I think it'll take all they have to make the NCAA's. That would be a major achievement. After all, they're all back (save Chuck Burch) next year.
ALice: I agree it is all about coaches facilities, recruits URI/PC does ot have the fan base to afford it.
Kevin McNamara: You got it. But they do have a chance to be competitive on a national basis, just not a top 10 basis every year.
THL: How is 2009 recruiting going for both the Rams and the Friars?
Kevin McNamara: PC is actively chasing a host of good juniors for the class of 2009. That class is not as important for the Rams, who can afford to be a bit more choosy. PC could need as many as 6-7 players so getting a few early is important. Obviously the head coach's contract situation can be hurting that effort.
FriarFan: Hey...I loved Basketball Warfare. How are the sales going? I scooped one up for a Christmas gift....Any plans for another book in the future? Also, did it kill you to have to portray PC so negatively as they had such a poor season?
Kevin McNamara: Gratuitous commercial. Thanks for the kind words. I enjoyed writing the book and it's been received very well. Connecticut's loss to George Mason hurt sales more than anything else. Get your copy now (Borders, Brown Bookstore, Barrington Books). Billy Reynolds and I are signing this Sunday in Barrington.
Kevin McNamara: That's all folks. We will be holding other chats with Journal writers as the season progresses. Thank you for all the good questions.
College basketball writer Kevin McNamara will take questions from projo.com readers in a live chat on Tuesday at noon. The chat will last about an hour. You can submit your questions about PC and URI basketball now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, pick a display name and enter the college hoops chat room (you do not have to enter a password; do not check "enter as member"). Type in your question -- remember not to press enter or click send until you have completed your thought -- and Kevin will see them when he enters the room on Tuesday. Questions will display as he answers them.
Today's sports cover features the red-hot URI Rams, a team that is starting to get a lot of attention, even if they have fallen short of the Top 25. Also, Shalise Manza Young updates us on second-year wide receiver Chad Jackson, who is hoping to become a bigger part of the Patriots' game plan.
URI is off to a 10-1 start but that's not enough to crack the national polls. Both the media and coach's polls are out and while the Rams received notice in both, they fell short of the top 25. In the media poll the Rams garnered 41 votes and are the 31st team. The coaches gave URI 23 votes, good for 29th overall.
URI does not play this week due to exams. The Rams return to action Dec. 22 versus Hofstra.
Jim Baron spoke after Rhode Island's emotional win over Syracuse on Saturday night, and Kevin McNamara caught the audio. Click below to hear the five-minute clip; note that there is about eight seconds of silence at the beginning of the clip.
URI pulled off one of the biggest regular season wins in school history tonight with its 91-89 win at Syracuse.
The Orange (6-3) may not be nationally ranked or even all that good right now but whenever a URI team comes to the Carrier Dome it is clearly an underdog. These Rams showed the heart and grit all good teams need over the course of a season. They trailed Syracuse by 11 points early in the second half and by three with 1:51 left but rallied for the victory.
URI is now 10-1 and headed into the exam break. It'll be very interesting to see how many votes the Rams receive in this week's national polls. I'm convinced. They'll be in my poll when I vote Sunday.
``It's incredible. We've beaten some good teams under tough conditions," said coach Jim Baron. ``I feel really happy for our players. I can;t be more elated for them. They willed it out right to the end."
URI has knocked off Syracuse, 91-89, at the Carrier Dome. This is one of the biggest wins in Jim Baron's career as the Ram coach. URI is now 10-1 on the season.
URI rallied from an 11-point second half deficit with a balanced offensive attack. Jimmy Baron led the Rams with 21 points. Parfait Bitee added 18.
URI has come back from a 11-point second half deficit and tied Syracuse, 72-72. Scrappiness on defense and a load of free throws have sparked the Rhody comeback. Will Daniels has 4 fouls but Jimmy Baron and Parfait Bitee are filling the scoring load.
It's tied up with 7:32 left.
The attendance tonight is 21,197.
A slow offensive start for the Rams in the seocnd half has Syracuse in control at the Carrier Dome with 16 minutes left.
SU's Eric Devendorf just picked up his 4th foul, a big break for the Rams. But Rhody is having major woes trying to defend the Orange.
What a half at the Carrier Dome.
After throwing up a great offensive effort over the game's opening 12 minutes, the Rams slowed up the rest of the way and lost the lead in the final 2:30. Syracuse leads at the break, 47-43. Eric Devendorf has 12 points and frosh guard Jonny Flynn is killing the Rams with his quickness and passing ability.
URI needs to regroup and go right back at SU early in the second half.
The Rams are shooting the lights out at the Carrier Dome. Rhody lost its lead for mere seconds when SU went up 25-24 but the Rams answered with 11 straight points. Nine came on threes by Parfait Bitee, Jimmy Baron and Joe Mbang.
URI's scoring ability is so widespread that Syracuse is struggling trying to find the right combinations to slow the Rams down. Jim Boeheim has played more of his reserves than he's used in the previous two games.
It's URI 35-25 with 7:48 left.
The Rams lead, 24-23, as its offense continues to get clean looks. Syracuse started the game in man-to-man defense, a major surprise for a Orange club that lives and dies with a zone. After URI hit six threes in its first seven FG's, Syracuse switched to zone.
The Rams' star Will Daniels has picked up two quick fouls and is on the bench (at the 13:30 mark).
The crowd at the Carrier Dome is a light one. Be surprised if there's 20,000 people here.
It's URI up, 24-23, with 11:39 left.
Jimmy Baron isn't finding the Carrier Dome backdrop to be any issue with his shooting. He's just nailed four threes - several from 25 feet - in the game's opening 4:30. URI is up, 20-14. The Rams need to be hot from outside and Parfait Bitee and Will Daniels have also drained threes.
We're here in the Carrier Dome getting ready for the tap for URI-Syracuse.
This is the Rams' biggest non-conference test of the season, by far. The game at Boston College, the Rams' only loss this season, won't compare to the challenge Rhody faces tonight against a young, but very talented, Syracuse team.
URI will start Bitee, Baron, Francis, Seawright and Daniels. SU counters with Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, Donte Greene, Paul Harris and Arinze Onuaku.
We expect an up-and-down game with two very good offensive teams. The better defensive team, or at least the one that gets the key stops late in the action, is likely to win.
The line is Syracuse, plus 6.5. It's a great opportunity for the Rams to show the nation they are for real.
Audio slideshow: Kevin McNamara previews URI at Syracuse
Kevin McNamara took some time this morning before flying to Syracuse to talk about Saturday's game between the Rams and the Orange at the Carrier Dome. Click the play button below to hear Kevin's comments, and see pictures of the two teams and their key players. Below the video player, you will find some excerpts from Kevin's comments about the game, which will be televised in Rhode Island on Cox at 7 p.m.
On the game: "It's a great test for Rhode Island. ... This would be the best team that Rhode Island will play -- potentially all year, but certainly thus far this year. Syracuse presents all sorts of issues for Rhode Island: great size -- they start a 6-9, 270-pound big man in Arinze Onuaku, who will be a major matchup problem -- and one of the best freshmen in the country, 6-10, 6-11 Donte Green, who kind of plays like Will Daniels. He wants to shoot jump shots but also can do a lot of damage inside."
On Syracuse's vulnerability: "This is one of Jim Boeheim's youngest teams. With the exception of Onuaku, who's a redshirt junior, and Eric Devendorf, who's a three-year starter (he's a junior as well), he doesn't have a lot of experience. Most of his best players are freshmen and sophomores, and the thing that comes last to kids like that is defense ... Syracuse did go on the road on Wednesday and win at Virginia for its best win of the season, and held Virginia to 68 points. So they're getting better."
Rhode Island's keys to victory: "They have to shoot the ball well. Rhode Island's lack of inside size will be exposed in a game like this; Syracuse's length and bulk inside is a real advantage for them. But Rhode Island neutralizes that with its offensive firepower. They have to come out and shoot, just like Massachusetts did [in its 107-100 victory at the Carrier Dome] ... Obviously they need huge games from their best players: Will Daniels, Jimmy Baron, Parfait Bitee, because Rhode Island -- they're going to try to outscore Syracuse."
The Rhody Rams just completed a 77-60 whitewashing of Providence College at a jam-packed (7,657) Ryan Center.
Will Daniels led the Rams with 18 points. He was one of 5 Rams in double figures.
The Friars struggled to shoot 30 percent and never found any groove on offense. Geoff McDermott and Weyinmi Efejuku, perhaps PC's two best players, combined to shoot 1-17 and finished with 9 points.
URI's offense has put too much pressure on the PC defense and has allowed the Rams to get into control heading down the stretch, 56-47.
URI is shooting 48 percent from the floor and getting contributions from all corners. Daniels has 14 points and 8 rebounds. Cothran and Baron have 11 each.
PC continues to struggle offensively, shooting 31 percent from the floor and 4-20 from the 3-point line.
URI has jumped out to a 44-32 lead out of the gate in the second half. The Rams have started 11-4 with Kahiem Seawright hitting two tough shots and Jimmy Baron finishing the run with a deep three-pointer (aren't they all for him) that he secured after Joe Mbang missed a jam.
Right now, the Friars aren't making shots they normally do. Running layups, offensive put-backs, ect. If they don't perk up, this one could get messy.
URI leads at the break, 33-28, after Will Daniels banged home a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds to play. Daniels has a game-high 10 points on 4-10 shooting.
URI is shooting 42 percent at the break and has 10 turnovers. If it ever calms down and runs its offense with a bit more patience, Rhody would be in excellent shape.
PC is simply not making shots. The Friars are shooting 27 percent, missing not only from downtown (3-11) but also from point-blank range. Big men Ray Hall, Jon Kale and Greedy Peterson have all missed shots inside, but in traffic. PC has also been hurt by its 11 turnovers, several that turned into points (14) for the Rams.
PC just went up, 24-21, after two deep Jeff Xavier threes but a deep trey by Jimmy Baron (his second) right in front of Tim Welsh gave the Rams back the lead. It's 26-24 Rams with 3:08 left.
Both coaches have emptied their benches with a whopping 19 players seeing action thus far. Geoff McDermott and Jason Francis have 2 fouls apiece but McDermott was on the floor when the Friars roared back from behind.
Both teams were shooting very poorly but just a little bit of punch by X and Baron helped pick up the tempo a bit.
The nerves should be out of the hands by now but both URI and PC are playing a ragged game, struggling to deal with each other's defense. URI leads, 18-16, at the 7:53 mark despite 6 turnovers and 36 percent shooting.
The Friars are at just 26 percent (6-23) and have 6 turnovers.
SOUTH KINGSTOWN _ Bethany Larkin and Jennifer Collard were the lucky ones last night. They got the last two student tickets to the PC-URI game.
``We’re freezing,’’ said Collard, a senior from Burrillville. ``But it was worth it.’’
``We got here about 5 o’clock,’’ said Larkin, a senior from North Kingstown. ``I can’t believe we got the last two tickets.’’
The two were part of a wild scene outside the Ryan Center in the hours leading to the game. URI allows students to attend athletic events for free. It has tried a number of different methods to handle that situation in the more than four years since the building opened. For last night’s game, students could not pick up tickets until 5:30 p.m. on game night.
URI’s 8-1 start and the amtch against archirival Providence Colelge generated serious student interest.
``Everyone is talking about it. Everyone’s into it,’’ said Craig Haverly, a junior from North Kingstown.
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That point was hammered home, almost too well, in what had to be the rowdiest scene ever before a URI game. Two lines, one at each of the two entrances, began forming at 1 p.m.
``I got here a little after four,’’ said grad student Kent Rudasill. ``There were about 200 people ahead of me in this (the north side) line. I went to the line at the south entrance first and there had to be three times as many in that line.’’
By the time the doors opened at 5:30, the two lines were long and curling, one going through the parking lot, the other all way to the front of Keaney Gym. With wind chills not much above zero, the students got a bit antsy at times.
``People would boo when somebody tried to cut in line,’’ Collard said. At one point, police had to be called to deal with what was described as a ``disturbance’’ in the south line.
Once the doors opened, the students moved in as quickly as ticket takers could check their student identifications and give them a ticket. The 1,500 tickets disappeared in 30 minutes.
When Larkin and Collard were given the last two tickets in the north line, the door closed behind them. After a several minute delay, a sign saying student entrance was taken down and replaced by one saying the game was sold out.
Several hundred students, at least, stood outside for a short time, obviously not happy. School officials did all they could to maintain the atmosphere.
The dining services provided hot chocolate for those waiting in line. Students were given Keaney blue t-shirts as they entered. They also were given a sheet welcoming them to the game and asking them to behave properly.
``We need you to be our Sixth Man and cheer as loudly as you can! Let’s show all of Rhode Island and the television audience what we’re all about!’’ Other suggestions included asking the students to treat the game officials with respect.
Those who were unable to get in, were told that a special arrangement had been set up at the new Hope Commons dining hall.
``We have four big screen televisions and we’re going to give everyone free hot chocolate and snacks,’’ said university vice president Tom Dougan. ``Hopefully they can go there and enjoy the game together.’’
URI shot out to a 7-2 lead, lost it for a breath and then streaked to a 11-7 lead at the first timeout (14:32).
More importantly, Geoff McDermott just picked up his 2nd foul. He's replaced in the lineup by Ray Hall.
The doors at the Ryan Center are officially closed and several students, maybe as many as a few hundred, were left out in the cold.
URI doesn't hand out its student tickets until game night, meaning students don't really know if they'll get in the building when they line up. Of course, plenty of students tickets normally go unused but not tonigth with Providence College in town.
The official attendance won't be announced until later tonight.
It is two hours to game time and the Ryan Center already is buzzing. At least it is on the outside.
While all tickets available to the public are gone for tonight's PC-URI game, the 1,500 tickets kept for URI students are yet to be distributed. The tickets, which are free, are available only at the door on game day.
Normally, doors open an hour before game time. However, they will open at 5:30, 90 minutes before game time, tonight because of the larger than usual crowd. Students began lining up at the student door about 4 p.m. As we speak, there are about 200 students in line right now. Coffee and hot chocolate has been made available for the students as they wait in the cold air.
Gregg Burke, URI’s deputy director of athletics, expects no problem using the 1,500 tickets. In fact, he said the school is likely to have to disappoint some students.
``We probably could have 5,000 students here tonight if we had room,’’ he said. ``Twice already this year we’ve had more than 1,300 students for games. That’s why the line is so long already, they know the 1,500 tickets are going to be gone.’’
In this audio file, about six minutes long, basketball writer Kevin McNamara discusses the keys to victories and the players to watch in tonight's matchup at the Ryan Center.
Joe Mbang scored 22 points, tying his career high, and Kahiem Seawright contributed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double as the University of Rhode Island defeated the University of New Hampshire, 87-76, today before 4,071at the Ryan Center.
Mbang made eight of his nine shots from the field, his only miss a three-point attempt near the end of the game. He sank his first three shots from beyond the arc, snapping a streak of 17 consecutive misses.
Will Daniels and Parfait Bitee each scored 14 points, and Jimmy Barron added 12, all in the first half. The Rams shot 54.5 percent for the game.
Tyrone Conley led New Hampshire with 22 points. Mike Christensen added 18.
After falling behind by 11 points in the first five minutes of the game, URI went on a 15-0 run and followed that with a 17-0 blitz for a 41-24 lead. Rhody left the floor at the half with a 21-point lead (49-28) advantage and increased it to 24 points (62-38) with 13:35 left in the second half. UNH whittled the lead to 10 with 2:29 to play but got no closer.
The Rams will return to the Ryan Center Tuesday night against Providence College.
A powerful surge by URI in the final minutes turned a nail biter into a runaway. The final was Rhody 92-72 over Northeastern.
Jimmy Baron and Parfait Bitee each had 17 points for the Rams but the big lift in the second-half came from the bench. Joe Mbang had 16 points and Keith Cothran 15.
The University of Rhode Island women's basketball team picked up a road win tonight at Central Connecticut State, 74-57, outscoring the Lady Blue Devils (0-6) by 20 points in the second half. URI (4-3) was led by Amanda McGrew, with 15 points. Click here to see the box score from projo Stats.
URI's next game is Saturday afternoon against Providence.
When we left you a few minutes ago, Northeastern was rallying on the way to tying the game at 59.
URI not only showed grit in holding off the Huskies, it has responded with perhaps its best stretch of basketball yet this season.
The Rams went on a 21-5 run to take comand at 80-64. Three subs, Keith Cothran, Joe Mbang and Marquis Jones, all were outstanding in the run, as were Jimmy Baron and Kahiem Seawright.
Outstanding 3-point shooting has given URI a 45-36 lead at the half against Northeastern.
The Rams have made seven treys (in 12 attempts), three by Jimmy Baron, two by Parfait Bitee and one apiece by Keith Cothran and Will Daniels.
Northeastern has outrebounded URI, 21-18, and is shooting a more than acceptable 48 percent from the field. However, the Huskies are only 2-for-10 on 3-pointers.
Baron has 11 for URI and the Rhody bench has accounted for 18 points, six by Joe Mbang who appears to be coming out of his slump. Matt Janning, a slick sophomore guard, has 16 for the Huskies.
The scouting report on Northeastern appears to be very much on the mark. Which could mean a difficult night for URI tonight.
Almost nine minutes in, URI and Northeastern have battled to a virtual draw. The Rams lead, 17-16, thanks to four 3-point baskets, two by Parfait Bitee.
Northeastern, though, has looked very good, as billed. It is quick. It already has a cople put-back baskets and a couple off the break. It looks as if this could be a good one
The teams are on the court for final warm-ups at the Ryan Center.
The two coaches wil be in the spotlight tonight. Bill Coen, the second-year Northeastern coach, is coming back ``home.'' Coen coached at URI for eight years and received his MBA from the school while coaching here.
Rhody coach Jim Baron, meanwhile, is hoping to have 300 career victories by the end of the night. He enters with a career record of 299-298.
It is all Rhode Island tonight at the Ryan Center.
The Rams have never let up as they have dominated Toledo.
It is 71-51 with a time out with 7:01 remaining. That is down from the peak at 67-41.
To the pleasure of the Ryan Center crowd, the Rams are showing off. They are making it an entertaining show. The crowd exploded when Keith Cothran fed Lamonte Ulmer for an alley-oop dunk. A couple minutes later, Jimmy Baron was under pressure as he brought the ball up and had to spin not once, but twice, to get upcourt. The second move, which included going behind his back, got the crowd roaring again.
Baron gave the ball up then got it right back as he moved into the far left corner _ and drilled home a 3-pointer.
All has been clean, crisp and efficient for URI so far tonight.
The Rams have a 43-28 advantage at the half, built on 56.7 percent shooting, their second best shooting so far this year. They were 57.7 in the first half at Brown.
Will Daniels leads the way with 15 points, Parfait Bitee and Jimmy Baron each have eight.
Among the happenings:
URI led at the first media time out (and all others as well) for the first time all season.
Baron hit his first three shots of the game, two from behind the arc.
Daniels had an old fashioned 3-point play with 3:35 left. It was the 10th time he has been fouled as he scored a hoop this season. He has converted eight of the and-ones.
The 43 points equals the season first-half high. The Rams also had 43 against Stetson.
It probably is not a surprise that the URI offense has kicked into high gear with its return to the Ryan Center.
The Rams have just made six of their last seven shots, including three 3-point buckets, to build their lead to 37-24 over Toledo with 3:35 left in the first half.
Will Daniels leads the way with 13 points and Parfait Bitee has eight. URI us 14-for-24 overall, 6-for-9 on 3-pointers.
The Rams are trying something new _ they are in the lead early.
It stands 17-14 with 11:49 left in what has been a controlled game thus far. Parfait Bitee has hit two 3-pointers to make sure URI has stayed on top.
For the first time this season, the Rams had the lead at the first media time out. It was 9-7, thanks to a 3-pointer by Bitee and hoops by Jimmy Baron, Will Daniels and Jason Francis.
Francis hit his head in a scramble for a loose ball and had to leave the game. He is back sitting on the bench and appears to be fine.
URI has used nine players already including frehsman Marquis Jones, who is playing at the Ryan Center for the first time. He missed the season opener with a hand injury.
Just a note to let everyone know we will occasionally update the URI-Toledo game tonight.
It is three minutes to tip and all is almost too quiet on the Rams' return home. With the holiday season the crowd is small, at least at this point. It already has been an interesting day for the Atlantic 10 with George Washington and St. Bonaventure among those losing games, La Salle, Temple and Duquesne among the victors.
The University of Rhode Island women's basketball team beat Brown, 61-55, today in South Kingstown. The Rams (3-2) were led by Amanda McGrew's 15 points. Jaclyn Goldbarg scored 15 to lead Brown (0-5). Click here to see the box score from projo Stats.
URI's next game is Wednesday night at Central Connecticut State; Brown travels to Army, also on Wednesday night.
The University of Rhode Island women's basketball team lost tonight at Holy Cross, 65-56, to fall to 2-2 on the season. Safi Mojidi led the Rams with 23 points, while Briana McFadden had 21 for the Crusaders (2-2). Click here to see the box score from projo Stats.
