Game 9: Houston at the Ryan Center 12/8 7pm on OSN

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

Four is a situational/role player being expected to do more given ECs injury. But he played at Vermont and Towson for a reason. As a specialist shooter he is lethal, other facets of his game are exposed in a 30-35mpg role. That said, I agree with SG and dont see a sweeping move like that to happen overnight...either it will be earned over time or CT will take minutes from the entire back court (Jared, Jarvis, Four) based on game flow.

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

He also started a transfer from Day 1. Have no problem with how Hurley gives out minutes, he sees a lot more of these guys than we do.

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

SGreenwell wrote:
section(105) wrote:I was down on CT early on......I see him now as being brought along by the coaching staff into another option, with gaining confidence off the bench....Minutes will increase from here......he seems kinda steely like with little outward emotion......I like that.....or have I missed something?....you tell me..... Unless I missed something else, Coach doesn't change the starting line up like I change.....socks....
He was fine with making the switch to Garrett midseason last year, and didn't Powell play his way out of minutes the year before? I might be mistaken on that though. I think Hurley's willing to make a starting lineup switch, but it's typically not based on a couple hot games.

Garrett took over for Minnis, Matthews took over for Reischel

The year before, it went from Powell to Minnis to Buchanan.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 8 years ago

Agreed, I was calling JG to start way before Coach made the switch..... I was an early adopter of JG getting the keys....I think CT may play his way into the starting line up, or increased minutes, rather than Four playing his way out....

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

I think that's easy for a fan to say, but you could be throwing away games with on-the-job training...I dont think Dan has been willing to do that last year or this season when he is playing for March.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 8 years ago

Regardless, nice to have an emerging CT as an go to option that produces points to take up some of the EC points....

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

bigappleram wrote:I think that's easy for a fan to say, but you could be throwing away games with on-the-job training...I dont think Dan has been willing to do that last year or this season when he is playing for March.

He's trying to find a balance in these OOC games, as a direct result of EC's injury. In the long run, they need at least a 7 man rotation, which includes Thompson, even if they give away a little on the way to getting there. He's fighting himself a little with making that happen, but it Thompson plays like he did in the PC game, it gets easier.

Terrell's the only freshmen to start from his first game on, but the guys who have earned it (Matthews, Martin, Garrett) all eventually started as freshmen. Every year, the hope is that the freshmen won't have to be relied on heavily from the start and then life happens.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 8 years ago

Nice to discuss hoops....again.....

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 8 years ago

TruePoint wrote:I don't know that you can start Thompson based on one game (or two games), but also keep in mind that the plan for Four originally was for him to come off the bench and give the second unit a way to score and probably play down the stretch when we were protecting a lead. If Thompson shows that he will be who he was against PC every night, it might make sense to move Four back to that role. That is a big "if," though. Freshmen are typically pretty inconsistent. I do agree with BlueMan that our best lineup might be JG, JT, KI, HM and Big Earl. I love that lineup, but then again I am an unapologetic Earl lover and it seems pretty obvious at this point that isn't something Coach Hurley and I have in common.

Sign me up for that club, too!

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 8 years ago

860_rhody wrote:Four seems to be really good against low-major teams, and seems to struggle against high-major teams. He has a really slow release and teams that are good at closing out (usually HM teams) tend to shut him down. I say start Four against low-major teams, and CT against HM teams to create a low-major/high-major platoon, sort of like a righty/lefty platoon in baseball. Plus he isnt as good on D as CT.

Nice take...and Happy Birthday, Larry!

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 8 years ago

Four might have trouble with Houston's speed as he did in the PC game.

I see CT playing close to 20 minutes tomorrow night.....maybe more

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

TruePoint wrote:I don't know that you can start Thompson based on one game (or two games), but also keep in mind that the plan for Four originally was for him to come off the bench and give the second unit a way to score and probably play down the stretch when we were protecting a lead. If Thompson shows that he will be who he was against PC every night, it might make sense to move Four back to that role. That is a big "if," though. Freshmen are typically pretty inconsistent. I do agree with BlueMan that our best lineup might be JG, JT, KI, HM and Big Earl. I love that lineup, but then again I am an unapologetic Earl lover and it seems pretty obvious at this point that isn't something Coach Hurley and I have in common.

He loves Earl... but only in certain match-ups. You love him unconditionally. It would make sense that when he's played situationally, he's going to look better than if you throw him out there all the time. The argument against that, of course, is but how do we know? The staff thinks they have enough data, but Watson is certainly going to get his chances.

I don't see the sense in mixing up the line-up game by game. Varying minutes based on opposition, yes.

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

ace wrote:
TruePoint wrote:I don't know that you can start Thompson based on one game (or two games), but also keep in mind that the plan for Four originally was for him to come off the bench and give the second unit a way to score and probably play down the stretch when we were protecting a lead. If Thompson shows that he will be who he was against PC every night, it might make sense to move Four back to that role. That is a big "if," though. Freshmen are typically pretty inconsistent. I do agree with BlueMan that our best lineup might be JG, JT, KI, HM and Big Earl. I love that lineup, but then again I am an unapologetic Earl lover and it seems pretty obvious at this point that isn't something Coach Hurley and I have in common.
He loves Earl... but only in certain match-ups. You love him unconditionally. It would make sense that when he's played situationally, he's going to look better than if you throw him out there all the time. The argument against that, of course, is but how do we know? The staff thinks they have enough data, but Watson is certainly going to get his chances.

I don't'the seen any sense in mixing up the line-up game by game. Varying minutes based on opposition, yes.

I say that mostly in jest, although sometimes I do wish we would see Earl more. I am not advocating for inserting Earl into the starting lineup, I just would like to see that group on the floor together for some minutes every game.

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

rodfromcranston wrote:It's 7:00 on a Tuesday night.
What's so difficult for the average fan, who lives
south of Providence, to get to a game?

Who is the average fan? What is the demographic? Socio-economic status? Let's see...

Perhaps, he's a middle class married guy...carpenter, banker, sales, office worker, etc. Maybe he works in Cranston but lives in Westerly or Wickford. So he's done at 5 or 5:30pm, if he has some extra work to do this time of year. So he gets home at 6-6:30pm depending on traffic. Gotta eat dinner, right? Well he's married too and he's got 2 kids. One boy (let's say 12-years old) has basketball practice and needs to be picked up at 7pm. The other kid, a daughter, has play practice until 8pm at the high school. Gotta feed the kids, boy needs a shower, and the boy struggles in school so he'll need some help with his homework.

I would say getting to a weeknight game against a Houston team that nobody knows about isn't as easy for the average fan as you'd think.

If you're talking a weekend game, a game over winter break, a weeknight game against a BC/Dayton/GW that has some "draw" to it, then you have an easier opportunity/reason to go.

Just my 2 cents.

The Dude · Unread post by **The Dude** » 8 years ago

I'm excited for this Houston game. I'm excited to see how Rhody comes out and performs after the loss to PC. I want to see if they bring the fire and the pain or look like their cold and in the rain. If Rhody bring's their A-game they can contend with anyone. I'm pretty sure this game defines the kind of team they will end up being.

In my opinion, they need to suck up the defeat, move on, and come out guns blazing to prove a point and send a message to the college basketball world that they are still contenders for the tournament.

They need to show up and say "I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubble gum."

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 8 years ago

He hasn't taken many, but CT seems to be a pretty good free throw shooter.
I hope he can earn a starting spot. I like Four better off the bench.
Earl seems to bring life to the team when he comes in. Maybe with him and Martin starting sometimes, we can start out stronger.
Just a few random thoughts.

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 8 years ago

PlayMikeMotenMore wrote:
rodfromcranston wrote:It's 7:00 on a Tuesday night.
What's so difficult for the average fan, who lives
south of Providence, to get to a game?
Who is the average fan? What is the demographic? Socio-economic status? Let's see...

Perhaps, he's a middle class married guy...carpenter, banker, sales, office worker, etc. Maybe he works in Cranston but lives in Westerly or Wickford. So he's done at 5 or 5:30pm, if he has some extra work to do this time of year. So he gets home at 6-6:30pm depending on traffic. Gotta eat dinner, right? Well he's married too and he's got 2 kids. One boy (let's say 12-years old) has basketball practice and needs to be picked up at 7pm. The other kid, a daughter, has play practice until 8pm at the high school. Gotta feed the kids, boy needs a shower, and the boy struggles in school so he'll need some help with his homework.

I would say getting to a weeknight game against a Houston team that nobody knows about isn't as easy for the average fan as you'd think.

If you're talking a weekend game, a game over winter break, a weeknight game against a BC/Dayton/GW that has some "draw" to it, then you have an easier opportunity/reason to go.

Just my 2 cents.

Then, there's also the 18-19-20 y/o that lives within walking distance to the Ry and is out of class by 4...or, the guy who lives around the corner and works from home with a flexible schedule, who's biggest frustration is in how long it takes to get served at the Rhody Pub..."Average" covers a pretty broad spectrum... Really, though, it's about the team...if they are ranked (or have a 'draw' match up like this poster mentions)...people can find a way. I think they should draw even when that isn't the case...but, the only surefire draw is...get ranked, they will come. That starts with a blowout of Houston and a convincing W in Cornhusker territory...

Go Rhody!

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

I love Earl. More Earl.

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

On this offensively challenged team, I want Iverson
starting and getting max minutes.
I like Watson for situational play, like if the other team
is killing us on the boards.
We killed PC off the boards, so Watson's time wasn't
that important.
I do think Watson's mobility and play have improved greatly this season.

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

rodfromcranston wrote:On this offensively challenged team, I want Iverson
starting and getting max minutes.
I like Watson for situational play, like if the other team
is killing us on the boards.
We killed PC off the boards, so Watson's time wasn't
that important.
I do think Watson's mobility and play have improved greatly this season.

I agree with you, and so far, it's showing up in probably the most important stat for Watson's playing time - fouls per 40 minutes. Last year, that number was 7.2. This year, it's 5.4 - still not great, but for him, it's the difference between spot duty and being part of the regular rotation. He's done it with only a slight decrease in blocks and rebounds, and a nice increase in points, so there's also good statistical evidence for him having better conditioning, beyond the scouting / eye test.

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

rodfromcranston wrote:On this offensively challenged team, I want Iverson
starting and getting max minutes.
I like Watson for situational play, like if the other team
is killing us on the boards.
We killed PC off the boards, so Watson's time wasn't
that important.
I do think Watson's mobility and play have improved greatly this season.

We killed them on the boards, but they scored a ton of points in the paint. Idk, Hassan is a great defender, but more in help situations it seems like. In stopping a bull like Bentil on the block, maybe Watson could have done better. I'm not a coach so I'll usually defer to those that are, I just thought maybe more than 10 minutes might have been warranted. We had a chance to win the game, so hard to really criticize too much.

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

Either way I think Four will get significant minutes throughout the year just because he can run the point well enough shoot as well as anyone, as he keeps the defense worried about him. Christion gave us so much more than we thought he could in one week, keeps that up he will be starting and be on the All-Atlantic 10 rookie team by years end. We might see a sudden surge out of Akele soon as well.
I'm just gonna predict Akele scores at least 10 Tuesday against Houston... Lookin for some nostradamus points.

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 8 years ago

Four may only be effective vs. the weaker teams on the schedule. If PC game is any indicator.
He really laid an egg.
The excuses re. attendance are brutal. Everyone has domestic concerns. Grab Y chromosome and get to RC!

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

I don't want to sit Iverson for Earl. I want Iverson to continue to grow and move to the 3. Earl/Iverson/Martin.

I don't think it would absolutely work but I like Earl. I am a fan of Earl. More so than a Four. I would sit Four for Earl.

BUT you run the risk of bad spacing + not enough shooting or ball handling. I think Four is good but he is what he is.

Nothing is perfect for this team at this point. Plus Hassan is usually in foul trouble so Earl plays that way.

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

Earl/KI/Hassan frontcourt might be nice for a couple minutes/game, but never more than that for logistical reasons as much as basketball ones. As SPG noted above, there's no spacing and poor(er) shooting from that lineup as you have three players who do their best work in and around the lane. The logistical side of things is that more often than not, at least one member of our frontcourt trio is in foul trouble each game. Hassan playing 30 mins, Kuran playing 30 mins, and Earl spelling each of them for 8-10 minutes for a total of 16-20 minutes is a better method than playing all three at once for an extended period of time.

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

Houston's leading scorer is Pollard, who is 6'8". He averages 17.2 points and 7.2 rebounds. The post game guys the other night said the top 3 scores are all small. I guess not.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 8 years ago

We will have our hands full with Pollard.

We certainly did with Bentil. Our defense just couldn't contain him.

Those are the kind of guys that we don't have yet. Yes, Hassan's a warrior, but he simply isn't big enough to deal with those types of players, plus Hassan's really not a scorer. Neither is Earl.

That just might be this team's biggest weakness, even without EC. With Thompson's development, and JT and JG playing better, the points we lost with EC going out, have largely been replaced.

At least in the A10 we won't face many really good big men. Of course, Pollard's numbers have come at the expense of the lesser talents he's faced, Hassan and Earl should pose more of a challenge for him.

If we play with anywhere near the intensity we showed the other night, we should win this game. Maybe not by a lot, but make our FT's, and it's a W.

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

Pollard was ranked #28 in ESPN class of 2012 just behind Dunn. Ricky Ledo was also In that class.
Pollard went to Alabama then transferred to Houston.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/baske ... ta-pollard

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

American Conference has 3 teams in the top 30:
SMU, Cinncinnati and Connecticut
Houston and SMU are undefeated in the American
Houston represents a solid conference and maybe later in the season we look back and say Houston was the best or second best OOC Team to play at the Ryan this year, time will tell

But regardless Houston is an intriguing team to go watch tonight.

I'm looking forward to it.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 8 years ago

Looking forward to see how the team responds after the last gme....get Four into a rhythm, hit an early three, continued growth of CT, get some increased minutes for Earl......hope there are some fannies in the seats......more than the HC game.....

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 8 years ago

I think 5,000 for tonight game....give or take a few.....not great, but OK considering Saturday's result.

If we had won, I would have said 6,000.

Such is the nature of URI fandom.

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

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

I think that people are overhyping CT's performance. He made three 3 pointers on a night that Four was stone cold, which normally doesn't happen. Hurley will need to see CT play great for several more games before he earns himself a spot in the starting lineup.

CT really stepped up with his scoring, of turnovers, and defense on Dunn but I think he needs a couple more solid games like that before starting.

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

Oh that Pollard. I remember him at Bama. And he was considered a big deal.

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

Excited to see how the team comes back tonight. Hoping they are able to play with some energy regardless of the crowd. I get how/why thats an important aspect of it, but it really shouldn't need to be the only reason our guys can get up for an important game.

BornNBred33 · Unread post by **BornNBred33** » 8 years ago

Joe wrote:I think that people are overhyping CT's performance. He made three 3 pointers on a night that Four was stone cold, which normally doesn't happen. Hurley will need to see CT play great for several more games before he earns himself a spot in the starting lineup.

CT really stepped up with his scoring, of turnovers, and defense on Dunn but I think he needs a couple more solid games like that before starting.

Joe, you are underhyping his performance. He has stunk pretty much every game and he comes in during the biggest game of the year and looked very solid. Love CT and cant wait to see him improve as the year goes on.

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

Actually, Houston's top scorer has been Rob gray JR., not Pollard. Gray is averaging 18.4 p/g.
He is a 6-2 guard. Houston has not played any good teams yet. They have run up big point
totals against weaker teams. URI is a 7 to 71/2 point favorite . Houston has shot well, but they
have played teams on the level of Cleveland State and Rider. They have not played a Maryland or
PC or even a Valparaiso. Looking for a 10-12 point win.

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

Yea, CT is a freshman and right on schedule with Dan's past freshman. CT shows up when the month turns to December.

Kid can shoot it and I don't think that will ever change. Look at his arms and the stroke. ITS LEGIT. Now it will be ups and downs. What is his ceiling overall and year to year. Who knows. He doesn't have to start yet obviously. Just play him if he's hot.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 8 years ago

We need him to become really good really fast, if we're going to go anywhere.

Four can shoot it, but not a whole lot else.

CT has more overall game, and a much higher upside.

Good for us.

Remember how he was lost on D not too long ago? And now he was able to slow down Dunn?

Now that's something to build on.

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

BornNBred33 wrote:
Joe wrote:I think that people are overhyping CT's performance. He made three 3 pointers on a night that Four was stone cold, which normally doesn't happen. Hurley will need to see CT play great for several more games before he earns himself a spot in the starting lineup.

CT really stepped up with his scoring, of turnovers, and defense on Dunn but I think he needs a couple more solid games like that before starting.
Joe, you are underhyping his performance. He has stunk pretty much every game and he comes in during the biggest game of the year and looked very solid. Love CT and cant wait to see him improve as the year goes on.

Like I said he really stepped up that game, but he will need to prove (and I know he will) that he can play that good consistently before Dan gives him a starting spot.

steveystuds06 · Unread post by **steveystuds06** » 8 years ago

I think it's unfair to say Four can only play well against low-major teams. I think he just had an off shooting night. He still created some open shots for himself they just didn't fall. Don't underestimate how important he is just being on the floor, he needs a man on him at all times. I love CT coming off the bench and giving us a spark I think he's perfect there for now.

URI96 · Unread post by **URI96** » 8 years ago

steveystuds06 wrote:I think it's unfair to say Four can only play well against low-major teams. I think he just had an off shooting night. He still created some open shots for himself they just didn't fall. Don't underestimate how important he is just being on the floor, he needs a man on him at all times. I love CT coming off the bench and giving us a spark I think he's perfect there for now.

Great point. Most of his shots were not forced they were great looks which he usually makes. To me this is just a one off shooting night magnified by the opponent.

15 Year Lurker · Unread post by **15 Year Lurker** » 8 years ago

Exactly. Pretty big overreaction with Four. I think PC focused on shutting him down (because he is our best player) and probably helped open up things for a lot of the other guys who played great (JT, Jarvis, and CT). Christion is in a great role off the bench where he can supply good defense and energy. four is a shooter who should be running around and in rythem from the start. It's not necessary to start CT at this point. Last year it was very clear Jarvis offered a lot more than biggie in every category. There's no way u lose fours senior leadership out there either. This is like one of those Jordan hare conversations.

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

15 Year Lurker wrote:Exactly. Pretty big overreaction with Four. I think PC focused on shutting him down (because he is our best player) and probably helped open up things for a lot of the other guys who played great (JT, Jarvis, and CT). Christion is in a great role off the bench where he can supply good defense and energy. four is a shooter who should be running around and in rythem from the start. It's not necessary to start CT at this point. Last year it was very clear Jarvis offered a lot more than biggie in every category. There's no way u lose fours senior leadership out there either. This is like one of those Jordan hare conversations.

No. I like Four, but he is not our best player. He is our best shooter, but that is a different thing.

15 Year Lurker · Unread post by **15 Year Lurker** » 8 years ago

If if u say four can shoot it "but not much else" you're either not watching what he is doing out there or you are holding his excellent shooting against him. I've been very impressed by how smart he seems to play out there along with good defense, being in the right place, running the point, etc. you're not watching the games if you think that.

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

Are you talking to me? I definitely never said he can shoot it but not much else. I think Four has a tremendous basketball IQ, and despite his poor shooting against PC I actually commented to people that he didn't kill us because he played such a good floor game. The last thing I am trying to do is insult Four, but he just is not our best player.

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

GoRhody game release:
http://gorhody.com/sports/m-baskbl/2015 ... 1207mfiu77

GameNotes in PDF:
http://static.psbin.com/9/i/qbzxbtmycc6 ... ouston.pdf

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 8 years ago

SGreenwell wrote:
section(105) wrote:I was down on CT early on......I see him now as being brought along by the coaching staff into another option, with gaining confidence off the bench....Minutes will increase from here......he seems kinda steely like with little outward emotion......I like that.....or have I missed something?....you tell me..... Unless I missed something else, Coach doesn't change the starting line up like I change.....socks....
He was fine with making the switch to Garrett midseason last year, and didn't Powell play his way out of minutes the year before? I might be mistaken on that though. I think Hurley's willing to make a starting lineup switch, but it's typically not based on a couple hot games.

The only freshman to start from game one in a season under Hurley was Terrell. EC, Martin and Garrett worked their way into the starting lineup. So we'll see with Thompson.

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 8 years ago

15 Year Lurker wrote:If if u say four can shoot it "but not much else" you're either not watching what he is doing out there or you are holding his excellent shooting against him. I've been very impressed by how smart he seems to play out there along with good defense, being in the right place, running the point, etc. you're not watching the games if you think that.

Has a high IQ, handles the ball well but does not play great defense because the guy he's covering is almost always more athletic.

NYGFan_Section208 · Unread post by **NYGFan_Section208** » 8 years ago

rambone 78 wrote:We need him to become really good really fast, if we're going to go anywhere.

Four can shoot it, but not a whole lot else.

CT has more overall game, and a much higher upside.

Good for us.

Remember how he was lost on D not too long ago? And now he was able to slow down Dunn?

Now that's something to build on.

Could not agree more. There will be few that shut down Dunn, and...when I first saw CT on him, I was not at all optimistic. Turns out he did a very adequate job. Cheers!