GETTING INSIDE
Rhode Island does not have a big-time scoring threat following the graduation of sharp-shooting senior guard Jimmy Baron last spring.
However, Rhode Island does have a lot of different players capable of scoring. It is that kind of balance that has enabled the Rams to get off to a 9-1 start and look like possible contenders in the Atlantic 10, in what was supposed to be a down year.
Senior guard Keith Cothran leads the team in scoring with a 16.1 average and combines with senior forwards Delroy James and Lamonte Ulmer to give Rhode Island a strong inside-outside offensive punch.
James is averaging 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, and Ulmer is averaging 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.
Junior center Will Martell also has become a scoring threat in his first season as a starter with a 7.3 average while also pulling down 5.8 rebounds a game.
Junior point guard Marquise Jones orchestrates the offense with averages of 6.4 points and 5.6 assists, and sophomore backup point guard Stevie Mejia is handing out 4.0 assists a game.
Rhode Island also is getting consistent bench scoring from freshman guard Akeem Richmond, who is averaging 7.9 points, and sophomore forward Orion Outerbridge, who is at 7.8.
Depth usually pays off during the heart of the schedule and that is why Rhode Island is looking like it is ready to make some noise in the Atlantic 10 heading into its Jan. 10 conference opener against Temple.
NOTES, QUOTES
• An estimated crowd of only 1,200 watched Rhode Island beat visiting Fairfield, 89-84, on Dec. 19 after a snowstorm dumped 20 inches of snow on the state. The official attendance of 3,115 reflected the number of tickets distributed. School officials considered postponing the game, but Fairfield had already practiced at the Ryan Center the previous night and all three officials were able to get into Kingston.
• Coach Jim Baron has moved into third place on Rhode Island’s all-time victory list with 140. He trails Frank Keaney, who won 401 games from 1920-48, and Ernie Calverley, who had 154 victories from 1957-68.
January At A Glance: Rhode Island wants to build on its surprisingly good start and take that momentum into conference play. The Rams are one of many teams playing better than expected this season in the Atlantic 10 and have the kind of inside/outside balance that can give any team trouble.
Quote To Note: “It’s just another day in Olean.”—Coach Jim Baron, who coached for 17 seasons at St. Bonaventure in Olean, N.Y., on the snowstorm that hit Rhode Island.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: Rhode Island has gotten off to an unexpectedly strong start thanks to a well-balanced attack that has been led by three seniors, guard Keith Cochran and forwards Lamonte Ulmer and Delroy James. The Rams go nine deep and coach Jim Baron does a masterful job of getting the most out of each player.
Player Rotation: Usual starters—F Lamonte Ulmer, F Delroy James, C Will Martell, G Keith Cothran, G Marquis Jones. Key subs—F Orion Outerbridge, G Stevie Mejia, G Akeem Richmond, F Ben Eaves.
Game Review:
Rhode Island 79, Northeastern 76
Rhode Island 80, Boston College 69
Rhode Island 89, Fairfield 84
Game Preview:
at Drexel, Tuesday, Dec. 29
vs. Oklahoma State, Saturday, Jan. 2
at Akron, Tuesday, Jan. 5
vs. Temple, Sunday, Jan. 10
vs. St. Joseph’s, Wednesday, Jan. 13
In Focus: Rhode Island hasn’t had many stiff tests in the non-conference portion of its schedule, but will get once when it faces Oklahoma State at Uncasville, Conn. The Rams played the Cowboys last season in Oklahoma City and fell 86-82.
Roster Report:
• F Delroy James had his best game of the season in an 89-84 victory over Fairfield on Dec. 20, recording season highs in points (21), rebounds (11), assists (four) and three-point field goals (five). It was the first double-double in 10 games this season by a Rams player.
• F Lamonte Ulmer scored a career-high 20 points against Fairfield. He has reached double figures in eight of the last nine games after scoring a season-low four points in the opener, a 78-57 victory at Brown on Nov. 18.
• F Ben Eaves scored 11 points in 11 minutes off the bench against Fairfield in his second game of the season. Eaves sat out the first eight games because of a broken wrist before making his season debut Dec. 13, when he failed to score in three minutes of an 80-69 victory at Boston College.
