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Rhode Island Rams
Rhode Island Rams
Published by Whacker
11-10-2010
Post Rhode Island Rams

Cincinnati (OH) – Rhode Island Rams

OVERVIEW
Jim Baron seems to have Rhode Island continually on the cusp of great things, only to watch things slip away at the end of the season. Baron has won 19 or more games the last four years and the Rams are always in the running for an at-large bid. However, Baron’s record against A10 opponents when it counted most (in February and March) is a pedestrian 22-23 during that time.

Baron runs a clean program, is a competent recruiter and has proven adaptable. In the mid 2000’s the Rams were one of the most physical teams in the league beating teams on the boards and generally bludgeoning them into submission. To his credit, Baron recognized the difficulties in recruiting to this system. He successfully opened up the offense to the point where Rhody has finished in the top four in scoring since 2007. To reach the next level of success, Baron needs to get his team to defend.

Rhody’s blueprint for success recently has been simply to outscore the opposition. They create turnovers to feed the offense, compete on the glass and get to the free-throw line. The Rams have consistently been in the top half of the league in rebounding and turnover margin since 2007, but consistently in the bottom half when it comes to defense. The Rams can’t seem to get stops when they need them most.

SPOTLIGHT ON
Junior college transfer Daniel West (6-2 180) will fill a key role for the Rams as the back-up point guard. Last season, when Marquis Jones went to the bench there was no noticeable drop-off. West led the conference in assists and steals and posted a 1.92 A:TO ratio. West had signed a national LOI to play at Tennessee, but was ruled academically ineligible in November of 2008.

OUTLOOK
The Rams lost two of their top three scorers, but replacing offense is rarely an issue for the Rams. Baron will have an experienced starting lineup and bench. Multi-talented wing Delroy James (6-8 220) was named to the A10 Preseason Second Team. Baron will need more consistent production and decision-making from the streaky senior forward.

Underrated and steady senior point guard Marquis Jones (6-1 200) will share the backcourt with promising sophomore Akeem Richmond (6-1 180) who was named to the All-Rookie team last season. The Rams will have a competent front court with a couple of big-bodied freshmen to provide depth.

The Rams should be better than the sum of their parts this season. With their experience and depth, the Rams will be a tough out at home and on the road. Expect them to once again be in the at-large conversation when February rolls around. If Baron can find a third reliable perimeter threat and Richmond develops into a playmaker as well as a scorer, the Rams should again be a top-four offense. Whether they can improve their defense will ultimately determine if they will go dancing.

UPDATE: Junior forward Orion Outerbridge will miss at least the first semester due to academics and junior guard Jamal Wilson will miss most of the non-con with a broken foot.
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