The Upcoming 2015-16 Season!

Running Ram · Unread post by **Running Ram** » 9 years ago

It's touch, spin etc. E.C. obviously has practiced putting shots off the glass from every angle every depth etc. and I'm sure he's been practicing that for ever. I've known guys who could spin the ball in off the bottom corner below the basket in traffic, its touch. It'll come for JT if he wants it. He excels in so many area's of the game, hard to get down about one or two skills that are the sacrifice to the whole great package. Also, JT could work on a little variation in his attack speed, add some jabs and studder steps maybe, His focus last year was getting to the rim and less about finishing, I expect we will see better control from him around the hoop this season.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 9 years ago

Bottom line, if Jared Terrell could finish like EC Matthews coming out of high school he would have been a Top 25 recruit and ended up at a blue blood. With his motor and athleticism the only reason he was more of a Top 75 kid was because of his lack of offensive polish, I dont think that's a big secret. Jared's leaping ability and athleticism were never a question to me, of course he can leap. In high school and AAU a kid like that was able to get by being bigger, faster and stronger. You jump to the next level and that is not enough. Now you need finesse and intelligence, versus just brute strength, when the guys protecting the rim are as big or bigger than you. I am confident that part of his game will come, its about learning how to use his body, absorbing contact and knowing where the shot is versus being a bull in a china shop. Hassan is similar in that sense, in a power situation he can dunk on anyone. But when the other guy is physically on par he can struggle at times, he has to learn how to use finesse, body positioning, etc. This is where ARD should reap immediate dividends, at his size he could not get by on raw athleticism, he had to be crafty to play with the big boys.

Joe · Unread post by **Joe** » 9 years ago

reckless jake wrote:This is just my opinion only, but the biggest worry I have with Thompson right now is his being a long way from home. He's very close to his family and he & his significant other have been mutually counting down the days til he gets back to Louisiana from the day he left for summer school. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems it's more than a simple case of teenage homesickness. I think there may be some pressure on him in this regard over time. Like I say, my opinion only.

I sure hope he sticks it out at URI because he's an extremely smart, talented, skilled player who does lots of things well. One of those rare selfless guys who does all the things that makes his teammates better and wins games without running up big stats.

He also seems like a hard worker --- not the type to quit or drop an opportunity to play D1 ball for a good school. I hope that he doesn't go back to Louisiana

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 9 years ago

bressler3south wrote:
Billyboy78 wrote:Did somebody say Jared can't jump?

Daniel Marshall ‏@D_Marshall85 · 18m18 minutes ago
Great testing day today! Biggest surprise: @JaredTerrell32 with a 40" Max Vert. Everybody made good improvements! #GoRhody @RhodyMBB
Whoever posted that before? Oh, yeah…the ability to finish at the rim stuff. Anyone named Jared Terrell who plays defense the way he does would be on my team if he could dunk or not…..

Wonder how his 40" Vertical Leap compares to the rest of the guys on the team?
Does Max Vertical Jump mean he can take steps before jumping?

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

I think finishing at the rim is more of a specific skill that can be worked on and improved than it is a measure of any one athletic attribute. Obviously athletic attributes like leaping ability and strength are super helpful, but if you took an Olympic high jumper and or a weight lifter and asked them to finish in the paint against D1 defenders they would fail. Jared will be fine and for reasons beyond marginal gains in his vertical from one year to the next.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

That 40" vertical can also be used for an 8 foot pull up jumper. I wish these kids would work on that. It seems like it's a lost art.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

With Thompson, everybody misses their high school life until actual fall semester starts and the year goes on. He will adjust like all freshmen both atheletes and none atheletes.

rhodywins · Unread post by **rhodywins** » 9 years ago

Has anyone heard anything concerning Butts? He seems like a missing recruit. Is he at practices and how is he doing.
Any info on how Akele is doing in Italy?

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

rhodywins wrote:Has anyone heard anything concerning Butts? He seems like a missing recruit. Is he at practices and how is he doing.
Any info on how Akele is doing in Italy?

Bill Koch reported today that Butts did not attend summer sessions. Haven't heard much on Akele.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Someone I know asked one of the staff about Butts.
He was quickly told, "Oh, you'll have to talk to the boss about that."
or words to that affect.

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 9 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Someone I know asked one of the staff about Butts.
He was quickly told, "Oh, you'll have to talk to the boss about that."
or words to that affect.

Uh oh

CT Rhody · Unread post by **CT Rhody** » 9 years ago

What do u think the reason Butts didn't attend the summer session is Rod?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

No clue.

CT Rhody · Unread post by **CT Rhody** » 9 years ago

Glad Thompson seems to be impressing though. I can see him playing a vital role if we are hit with injuries next season.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

Speaking of Jordan Hare on that Tirone thread. Wonder if Cooley kicked the tires on him?!

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Never would happen.

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 8 years ago

50. E.C. Matthews, G Rhode Island – Is he the best player in the A-10? Averaged 16.9 ppg last season.

http://thebiglead.com/2015/07/30/50-bes ... 2015-2016/

zporiri · Unread post by **zporiri** » 8 years ago

Kris Dunn #4 on the list, wow

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 8 years ago

Rhody's possible opponent in Cancun, Maryland, has a whopping 3 players in the Top 50:
#8 Melo Trimble
#34 Diamond Stone
#40 Jake Layman

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 8 years ago

I will probably watch some PC games just to see Dunn play.

reckless jake · Unread post by **reckless jake** » 8 years ago

So, as I'm lazily working on either my 3rd or 5th cold beer on this beautiful summer afternoon and thinking about the upcoming season, I'm asking myself who'll play Kris Dunn?

Will it be Jarvis, who has the quickness to play Dunn, but gives up size and strength?

Will it be Terrell, who's physically strong enough to play Dunn, but then might lead to a mismatch with Jarvis elsewhere on the floor?

Will we rotate guards on Dunn, keeping fresh legs on him all the time, maybe even using 6-5 Thompson in spots to wear him down? We are deep enough at guard to play him that way.

I wanna beat them so bad this year. Controlling and containing Dunn is the key to beating them. In previous years a rushed and frustrated Kris Dunn has been turnover prone.

Time for a fresh beer. Enjoy this summer day Ram fans.

Go Rhody!

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 8 years ago

Barring foul trouble it will be tough for anyone to stop Dunn this year. Let him get his points and shut down everyone else. They will be young and inexperienced at almost every other position on the floor, first game in RC for their entire team including Dunn I believe. Confident we take that one, by 5-7 points. But no doubt Dunn is going to have a monster season and is a matchup problem.

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 8 years ago

Dunn is a great player....it is a treat to watch him......we got some good ones too...

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 8 years ago

ramster wrote:Rhody's possible opponent in Cancun, Maryland, has a whopping 3 players in the Top 50:
#8 Melo Trimble
#34 Diamond Stone
#40 Jake Layman

Diamond Stone is a first team all-name candidate also.

Dre3000 · Unread post by **Dre3000** » 8 years ago

I may be crazy but I seriously think over the next two years we have a starting five that can pay with anyone in the country. It'll be critical to our success for our guys to foul les than last year. Do that and we dramatically improve the type of season we have.

theblueram · Unread post by **theblueram** » 8 years ago

Love the new banner!!!!!

Tom98 · Unread post by **Tom98** » 8 years ago

Yeah like the new banner as well

Tom98 · Unread post by **Tom98** » 8 years ago

I still want a true 5.....give us that and we can play with almost anyone

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 8 years ago

Tom98 wrote:I still want a true 5.....give us that and we can play with almost anyone

You're barking up the wrong tree…..

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 8 years ago

theblueram wrote:Love the new banner!!!!!

Direct your praise and thanks to Adam!

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 8 years ago

Great banner, thank you Adam!

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 8 years ago

I love the banner too. 4 great guys representing our school.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 8 years ago

Might be playing the #1 team in the Land….outside of the land.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... rly-top-25

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 8 years ago

theblueram wrote:Love the new banner!!!!!

Love the irony of EC with his head up and Martin shooting…..

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 8 years ago

URI an #11 seed in the play in game vs Georgia for the right to play #6 Georgetown.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 8 years ago

Just ridiculous in August.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 8 years ago

Thanks guys, glad you like the banner.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 8 years ago

way too early but 2 A-10 teams and us in a play-in game is about the worst possible scenario. on positive note, no sharing the stage with our friends to the north and Valpo, Old Dominion pegged as tourney teams.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 8 years ago

So a new top 25 poll and bracketology from ESPN today, I'm wondering if they're getting ready to announce some other things.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 8 years ago

RhowdyRam02 wrote:So a new top 25 poll and bracketology from ESPN today, I'm wondering if they're getting ready to announce some other things.

If you mean the lineup for their Tip_off event (which we assume has Valpo at URI), it is a good assumption. Their press release for the 2014 event was dated August 4th (see link below).

http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/08/espn-networks-showcase-19-games-seventh-annual-college-hoops-tip-marathon/

860_rhody · Unread post by **860_rhody** » 8 years ago

Lunardi had Rhody as a 10 seed awhile ago, before Iverson was eligible. Not really sure what caused him to change his mind.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 8 years ago

How about we play some games first and then worry about this shit?

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 8 years ago

Nice to see us in bracketology. Of course it is silly to make predictions this early on, but I still am interested to see them from a variety of viewpoints and really, for writers who cover college basketball, I amsure it's tough to fill off-season writing quotas without doing some sort of prediction. It's good to be able to read about college basketball besides just in the November-March window of the actual season.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 8 years ago

Any publicity is fine, but to start debating the merits
of brackets on August 5? Really?

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 8 years ago

Right, debating the merits or putting any actual stock in it is useless. Just fun to see our name in there either way.

kal-65 · Unread post by **kal-65** » 8 years ago

lunardi should know better,with 2 a-10 teams in the same bracket

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 8 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Any publicity is fine, but to start debating the merits
of brackets on August 5? Really?

Yeah, just ask Nebraska about how a season goes not according to plan….

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 8 years ago

Richmond (home to two A-10 teams) Times-Dispatch College Basketball Beat Reporter Predicted order of A-10

1 Dayton
2 Davidson
3 Rhode Island
4 GW
5 Richmond
6 VCU
7 St Joes
8 St Bonanventure
9 Duquense
10 UMass-Amherst
11 LaSalle
12 Fordham
13 George Mason
14 St Louis

Link:
http://www.richmond.com/sports/article_ ... d1b69.html

reckless jake · Unread post by **reckless jake** » 8 years ago

I know Shaka left for Texas, and they took some offseason roster hits, but if VCU finishes 6th in the A10 then this is going to be one very tough league this upcoming season.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 8 years ago

reckless jake wrote:I know Shaka left for Texas, and they took some offseason roster hits, but if VCU finishes 6th in the A10 then this is going to be one very tough league this upcoming season.

They won't. This was one of the most hilarious and trolliest preseason predictions I've ever seen.