Middle of the Rhode

By Kevin Aherne

A new year is upon us, and in college basketball, that means the start of conference play.  With four Division I schools in the Rhody, there has been some big action in the smallest state thus far. 
Let's check in to see where each of Rhode Island's squads stand at the unofficial midpoint of the season. 

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Brown Bears
6-5 (0-0 Ivy League)

In his second year as coach of the bears, Mike Martin has put forth a competitive squad in 2013-14.   However, with only one true offensive option, Senior guard Sean McGonagill (18.6 PPG), Brown has proven to be easily slowed by any team who plays a lick of defense.  As they head into Ivy League play, the Brown Bears look to be a middle-of-the-pack team. They face off against intrastate rival URI on January 2. 

Key Win(s): Binghamton, Sacred Heart
Key Loss(es): Providence, Northwestern, Bryant

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Bryant Bulldogs
8-7  (0-0 Northeast)

There was a lot of excitement surrounding the Bulldogs last season.  In just their first year of postseason eligibility, Bryant qualified for a March tournament, the CBI.  The hype continued this year when they named former URI and BC coach, Al Skinner as their top assistant.  From that point, their season has been fairly lackluster though, losing very win-able games to North Dakota State, Delaware, and Binghamton. 

Key Win(s): Vermont, Brown, Navy
Key Loss(es): #15 Gonzaga, #3 Ohio State, Notre Dame

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URI Rams
7-6 (0-0 A10)

Dan Hurley's URI Rams have been inconsistent in 2013-14, to say the least.  They have played well against tough teams, and lost to some weak ones.  Their seems to be a bit of disconnect between coach and player, as Junior guard Mike Powell, who was a key player last season, left the team in December, seeking a transfer. As this is still a team amid a major rebuild, expectations were elevated at the season's tip-off... much of those expectations have now been tempered. 

Key Win(s): None
Key Loss(es): #5 Arizona, Providence, SMU

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Providence Friars
10-4 (0-1 Big East)

Ed Cooley has proven to be a godsend for the Friars.  On the sidelines, and behind the scenes, this program has been moving up since his arrival in 2011.  This year, he landed one of the best recruiting classes in the nation, and on the court the Friars seem to be the class of the new-look Big East. 

Key Win(s): Boston College, Vanderbilt, Rhode Island
Key Loss(es): #3 Kentucky, #23 Massachusetts, Maryland

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