SOUTH KINGSTON, R.I. – Rhode Island has been a consistent postseason team in recent years and a fairly solid upper-half team in the Atlantic 10 during that stretch. If they are to continue that this season, a lot of unknowns need to become known, and in a positive manner.
You could tell listening to head coach Jim Baron that this team enters the season a little different from the last few. Whereas each of those teams had some significant contributors returning, and thus had some known quantities, this one really lacks that. Gradually, this team has lost some very good players little by little, and it’s debatable whether they’ve replaced them with comparable combinations of talent and experience. That leaves him with his current team, which he described after their first exhibition game on Friday night.
“There’s no question that we have a lot of work to do. It’s pretty much like a new team,” said Baron.
The first thing that jumps out about the Rams is that they lost a lot from last year, especially at the offensive end. Three starters are gone, as well as three-point specialist Akeem Richmond, who transferred to East Carolina. They take with them over 44 points per game, which is hard to replace, and while the Rams will surely score with the fast pace they will play at, they will need to improve defensively.
The Rams only have one significant contributor from last season back, junior forward Nikola Malesevic. They have a few who were role players last year and must contribute more, including the two seniors who will play a lot of minutes in Orion Outerbridge and Jamal Wilson. Both have long been “potential” players, but they’re in their last act and need to live up to that potential.
“We’ve been talking about it since the end of the UCF game,” said Outerbridge, referring to the Rams’ final game of last season in the CBI. “We know this is our last go-round. We know that we have to come out here and play as hard as we can every night. We’re not going to get any games back.”
Malesevic has come a long way since he first arrived in South Kingston. Last season he shot over 45 percent from long range, but he’s been far from a one-trick pony as he’s become a nice all-around offensive player and has improved on the glass.
A key position is the point guard spot, where a couple of freshmen are the most likely candidates. Mike Powell is well-built and can get in the lane, but he’ll surely have some growing pains if Friday night’s exhibition is any indication. Wilson may have to shoulder some responsibility there as well, which might be a hindrance to his ability to play bigger, long a strength of his. Billy Baron, who transferred from Virginia, won’t be eligible until December 23, the same day Auburn transfer Andre Malone is eligible. Once Baron is eligible, he gives them another good option at that position.
The Rams have plenty of wings along with Malesevic, so expect him to play some power forward for a smaller lineup so they can pair him with guys like Malone and freshmen Rayvon Harris and Dominique McKoy. Wilson might see some time on the wing alongside a smaller backcourt, with freshman T.J. Buchanan sure to be in that mix.
The most promising newcomer looks to be freshman forward Jonathan Holton. Long and athletic, he nearly had a double-double on Friday night and the effort was not in question. He should make an instant impact alongside Malesevic and Outerbridge, the last of whom could lead the Atlantic 10 in blocked shots if he stays on the court and plays like he did Friday night.
“Since day one, Jonathan has been that hustle guy,” Outerbridge said. “He’s getting every rebound, every tip-out. I’m just happy he was able to do that today in an actual game.”
The Rams had high hopes for Levan Shengelia before he got hurt in their season opener a year ago, and he’s back along with 7’3″ sophomore Blake Vedder, who still has a good ways to go to be a significant contributor.
The freshmen are an athletic bunch, which certainly fits Baron’s desire to play fast. But they’ll have to grow up fast, and the seniors will be tested from a leadership standpoint. So far Baron likes what he sees, but reading between the lines one senses they aren’t where he wants them to be.
“We’ve got to go even faster than what we did tonight, as far as pushing the ball, as far as up-tempo press,” said Baron.
They’ll have to grow up fast in more ways than one, because they start the season with three straight tough games on the road – at George Mason, Texas and Nebraska, and their first home games in the Legends Classic subregional are no picnic with Boston University, Hofstra and Cleveland State all visiting on Thanksgiving weekend. They could lose several games early, and it will be important not to lose the younger players. That’s one reason Baron said he has been preaching a lot to his younger players about playing through adversity. It’s clear they’re going to have some of that early on.
What that all adds up to is clear. If the Rams are to be a postseason team once again this season, Baron might need to do his best coaching job yet.
