2008 October | College Chalktalk

Archive for October, 2008

Team Preview: 9th Place - Rhode Island Rams

Friday, October 31st, 2008

2007-08 was a frustrating season for the Rams from Kingston, Rhode Island. After racing out to a 14-1 start in non-conference play and a Top 25 ranking, the Runnin’ Rams skidded to a halt. While many casual observers would point to Rhode Island’s five-game losing streak during conference play as the turning point, signs were evident much earlier in the year. In fact, it was no later than an 85-80 victory over a Georgia Southern team in the Islander Invitational where weaknesses began to surface. In the second frame, Georgia Southern scorched the Rhode Island defense, shooting 47% from the floor, 44% from beyond the arc and 75% from the line, nearly rallying from a twenty-point deficit. Unfortunately for the Rams, several conference foes proceeded to have similar shooting nights (10 conference opponents shot over 45% from the field against URI in 2007-08) during A-10 play.

When all was said and done, a season with a promising beginning (20-4) - on the shoulders of First Team All-Conference performer Will Daniels and senior All-Defensive Team member Parfait Bitee - resulted in a first round NIT loss to Creighton and a 21-12 finish.

2008-2009 Roster

2008-09 Schedule

Probable Starters:

PG - Marquis Jones, 6′1″, So.
SG - Jimmy Baron, Jr., 6′3″, Sr.
SF - Lamonte Ulmer, 6′6″, Jr.
PF - Kahiem Seawright, 6′8″, Sr.
F/C - Jason Francis, 6′9″, Sr.

On the Court in 2008-09:

This season, the Rams will be led by sharp-shooter Jimmy Baron Jr. The senior is without question one of the top marksman in the nation and possesses an exceptionally quick release. He averaged 14.2 points per game during the 2007-08 campaign, shoots often and effectively from beyond the arc (99 made threes, 40%), and is automatic from the charity-stripe (91%; just 17 misses in three years). While Baron is not one to create much off-the-dribble, he has improved this facet of his game since arriving at URI. His foot speed on the defensive side of the ball remains a concern but, overall, the senior has become one of the upper echelon shooting guards in the league.

Also in the backcourt for the Rams is veteran Keith Cothran, of whom much will be expected in this, his junior campaign. Regardless of whether or not Cothran technically starts, he’ll see major minutes at multiple positions. Last season as a sophomore, he averaged 7.3 points per contest off the bench. Offensively, Cothran shot 47% from the field, but excels in transition. He is not a shooting threat (24% from three point range), but did show glimpses of a mid-range game last season. Cothran’s impact - much like forward Lamonte Ulmer - is felt on the defensive end. In 2007-08, he averaged 1.79 steals per game, second only to the departed Leemire Goldwire of Charlotte. He has excellent length for a guard, and frequently can disrupt ball-handlers with his long reach, leading to steals and easy buckets.

The rest of the backcourt for the Rams is extremely young, comprised of two freshmen, Stevie Mejia and Jamal Wilson, and sophomore point guard Marquis Jones.

The point guard for the Rams this year will be untested.

For Jones in particular, 2008-09 is crucial. With the graduation of Parfait Bitee, Jones is likely to get first crack at the point guard position. Cothran is capable of playing the lead guard in spurts, but is not a pure point by any stretch and is better suited off the ball.

Jones, for his part, looks to improve upon his erratic freshman season where he averaged just under ten minutes per game and registered 1.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per contest. He is a pass-first point guard with a strong build (6′1″, 200 lbs.) and decent quickness, but he must improve his decision-making and shooting (37% from the field) if he wants to lead these Rams.

Mejia and Wilson round out the backcourt, with many expecting Mejia, a quick floor leader with a steady offensive game, to immediately press Jones for minutes. Like Jones, Mejia can also guard the ball 94 feet. Wilson has a nice touch, good size and should provide the Rams with depth at the off guard spot, as he learns from Baron and Cothran.

In the frontcourt, the Rams are led by battle-tested senior, Kahiem Seawright. The leading returning rebounder in the conference (8.4 rebounds per game, including a league leading 3.1 offensive rebounds per contest), the Uniondale, New York native is indispensable to the Rams’ inside game. He must finish better and convert his free throws (64%), but Seawright (9.2 points per game) is a near double-double every time he steps foot on the floor.

At small forward, gone is Will Daniels and replacing him are Lamonte Ulmer, Delroy James and UConn transfer Ben Eaves. The trio will all share minutes between both forward spots, depending on game situations.

Ulmer averaged 7.3 points per game and a spectacular play here and there. His jumpshot does not concern opposing defenses, but the junior forward is incredibly active on the glass and has the ability because of his length to get at, or near, the rim and give himself many high percentage shots in the lane - evidenced by his 50% clip from the field. He is also a sparkplug defensively and is at his best in the running game.

Delroy James, brother of former Duquesne standout Shawn James, became eligible at the mid-year last season. The 6′8″ junior never really shook off the rust after suiting up, but demonstrated signs of being able to help. A lefty, James can be effective as a slasher, but must improve his assist/turnover ratio (1 to 4.8) if he wants to be on the floor when it matters.

Also seeing time on the wing for the Rams will be Ben Eaves, who should help space the floor via his shooting ability. Jason Francis will start at center and use his massive frame to screen and free shooters like Baron and Eaves; and Will Martell, a 7′0″ sophomore, is also likely to see minutes this season, as many around the Ram program are impressed with his strength development in the offseason.

Finally, Orion Outerbridge, a talented 6′9″ freshman with excellent athleticism, should contribute at the four spot. The big man has a nice face-up game, runs the floor well and should help alter opponents’ shots on the defensive end. A team of Mejia, Cothran, Ulmer, Seawright and Outerbridge may be the best pressing combination Jim Baron possesses.

Newcomer Breakdown:

Stevie Mejia - A 5′8″ point guard out of Massachusetts, Mejia adds depth to a backcourt which includes returnees Marquis Jones, Keith Cothran and Jimmy Baron, Jr. He is a quick guard who can create for his teammates and give opponents fits on the other end with his on-the-ball defense.

Jamal Wilson - The 6′5″ guard is a three-star recruit from Philadelphia who adds size and depth at the two-guard position. Wilson’s frame should permit him to succeed against some of the smaller guards at his position in the A-10, and should fit well in the Rams’ uptempo style.

Orion Outerbridge - Outerbridge is a lanky 6′9″ forward with a solid face-up game. He runs the floor extremely well and should thrive in the Rams system. While he needs to fill out, Outerbridge brings athleticism and shot-blocking ability to the Rhody frontcourt.

Ben Eaves - Eaves is a transfer from Connecticut who sat out the 2007-08 but practiced with the team. He has good size and can shoot the ball from the perimeter, a needed skill by anyone not named Baron in Kingston these days. Eaves should earn minutes immediately, as he looks to help fill the void created by the loss of Will Daniels.

Go-to-Guy: An area of concern for Rhode Island. While Jimmy Baron Jr. is the most likely candidate given his ability to shoot from anywhere, his game is not predicated upon putting the ball on his hip and driving by defenders. Others like Cothran, James, and Ulmer, are slashers but have not yet shown the polish or perimeter game to be relied upon consistently when a bucket is needed. As a result, the Rams will need to improve their screening for Baron in half-court sets to ensure that the senior sees higher percentage looks when it counts.

Impact Newcomer: Outerbridge may be the sleek pick of most rating services, but Stevie Mejia has the chance to most profoundly impact this club. According to sources, Mejia can create for others, but take some for himself when necessary. Unless Marquis Jones has dramatically improved between his freshman and sophomore seasons, look for Mejia to earn his fair share of minutes quickly.

Marquee non-conference match-up: On November 16, 2008, Rhode Island travels to Durham, North Carolina to face Duke at Cameron Indoor. Without question, the game is a tremendous opportunity for the Rams as a chance to build confidence and play against one the the elite programs in the nation.

Notable Positive Statistic (2007-08): Rhode Island took care of business, as most Jim Baron coached teams do, on the glass. The Rams finished second in the conference in the rebounding department, registering 38.3 rebounds per game (inlcuding 13.4 offensive rebounds per contest).

Notable Negative Statistic (2007-08) - While the Rams scored points last season (80.5 per game), they were charitable to their opponents, permitting them to shoot 43% from the field on average, good enough for only 9th in the A-10 in field goal percentage defense.

The Rams will succeed if… three things occur. First, someone must step-up at the point guard position, make sound decisions and lead the URI offense. Second, perimeter defense must improve, starting with the Rams using their length and athletic ability wisely (minimizing risky gambles in the name of trying to push the pace) and closing-out shooters in the half court set. Finally, they must establish an inside scoring presence. The absence of Daniels is certain to be felt, but if individuals like Delroy James and Lamont Ulmer can find creative ways to score down low in the half court set, teams will not be able to willfully ignore the middle of the floor and extend on Baron.

Outlook - As is the case with many of the teams slotted anywhere between eleventh and seventh, the Rams have talent but also have some issues to address. They must play more disciplined on both ends of the floor, find ways to score the ball outside of the transition game and make a concerted effort to share the basketball on the offensive end, particularly without having the benefit of prototypical go-to-player.

URI will rebound, they will force turnovers and they will excel when able to dictate tempo and play at a breakneck pace. The Rams will, however, struggle in the half-court set at times with an untested point guard and the absence of a consistent presence on the blocks.

That said, defensive effort will always be within the Rams’ control. If they wisely employ their team quickness, length and athleticism and commit to locking down opponents, they will compete every night. Look for between sixteen and eighteen wins.

Atlantic 10 Media Day: October 28, 2008

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Today, the Atlantic 10 will be holding its annual media day, with coaches from around the league taking part in video-conferencing.

Click here to be redirected to the Official Conference Site for the video-conferencing link where Men’s Basketball interviews begin with Coach Bobby Lutz of the Charlotte 49ers and continue throughout the day until Mark Schmidt of St. Bonaventure wraps things up in the early afternoon.

As can also be seen on the Official Conference Site, below is the full schedule of media day interviews.