KeaneyBlue - The URI Basketball Forum

Week #5 begins. The two polls - the AP and the USA Today - show no A-10 teams in the Top 25 though URI is closing in on a ranking with 73 points and #28 position in the AP poll and 18 points in the USA Today poll. While Alabama fell out of the AP poll, three URI OOC opponents are now in the Top 25 polls. Virginia is now ranked #15 in the AP poll and holds the #12 position in USA Today poll. Seton Hall returns to the AP poll with a #19 ranking and holds the same position in the USA Today poll. Nevada enters the rankings for the first time with the #22 position in the AP poll and #24 in the USA Today poll. Besides Alabama, PC is also getting votes in both polls.

The cumulative won-lost records of URI OOC opponents now stands at 60-26, .698 slightly down from the previous week. Among URI's 11 OOC opponents, only Iona and Holy Cross sport records below .500.

For what it's worth given the early time frame, here are key ratings for URI as of the beginning of Week #5:

RPI- 10
BPI - 46, stable.
Sagarin - 36, up eight from 44
Pomeroy - 48, up from 53


Slim pickings in Monday action in both the A-10 and among URI OOC opponents:

Maryland-Eastern Shore at Duquesne. 7 PM.

High Point at Charleston. 7 PM.

Loving our RPI !!!

In Monday results:

Duquesne easily beat Maryland-Eastern Shore, 86-61, to snap a three game losing streak. Duquesne was led by the guards Eric Williams and Mike Lewis who contributed a combined 54 points. Only 1,201 watched the game.

It was a nip and tuck affair in the first half with Charleston down 7 at the break, but the Cougars turned it on in the second half to comfortably beat High Point, 70-58. A crowd of 3,223 witnessed the game as C. of C. moved its record to 6-2.

Tuesday action in the A-10:

Having lost three of its last four on the road Davidson returns home to play VMI. 7 PM.

Shaka returns to the Siegel Center with his Texas team to play VCU. 7 PM. On ESPN2. Texas' two losses have come at the hands of ranked teams, Duke and Gonzaga, both OT losses. VCU has a win over Cal, but lost to Virginia, Marquette, and Michigan, so the Texas game and its Saturday game versus Seton Hall will tell much about this VCU team


In games involving URI OOC opponents:

#15 Virginia at #18 West Virginia. 7 PM. On ESPNU.

UNC Asheville at Furman. 7:30 PM. On ESPN3.

Florida Atlantic at Florida Gulf Coast. 7:30 PM. On ESPN3.

In a big test for the Wolfpack, #22 Nevada visits Texas Tech. 8 PM.

Looking forward to seeing the Stu fired up tonight (Siegel Center).

Not sure where this goes best, but it is always good to see former Ram associates doing well

http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men ... ives-dec-4
Something you may not have known:
Towson has won eight in a row, the longest win streak for the program since 1993. The 8-1 start is the best since 1979 and this comes after playing seven games in 15 days on two continents, winning the Gulf Coast Showcase in Florida Nov. 20-22 and then taking the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic in Northern Ireland. Remember, Towson was 1-31 in Pat Skerry’s first year inn 2011-12.

Agreed, Towson will battle College of Charleston for the CAA title.

1-31. And we thought we had it bad. That is unreal.

Interesting win by Florida State Monday over 5th ranked Florida as FSU goes to 7-0. Daynia La-Force’s son, Terance Mann Had a game high 25 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and zero turnovers in the FSU victory.

So he's pretty good.

ATPTourFan wrote:So he's pretty good.

Want to borrow my avatar?

Yeah very surprised FSU handled Florida like that

I am on VCU +7

Just got back in to see VCU-TX... VCU trailed (I thought I heard) by 19 in the 2nd half, but just took the lead with 3:38 to go....

Great game going on. Cmon VCU!!!

VCU came back from 19 down in the second half to go ahead by 1with about three minutes left. Rams offense however then went cold and they fell 71-67.

Virginia lost 68-61at West Virginia.

VCU will be pretty good. Tillman will be a tough matchup for us.

Same for Aldridge and Cunningham.

We should still have enough to beat all of them though. Well, we aren't going undefeated in conference...favored or not.

Gonzaga got Zagged by Villanova at home.....outclassed really.

Class of the BE, by far

OOC results not good tonight. UNCA got rolled....Nevada lost in OT......FGCU toast.

rambone 78 wrote:VCU will be pretty good. Tillman will be a tough matchup for us.

Same for Aldridge and Cunningham.

We should still have enough to beat all of them though. Well, we aren't going undefeated in conference...favored or not.

Yes our game at VCU will be our toughest game in conference play. That or the game at the Bonnies.

We can go undefeated in conference...

Was hoping Nevada and UVA would get it done damn it

PeterRamTime wrote:

rambone 78 wrote:VCU will be pretty good. Tillman will be a tough matchup for us.

Same for Aldridge and Cunningham.

We should still have enough to beat all of them though. Well, we aren't going undefeated in conference...favored or not.

Yes our game at VCU will be our toughest game in conference play. That or the game at the Bonnies.

We can go undefeated in conference...

We scored 42 points at home against Fordham in a year when we should have made the Sweet 16.

Anything can happen on any given night so let’s pump the breaks on mentioning an undefeated conference record...

rambone 78 wrote:Gonzaga got Zagged by Villanova at home.....outclassed really.

Class of the BE, by far

OOC results not good tonight. UNCA got rolled....Nevada lost in OT......FGCU toast.

Nova game was at MSG.

Rhody15 wrote:

PeterRamTime wrote:

rambone 78 wrote:VCU will be pretty good. Tillman will be a tough matchup for us.

Same for Aldridge and Cunningham.

We should still have enough to beat all of them though. Well, we aren't going undefeated in conference...favored or not.

Yes our game at VCU will be our toughest game in conference play. That or the game at the Bonnies.

We can go undefeated in conference...

We scored 42 points at home against Fordham in a year when we should have made the Sweet 16.

Anything can happen on any given night so let’s pump the breaks on mentioning an undefeated conference record...

Ya know what else can happen on any given night?

Us winning.

18 times.

UConn really in a down period, looked pretty lost vs Syracuse zone last night and though they have some high level talent (Adams, Vital) they don't have it in the quantity nor quality that they once did. That potential job opening is a threat to our future...would be dam near impossible to turn down if offered, and DH would most definitely be a candidate. I don't think Ollie lasts past this season.

bigappleram wrote:UConn really in a down period, looked pretty lost vs Syracuse zone last night and though they have some high level talent (Adams, Vital) they don't have it in the quantity nor quality that they once did. That potential job opening is a threat to our future...would be dam near impossible to turn down if offered, and DH would most definitely be a candidate. I don't think Ollie lasts past this season.

Yeah, that's the job I worry about the most right now.

bigappleram wrote:UConn really in a down period, looked pretty lost vs Syracuse zone last night and though they have some high level talent (Adams, Vital) they don't have it in the quantity nor quality that they once did. That potential job opening is a threat to our future...would be dam near impossible to turn down if offered, and DH would most definitely be a candidate. I don't think Ollie lasts past this season.

The UConn job pre Big East breakup was an extremely desirable destination. Things are however different today. A coach will have much to consider and weigh in contemplating it these days.

I think the main drawback to the UConn job at this point is conference affiliation. It would seem that a P5 gig is preferable to all others given their futures are not so fraught with uncertainty.

The specter of Calhoun also still hangs over the Huskies.

There is also the budget crisis of CT. The state has been spending heavily on UConn for the last few decades but that is about to change as it can no longer afford to do so. This action by the state comes at the same time that the old Big East breakup money is drying up. The AAC does not pay out a lot of money to members (even with football, payout much less than new Big East). UConn athletics has been propped up by the money left behind with the old Big East which was rebranded the AAC. The Catholic schools left a lot of NCAA Tournament money behind which could only be distributed to the full remaining members left. The two biggest beneficiaries of this were UConn and Cinci. Keep in mind NCAA units are paid out over the six years after they are earned.

4 National Championships
Resources that dwarf URI
And an existing relationship with Jim Calhoun all are cause for concern

bigappleram wrote:4 National Championships
Resources that dwarf URI
And an existing relationship with Jim Calhoun all are cause for concern

The UConn job obviously has many advantages. It however also has some areas for concern. Much of these are directly attributed to the conference realignment of a few years ago. That is why I think it is no longer a slam dunk decision for a coach to go there. Must really assess the pros and cons with your expectations.

There is actually a thread that was recently just started on the UConn fan forum about recruiting Hurley to Storrs (follow link below). Interesting read on the Husky fanbase.

https://the-boneyard.com/threads/2019-r ... ey.120814/

I hate the term mid-major if only because there seems to be major and mid major programs, without something to be middle of. But I have loved the press love this last week, and enjoyed even more every single article that has described the Ryan Center during Saturday's game against PC as "electric", "best in New England", "living up to the hype"

https://theathletic.com/174116/2017/12/ ... nick-king/

OK, other than the big game for Rhody fans being the URI Rams at Alabama. 8 PM. On SECN+, other A-10 action on Wednesday includes:

Tennessee Tech at Dayton 7 PM. Tech is a middle of the road Ohio Valley Conference team and the Flyers should get by them to bring their OOC record to .500.

Harvard at Fordham. 7 PM. Not an impressive performance against Maine for the Metro Rams and they will have to do way better to beat Harvard.

William & Mary at George Mason. 7 PM. Interesting threesome.

Princeton at George Washington. 7 PM. One of the Ivy favorites comes aknocking.

In another rivalry road game, St. Bonaventure visits Canisius. 7 PM. On ESPN3. Not as interesting without Jim Baron.

Richmond at Old Dominion. 7 PM. On ESPN3. Intra state rivalry game, but they have only met 57 times since 1921 and the Spiders lead the series.

Holy Cross at UMass. 7 PM. Big rivalry game!

Southern Illinois at Saint Louis. 8 PM. The Billikens are coming off some really bad losses.

Stetson at Duquesne. 8 PM. The game is late because it's a doubleheader with the women's team and the Lady Dukes are really good.


In games involving URI OOC opponents:

Brown at PC. 7 PM. On FS2. The winner gets the Quahog consolation prize.

"SECN+"? What channel is that?

That's a very good point UConn is doing horrible under Ollie and if they don't dance this year could be gone

DH should be a candidate for sure let's hope he shows us some loyalty if this situation arises

I look at Kevin Ollie as UConn's Claude English.
Let me explain.
When Jack Kraft had his heart attack,
Claude took over.
His team had 20 wins and an NIT bid, when that
meant something.
So, when Kraft retired, everyone felt Claude
was the right choice based on what he did as HC.
Ollie did even better by winning a national championship,
after Jim Calhoun retired.
Like Claude, he did it with the previous coach's players.
Everyone was psyched about the future of UConn under Ollie.
Like Claude, it never happened, and he didn't
succeed on his own merits.
UConn still has great facilities, but they're stuck in a mediocre
conference.
Would Dan sign up for a huge rebuilding job with a ton of
pressure?
He's got his best recruiting class coming in, and has checked the NCAA, A-10,
and PC boxes.
There's no pressure on any basketball coach to win at URI.
Witness 11 years of CFL mediocrity.
I think money aside, there's nothing super attractive about the
current UConn program, besides facilities.
Their glory days may be a thing of the past.

UConn has the money, history, and facilities. They're in a better conference with Cincinnati, SMU, Wichita State. etc., but it's not light years ahead. Ideally Ollie lasts 1 more year so we can see all our recent signees in before anything major happens. I'd guess, even if Dan were to leave, David Cox would be in line for the job and could help save some of the recruiting class.

VCU and Dayton are down right now because they've lost players. Hopefully Dan likes it enough here that he won't leave until a top 10 program comes calling. I'm not sure UConn would still be considered top 10.

rodfromcranston wrote:I look at Kevin Ollie as UConn's Claude English.
Let me explain.
When Jack Kraft had his heart attack,
Claude took over.
His team had 20 wins and an NIT bid, when that
meant something.
So, when Kraft retired, everyone felt Claude
was the right choice based on what he did as HC.
Ollie did even better by winning a national championship,
after Jim Calhoun retired.
Like Claude, he did it with the previous coach's players.
Everyone was psyched about the future of UConn under Ollie.
Like Claude, it never happened, and he didn't
succeed on his own merits.
UConn still has great facilities, but they're stuck in a mediocre
conference.
Would Dan sign up for a huge rebuilding job with a ton of
pressure?
He's got his best recruiting class coming in, and has checked the NCAA, A-10,
and PC boxes.
There's no pressure on any basketball coach to win at URI.
Witness 11 years of CFL mediocrity.
I think money aside, there's nothing super attractive about the
current UConn program, besides facilities.
Their glory days may be a thing of the past.

I can actually attest to this.


I went on a trip to Sweden this year and on the plane I just so happened to sit next to Niels Giffey who played for Uconn from Kembas national title until Ollie's title.

Which was REALLY COOL. Talked to him for six hours about all types of things. From basketball to politics. Great guy.
Ate a sandwich with him in Iceland.

He contributed Ollies title to Calhoun.
Said Ollie really wasn't ready to run that program after the fact.
He felt that he would get better, but It was all Jim when it came to that title.

Also, said Calhoun was a really great person. Always keeps up with his ex payers.

Glad that UConn isn't P5 conference. DH may be more interested in Syracuse when Jimmy B retires ?? ACC

The last time we hired an assistant, to save recruits,
gave us Jerry D., who didn't save squat.
Players come and go, but coaches impact a
program more than any player.
If Dan leaves, I think he's got the program in
such a good place, that this becomes a desirable
job.

rodfromcranston wrote:The last time we hired an assistant, to save recruits,
gave us Jerry D., who didn't save squat.
Players come and go, but coaches impact a
program more than any player.
If Dan leaves, I think he's got the program in
such a good place, that this becomes a desirable
job.

Agree with this Rod, but to me David Cox seems like a natural progression and not forced. Xavier, Butler, VCU (sort of) and others have had success going this route. Obviously it has to be the right fit and hopefully this isn't a topic of conversation for quite some time, but I wouldn't compare Jerry D and David Cox.

I would be ok with Cox if DH heads to UConn after this season

Agree that the glory days of UConn are in the past...
Can't see how that could be considered a better job than URI.

Start with...'live in CT' vs 'live in Rhode Island'.
Done both...and it's no contest....

Now, Syracuse....but their coach is never (ever) going to retire.
Plus, you don't want to be the guy that follows the guy....you want to be the 'next' guy after that

We know that Cox is a great recruiter? Do we know if would be a good head coach. I'm not saying he wouldn't be. But I don't think we know.

Uconn has the practice facilities. It sounds like Gampel might have issues and the Hartford Civic Center's future is a huge question mark

I think Cox would be a good X and O guy. I always see DH consulting with him at timeouts

Issue #1 for the Hartford Civic Center (XL Center) is that it's almost 30 miles from campus... plus, no one ever really 'wants' to go to Hartford....

Plus because of the state budget crisis they're trying to sell it to a private investor who might not keep it as is and would jack up uconn's rent if it was kept as a big arena. And if they can't find a private investor to buy it they still can't afford the money needed to refurbish it.

Do you ever know with assistants before they get their first gig? Almost all head coaches make that jump at some point. I think Cox will make that jump this offseason, and that's the only reason I don't hope his next job is our HC. I'd like Dan to get to coach this class (here) he is bringing in - he worked for the last six years to be able to get a class like this.

As much as I hate PC, have to admit I'm not a huge fan of them being down big early to Brown. Need them to hang in all year for the sake of the resume.

Did we break PC???

I'll take the hit. F pc.

Seven A-10 games now underway are all at halftime and the A-10 leads in all.

In the only OOC game, PC is down by 12 to Brown! 40-28.

Fry-ers down 12 at half...while solidifying that Rhody is the best team in New England (maybe NY and NJ, too?)...still not good.