Three quick tablesettters

The home opener against Stetson is just a hours away. After chatting with coaches, taking in some practices and observing the Rutgers scrimmage, it’s almost time for our Learfield crew to run it back again in 25-26. Here are a few broad takes on areas, players, topics of interest when the season tips tonight.

Defense. There’s been incremental improvement on defense over the past couple of years from Archie Miller and company — and James Whitford’s addition to the staff last year helped address more tactically. Now the personnel shifts again, and this mix of Rams is without a doubt more athletic and versatile than previous units, yet not as broad-shouldered. Look for more aggressive ball screen coverages (blitzing, etc.) and better - and needed - disruption out high from Myles Corey, Tyler Cochran and crew.

Offense. This version of the Rams is the most equipped in the Archie Miller era to play with pace. That’s great within the free-flow of the game. But essentially no close game (and the Rams will be in many this year; hopefully not this evening) plays back and forth from the under-4 timeout on. The half court execution is worth keeping an eye on. While tonight may not be as tight, there will be ample opportunity for URI to run actions in the half court. Pay close attention when they do. I expect this Rams team to be better in the caretaking/facilitating/assist-to-turnover department overall. It features two legitimate point guards in Corey and RJ Johnson (something the 24-25 Rams did not possess) and a few others capable of assisting in protecting the orange and helping the offense flow.

Stetson. Donnie Jones is a guy whose had success at previous stops from Marshall, to UCF, and now Stetson. Fun fact, he also shared the bench with Anthony Grant (Dayton HC) at Florida on Bill Donovan’s staffs that guided the Gators to back-to-back national championships. This Stetson squad nose-dived last year after Jones brought them to the NCAA tourney the year before. They’re still young, and banking on a couple of NAIA transfers to help them pop off more in league this year. Entering the season, they’re a bottom 30-ish team in the country and projected roughly 9th in the Atlantic Sun. Jamie Phillips Jr., an All-Rookie team selection a year ago, is the only proven D1 contributor.

Finally, in case you missed it, I joined Gary and Andrew from Rhody Baseline to take a wider look at the Rams and the A10. While we couldn’t cover off on every single Rhody player, we hit those most likely to see action this season, plus where URI may fit in the A10, some A10 teams and storylines to watch, and much more. Check it out at the embed link below… (disclaimer, code snippet issues here - so if it doesn’t render below, click linked text above).