Rhode Island 2010 NIT Tournament Preview

Rhode Island Rams - Atlantic 10 Conference (23-9, 9-7)

Seed: #2 - Virginia Tech Bracket

Big Wins: 12/10 Northeastern (79-76), 1/2 vs Oklahoma State (63-59), 1/26 at Dayton (65-64)

Bad Losses: 2/17 at St. Louis (57-62), 2/27 at St. Bonaventure (74-81), 3/6 at Massachusetts (67-69)

Coach: Jim Baron

Probable Rhode Island Starters:

• Marquis Jones, Junior, Guard, 5.8 ppg, 4.1 apg

• Keith Cothran, Senior, Guard, 14.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 spg

• Delroy James, Junior, Forward, 12.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg

• Lamonte Ulmer, Senior, Forward, 11.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg

• Will Martell, Junior, Center, 7.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg

Key Rhode Island Roleplayers:

• Stevie Mejia, Sophomore, Guard, 3.6 ppg, 3.7 apg

• Orion Outerbridge, Sophomore, Forward, 6.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg

• Akeem Richmond, Freshman, Guard, 8.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg

Why The Rams Can Surprise:
Coach Jim Baron likes to run and he has enough players to do it yet again this season. However, the offense has not been as effective without a three-point shooter like the departed Jimmy Baron. Still the Rams have three capable shooters in Keith Cothran, Akeem Richmond and Delroy James.

Cothran is the star of this team and averages 14.6 points per game. Not only can he knock down the long ball, but he does a great job using his 6-4 frame to get to the basket. When the game is on the line, the Rams want the ball in Cothran’s capable hands. Richmond has been a pleasant surprise during his freshman campaign. He is not very aggressive at this point in his career, but he will provide a nice spark off the bench with his prolific long range shooting ability. James is not the most consistent outside shooter on the team, but the 6-8 forward can score around the basket as well.

Why The Rams Can Disappoint:
Despite having a 6-8 forward in James playing on the wing, the Rams are not a great rebounding team. They are not even a good rebounding team. That can happen to teams that like to run, but it should not on a team that has 6-6 Lamonte Ulmer and 7-0 Will Martell in the starting lineup and 6-9 Orion Outerbridge waiting on the bench. Ulmer has had a good year and is averaging 11.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. Yet, he needs help from the rest of the forwards if the Rams want to get some extra possessions on the glass.

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Who To Watch for Rhode Island:
Marquis Jones has never been much of a scorer, but he is the player that holds this team together. It is Jones’ job to push the tempo and keep the turnovers down. And that is exactly what he does and he commits just 1.6 turnovers per contest, which is very impressive for a team that scores over 77 points per game. Jones is even starting to develop a decent jump shot and that makes him even more dangerous. He is at least a threat to hit the long ball and that makes the opposition more likely to defend him out on the perimeter. If his shot is falling Jones will use his quickness to get past his defender and create an easy opportunity for one of his teammates.

Rhode Island By the Numbers:

Scoring Offense: 77.1 (33rd in nation, 2nd in conference)

Scoring Defense: 71.1 (236, 8)

Field-Goal Percentage: 45.2 (85, 3)

Field-Goal Defense: 47.2 (321, 14)

Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.4 (147, 6)

Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.0 (208, 7)

Free-Throw Percentage: 70.7 (112, 4)

Rebound Margin:-1.3 (236, 9)

Assists Per Game: 15.2 (37, 1)

Turnovers Per Game: 11.4 (24, 2)

Joel’s Bracket Says: First Round loss to Northwestern