THIS Year (2014-15)

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 10 years ago

ace wrote:Jarvis got a haircut. My excitement for next year has already been diminished.

And this doesn't have much to do with anything, but remember when there was only going to be one open scholarship (Munford) to fill for next season?

He has/had the best hair. That kid has style!

RIhoopz14 · Unread post by **RIhoopz14** » 10 years ago

So assuming Terrell and Hare are both here next season, am I correct in thinking our sophomore class is technically EC, Hassan, Hare, Terrell????!!! If so, that would be a special season when they're all seniors (and before of course), not to mention it's a class full of top 100 recruits. A starting 5 consisting of EC JT Hassan Watson Hare sounds absolutely deadly to me on the defensive end

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Huh? Terrell and Garrett would be one class behind EC, Martin and Hare.
Dan is selling a three guard offense.

gorhody · Unread post by **gorhody** » 10 years ago

RIhoopz14 wrote:So assuming Terrell and Hare are both here next season, am I correct in thinking our sophomore class is technically EC, Hassan, Hare, Terrell????!!! If so, that would be a special season when they're all seniors (and before of course), not to mention it's a class full of top 100 recruits. A starting 5 consisting of EC JT Hassan Watson Hare sounds absolutely deadly to me on the defensive end

I believe Terrell will be a freshman next year, since he never played for Ok. State. He just decomitted.

RIhoopz14 · Unread post by **RIhoopz14** » 10 years ago

gorhody wrote:
RIhoopz14 wrote:So assuming Terrell and Hare are both here next season, am I correct in thinking our sophomore class is technically EC, Hassan, Hare, Terrell????!!! If so, that would be a special season when they're all seniors (and before of course), not to mention it's a class full of top 100 recruits. A starting 5 consisting of EC JT Hassan Watson Hare sounds absolutely deadly to me on the defensive end
I believe Terrell will be a freshman next year, since he never played for Ok. State. He just decomitted.

Alright, that's where my mix-up was. I was thinking he just sat on the bench as a scholarship player last year for OKST. I probably thought that because it feels like we've been recruiting him forever.......

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Yes, Terrell is just finishing up high school at Brewster Academy.

Unread post by **SGreenwell** » 10 years ago

Terrell and Garrett would clearly be freshmen, and Matthews and Martin would clearly be sophomores. Hare would be the trickier issue - he's technically a junior, but he could petition for a fifth year, I'm guessing either as a redshirt after the fact or for hardship reasons. However, if he is on track to graduate on time, I'm not sure if he would want to postpone a year of career earnings given that he does have a kid to support. His case is obviously pretty unique.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

SGreenwell wrote:Terrell and Garrett would clearly be freshmen, and Matthews and Martin would clearly be sophomores. Hare would be the trickier issue - he's technically a junior, but he could petition for a fifth year, I'm guessing either as a redshirt after the fact or for hardship reasons. However, if he is on track to graduate on time, I'm not sure if he would want to postpone a year of career earnings given that he does have a kid to support. His case is obviously pretty unique.

I don't think Hare would have to petition unless I'm missing something. He gets 5 years to play 4 like everyone else.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

he was on the roster and technically in school last year, should just go down as a redshirt

McRam · Unread post by **McRam** » 10 years ago

One thing that I never understood is why Biruta had to sit out a year with all the crazy Rice things going on at Rutgers. You would think that would be a good reason to grant a :"waiver" Maybe it is not too late and we will have him for two years.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

McRam wrote:One thing that I never understood is why Biruta had to sit out a year with all the crazy Rice things going on at Rutgers. You would think that would be a good reason to grant a :"waiver" Maybe it is not too late and we will have him for two years.

No, he's going to play his four in five years. He was already sitting out when that stuff became public.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

Hassan looking tough, can't wait to watch his sophomore season.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

ace wrote:Hassan looking tough, can't wait to watch his sophomore season.

In case anybody doesn't know, that's Dominique Easley, the Patriots first round draft pick.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

Terrell, Garrett, Matthews, Martin and Hare (first 2 freshman last 3 sophomores) good core of young players

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 10 years ago

Now the excuses can stop.

This is the most talented team URI has had in 15 years. Not a lot of "could be" or "might be" guys - we have studs. Certified. Thoroughbred. Studs.

As sophomores or younger - we now have 4 guys that were top 125 in their class, and a coach who can develop players.

2 of these guys were top 100 - and if the guy that was ranked in the 70s and 80s was ROY under Hurley...I can't wait to see what the dude who was in the 50s and 60s does.

Also - what's our lineup? By conference play I expect:

1 - Garrett
2-3 - Terrell, Matthews
4-5 - Martin, Biruta

Guards off the bench - Buchanan, Minnis
Forwards off the bench - Hare, Watson

Limited Time - Onyekaba

Little to no time - Reischel, Butler, Powell

Can't expect to see us play more than 9 or 10 guys

RoadyJay · Unread post by **RoadyJay** » 10 years ago

Blue Man wrote:Now the excuses can stop.

This is the most talented team URI has had in 15 years. Not a lot of "could be" or "might be" guys - we have studs. Certified. Thoroughbred. Studs.

As sophomores or younger - we now have 4 guys that were top 125 in their class, and a coach who can develop players.

2 of these guys were top 100 - and if the guy that was ranked in the 70s and 80s was ROY under Hurley...I can't wait to see what the dude who was in the 50s and 60s does.

Also - what's our lineup? By conference play I expect:

1 - Garrett
2-3 - Terrell, Matthews
4-5 - Martin, Biruta

Guards off the bench - Buchanan, Minnis
Forwards off the bench - Hare, Watson

Limited Time - Onyekaba

Little to no time - Reischel, Butler, Powell

Can't expect to see us play more than 9 or 10 guys

Agree... Except for Reischel

I expect he will get some solid minutes. I feel a bet should be wagered here Mr. KeaneyBlueBalls

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

Blue Man wrote:Now the excuses can stop.

This is the most talented team URI has had in 15 years. Not a lot of "could be" or "might be" guys - we have studs. Certified. Thoroughbred. Studs.

As sophomores or younger - we now have 4 guys that were top 125 in their class, and a coach who can develop players.

2 of these guys were top 100 - and if the guy that was ranked in the 70s and 80s was ROY under Hurley...I can't wait to see what the dude who was in the 50s and 60s does.

Also - what's our lineup? By conference play I expect:

1 - Garrett
2-3 - Terrell, Matthews
4-5 - Martin, Biruta

Guards off the bench - Buchanan, Minnis
Forwards off the bench - Hare, Watson

Limited Time - Onyekaba

Little to no time - Reischel, Butler, Powell

Can't expect to see us play more than 9 or 10 guys

Just posted this in Jared's thread, but probably belongs here. I'll preface by saying I think seven guys will get "starters" minutes. But I think by conference play you will have:

Garrett
EC
Terrell
Martin
Hare
(This is out most athletic lineup and they can play uptempo, plus they will be together for three years so I'd like to get that started ASAP)

Gil
TJ
(First two guys off the bench will basically be starters in terms of minutes, will bring veteran leadership and presence while in the game but probably necessitate a more deliberate style of play; may play more than the starters in any given game based on matchups)

Watson
Iffy
(Beef off the bench should eliminate the nightmare that happened too frequently last year where the foul trouble in the front court took us out of games in the second half)

Reischel
Biggie
(Look like deep reserves, but potential for bounce-back seasons where they live up to expectations we had for them last year - in which case they'd play themselves up this list a little bit)

Powell
Butler
(Not sure how these guys will get on the floor barring a disaster or a blowout, but I guess Butler remains a wild card in terms of expectations)

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 10 years ago

TP,

First - how much fun is THIS!? Look at how damn deep we are!

Also, from Zags and Terrell:

"Terrell will play in a three-guard set with incoming guard Jarvis Garrett and sophomore E.C. Matthews.

“They’ll play three guards, so all three of us will be playing with the ball in our hands and will be able to do multiple things,” Terrell said."

So unless we are getting absolutely manhandled down low and are in deep foul trouble, I'd expect to see closer to what you're saying.

I'm tempering my expectations on Hare simply because he was still really really raw and has been sitting on the shelf for a year. I figure he'll get big minutes eventually, but I'd think a minor miracle for him to beat out Watson and Biruta to get on the court.

neil · Unread post by **neil** » 10 years ago

Watch out Spartans and Jayhawks (might be a slight exaggeration, but who would have thunk about actually winning some key games in Florida)

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

Blue Man wrote:TP,

First - how much fun is THIS!? Look at how damn deep we are!

It is the best!

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

Also, there's this:

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

TruePoint wrote:Also, there's this:

He might be talking about Ingram if Powell, as Rod says, is technically a walk-on.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

Right. I think that is the open question right now.

Keaney.Blue · Unread post by **Keaney.Blue** » 10 years ago

Wow who would've expected us to be arguing this heatedly over starting lineups in May?! I love it.

I just don't see how Dan will be able to not start both Gil and Hassan. The problem is that Rhody struggled big time with interior defense and rebounding with those two on the floor. The big question is whether Coach wants to develop Hassan to be a 3 or if he's content with him playing just the four. Hassan is the X factor and what Coach H decides will alter the lineups drastically. For example, with Hass at the 3, I see these rotations:

EC (Garrett)
Terrell
Martin (Buchannan)
Biruta
Hare (Watson sub)

There's just so many scenarios, but my gut says the starting lineup will be:

EC
Terrell
Buchannan
Martin
Biruta

Which is a big improvement from last year. We have Soph EC and Martin (you see biggest improvement fresh-soph years), senior Biruta and Buchannan, and our beast of a combo guard in Terrell

I'll be coming up for a lot more games next year.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

i expect that to be the line up to begin the season but like last year I see it changing as the season goes on

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

Minnis will be in the mix at pg.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 10 years ago

When the first balls are rolled out at practice that first day, everyone is in the mix…..

Blue Man · Unread post by **Blue Man** » 10 years ago

Keaney.Blue wrote:Wow who would've expected us to be arguing this heatedly over starting lineups in May?! I love it.

I just don't see how Dan will be able to not start both Gil and Hassan. The problem is that Rhody struggled big time with interior defense and rebounding with those two on the floor. The big question is whether Coach wants to develop Hassan to be a 3 or if he's content with him playing just the four. Hassan is the X factor and what Coach H decides will alter the lineups drastically. For example, with Hass at the 3, I see these rotations:

EC (Garrett)
Terrell
Martin (Buchannan)
Biruta
Hare (Watson sub)

There's just so many scenarios, but my gut says the starting lineup will be:

EC
Terrell
Buchannan
Martin
Biruta

Which is a big improvement from last year. We have Soph EC and Martin (you see biggest improvement fresh-soph years), senior Biruta and Buchannan, and our beast of a combo guard in Terrell

I'll be coming up for a lot more games next year.

Gil will foul out in 20 so he won't take up that much time.

But do you think Hass moves to 3? I think the key will be Watson or Hare playing inside D and keeping Hassy's shot blocking ability around the post.

Plus I see everywhere that Hurley will be playing 3 guard lineups.

You know more about the low post than I do, I just think we'd want Hass to stay where he was since he was such a beast.

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

Biruta averaged more than 26 min a game even with his foul trouble last year and I think he'll prosper in that dept. with a deeper team. I don't see him fouling out after 20.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

It's going to be interesting to hear Steve using all these initials on this team.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

As far as the NCAAs, this talented, young team will only get better and better as the season progresses. They might finish in 5th or 6th place in the division, but by A10 tourney time, this should be a very strong group. I don't think it's out of the question that they could win the A10 tourney and get the automatic bid. Yes, it will be tough to beat some of these teams, especially VCU. But to beat VCU, you need guards. We have 'em now.

Micheal_Phelps_22 · Unread post by **Micheal_Phelps_22** » 10 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:As far as the NCAAs, this talented, young team will only get better and better as the season progresses. They might finish in 5th or 6th place in the division, but by A10 tourney time, this should be a very strong group. I don't think it's out of the question that they could win the A10 tourney and get the automatic bid. Yes, it will be tough to beat some of these teams, especially VCU. But to beat VCU, you need guards. We have 'em now.

This is my thinking as well. It will take a month or two for everyone to get comfortable playing with each other but by the time A10 play starts, watch out. A deep A10 tourney run is not out of the question and if everyone stays healthy and plays to their potential they could definitely steal an automatic bid.

Can't say enough how awesome it is to be talking about URI and tourney bids again!

EGram · Unread post by **EGram** » 10 years ago

Whats up with Powell? We are allowing him to retain his athletic scholarship this year?

I don't get it. Would much rather bring in a legit SF like Ingrahm.

Rhodekill · Unread post by **Rhodekill** » 10 years ago

EGram wrote:Whats up with Powell? We are allowing him to retain his athletic scholarship this year?

I don't get it. Would much rather bring in a legit SF like Ingrahm.

APR impact if he is cut loose...

RIhoopz14 · Unread post by **RIhoopz14** » 10 years ago

I looked at future bets for college ball, and Rhody isn't one of the 88 teams they have odds for to win next years tournament. PC is in there at +15000 ($1 to win $150). What's weird is that last year we were one of the teams they posted odds for, yet we have a much better chance this year. I cant wait till they release conference title odds, i bet Rhody will be undervalued to some of the recent tourney teams like Dayton VCU St louis etc.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Love when our ex-players still follow the team closely...

Delroy James ‏@Del_James21 · 23h
#Rhody shaping up for special things

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 10 years ago

bressler3south wrote:When the first balls are rolled out at practice that first day, everyone is in the mix…..

Spot on, bressler. Competition for every single spot. I think you'd have to pencil in EC, Hassan, and Gilvydas for starting roles, but other than that it is wide open, including roles off the bench. As it looks now, this roster certainly rivals any one that we've had at URI since 98 in terms of raw talent, even though some of it is quite young. Such high hopes for this year, can't wait to see the RC packed for the first open practice!

EGram · Unread post by **EGram** » 10 years ago

So what do people expect from Hare next year? My pops told me he heard he was the top player in Italy last year, really expected a break out year from him.

I feel Watson and Garret are just as important as Terrell. Garret maybe more so because a PG who can shoot and distribute would be huge on this team. Watson seems like a bruising interior PF who is a bit undersized but has good size/athleticism and can score inside and rebound. Another type of player we could badly use with Gil, Hare and Hassan all lacking size to bang inside.

In my bank robbing dreams Garret will be like Bittee in his last two years, and Watson the next Seawright. Terrell a superior, and bigger version of Preston Murphy.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

We haven't had a PG that can "see the floor" well since Tyson.

That skill is hard to come by. From what I've seen JG can do that.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Watson and Seawright are not similar players.
Seawright was more finess, with some offensive moves.
Watson is pure power, and kind of crude on offense.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Watson and Seawright are not similar players.
Seawright was more finess, with some offensive moves.
Watson is pure power, and kind of crude on offense.

We have some scorers now. I want our big guys like Watson and Hare to defend and rebound.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

Shared by DiSano on twitter. A UMASS perspective on Rhody basketball and their rivalry.

No really, it's worth the read.

http://www.masslive.com/umassbasketball ... urdle.html

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Read the dumb comment by the first guy.
Kellogg is the new CFL of the A-10. Lots of talent,
and a fire drill on the floor.
Without Chazz, they'll be falling into the middle of the conference.
We almost beat them three times last year, without a legitimate
point guard.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

Rule #1 of the internet: never read the comments!!!

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Read the dumb comment by the first guy.
Kellogg is the new CFL of the A-10. Lots of talent,
and a fire drill on the floor.
Without Chazz, they'll be falling into the middle of the conference.
We almost beat them three times last year, without a legitimate
point guard.

UMass fans have an over-inflated opinion of their program. They basically had success under one coach (Calipari) and were forced to vacate their greatest accomplishment (Final-4 that officially never occurred). Their next NCAA Tournament win will be their team's FIRST without John Calipari as head coach.

URI_IEP · Unread post by **URI_IEP** » 10 years ago

RF1 wrote:UMass fans have an over-inflated opinion of their program.

Almost EVERYONE has over-inflated opinions of their programs. That's why we're called fans. "We're better than you guys, because we're us" is basically what every argument between rivals boils down to.

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 10 years ago

When does the schedule usually become finalized? I feel like we're still a couple months from that, correct?

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

sf2010 wrote:When does the schedule usually become finalized? I feel like we're still a couple months from that, correct?

The final schedule is usually not released until late August. There is a thread on the known schedule to date. Follow the link:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3235

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

dont see the Garrett and Watson comparisons to Bittee and Seawright. almost complete opposites...Jarvis will hopefully be a quick, pest of a PG, who can knock down the 3 and run the team. Parfait was a converted 2G who brought size and good decision making, but was never a big penetrator or play maker type that drew a lot of defensive attention. Watson is a bruiser, with big time athleticism but light on finesse/touch around the hoop...Kahiem was a finesse 4 with an arsenal of fakes and foot skills around the rim to get his shot off despite low athleticism.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Wish I could comment Watson, still have not seen him play. But, Rothstein likes him....

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein · 3h
Underrated piece in URI's front court next year is JUCO transfer Earl Watson. Originally committed to Wichita State. Athletic and strong!