Busting Brackets
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Rhode Island Basketball: 5 potential head coaching candidates for Rams

By Dave Ascoli

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Head coach David Cox of the Rhode Island Rams looks on during a college basketball game against the George Washington Colonials at the Smith Center on February 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Head coach David Cox of the Rhode Island Rams looks on during a college basketball game against the George Washington Colonials at the Smith Center on February 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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St. Peter’s Peacocks head coach Shaheen Holloway Thomas Salus-USA TODAY Sports
St. Peter’s Peacocks head coach Shaheen Holloway Thomas Salus-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Shaheen Holloway

Age: 45
Head Coaching Experience: Saint Peter’s (2018-present)
NCAA Tournament History: 2022 TBD (automatic berth)

Ok, back to the more realistic candidates. For now. Shaheen Holloway fits the mold of a young up-and-comer and, like Grasso, draws some comparisons to Dan Hurley. First, both Holloway and Hurley played point guard for Seton Hall. Having a successful former player running the show always seems to help recruiting. Holloway also turned around the Peacocks, flipping a 14-18 (6-12) team to a 19-11 (14-6) squad, and their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2011.

Unlike Grasso, Holloway fits the A-10 coach mold a little better. He’s a defense-first guy, guiding Saint Peter’s to the 33rd ranked team in the country in defensive efficiency, per KenPom. That’ll certainly play at levels higher than the MAAC.

And like every coach on this list, Holloway will be in high demand. He’s considered one of the top young coaches in the country, and a jump should happen for him sooner rather than later. Rhody is sometimes a stepping stone for young coaches (again, see: Hurley, Dan). Is Holloway interested in using Kingston as his launching pad?

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