Per WH of the A10 board:
http://www.basketballforum.com/atlan...de-island.html
RHODE ISLAND
The key to the URI's success is to do a better job defending (last in FG% defense) and rebounding (-1.5 margin); excercise better shot selection from the perimeter; produce more consistent half-court offense when the game slows down; and develop some young players such as Ryan Brooks to step up after heavy graduation losses.
Rhode Island has outperformed preseason expectations the last few years, only to falter at year end and miss out on the NCAA tournament. On paper this Rams edition isn't as good as last season's team, but Jim Baron has some talented youngsters who just need a chance.
Orion Outerbridge could be one of the best bigmen in the league, for instance, because of his size, athleticism and offensive skills. Ryan Brooks is another promising forward. If they develop, the Rams could surprise again. Seven footer Will Martell is solid inside. Delroy James, though sometimes erratic, can carry the team for long stretches against topflight competiton. Mark Jones is a steady and reliable point guard. And AKeem Richmond is one of the best shooting guards in the A-10.
As usual, Rhode Island's chance at postseason play requires better defense and smarter decision making, particularly in the latter half of the league schedule. A-10 teams adjust to Rhody, but it doesn't seem like URI adjusts as well to the changes that opponents make. Until Rhody proves otherwise, no one should go out on a limb. Time for Baron to get URI over the hump.
NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE
L - At Pittsburgh
W - BROWN
L - College of Charleston (Coaches vs Cancer in Toledo)
W - Toledo ((C vs C in Toledo)
W - Illinois-Chicago (C vs C in Toledo)
W - DREXEL
W - DAVIDSON
L - At Providence
W - At Northeastern
W - At Quinnipiac
W - NEW HAMPSHIRE
W - LAFAYETTE
W - BOSTON COLLEGE
L - Florida
NONCONFERENCE RECORD: 10-4
Rhody starts out with an almost impossible game at nationally ranked Pittsburgh to start the season. Afterward the Rams return home to play a young Brown team that has occasionally given them trouble. Should be an easy win, though.
URI then plays three games in the Coaches vs. Cancer benefit, with all three evidently in Toledo Ohio. College of Charleston is talented, deep and athletic. A very winnable game, but Rhody will still be sorting itself out with all the new players in the rotation. The first semester absence of Outerbridge owing to academics could really hurt in a game like this.
Toledo lost 28 games last season and needs major rebuilding. Illinois-Chicago lost 22 games. Rams are much better and should win both. A loss to either would be very damaging to the team's RPI.
URI returns home for back to back games vs Drexel and Davidson, two well coached teams that simply don't have equal talent. I see both as wins, but Drexel does play tough defense and Davidson should be pretty good this year.
Providence has been down lately, but this is still a Big East program and there's some talent here. URI might be able to take advantage of all the new Friar faces, but it's a rivalry game and I go with the home team. Rhody goes on the road for two more games at Northeastern and Quinnipiac. Northeastern lost five of its top six player and should be ripe for a win. Quinnipiac has a frontcourt that is tough and athletic. Rams could lose this game if they don't come ready to play at the whistle.
Rhody then comes home for three games. The toughest foe is BC, which is rebuilding after firing Al Skinner. Eagles have decent talent still on the roster, but URI has more. Home team pulls it out.
URI finishes on the road at Florida, which is one of the SEC favorites. Tough gamne, but the kind A-10 teams need to win to get an NCAA invite. Rams have won very few of these games under Baron.
BONUS A-10 PREDICTION: 9-7 (19-11 overall)
The Rams pair up with Massachusetts, St. Bonaventure and Fordham (dropping St. Louis from last year). This is one of the easier unbalanced sked, but last season URI only went 3-2 vs. those teams. No reason URI can't win four of these games.
Rhode Island also goes on the road at Richmond, St. Joe's, Temple, Duquesne and St. Louis.
The Rams have a good chance to win two or three of those games.
I predict a 9-7 record, same as last year, though 10-6 or even 11-5 is definitely doable.
