PlayMikeMotenMore wrote:I agree with many on this board that it is a poor reflection on Hurley and his staff that they could/would not find a role for Berry on this year's team. I'm not saying his the second coming of Bill Russell or anything so let's not get carried away. But...
A coach only has a certain number of scholarships to hand out. If a kid is on scholarship and doesn't play, what good is the scholarship? He clearly had something to contribute to this year's Ram team. It's incumbent on a coach to put the players in a position where they can best utilize their skill set and succeed. It appears that the coaching staff was asleep at the wheel on Berry. That's very disappointing. If the kid did what he was supposed to do in practice, then you give him some chances in a game. If he takes advantage of those opportunities, then he earns more playing time. If not, then he gets less. But why did it take the absence of a player and late February for this kid to get an opportunity?
Again, I don't think Berry could've played 30+ minutes a night for 30 games this year. But he definitely had something to offer. Too bad it's too late to have significant impact this year.
Good questions PlayMike....................
It was not late February that Berry got his first opportunity. His first significant opportunity came @ Brown on December 30. He showed potential then and was instrumental in URI winning that game. Antonio Reynolds Dean was very proud of Berry's effort and showered him with praise in the post game show. One could ask why he hasn't played more since that game.
Could be that he is only a Soph in his first year in D1 and we have Iverson, Martin and Watson as Junior and Senior level players ahead of him. Also Akele has played well both offensively and defensively as a Freshman and we tend to play with a 3 guard lineup with Garrett, Terrell and McGlynn so only so many minutes to go around
As for the practice comment. We don't know what happens at practice. We could assume that Berry plays in practice like he played against Brown and against Dayton - but does he? I'd like to hope he does but it's doubtful that he plays everyday as he did against Dayton in which he was nothing short of spectacular. Dayton Coaches and Players were certainly not expecting that Berry on the court.
As for what good is the scholarship if the guy doesn't play. He was not highly recruited out of JC. URI looked at Berry, Quad Smith and others during the March - April time period to fill an open roster spot with a big man. This year DH and staff went after 3 big men early on and signed them back in November - Layssard, Langevine and Tertsea. He said he did not want recruiting taking up time during the season and take away from managing the team he went after the players he wanted last spring and summer and signed them all within 3 weeks of each other. DH did not want to again be looking later in April and May when most all recruiting is over.
So DH and staff basically took a chance on Berry, a kid who played at St Andrew's in Barrington RI. Who knows, maybe this helps URI create a St Andrew's connection too, can't hurt.
It normally takes big men longer to develop. Coaching staff is being watchful over the development and also they want to help build Berry's confidence.
Going forward.......
I'd bet even the URI Coaching staff was pleasantly surprised by Berry's performance in Dayton and I'd be surprised if his minutes don't increase significantly against UMASS, Fordham and in the A10 Tournament.
The Coaching staff may even be second guessing themselves about Berry, who knows, but it sure is a pleasant surprise
Just a week or two ago posters here were questioning having Berry on the Roster and some mentioned trying to get a JUCO to come in and take his roster spot. Some mentioned the need to have loyalty to Berry being only a Freshman and I mentioned the importance of building the St Andrews connection. Nobody mentioning anymore about Berry's roster spot.
I put together a comparison of Berry vs Quad Smith of PC. We offered Smith the same time we were looking at Berry
Both listed at 6'8" and 285 pounds
Numbers say to me our Coaching staff made the right choice.
Kudos to Daniel Marshall. Berry has lost between 40 and 50 pounds since he signed with URI in the Spring. Looking at Smith he still looks 285 and moves slower than Berry does today
Both are just Freshman so 3 more years to go but I'd take Berry over Smith based on 1st year performance but also on potential in the future 3 years.
Interesting read is to go back to the Berry and Quad Smith recruiting threads. Especially noteworthy is the write up by Ramsey regarding Berry.
Looking forward to Berry next 3 games (at least) and next year.
Berry vs Smith
Both recruited in later part of 2015 season - April to May timeframe
Both listed 6'8" and both listed 285 pounds
URI and PC both offered Quad Smith
Games played: Berry 13 - Smith 17
Minutes played: Berry 76 - Smith 91
Points: Berry 34 - Smith 32
FG Shooting: Berry 15-22 for 68% - Smith 10-18 for 56%
FT Shooting: Berry 4-6 for 67% - Smith 12-15 for 80%
Offensive Rebounding: Berry 11 - Smith 6
Total Rebounding: Berry 26 - Smith 18
Blocks: Berry 1 - Smith 1
Steals: Berry 0 - Smith 3
Turnovers: Berry 3 - Smith 5
