Rhode Island Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Rams
Key Questions and Prediction
1. Can Dowtin and Russell step into starring roles?
Dowtin thrived as a distributor and pass first PG, but will need to take on a bigger role and create more offense for himself. Russell was a scoring spark plug who came off the bench and injected energy, but needs to provide consistent scoring. If both players can take a major step forward with more minutes and responsibility, then URI will stay towards the top of the conference.
2. Which freshmen emerge as instant impact contributors?
Given URI’s roster construction, multiple freshmen need to make an immediate impact. All four have a strong chance to make the rotation, but they will need to produce and outperform their recruiting rankings from day one. Harris looks like the starting PF and Martin could easily start at SF over Thompson. Those two players look like the most probable candidates, although Tate could see a lot of minutes at the four, especially if Harris and Langevine do not fit together well. Silverio is a likely rotation player, but due to Dowtin and Russell’s stranglehold over the guard positions, he could be limited to a smaller role than his freshmen teammates.
3. Who will be a third consistent scoring option?
We know Dowtin and Russell are capable starting caliber players in the Atlantic Ten. We know Langevine is a double-double threat on the interior. However, we do not know who will emerge as a third scorer for this team. Langevine is limited offensively and unless he makes a total transformation, it will not be him. Thompson or one of the freshmen are the clear candidates to emerge as this key figure and I’ll go with Tyrese Martin as my pick. The 6’6” wing has the ideal size to play next to the two guards and provides floor spacing with his long-range shooting ability.
dark. Next. A-10 preseason rankings for 2018-19
The Rams will likely take a step back after losing so many important seniors, but they have enough talent to remain in the top half of the Atlantic Ten. I have URI finishing 4th in the conference and 84th nationally which would put them on the NIT bubble. With only one senior on the roster, URI could realistically return to at-large contention in 19-20.