URI’s Basketball Has Stalled - Can Miller Get the Rams Going?
James Malachowski, Sports Columnist
URI’s Basketball Has Stalled - Can Miller Get the Rams Going?
The Rams are just 5-6 in their last 11 games.
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Coach Miller’s Perspective
Coach Archie Miller was asked about the team’s strengths and responded, “The biggest thing I can give this group is that they have resiliency about them. There is a spirit about our group that we are in it to win basketball games.”
Miller continued, “They believe in one another and that we can do it.” He said, “I don’t think you have resilience as a group unless you have some togetherness. “
When asked about weaknesses, Miller said, “Defensively, we are really struggling with transition defense.” He continued, “I think our communication in that area is something we are really looking at. We need to do a much better job there.”
When addressing the weaknesses on the offensive side, Miller said, “At times, we can become stagnant offensively. We have been really trying to work to get the ball moving again and getting back to playing good basketball.”
Captain David Green’s thoughts
Team Captain David Green was asked about the team’s strengths. He had a similar opinion to Miller’s: "I would say the ability to overcome adversity. When things don’t go our way, we have the ability to fight and stay in games, even if some guys aren’t producing anything that comes our way, injuries, anything it may be. We have the ability to bounce back. I think that is our biggest strength.”
On weaknesses, Green said, “Get out to better starts. Being able to start the game with more intensity, more focus on our game plan, and not having to dig ourselves out of holes every game.
Strength – Finishing games
Miller summed it up this way, “Some teams learn how to lose. Some teams learn how to win.”
When games are close at the end, URI has a high winning percentage. They beat Richmond by three in overtime, and their other conference wins were by 3 and 2 points. Miller said, “It is belief and confidence, but it’s about being playmakers at the right time. Sebastian obviously plays a big role in winning time. But playmakers, man, can you make the right play at the right time offensively, defensively, and hopefully, you have a guy with the ball in his hands when the money is on the line to make the right decisions.”
Weakness – Lack of intensity and focus
Can a team be resilient and have the ability to overcome adversity and also lack intensity and focus? This one can. The Rams regularly come out flat and uninspired. They fall behind by 10 to 20 points, then become uber intense and make roaring comebacks.
During the first half of the VCU game, coming in and out of a time-out, the URI players were acting like it was just another Tuesday afternoon practice instead of a critical A-10 game against one of the league leaders. The team then proceeded to fall behind by 18. Then, with five minutes left in the half, seemingly spontaneously, their intensity picked up, and they played inspired ball, closing the gap to 2 before ending the half down 6.
Miller was asked what it is about this team where they do not play with intensity until they are about to be pushed off a cliff. It was the first time since I have been covering the Rams that he left a question hanging, saying, “I wish I had the answer.”
Strength – Getting to the line
Getting to the foul line is one of the team’s goals, and they are 2nd in the A-10, having shot 175 foul shots in eight games.
Weakness – Foul Shooting
The Rams are next to last in the Conference in free throw shooting at 65%
Strength – Point guard
Sebastian Thomas is one of the best point guards in the A-10. Miller said, “In a team sport, there is a quarterback out there. And I think we have great quarterback play.”
Weakness – Quality Depth at Guard
After Thomas and Jaden House, the other guards have been inconsistent. Jamarques Lawrence seems to get lost on the offensive end during games. Cam Estevez has struggled with inconsistent play. Quentin Diboundje plays hard but is prone to seemingly absentminded mistakes.
Strength – Transition offense
Miller, “Offensively, we have been a gifted team at times in transition, and we have been gifted when the ball moves, and we can execute, and a lot of different guys can hurt you.” He said, “Offensively, we have multiple guys with great confidence that they can make plays.”
Weakness – Scoring and shooting
Going into Conference play, the Rams averaged 85.7 points per game and shot 48% from the floor. During Conference play, those numbers have dropped considerably. During their seven A-10 games, the Ram’s averaged 67.6 points per game, which puts them next to last in the league. Their field goal percentage is 41%, 11th in the A-10. The RI Rams are 11th in three-point shooting at 30%.
Strength - Rebounding
URI is 6th in the Conference in total rebounds, 7th in defensive rebounds, and 7th in offensive rebounds. David Fuchs has been a beast on the boards. He is 3rd in the conference, averaging 8.7 rebounds per game while playing slightly over 20 minutes per game.
Weakness – Assists v. Turnovers
Rhode Island is next to last in the Conference in assists, averaging 11 per game. They have committed 111 turnovers, the most in the Conference.
Defense
URI is 10th in the league allowing opponents to score 73.4 points per game. They excel in 3-point defense holding opponents to 26.8% shooting from behind the arc which is 2nd in the Conference.
Ten Conference Games Left
During their 11-1 non-conference schedule, URI put up some lofty numbers, appearing in the top echelon in the country in several statistical categories. During conference play, their performance dropped in almost every tracked statistical category.
There are 18 regular season Conference games before the A-10 Tournament. The A-10 is a strong Conference this year. Eight games into the Conference season, the Rams have gotten a taste of the intensity and challenges of Conference play. They have experienced how teams come at you with smart, tough and relentless physical play.
To achieve their goals of being in the upper tier of the A-10, URI must improve its play and, in particular, start games with intensity and sustain that intensity for 40 minutes.