Blog.WBRU

Last year’s basketball season ended with the departure of three standout Ram seniors: Will Daniels, Parfait Bitee, and Joe Mbang. Some may say that would make this a rebuilding year; however, the schedule does not look like one. Seniors Jimmy Baron Jr., Kaheim Seawright, and Jason Francis will lead the charge into what looks to be a daunting schedule.

Key matchups include out of conference games at Duke on November 16th, Penn State on November 28^th, and Oklahoma State on December 20^th. Depending on how the Philly Hoop Group Classic against Penn State goes, Rhody will continue to face the winner of a Villanova/Towson matchup on Nov. 29^th. Their trials don’t stop there though. The Atlantic 10 emerged as a tough conference last year, sending three teams (Temple, St. Josephs, and Xavier) to the NCAA tournament. Luckily, both Temple and Xavier will have to take on Rhody in the Ryan Center. Before they can worry about any of that though, the Rams will open up with two preseason games: against Concordia on Nov. 3^rd and Rhode Island College in an inter-state rivalry on the 7^th. Regular season play will begin on the 14^th of November when Brown comes to Kingston.

The senior class will not have to face this gauntlet alone. They will be joined by a very strong and versatile incoming class. Among these is Ben Eaves, a transfer from UConn with two years of NCAA play under his belt. Another freshman, Sevia Mejia may see minutes early as a point guard as he tries to make up for NBA departed Bitee’s efficient distribution. The remaining freshman are guard Jamal Wilson and forward Orion Outerbridge who may see some playing time in the preseason matchups but will have to step up if they plan to steal any playing time from the more battle tested upperclassmen.

TRIFACTOID:

Catching up with the alums:

1. Bitee played on the Cameroon national basketball team in the off-season. The team ended up winning silver at the FIBA Africa Championship 2007.
2. Will Daniels signed with the Chicago Bulls, but was not a major factor while trying out in the Orlando Summer Classic. In three games he made only 6 points and one rebound.
3. Joe Mbang has run out of eligible years for college hoops but is attending classes at URI to finish off his degree.

The 121^st meeting between interstate rivals URI and Providence College will be on Dec. 6^th at the Dunkin Donuts Center

Rhody has faced the Duke Blue Devils twice before, both times in the NCAA tournament. The first game ended in a heartbreaking 63-62 loss in 1978 and the second was an equally gut wrenching 73-72 defeat.