Busting Brackets
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A10 Basketball: 5 Under-the-Radar Players Poised for Big Years

By Stu Luddecke

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Terrell
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Terrell /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Fatts Russell #2 of the Rhode Island Rams celebrates in the second half of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Rhode Island Rams won the game 83-78 in overtime. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Fatts Russell #2 of the Rhode Island Rams celebrates in the second half of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Rhode Island Rams won the game 83-78 in overtime. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Fatts Russell (Guard, Rhode Island)

Daron “Fatts” Russell provided us with some quality glimpses of his potential last season.  Unfortunately, on an NCAA Tournament-bound team saturated with Senior talent, “glimpses” of Fatts was all coach Hurley could afford to give us. Still, in his 17.9 minutes per game, he was able to make a serious impact.

He averaged 7.9 points per game and was a relentless defender, often tasked with shutting down the opponent’s best guard. If you watched Rhody’s Tournament game vs. Oklahoma, for example, then you witnessed him drop 15 points and 2 steals in a head-to-head with Tre Young.  

The area Fatts needs to work on to reach the next level is his three-point shooting. In his freshman campaign, he shot a mere 29% from deep. Of course, it can be hard to get a rhythm going when you only play 17 minutes, so look for that percentage to go up as his confidence and playing time increase.

Rhody’s go-to playmaker and first option should be Jeff Dowtin, but if Russell plays to his full potential and makes the most of his opportunities, he could join him as an equal half of a dangerous tandem.    

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