Mentzinger wrote:

The thing that jumps out most to me about URI these days is that their roster is replete with DMV recruits.

That is only because of the David Cox connections to the area.  It will no longer be the case for URI after he is soon gone.

When he is not overmatched physically by height or lack of help, Hunter has generally been playing very well lately. Part of it is the new team play, and we still can use him or Ricky to go inside more. To get fouls on opposing big men, like the Mitchells, if nothing else.
   Brayon just makes the team go better because as DMV points out, he is faster and thus able to penetrate, which has not been a strength for us for some time. Since we are playing Richmond, he reminds me of those small, quick guards from Richmond who historically bedeviled us.
   Brendan lately has been more of a settling influence, which is the right role for him, as opposed to taking a lot of 3 point shots. Actually thought we could also use Amir for that, as well as defense, when we let Rhode Island cut into our halftime lead.
    Joe Bam was fortunately better for us in the end, but he was also good for Rhode Island in the second half. Bad shots, including blown highlight attempt dunk(s), but then making up for it with steals or a 3. It's good that he sat briefly after the missed dunk. Joe just needs to play within himself more. He certainly seems like a great asset to the university in general and is an exciting player even without the acrobatics. His athleticism can spark the team in numerous ways.
James is continuing the team game that makes him a smarter, better player and leading to wins. Though this used to be the type of shot JC didn't like, that pull-up jumper of his is really money and can make a lot of difference at crucial times.
  Ricky has battled for us all year, doing the dirty work, and seems like he could be shaking off injury. That is the type of thing the Chain of Command should be designed for, so it is most appropriate for him to get it.
    Let's hope we can continue this good run--and expand it beating the higher tiers of the league in the tournament.
    

Gwmayhem wrote:

Really proud of this effort.  More than anything that the stats might tell you, I get the sense that the coaching staff impressed upon the team that this was a big, physical team who they were more than capable of going toe-to-toe with.  Earlier in this season, this team would likely have wilted at this opportunity.  URI had been playing well until GW beat them up there, lots of kids from the DMV, you know they are going to be fired up for revenge, etc.  Instead, GW whole-heartedly embraced the challenge.  The team held their own on the boards.  Convincingly won the turnover battle.    Dove for loose balls.  What I saw on Saturday was more than just offense, more than just defense, and more than the transition game.  What I saw was a team that despite being underdogs again, was extremely confident that it was in fact the better team.  

Under Dan Hurley, URI embodied toughness.  The first player that pops into my mind when thinking about Hurley's teams is Hassan Martin.  Physical.  Rebounder.  Crafty scorer in the paint.  Rim protector.  While David Cox was supposed to carry on this tradition, he has instead been saddled with the Mitchell twins.  They are soft, not rugged.  They feel entitled.  Am sure Rising could write a book but I know enough to know these things.  They are talented guys who you lose with.  It's a shame for Cox who by all accounts seems like a decent guy who deserved far better than this.

The Mitchell twins have their flaws, but they are not the problem for URI. The problem is Rhody’s guards aren’t that good.  As a result, they have to rely on the Mitchell twins too much, but if you either Mitchel with guards the level of Freeman, Bishop, Bamisile, and Adams, and they’d seem like talented players you win with.

Just watched the game.  Spent Saturday night helping Wisconsin Colonial celebrate a big birthday in NYC.  Would have thought that Wisconsin Colonial would know better than to plan an event at the same time as a home game.   Anyway, couple of random thoughts regarding this (and other games) compared with the rest of the season.  In no particular order...
-The development of Freeman is one of the biggest, if not the biggest difference.   He is a hell of a point guard.  Although his assist total on Saturday was only 3, there was probably a good half a dozen times when he put the ball in the hands of a wide opened shooter who then missed the shot.  We are playing at a much quicker pace than earlier, ant is is thanks primarily to Brandon.   He causes good things to happen on the court.
-The development of Hunter Dean into a legitimate center.  Has become a workhorse.   He is even scoring some now.   I have seen some improvement in Brown also (more of his layups are dropping), but he is still a work in progress.
-The entire team seems to be passing better, and sharing the ball.  As a result, our shot selection has significantly improved from the start of the seaon.
-Another improvement from earlier in the season was Bishop having gone from hideous to good.   He is still a volume shooter and his shot selection is sometimes questionable, but he has shown himself capable of putting up 20 plus on a regular basis.  In addition, not to be overlooked, is his stepped up defense.
-Speaking of stepped up defense, the team as a whole has significantly improved from the start of the season.  
-I also like that Adams has been playing within himself, being the player he can be as opposed to striving to be the player his is not.
-We seem to be attacking a zone much more efficiently than in the past.  (Again, passing, sharing the ball).
-Even though we still look shakey coming out in the second half, coach seems to make quicker adjustments, calling time, etc., to minimize the damage.
-The offensive combo of Bamisile and Bishop is excellent.    Would like a more offensively assertive Lindo who scores more inside and takes fewer long shots.
-Team now believes in itself.   Especially impressive with the hustle for loose balls.
-I just don't get it with Samuels.  We need an upgrade here.
-Finally, there is Byron Kerr.  I want so much to like him..and I guess I do.  He is our homer.  But he has to stop saying things like "huge 3 for Bishop", which increases score from 23-22 to 26-22 in the first half,