11/9 | #7 Maryland | 9:00PM (FS1)

[ace]

There is a better chance of Cox resigning before Friday’s game than Fatts moving to the bench. He played 40 minutes on Saturday. There is no possible way he doesn’t start. I won’t argue against the idea that Jeff should play with the ball in his hands a bit more but that can happen with Fatts on the floor.

100% true. The die is cast on Fatts/JD/CL minutes. Looking back on the discussion of signing Shepperd vis a vis roster management, the timing was sort of rough on the staff. They take him while CT and Silverio are still on the roster if I have that right. Makes a little more sense although I would guess the staff had a sense of how he felt. I would love to know why Silverio left. Was he just tired of Fatts playing 35 minutes and chucking up shots and knowing he would be behind that for a while? He was 33% from three as a frosh with a report as being a very good HS shooter. Team needs a shooter in the worst way. Not making the dance when you have an elite guard and big would be disappointing. Could be a really rough 20-'21.

Silverio’s transfer was announced on March 19th. Thompson was a certain grad transfer- developed as the season ended and was official when the credits were confirmed. Sheppard’s commitment was announced on March 30th.

[ramster]

There is a better chance of Cox resigning before Friday’s game than Fatts moving to the bench. He played 40 minutes on Saturday. There is no possible way he doesn’t start. I won’t argue against the idea that Jeff should play with the ball in his hands a bit more but that can happen with Fatts on the floor.

100% agree with you. Fatts will not come out of the starting line up - probably ever.
But Fatts was 1-8 shooting. He shot 22.5% on 3Ps last season. Pass the ball, stop with the incessant dribbling, involve your teammates or they will stand and watch you dribble - need a pass first mentality, not a self scoring mentality. Need to involve Langevine and Harris with passes inside. They shouldn’t get most of their points off of rebounds.
Jeff was one of the top 5 Assists to Turnover PGs in the Nation his first two years. He won the PG Spot his Freshman year and became the team leader on offense.

A year ago I argued Martin should start in place of Thompson. Got tons of pushback, but Cox eventually made the move. Still played Thompson too many minutes imho but at least Martin got in there.

Langevine, Harris, Toppin, Martin with Dowtin leading the offense. Fatts off the bench. I thought it before the 1st game this season. More convinced now after Maryland. Maybe things work out as they are but tough schedule looms ahead. I see the same play as I saw from the 18-15 team last year. Some players improved including Langevine, Martin, Harris. Toppin a bright spot. But the OOC schedule is tougher and the A10 is stronger.

[rambone 78]

Fatts has pictures on Cox...….why else would he constantly let Fatts ball hog and fire away when the rest of the team suffers from it?

It's not our best look...not our best chance to win games.

Is it because Fatts threatened to leave after Dan left and Cox sold his soul to keep him here?

It's NOT working, so why keep doing it?

[hrstrat57]

Fatts has pictures on Cox...….why else would he constantly let Fatts ball hog and fire away when the rest of the team suffers from it?

It's not our best look...not our best chance to win games.

Is it because Fatts threatened to leave after Dan left and Cox sold his soul to keep him here?

It's NOT working, so why keep doing it?

Bone seriously why don’t you start a Fatts Russell thread containing your complete thoughts on the player in the first post?

Fatts had his struggles last year for sure but I completely disagree with your opinion. Bashing Fatts is a hot take on these forums let’s have a thread to get after it.

[rambone 78]

Fatts shouldn't be playing the point that often and he's being overused.

Cox has to think by being out there 40 minutes he gives us the best chance to win.

Not when he's allowed to do whatever he wants and the team be damned.

He can't shoot. He makes a big 3 once in a while, but far more often is hurting his team not helping it.

Yes we don't have much to replace him, but geez at least rein him in or sit him more.

Maybe that's the only thing that will get through to him, because nothing else does.

Would Dan have tolerated this with this current lineup? Of course when Fatts was a frosh he didn't have to, he had much more guard help.

No need for a separate thread on him 57, everybody knows what's wrong.

I won't beat a dead horse any longer...nothing's going to change anyway.

[RhodyKyle]

Fatts has pictures on Cox...….why else would he constantly let Fatts ball hog and fire away when the rest of the team suffers from it?

It's not our best look...not our best chance to win games.

Is it because Fatts threatened to leave after Dan left and Cox sold his soul to keep him here?

It's NOT working, so why keep doing it?

Bone seriously why don’t you start a Fatts Russell thread containing your complete thoughts on the player in the first post?

Fatts had his struggles last year for sure but I completely disagree with your opinion. Bashing Fatts is a hot take on these forums let’s have a thread to get after it.

You don't become the all-time highest volume poster here by clearly and concisely listing all of your feelings into a single post. No, you have to embrace the repetition.

[rambone 78]

Yep and it's really not worth it, is it?

[section(105)]

......not starting a Fatts?.......that’s almost as nuts as someone calling for Jermaine coming off the bench......who was that?.......oh, right me......

[Tjrams91]

Fatts shouldn't be playing the point that often and he's being overused.

Cox has to think by being out there 40 minutes he gives us the best chance to win.

Not when he's allowed to do whatever he wants and the team be damned.

He can't shoot. He makes a big 3 once in a while, but far more often is hurting his team not helping it.

Yes we don't have much to replace him, but geez at least rein him in or sit him more.

Maybe that's the only thing that will get through to him, because nothing else does.

Would Dan have tolerated this with this current lineup? Of course when Fatts was a frosh he didn't have to, he had much more guard help.

No need for a separate thread on him 57, everybody knows what's wrong.

I won't beat a dead horse any longer...nothing's going to change anyway.

Fatts does give us the best chance to win. And lose. I personally believe, when Fatts is hot, the team is. When he’s not...well...

As crazy as this may sound, I think Fatts is one of, if not the most valuable piece to our entire offense. We he passes, shoots and plays defensive effectively, everyone seems to play better. My .02.

[adam914]

Fatts will be fine. Maryland was a bad matchup for him (and everyone else for that matter). He had 18 points, 7 assists and 0 turnovers against LIU. As with most things, the truth on Fatts probably comes down somewhere in the middle of those two performances in the end. He's always going to be streaky, but I don't see how benching him is going to help anything.

[TruePoint]

I will gladly live with Fatts’ inconsistency in return for the payoffs that he’s already shown he’s capable of providing. I didn’t think we had much of a chance to win the Maryland game, but if we had one it probably involved Fatts going for 30, so let the kid fire away. If he’s not on, we lose (as we saw), but we would have lost anyways if he spent the game just passively facilitating.

[ace]

The last two games I rewatched before the season started were the tournament game against Oklahoma and the PC game in 2017. Great reminders of how good he can be when he’s on, so it’s hard for me to be down on him at all. Get it, Fatts!

[rambone 78]

Good teams have several guys who are consistently good...not one out of every five games or so.

We have one...Cyril....maybe Martin will get there.....and Jeff is good more often than not.....anybody else?

[ramster]

Fatts will be fine. Maryland was a bad matchup for him (and everyone else for that matter). He had 18 points, 7 assists and 0 turnovers against LIU. As with most things, the truth on Fatts probably comes down somewhere in the middle of those two performances in the end. He's always going to be streaky, but I don't see how benching him is going to help anything.

It’s not benching him. It’s moving Jeff back to PG, running the team, leading the team.
Fatts off the bench. Toppin taking The starting time just like his brother Obi did at Dayton.

Langevine, Harris, DJ Johnson, Martin, Sheppard, All get plenty of questions and/or criticism thrown their way here, but Fatts is mostly untouchable, the guy nobody wants to comment on no matter how bad he plays. For some reason the Big Men at URI and the 11th, 12th and 13th guys on the bench get a lot of discussion - Tertsea, Layssard, now Johnson, Sheppard, etc. Russell is the worst shooting 3 point shooter in the nation last year, has relatively low assists per 40 minutes played and yet people still think his shooting will come around. I don’t get it.

I will say that while the vast majority of posters here have this Russell can do no wrong, is a star player and it’s ludicrous to think he might not start ——there are others at games who would agree with me and even more frustrated with the PG situation. I leave it at that.

Hope I’m proven wrong.

[ace]

There’s literally no one who thinks Fatts “can do no wrong.”

Also, they’re brothers, not clones. Saying Jacob should be given a role because Obi (after a prep year and a redshirt year) did it is interesting logic.

[rambone 78]

Fatts is who he is...and not likely to become a consistently good shooter at this point. A couple of good games here and there doesn't cut it when the majority of the time he stinks out the joint.

And I'll leave it at that too.

Ace, Toppin will be good, but he isn't as developed as his brother was last year.

Great flashes but will take some time.

[Tjrams91]

Fatts is who he is...and not likely to become a consistently good shooter at this point. A couple of good games here and there doesn't cut it when the majority of the time he stinks out the joint.

And I'll leave it at that too.

Ace, Toppin will be good, but he isn't as developed as his brother was last year.

Great flashes but will take some time.

I disagree with your “majority of the time” statement.

[TruePoint]

A10 Coaches and Media: Fatts Russell is an all-league caliber player

Galaxy Brained Rhody Fans: Fatts Russell stinks the majority of the time, should be moved to the bench, isn’t even a D1 player.

[ramster]

Fatts is who he is...and not likely to become a consistently good shooter at this point. A couple of good games here and there doesn't cut it when the majority of the time he stinks out the joint.

And I'll leave it at that too.

Ace, Toppin will be good, but he isn't as developed as his brother was last year.

Great flashes but will take some time.

I disagree with your “majority of the time” statement.

I don’t.

[ramster]

A10 Coaches and Media: Fatts Russell is an all-league caliber player

Galaxy Brained Rhody Fans: Fatts Russell stinks the majority of the time, should be moved to the bench, isn’t even a D1 player.

A10 Coaches and Media and 95% of KB Posters say he is All League

Worst 3P Shooter of 353 teams last year? Shhhhhh, don’t worry he’ll come out of it. Remember the St Joe game?

Bottom line is making the NCAA Tournament - Ultimate Report Card

And once again, 3rd time now saying this, I’m not saying bench him, but move Dowtin back to PG and leading the team. Fatts off the bench or go shooting guard. Jeff needs to run the offense. Need more passing, much less dribbling and one on one play

[NYGFan_Section208]

......I can remember the phrase not ready yet, being used for Tertsea, help me here, is “not ready yet” code for the player has not grasped the defense/offense concepts, schemes, and team play etc as to not be a liability on the court?

...we must have been at the same coaches show. I asked Hurls about Tertsea and that's exactly what he said.
Was also the first thing I thought of when I read "not ready yet" here. In that case, it meant, never gonna play.

[Rhody15]

I’ll never understand taking the ball out of the hands of a point guard who is a two time A10 champion and two time NCAA game winner...

Blows my mind how much Jeff is off the ball.

[TruePoint]

A10 Coaches and Media: Fatts Russell is an all-league caliber player

Galaxy Brained Rhody Fans: Fatts Russell stinks the majority of the time, should be moved to the bench, isn’t even a D1 player.

A10 Coaches and Media and 95% of KB Posters say he is All League

Worst 3P Shooter of 353 teams last year? Shhhhhh, don’t worry he’ll come out of it. Remember the St Joe game?

Bottom line is making the NCAA Tournament - Ultimate Report Card

And once again, 3rd time now saying this, I’m not saying bench him, but move Dowtin back to PG and leading the team. Fatts off the bench or go shooting guard. Jeff needs to run the offense. Need more passing, much less dribbling and one on one play

I don’t know if I think he’s an all-league player. I think the potential is there but he has to put a full season together. I do know that there is a lot of space between that and he stinks the majority of the time. When you have a guy that is confident and aggressive, you can get clunkers but you can also get 40+ on the road in an OT win during a stretch where you’re trying to save a season, or huge plays that make the difference between winning or losing a rivalry game or an NCAA tournament game. I think if you flatten it all out, the net result that is that he gives you way more than his occasional bad game or silly play cost you.

[ramster]

I’ll never understand taking the ball out of the hands of a point guard who is a two time A10 champion and two time NCAA game winner...

Blows my mind how much Jeff is off the ball.

I’ll never understand it either but what blows my mind even more is not ever going back to what worked so well in the first place.

Dowtin is a potential NBA Prospect, Hurley said so in his Freshman year that he had the potential and again during his Soph year.
Dowtin is the best passer in the A10 - no doubt in my mind. Langevine and Harris do not get the ball much at all other than via their own rebounding.

We are not maximizing Jeff’s talents imho.

[reef]

Fatts will be fine playing way more in control this year as opposed to last year

He did have a poor game against Maryland but that’s a top 10 team

[rambone 78]

I stand by my comments about Fatts…..he needs to be OFF the ball more.....we move so much better that way.

It's clear as day to most who watch the games.

And I didn't say he wasn't a D1 player or should be benched.....but play the 2, or sometimes come off the bench to provide a spark.

I guess people don't remember when Dowtin replaced Garrett at the point....and the offense became so much better overnight and we started to win games.

[Gonebarongone]

I stand by my comments about Fatts…..he needs to be OFF the ball more.....we move so much better that way.

It's clear as day to most who watch the games.

And I didn't say he wasn't a D1 player or should be benched.....but play the 2, or sometimes come off the bench to provide a spark.

I guess people don't remember when Dowtin replaced Garrett at the point....and the offense became so much better overnight and we started to win games.

It's a bad spot for the staff. Move a guy who might be the worst high volume shooter in D1 to an off guard position? Move him to the bench and who fills the, say, 15-20 minutes that are reduced? I think Dowtin is almost certainly better in a lead guard role but the duct tape for this year is coaching. Have someone on the staff splice together his worst 150 shots. Sit there with him and review every one and how he should have played it. If Fatts can stop shooting his four or five worst shots every game, it might turn into a manageable percentage.

[section(105)]

.......I would like to think coaching at this level would do something like that with every rotation player, teaching them through the hi and low aspects of their games within the team concepts.....I am sure it is, but the carry over to practice and game situations is the key for me........

[Rhode_Island_Red]

I've never understood why the best point guard in the league isn't playing point.

[Billyboy78]

I've never understood why the best point guard in the league isn't playing point.

Or why the 3rd or 4th best point guard in URI history (and there have been a lot of good ones) isn't playing point.

[SandorClegane]

You guys do realize we run a motion offense right? This means basically positionless basketball. Right, someone has to bring the ball up the court, but outside of that we don’t play offense with a true point guard at the top of the key. In order to do that, you need shooters or dominant post guys. Again which we don’t really have. Therefore, the focal point of the offense is Fatts, Martin or JD slashing into the paint. Thus, why the zone presents a problem.
They’ll figure out the zone as the season goes along, just like the end of last season. I’m not too worried.

[Rhode_Island_Red]

So we have one of our all-time best point guards and run a system that renders him meaningless?

[Tjrams91]

So we have one of our all-time best point guards and run a system that renders him meaningless?

I respectfully disagree with your take. JD is not one dimensional. You play to your personnel as a whole. JD running point is not condusive to the success of the team. Contrary to popular belief, he can still create opportunities when the ball touches his hands, which is does, every time down the floor. In a motion offense, it allows for the cerebral guards to find the weak spot in the defense.

[section(105)]

.......all this gives me additional insight.......and what not ready means......

[hrstrat57]

You guys do realize we run a motion offense right? This means basically positionless basketball. Right, someone has to bring the ball up the court, but outside of that we don’t play offense with a true point guard at the top of the key. In order to do that, you need shooters or dominant post guys. Again which we don’t really have. Therefore, the focal point of the offense is Fatts, Martin or JD slashing into the paint. Thus, why the zone presents a problem.
They’ll figure out the zone as the season goes along, just like the end of last season. I’m not too worried.

We went from dribble drive to primarily high post offense.

Either way you are correct the point guard talk is ridiculous

Guards attack in tandem. Both Dowtin and Russell have very different but elite skill sets.

They will be fine and are a good pairing. Russell needs to be better recognizing help defense coming at him and dish the ball off. Maryland’s help after Russell beat the first man was outstanding. He did not recognize the help.

It’s there on the game film and it’s doubtful we will see anything close to Maryland level talent the rest of the regular season. VCU is close but we know them like a well read book.

[Rhodymob05]

High low!

[RhodyFanNotAlum]

Fatts is who he is...and not likely to become a consistently good shooter at this point. A couple of good games here and there doesn't cut it when the majority of the time he stinks out the joint.

And I'll leave it at that too.

Ace, Toppin will be good, but he isn't as developed as his brother was last year.

Great flashes but will take some time.

I disagree with your “majority of the time” statement.

I don’t.

I don't either.

[RhodyFanNotAlum]

You guys do realize we run a motion offense right? This means basically positionless basketball. Right, someone has to bring the ball up the court, but outside of that we don’t play offense with a true point guard at the top of the key. In order to do that, you need shooters or dominant post guys. Again which we don’t really have. Therefore, the focal point of the offense is Fatts, Martin or JD slashing into the paint. Thus, why the zone presents a problem.
They’ll figure out the zone as the season goes along, just like the end of last season. I’m not too worried.

This is not a team that graduated five seniors. There is no reason the team should have to "figure out the zone as the season goes along" a second year in a row. They should be able to build on the lessons they learned last season. I understand there are some new faces and that changes the chemistry, but if they don't show progress more quickly than they did last year, I don't know how you don't at least start to experiment with other options.

[luke]

To me it didn't look like URI had any trouble figuring out the zone . They have been able to move the ball to the foul line against the 2-3 zone in the first two games including the exhibition and to the corners and wings against the 1-3-1 just fine . They have had plenty of uncontested threes
and mid range jumpers and even layups . The main problem has been not being able to put the open shots in the basket even in the paint.
The team definitely has recognized what to do , they just were not able to connect on the shots with any consistency . Hopefully, that will change beginning Friday . I would like to see a timeout taken in the second half when the team forces up two or three bad shots in a row instead of waiting for four or five straight misses . a series of forced shots indicates to me that the players are physically or at least mentally drained and need a breather . when it is allowed to continue , I believe frustration builds and adds to the pressure the players feel and it results in a long scoring drought . I think we
saw that happen against Maryland . Agree, disagree ?

[reef]

Yeah I am not too worried about who is the point guard

Just because Fatts brings the ball up doesn’t mean that JD is not touching it enough

More important is getting good solid shots and knocking them down

[section(105)]

.......agree to large degree, the ball does seem to me to get a bit sticky at times against the zone with lack of players flashing to open space in the zone, from the weak side.....and yes, decent shooting cures many ills......like to see Harris face up, catch and shoot from paint.....not Harris deep threes thou.....

[CTRamfan]

Fatts is who he is...and not likely to become a consistently good shooter at this point. A couple of good games here and there doesn't cut it when the majority of the time he stinks out the joint.

And I'll leave it at that too.

Ace, Toppin will be good, but he isn't as developed as his brother was last year.

Great flashes but will take some time.

Interesting to look back at posts we make.....................Maybe you can take credit for his great play, recently.

[steviep123]

Fatts is who he is...and not likely to become a consistently good shooter at this point. A couple of good games here and there doesn't cut it when the majority of the time he stinks out the joint.

And I'll leave it at that too.

Ace, Toppin will be good, but he isn't as developed as his brother was last year.

Great flashes but will take some time.

Interesting to look back at posts we make.....................Maybe you can take credit for his great play, recently.

This post didn't age well, and I'm sure Rambone 78 is more than happy to be wrong about this and continue to be. I know I would be.

[TruePoint]

Fatts is who he is...and not likely to become a consistently good shooter at this point. A couple of good games here and there doesn't cut it when the majority of the time he stinks out the joint.

And I'll leave it at that too.

Ace, Toppin will be good, but he isn't as developed as his brother was last year.

Great flashes but will take some time.

Interesting to look back at posts we make.....................Maybe you can take credit for his great play, recently.

This post didn't age well, and I'm sure Rambone 78 is more than happy to be wrong about this and continue to be. I know I would be.

This one did a little better:

A10 Coaches and Media: Fatts Russell is an all-league caliber player

Galaxy Brained Rhody Fans: Fatts Russell stinks the majority of the time, should be moved to the bench, isn’t even a D1 player.

[hrstrat57]

I’ve actually thought a bit about this quite a bit. I’ve never really wavered on Russell’s talent ( tho some of his play last year drove me nuts) because I’ve always felt speed - especially speed with the ball is the greatest basketball skill you can possess. Sadly, I never possessed it which makes me appreciate it even more.

It’s come to be my suspicion that folks who haven’t sat at the court level like I have perhaps can’t see how fast he really is. Certainly it’s hard to see clearly on TV or from the 300 level. So I’ve come to accept that some posters who were ready to show Fatts the door (one even said he was a D2 player) don’t actually go to games or certainly don’t have the opportunity to sit near floor level.

As I came to this realization I’ve decided to cut the haters a bit of slack.

I’ve been watching D1 hoops for many, many years and he is perhaps the fastest player with the ball I have ever seen.

[reef]

Fatts really has taken the leap this year

Playing so much more in control and the results have been amazing

[theblueram]

I’ve actually thought a bit about this quite a bit. I’ve never really wavered on Russell’s talent ( tho some of his play last year drove me nuts) because I’ve always felt speed - especially speed with the ball is the greatest basketball skill you can possess. Sadly, I never possessed it which makes me appreciate it even more.

It’s come to be my suspicion that folks who haven’t sat at the court level like I have perhaps can’t see how fast he really is. Certainly it’s hard to see clearly on TV or from the 300 level. So I’ve come to accept that some posters who were ready to show Fatts the door (one even said he was a D2 player) don’t actually go to games or certainly don’t have the opportunity to sit near floor level.

As I came to this realization I’ve decided to cut the haters a bit of slack.

I’ve been watching D1 hoops for many, many years and he is perhaps the fastest player with the ball I have ever seen.

I think the biggest issue was him jacking threes and missing. Now he has a new focus and it works.

[ramster]

I’ve actually thought a bit about this quite a bit. I’ve never really wavered on Russell’s talent ( tho some of his play last year drove me nuts) because I’ve always felt speed - especially speed with the ball is the greatest basketball skill you can possess. Sadly, I never possessed it which makes me appreciate it even more.

It’s come to be my suspicion that folks who haven’t sat at the court level like I have perhaps can’t see how fast he really is. Certainly it’s hard to see clearly on TV or from the 300 level. So I’ve come to accept that some posters who were ready to show Fatts the door (one even said he was a D2 player) don’t actually go to games or certainly don’t have the opportunity to sit near floor level.

As I came to this realization I’ve decided to cut the haters a bit of slack.
I’ve been watching D1 hoops for many, many years and he is perhaps the fastest player with the ball I have ever seen.

This “Fatts is a D2 Player” is brought up frequently but never attributed to anyone so I spent some time trying to find out who said it and I did. The statement was from Not Mike Powell. He even got sent to KB Jail. Wonder if he shared the same cell as DC? To be honest the majority of posters were down on Fatts I noticed when I ventured back to find this. Most all posters were upset with Fatts. NMP just went a bit farther than most. And in his defense he said “probably a D2 caliber player”.

So I think it’s a bit unfair to target Rambone for a post that didn’t age well. I certainly had my concerns as did the majority here. Fact is Fatts has come a long way from a year ago. Credit to him and credit to our a Coaching Staff.

Fatts is bad. Probably a DII Calaber Player. I just don't think he can compete with his size and skill level. He's played well in 3/36 games he's played in his college career. I just don't think this guy is a long term fit here. Sorrey.

I swear, some of you just take things too far.

I don’t know if this guy is drunk or not (the second grade spelling fails seem to indicate that’s a possibility), but there is no way this is a sincere take, and blatant trolling gets you sent to the KB drunk tank. See you next week, NMP.

[DC_Rams]

I’m glad you’ve got me on record NOT siding with that blasphemy.

[ramster]

I’m glad you’ve got me on record NOT siding with that blasphemy.

Ha ha. You were on the positive side as normal.