MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
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2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview Rhode Island College
Men’sBasketball
Roster 1 2 3 4 5 11 12 21 22 23 24 32 33 35 41 50
Avery King Ethan Gaye Tahrike Carter Kadeem Francis Randy Casey Joseph Sauders Tom DeCiantis Keith Hamilton Brandon Hill Basheem Bennett Michael Palumbo Mason Choice Steven Roberts Chris Burton Jacob Page Mike Akinrola
So. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr.
Who’s Back?
Guard Guard Guard Guard Guard Guard Guard Guard Guard Forward Guard Forward Center Forward Forward Center
5-11 5-10 6-2 6-1 5-11 5-9 6-4 6-0 5-8 6-3 5-9 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-6
Senior forward Mason Choice was named First Team All-Little East last season. Choice averaged 12 points per game last season. Senior center Mike Akinrola was named First Team All-Little East and the LEC Tournament’s Most Valuable Player last season. Akinrola averaged 14 points per game last season. Junior guard Tahrike Carter, was named team captain along with Choice. Carter averaged four points per game last season.
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Pawtucket, RI/St. Raphael Academy Providence, RI/Mt. Pleasant Brooklyn, NY/Benjamin Banneker White Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac Attleboro, MA/Canterbury School Newport, RI/Rogers North Kingstown, RI/North Kingstown Queens Village, NY/MSGR. McClancy Bronx, NY/Wings Academy Poughkeepsie, NY/Poughkeepsie Providence, RI/Classical Newport, RI/Rogers New Haven, CT/Hillhouse New Rochelle, NT/New Rochelle Brookline, MA/Brookline Woonsocket, RI/Woonsocket
Who’s Missing?
The Anchormen are forced to replace the contributions of winningest senior class in Anchormen history, comprised of Antone Gray (13 points per game last season), Darius Debnam (4), Nick Manson (9) and Carl Lee (11). Gray and Debnam became the only two players in program history to play in four consecutive NCAA tournaments. Their teams tallied a cumulative record of 89-29 (.754) over the last four years.
Week of November 1, 2010
2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview 2011-2012 Regular Season Schedule Date / Time
Opponent
11/4 7:00 p.m. University of Rhode Island (Exhibition) 11/15 7:00 p.m. Clark 11/17 7:00 p.m. Becker 11/19 1:00 p.m. Lasell 11/22 7:30 p.m. Bridgewater State 11/27 3:00 p.m. Brandeis 11/29 7:30 p.m. Johnson & Wales 12/03 3:00 p.m. Plymouth State * 12/06 7:30 p.m. Salve Regina 12/08 7:00 p.m. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 12/10 3:00 p.m. Eastern Connecticut State * 01/05 7:00 p.m. Wheaton 01/07 3:00 p.m. UMass Boston * 01/10 7:30 p.m. Southern Maine * 01/14 3:00 p.m. Keene State * 01/17 7:30 p.m. UMass Dartmouth * 01/21 3:00 p.m. Plymouth State * 01/24 7:30 p.m. Western Connecticut State * 01/28 3:00 p.m. Eastern Connecticut State * 01/31 7:00 p.m. Amherst 02/04 3:00 p.m. UMass Boston * 02/07 7:30 p.m. UMass Dartmouth * 02/09 7:00 p.m. Bates 02/11 3:00 p.m. Southern Maine * 02/14 7:30 p.m. Western Connecticut State * 02/18 3:00 p.m. Keene State
Home Contests in Bold * Little East Conference game
Last Season RIC under the direction of head coach Bob Walsh, finished the 2010-11 season with a 21-8 overall record and an 11-3 (first place tie) mark in the Little East Conference. The Anchormen reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Div. III Tournament for the third time in five years, before their season came to an end in a 78-74 loss to Amherst College in the sectional round on March 11.
The Anchormen shared the 2011 Little East Conference Regular Season Championship with Western Connecticut State University, marking the program’s fifth regular season championship in the past seven years (2010, ’09, ’07, ’05). After a first-round bye, RIC defeated Keene State College (102-92 in double overtime) on Feb. 25. and then defeated Eastern Connecticut State University (62-49) on Feb. 26 to win the Little East Conference Tournament title for the fourth time in the last five years (2010, ’08, ’07). The win gave RIC an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament-the Anchormen’s fifth straight appearance in the Big Dance. RIC was one of only five programs in the nation to qualify for the NCAAs in each of the past five seasons.
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2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview
CAN’T MISS MATCHUPS Friday, Nov. 4
Tuesday, Nov. 15
Thursday, Nov. 17
Tuesday, Nov. 22
vs. URI (Exhibition) 7:00 p.m.
vs. Clark 7:00 p.m.
Clark last season
vs. Bridgewater State 7:30 p.m.
How RIC fared last season
10-15 overall, 4-8 NEWMAC
vs. Becker 7:00 p.m.
How RIC fared last season
How RIC fared last season
How RIC fared last season
Sunday, Nov. 27
Tuesday, Nov. 29
URI last season 20-14 overall, 9-7 ACC
RIC lost 88-55 in their exhibition contest against URI in the Ryan Center on Nov. 4.
Mike Akinrola scored 19 points as the Anchormen defeated the Cougars 6349 on the road early last season.
vs. Brandeis 3:00 p.m.
vs. Johnson & Wales
Fast fact
Brandeis last season 19-9 overall, 6-8 UAA The Judges eliminated RIC from the Div. III NCAA Tournament with a 76-65 vcitory in the Sweet 16 two years ago.
Becker last season 24-5 overall, 14-0 NECC
The Anchormen were upset 67-53 in their regular season home opener versus the Hawks on Nov. 15.
Saturday, Dec. 3 Saturday, Jan. 21
BSU last season 19-10 overall, 7-5 MASCAC Mason Choice hit a pair of clutch free throws with 11 seconds left in regulation to lift the Anchormen to a 62-61 victory on Nov. 23.
Thursday, Dec. 8
7:30 p.m.
vs. Plymouth State 3:00 p.m.
vs. WPI 7:00 p.m.
Fast Fact
How RIC fared last season
How RIC fared last season
JWU last season 21-9 overall, 14-4 GNAC JWU senior guard Lamonte Thomas is a pre-season first team All American selection. Thomas averaged 30.7 points per game last season.
PSU last season 11-14 overall, 5-9 LEC
The Anchormen have won 13 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams dating back to 2004-2005. RIC split the season series with PSU last season.
WPI last season
23-6 overall, 11-1 NEWMAC
The Engineers edged the Anchormen 60-59 after RIC senior forward Carl Lee missed a contested layup at the buzzer in overtime on Dec. 9.
2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview
Saturday, Dec. 10 Saturday, Jan. 28
vs. Eastern Connecticut
3:00 p.m.
ECSU last season 22-10 overall, 10-4 LEC
Fast Fact RIC swept the two-game season series with ECSU last season. Mason Choice hit a half court shot to propel RIC to a 52-49 win on Dec. 4.
Tuesday, Jan. 17 Tuesday, Feb. 7
Saturday, Jan. 7 Saturday, Feb. 4
Saturday, Jan. 14 Saturday, Feb. 18
vs. UMass Boston 3:00 p.m.
vs. Southern Maine Southern Maine last season
vs. Keene State 3:00 p.m.
How RIC fared last season
Fast Fact RIC’s 95-88 loss to Southern Maine last season was their first loss versus the Huskies since the 20052006 season.
Fast Fact The Anchormen have won 11 of the last 12 meetings, including a 102-92 double overtime victory in the LEC Tournament last year.
vs. Amherst 7:00 p.m.
vs. Bates 7:00 p.m.
How RIC fared last season
Fast Fact The Anchormen will face Bates for the first time in program history in their final non-conference matchup of the regular season on Feb. 9.
UMass Boston last season 8-17 overall, 2-12 LEC The Anchormen swept the season series with the Beacons, with an average margin of victory greater than 25 points.
Tuesday, Jan. 24 Tuesday, Feb. 14
vs. UMass Dartmouth
vs. Western Connecticut
UMD last season 11-15 overall, 7-7 LEC
WCSU last season 22-6 overall, 11-3 LEC
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
How RIC fared last season
Fast fact RIC held WCSU senior guard DaQuan Brooks to 16 and 19 points in two games last season. Brooks averaged 21 points per game last season.
RIC rebounded from a 75-70 loss on the road on Dec. 25, blowing out the Corsairs 75-54 at the Murray Center on Feb. 15.
Tuesday, Jan. 10 Saturday, Feb. 11
7:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. 10-15 overall, 2-12 LEC
Tuesday, Jan. 31
Amherst last season 25-4 overall, 7-2 NESCAC The Anchormen were eliminated from the Div. III NCAA Tournament 88-84 in the Sweet 16 by the Lord Jeff’s last season.
Keene State last season 17-11 overall, 8-6 LEC
Thursday, Feb. 9
Bates last season 12-13 overall, 3-6 NESCAC
2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview
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Meet The Anchormen
Avery King
Ethan Gaye
Sophomore Guard Pawtucket, RI/St. Raphael Academy
5’11” 170 lbs
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Gaye, a local product from Mount Pleasant H.S. transfered from URI last season and will help fill the Anchormen’s vacancy at the starting guard spots left by the departure of Antone Gray and Nick Manson this season. Gaye is an excellent ballhandler with tremendous vision as a passer on the offensive side of the ball. Gaye is also an excellent defender and rebounder.
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King, a transfer from Division II Lyndon State, will have an immediate impact for the Anchormen either as a starter or coming off the bench this season. King has blazing speed, which makes him a dangerous threat in transition or on a fast break. King’s ability to knock down any shot on the floor makes him a deadly weapon, especially from 3-point range. King is a player to watch.
Junior Guard 5’10” 170 lbs Providence, RI/Mt. Pleasant
Tahrike Carter
Kadeem Francis
Junior Guard 6’2” 175 lbs Brooklyn, NY/Benjamin Banneker
Sophomore Guard 6’1” 175 lbs White Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac
Carter, recently named a team captain, will step into the starting lineup as a junior this season. Carter is an outstanding individual defender, who has made tremendous strides in his offensive game. Already one of the best defenders in the Little East Conference, Carter has the potential to develop into the next superstar for the Anchormen.
A solid all-around guard, Francis will see his role expand greatly as a sophomore this season. Francis is a very smooth and athletic guard, who consistently makes smart decisions with the ball in his hands. Francis is equally adept at both setting up his teammates and making plays defensively. Francis will be a key contributor off the bench for the Anchormen.
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2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview
Randy Casey
Joseph Saunders
Junior Guard 5’11” 170 lbs Attleboro, MA/Canterbury School
Sophomore Guard Newport, RI/Rogers
Saunders is a solid all-around player who will look to carve out a role off the bench for the Anchormen as a sophomore this season. Another local product from Newport, Rhode Island, Saunders hails from the same alma mater (Rogers) as fellow Anchorman, senior forward Mason Choice.
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Casey, a transfer from Division II junior college Dean College, served as the Bulldogs captain and point guard last season, averaging 7.9 points and 5.2 assists per game. Casey is an athletic combo guard, who is a dynamic slasher capable of driving the lane on the offensive end of the floor. He will factor into the starting rotation at the guard spots immediately this season.
5’9” 185 lbs
Tom DeCiantis
Keith Hamilton
Sophomore Guard 6’4” 185 lbs North Kingstown, RI/North Kingstown
Senior Guard 6’0” 160 lbs Queens Village, NY/MSGR. McClancy
DeCiantis is an athletic guard, whose size makes him a matchup nightmare for smaller defenders. A highly touted local product from North Kingstown, Rhode Island, DeCiantis didn’t see much playing time on a veteran team as a freshman last season, but is expected to step into the starting lineup this season for the Anchormen. DeCiantis is a player to watch this season.
A sharp-shooting sniper capable of burying a 3-pointer from anywhere on the floor, Hamilton will be a key contributor off the bench for the Anchormen again this season. A transfer from Queensboro Community College two season’s ago, Hamilton has made strides improving his defense, but his ability on the offensive end makes him a deadly weapon off the bench.
2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview
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Meet The Anchormen
Brandon Hill Freshman Guard Bronx, NY/Wings Academy
Basheem Bennett 5’8” 170 lbs
6’3” 210 lbs
A highly touted recruit from New York, Bennett will be looking to make an impact off the bench this season as a freshman. Bennett will be a long-term project for the Anchormen, but has tremendous potential and could develop into an impact player.
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Hill is a solid all-around guard, who despite being undersized, will be looking to carve out a role off the bench. RIC has a history of taking undersized players like Hill and turning them into impact players, so don’t be surprised if Hill has an immediate impact as early as this season.
Freshman Forward Poughkeepsie, NY/Poughkeepsie
Michael Palumbo
Mason Choice
Sophomore Guard Providence, RI/Classical
Senior Forward Newport, RI/Rogers
5’9” 160 lbs
Don’t let his size fool you, Palumbo is one of the deadliest sharp shooters in the Little East Conference. Palumbo has tremendous range and is capable of burying 3-pointers from anywhere on the court if given an ounce of daylight. What he lacks in pure size, Palumbo makes up for in hustle, especially on the defensive end of the floor where he has a knack for forcing turnovers.
6’4” 200 lbs
A unique blend of speed, athleticism and size allows Choice to be a factor as both a perimeter and interior scoring threat. Choice averaged 12 points per game last season and was named First Team All-Little East for the second consecutive year last season. A team captain, Choice has the potential to be the best player in the Little East Conference as a senior this season.
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2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview
Steven Roberts
Chris Burton
Junior Center 6’5” 205 lbs New Haven, CT/Hillhouse
Freshman Forward New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle
Mike Akinrola
Jacob Page Freshman Forward Brookline, MA/Brookline
A talented and versatile forward, Burton will be asked to come off the bench this season and fill the void left by the departure of Darius Debnam, Carl Lee and Ashton Watkins, who is not with the team due to a family commitment. Burton is a long-term project for the Anchormen, but has the potential to dominate the Little East Conference in the future if he develops his game in the paint.
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Roberts is a developing post-presence with off-thecharts potential thanks to his extraordinary athleticism. Roberts combines his large frame with outstanding leaping ability that not only allows him to compete for rebounds, but finish with a slam dunk at the rim either off a rebound or on a fast break. Roberts will be a key contributor coming off the bench as a junior this season.
6’5” 175 lbs
6’4” 185 lbs
Like Burton, Page will be called upon to fill the void left by Debnam, Lee and Watkins this season. Page will come off the bench this season, but has an opportunity to play significant minutes this season. Page is another long-term project for the Anchormen with tremendous upside. Like Burton, Page’s athleticism and size make him an impact defender and shot blocker in the paint immediately this season.
Senior Center 6’6” 230 lbs Woonsocket, RI/Woonsocket
Akinrola stepped into the starting lineup and developed into a dominating presence in the paint for the Anchormen last season. Akinrola was named First Team All-Little East and the Little East Conference Tournament’s Most Valuable Player last season. He averaged 14 points per game last season.
2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview
Little EAST CONFERENCE preview Eastern Connecticut State Warriors Eastern Connecticut State is coming off a strong season and will return a good core group of players from last season’s team, which lost in the finals of the Little East Conference Tournament at the hands of the Anchormen at the Murray Center on Feb. 26. ECSU will be dealing with the loss of three key seniors from last year’s team, but a strong recruiting class will put them in the mix once again this season. The Warriors will rely on an experienced defense to shut teams down and individual efforts from Nick Nedwick to be successful. Last Year’s Results: Key Player RIC 52-49, RIC 60-51, Nick Nedwick (17.9 pts/game) RIC 62-49 LEC Tournament
Keene State Owls Keene State improved tremendously last year after a .500 season the year before and you can guarantee they’ll be even better this year. Who can forget the trouble they gave the Anchormen in the “Murray Center Miracle” Little East Conference semifinal game last year. The Owls will be seeking their first LEC title since 2004. Junior forward Derek D’Amours and sophomore guard Ryan Martin will pace the Owls explosive offense. The Owls will be RIC’s biggest challenger this season. Last Year’s Results: Key Player RIC 96-82, RIC 78-69, Derek D’Amours (14.8 pts/game) RIC 102-92 2OT LEC Tournament
Western Connecticut State Colonials
Western Connecticut State tied with the Anchormen for the Little East Conference regular season title last season, finishing 22-6 overall (11-3 LEC). The Colonials split the two-game season series with RIC last season before being knocked out in the semifinals of the Little East Conference Tournament by in-state rival Eastern Connecticut State. Middlebury eliminated the Colonials in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year. This season, the Colonials will be led by senior guard DaQuan Brooks, a pre-season First Team All-American selection. Key Player DaQuan Brooks (21.8 pts/game)
Last Year’s Results: WCSU 82-77, RIC 86-75
2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview Southern Maine Huskies The Huskies stunned the Anchormen early last season and will have a hard time repeating the feat this season after graduating five seniors including forward Otis Smith and guard Isaac Cortez. With such a young team on the court, expectations are extremely limited for the Huskies this season. Southern Maine will need their freshman and sophomores to step up in order to have a prayer of survival in the Little East Conference this season. Key Player Sean Bergeron (10.4 pts/game)
Last Year’s Results: USM 95-88, RIC 85-54
UMass Boston Beacons UMass Boston is another young team in the Little East Conference that is looking to work their way back into the playoff picture this season. The Beacons last took home the LEC title in 2006. UMass Boston returns some key pieces that should be able to supply some offense, but with more than half of the players on the team underclassmen, there may just be too much youth on the floor for the Beacons to overcome. You can expect this team to be good, just not yet, maybe in two years. Key Player Isaac Jenkins (12.6 pts/game)
Last Year’s Results: RIC 76-54, RIC 81-52
UMass Dartmouth Corsairs UMass Dartmouth remains the Anchormen’s biggest in conference rival. The Corsairs are coming off a disappointing season, 11-15 (8-7 LEC), last year and will return a large majority of their starting lineup this season. The big loss for the Corsairs is guard Brandon Stevens, a member of the 1,000-point club, who always gave the Anchormen problems. In order for the Corsairs to be successful in the Little East Conference this year, they need their freshman class to step up. Key Player Paul Rose (13.4 pts/game)
Last Year’s Results: UMD 75-70, RIC 75-54
Plymouth State University Panthers Plymouth State comes back into the picture after still managing to be competitive in a rebuilding year last season. Under the direction of first-year head coach Damien Strahorn, the Panthers went 11-14 including a 5-9 record in the Little East Conference, but were bounced from the LEC Tournament in the first round by Eastern Connecticut State. After losing four seniors to graduation, the Panthers will be rebuilding once again this season. Key Player Brian Chergey (8.8 pts/game)
Last Year’s Results: RIC 73-56, RIC 97-67
2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview MEET THE head COACH
BoB Walsh Bob Walsh begins his seventh season as Rhode Island College’s head men’s basketball coach. Walsh has presided over one of the most successful periods in program history as RIC has made six consecutive trips to the postseason and five straight appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Anchormen are one of only five programs in the nation to accomplish this feat. Walsh has led RIC to the Sweet 16 three times and the Elite Eight once during his tenure.
Walsh owns a 135-43 record (.758 winning percentage) and has won four Little East Conference Regular Season and four LEC Tournament Championships during his tenure RIC. Over the last four years, the Walsh’s Anchormen have won 89 games, the second most of any four-year stretch in program history eclipsed only by an overlapping stretch which began in 2006 and ended last season during which RIC won 95 games. Entering this season, Walsh is third in program history in career victories. Walsh owns a pair of exhibition victories over Division I opponents. RIC defeated Iona (82-71) on Nov. 3, 2006 and edged Holy Cross (61-60) on Nov. 1, 2007. The Gaels and Crusaders were coming off NCAA Division I Tournament appearances the previous season. Walsh, 39, spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Providence College basketball program prior to coming to RIC. Walsh joined the staff of Providence College’s then-head coach Tim Welsh in 1998 after spending the 1997-98 campaign as an assistant coach at the University of San Diego. Walsh formerly served as an administrative assistant on Welsh’s staff at Iona from 1994-1996.
Little East Conference Coach of the Year 2007, 2009 Rhode Island Media Coach of the Year 2007, 2009, 2010
head coach record 2010-11 RIC 21-8 LEC Reg. Season/Tourn. Champs - NCAA Sweet 16 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06
RIC RIC RIC RIC RIC
22-8 23-6 23-7 27-4 19-10
LEC Reg. Season/Tourn. Champs - NCAA Sweet 16 LEC Reg. Season Champs - NCAA First Round LEC Tourn. Champs - NCAA Second Round LEC Reg. Season/Tourn. Champs - NCAA Elite 8 ECAC Finalist
2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 1999-00 1998-99 1997-98 1996-97 1995-96 1994-95 1993-94 1992-93
Providence 20-9 #5 SEED NCAA TOURNAMENT Providence 18-14 NIT THIRD ROUND Providence 15-16 Providence 21-10 #10 SEED NCAA TOURNAMENT Providence 11-19 Providence 16-14 NIT FIRST ROUND San Diego 14-14 IONA 22-8 MAAC REG. SEASON CHAMPS/NIT IONA 21-8 MAAC REG. SEASON CHAMPS/NIT IONA 10-17 Hamilton 17-9 ECAC SEMI-FINALIST Hamilton 22-5 ECAC FINALIST
6 YEARS 135-43 (.758)
assistant coach record 2004-05 Providence 14-17
13 YEARS 221-160 (.580)