Busting Brackets
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Rhode Island Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Rams

By Brad Cavallaro

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Dowtin
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Dowtin /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 12: Christion Thompson #25 and Jeff Dowtin #11 of the Rhode Island Rams pose with the championship trophy after defeating the Virginia Commonwealth Rams 70-63 in the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 12, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 12: Christion Thompson #25 and Jeff Dowtin #11 of the Rhode Island Rams pose with the championship trophy after defeating the Virginia Commonwealth Rams 70-63 in the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 12, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Starters

Point Guard – Jeff Dowtin, Junior

The leading returning scorer for URI is junior PG Jeff Dowtin. Dowtin played a complementary role next to Terrell and Matthews and was the primary distributor. He thrived in this role, posting 5.6 apg to just 1.3 turnovers. This season he will be given more offensive responsibility and he will be asked to be a more aggressive scorer, while still getting his teammates involved. If Dowtin can manage the balance between looking for his own shot and creating shots for others, he will be one of the best players in the Atlantic Ten and could speed up URI’s rebuild.

Shooting Guard – Fatts Russell, Sophomore

Fatts Russell had a very encouraging debut and is poised for a breakout sophomore season. The 5’10’’ guard struggled with his efficiency (35% fg, 30% 3pt), but impressed with his ability to take and make big shots. With Terrell, Matthews, and Garrett’s graduation, Russell will have as many minutes and shots as he can handle and could even double his 7.0 ppg from last season. He was extremely valuable as an offensive spark off the bench and as a pesky on-ball defender. In his last five games (A-10 and NCAA Tournaments), he averaged 9.4 ppg and shot 42% from three.

Small Forward – Christion Thompson, Junior

Thompson may be the forgotten man on this URI team since he redshirted last season after right knee surgery. He also would have been squeezed out of a loaded perimeter rotation, so a redshirt season was clearly the right move.

In 16-17, Thompson only played 10.3 mpg and scored just 2.5 ppg, but he could be an opening day starter due to his experience. Some of the freshmen will be nipping at his heels for playing time, but if he can consistently hit long-range shots (only 30% from 3 in his career), he could earn significant minutes on the wing.

Power Forward – Jermaine Harris, Freshman

Jermaine Harris is the highest ranked member of URI’s freshmen class and looks to the opening day starting PF after Nikola Akele returned to Italy after his junior season. Akele was more of a defensive player and Harris has the much higher upside, so this loss is minimal. Harris is an athletic big man who will play both the four and the five for URI. He will certainly make an impact in the paint and on the glass, but he has also flashed a perimeter jumper. If he can consistently spread the floor, it will provide the necessary spacing for Russell and Dowtin to operate.

Center – Cyril Langevine, Junior

Rounding out the starting five is Cyril Langevine the powerful and athletic center. The 6’8’’ junior split the position with Andre Berry last season and each player had contrasting skill sets which worked well and gave URI’s frontcourt different looks. Langevine gets most of his points of dunks and putbacks, but his biggest impact comes from his energetic play, rebounding, and defense. He averaged 6.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 1.2 bpg in just over 18 minutes as a sophomore. With consistent starter’s minutes, Langevine will be recognized as one of the best big men in the conference.

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