Bleacher Report - Articles by Kevin Ryder

Rhode Island Rams Finally Show They're an NCAA Tournament Team

Kevin Ryder — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:38:02 -0500

By Kevin Ryder

KINGSTON, RI—It is something that fans of the University of Rhode Island men’s basketball program have been waiting for since Lamar Odom’s wild three-pointer beat Temple in the finals of the 1999 A-10 Tournament.

It is something that has eluded head coach Jim Baron since he arrived to a mess of a basketball program that was Rhode Island earlier this decade.

It almost happened last year, when the Rams were in the top 25 for a blink of the eye before a late-season collapse, including finding every conceivable way to lose games over the final few minutes of the game, put the Rams in the NIT and a first-round exit.

It could happen this year, and last night’s thrilling two-point overtime win over a very tough Dayton squad was just what the Rams needed.

“It” is the NCAA Tournament. “It” is what separates the haves from the have-nots in the college basketball landscape. “It” is the difference between sellout crowds, national television exposure, and truly being a part of March Madness and ending up in the no-one-cares abyss of the NIT or, gasp, the College Basketball Invitational.

The Rams (21-8, 10-4 in the Atlantic 10) have not cashed in on their opportunities for a high-profile win this season. They have had plenty of chances, and each one seemed to end in a harsher way than the previous one.

Let’s take a quick look back.

Nov. 16 @ Duke

A game that just about everyone, including yours truly, thought the Rams had less than a 0 percent chance of winning. Yet there they were, riding the hot hand of Jimmy Baron to a second-half lead at Cameron Indoor with a legitimate chance to win. Of course, some questionable calls went against Rhody, and the Rams left with some national respect, but an 82-79 loss.

Nov. 29 vs. Villanova @ The Palestra

Now the final score will show that it wasn’t a close game. It was, for about the first 30 minutes. Then the Rams showed signs of fatigue, playing their fourth game of the week, and lost to the Wildcats 78-65.

Dec. 6 @ Providence

A tough loss for sure. The Rams were hurt by Baron being sick and could never build a solid lead over the Friars. In the end, an off-balance shot by Baron from the right wing went off the back rim, and the Rams lost 66-65.

Dec. 20 @ Oklahoma State

This was a game right up URI’s alley—up-and-down action, last team with the ball will win. They ran out to a double-digit lead over the Cowboys but couldn’t maintain it, and OSU hung on for a wild 86-82 victory.

There are four marquee games, at least against teams from marquee conferences, that the Rams let slip through their fingers. A win in one or two of those games, and URI is probably on the inside looking out of the NCAA Tournament picture.

In league play, the Rams have suffered a triple-overtime loss at St. Joe’s, a two-point setback to nationally-ranked Xavier at home and a three-point loss to Richmond. But since that loss to the Spiders, the Rams have been on fire, winning nine of their last 10 games, the lone setback a 68-62 loss at Temple.

That brings us to last night at the Ryan Center: an overtime win over a quality team, the one thing the Rams had lacked so far this season. A game-winning shot from the most unexpected source, sophomore point guard Marquis Jones, and big shots all night from Baron, Kahiem Seawright, Keith Cothran, and Delroy James.

It was a total team effort, the kind the Rams will need in their final two games of the season, at Duquesne and home against Massachusetts, before the A-10 Tournament in Atlantic City.

The Rams have experienced “it” for the first time in a long time—a quality win over a quality opponent. It was something needed if this team is going to make a serious run and a serious case for inclusion in the brackets on Selection Sunday.

Now URI wants to experience the ultimate “it,” a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time this decade and for the first time since Odom was an undergraduate student-athlete at the school. The key now will be to ride the momentum of the big win over Dayton and close out the season with wins over Duquesne and UMass and head into the conference tournament with a first-round bye and a legit shot at making the championship game.

If that happens, then the Rams might be dancing this season, might be a part of March Madness and experience the ultimate “it,” which would be a long time coming for this program.

The NFL in England Is a Dumb Idea

Kevin Ryder — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:59:19 -0500

It was announced yesterday by the NFL that the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Bucs would play in the annual NFL regular season game at Wembley Stadium in England.

This is a horrible idea. Not as dumb as the once-proposed Patriots exhibition trip to China (which was cancelled), but it ranks right up there.

Now, for full disclosure, I am a lifelong Patriots fan. I have been through the lowest of lows and the recent highest of highs. But my opinion doesn’t apply just to the Patriots playing across the pond; it is playing games in England.

I know for a fact there are diehard Patriots fans in the UK. I have personally met many of them when they have descended on Foxborough for games and wandered over to the lively tailgate party we had going on. For those guys, I am happy that the NFL is playing games in their country.

But the idea of playing games THAT COUNT in a foreign country across the Atlantic Ocean is beyond idiotic. This year, the Saints and Chargers had the privilege of playing this game. What it meant for San Diego was coming to the East Coast to play a game, and then jump on a plane to go to England, play, then fly back to California.

This trip to England comes on the heels of the Pats playing a pair of two-game road trips to the West Coast. While the Arizona Cardinals also have had a crappy road schedule—and still have to come to Foxborough—the Patriots played the 'Niners and Chargers back in October (which they went 1-1), and now get ready to face the Seahawks and Raiders over the next two weeks.

There is one person in the Patriots organization who IS delighted that the team is playing this game in England next year: owner and CEO Robert Kraft. He gets the chance to expose his brand—and make no mistake, living in New England, the Patriots are a brand, close to the level of the Red Sox, Yankees, and Packers—to a whole new clientele.

If Tom Brady is back playing next year, imagine the jersey, apparel, and other product sales the Pats will see at Wembley Stadium. This trip will no doubt help line the pockets of the owner of the team, plus exposure to an international audience on an international stage, and in prime time in England.

But if you were able to get the players to speak truthfully on the subject—and none of them will until probably the week of the game in 2009—they will all say how upset they are of having to play this game. There was outrage and disappointment from the players and coaching staff when it was announced the Pats would play an exhibition game in China, and that game didn’t count.

The NFL has floated out an idea of having actual teams based in Europe that will play regular season games. This is ludicrous. I know the NFL is a business and is looking for ways to increase its profits and its appeal.

But playing meaningful games in foreign countries across the Atlantic Ocean is not the way to go. It is a dumb idea by the smartest professional leagues operating today.

Kevin Garnett's Chance to Shine

Kevin Ryder — Wed, 28 May 2008 05:25:01 -0400

BOSTON – It is game five of the NBA Eastern Conference finals tonight. With the series between the Celtics and Pistons tied at 2-2, tonight’s game is a pivotal one as the two teams grapple for control of the series.

It is also a big one for Kevin Garnett.

KG came to the Celtics during the off-season—the golden jewel after the Celtics lost out in the draft lottery for either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. He was the Big Ticket, and he was Boston’s ticket back to the top of the NBA.

During a 66-win season, Garnett was the emotional leader of the Celtics. He could be seen getting teammates hyped to play, making sure they never took a night off. He helped solidify a shaky defense into the best in the league. And he became adored by a region of fans.

Now, it is time for KG to take the next step.

It is a step that has been taken by Celtic legends before him—be it Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Tommy Heinson, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish and Larry Bird. He needs to put this Celtics team on his back and take over game five.

Yes, along with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, Garnett is part of the so-called new Big Three. Yes, they have each been the unquestionable leaders of the team this season.

But it is time for Garnett to separate himself.

Pierce appears tired. He has played the best defense I have witnessed during his career, helping to stifle LeBron James during a brutal seven-game series in the semifinals, and now shutting down Tayshaun Prince. But because of the hard work he has been putting in on defense, his offense is suffering.

Allen is a whole other story. He has unexpectedly lost his outside shot—the one that was so valuable all season and one of the main reasons he was brought to Boston last summer. Right now, you would be hard pressed to even find it on eBay.

Allen has tried to make up for it with other aspects of his game, including his drives to the hoop, foul shooting, and rebounding. But without that outside shot, his biggest asset to this team is taken away.

Enter KG. The Big Ticket. No. 5. The one who almost single-handedly helped tip the balance in the East in Boston’s favor this season.

He has been everything he was advertised to be—and then some. He has played unselfishly. He looks to his teammates first before taking his own shot. He is one of the best-passing big men in the game today.

But this is the playoffs. This is where legends are made and careers are held in the balance. Play well in the playoffs, and you will be remembered forever (see Horry, Robert).

Garnett needs to take over tonight’s game.

He is arguably the best player on the floor. When he gets the ball on the block, the Pistons have a hard time guarding him.

He can take Rasheed Wallace to the hoop every time and either get easy hoops or force ‘Sheed to foul him. KG eats players like Jason Maxiell and Theo Ratliff for lunch.

I love the fact that KG is an unselfish player, but he needs to put that aside tonight for the betterment of the team. If the Celtics are to win tonight in front of the home folks at the Garden, which will surely be rocking, he needs to think of himself first.

A fast start by Garnett will cause the Pistons to change their defensive philosophy. It will open up the game for Pierce, Rajon Rondo—even Allen. And, it will make the Celtics run more efficiently on offense.

In short, Garnett's play will help the Celtics take control of the conference finals from the Pistons. And it could turn KG into the next Celtics' playoff legend.

March Madness: Who Will Be Wearing Cinderella's Slipper This Year?

Kevin Ryder — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:59:45 -0400

As millions of people across the country -- from the diehards to Mary in accounting -- fill out their NCAA Tournament brackets before the start of Thursday's games, they are all looking to predict The Upset. They all want to be the one who correctly predicts the 2008 version of George Mason, Gonzaga or Valparaiso.

Once the brackets were announced on Selection Sunday, pundits and amateurs all had their say about who was this year's Cinderella and why they would upset the BCS schools.

I define a Cinderella, or an upset, as a team seeded 6th or higher that can advance to at least the Sweet 16. I was privileged enough to be along for one of these rides, when Cuttino Mobley and Tyson Wheeler led the ninth-seeded URI Rams to the Elite Eight of the 1998 Tournament, beating Murray State in the 8-9 game, upsetting top seed Kansas (and Paul Pierce) and knocking off Valparaiso before falling, in heartbreaking fashion, to Stanford in the regional finals.

For this year's tournament, I will break down the possible upsets and profile any teams I see that can make a deep run in this year's tournament.

EAST REGIONAL

UPSET SPECIAL: #11 Saint Joseph's over #6 Oklahoma

All season, the Atlantic 10 has been in the midst of a resurgance, and the Hawks have been in the middle of it. Head coach Phil Martelli's troops have beaten Xavier this season and made a run all the way to the conference title game. Oklahoma is the prototypical overrated Big 12 team. They are led by two big guys, both of whom are hurt, and one who just had leg surgery. Not exactly how you want to be entering the dance.

TEAM THAT CAN MAKE A RUN: #5 Notre Dame

The Irish are led by the Big East Player of the Year, Luke Harangody (6-foot-8), who is averaging 20 points and 10 boards per game, and sharp shooting Kyle McAlarney, who shoots 45% from behind the arc. That is the perfect inside-outside combination to make a deep run.

TEAM YOU CAN'T TRUST: #8 Indiana

The Hoosiers have been among the top-15 teams all season. Then Kelvin Sampson gets caught making NCAA infractions and the team went into a tailspin, including an early exit in the conference tournament. They are led by two prime-time players in DJ White and Eric Gordon, but the turmoil around the team makes them tough to have advancing deep into the tournament.

FINAL FOUR TEAM: #1 North Carolina

The Heels are the best team in the country. If they are 100% healthy, they will be tough to beat. Fans of UNC should feel safe booking their flight to San Antonio.

WEST REGIONAL

UPSET SPECIAL: #10 Arizona over #7 West Virginia

This region isn't ripe for many upsets in the first round. I can see Arizona toppling West Virginia, since the Mounties might have played their best hoops in the Big East Tournament and may not have much left, especially playing in the first day of the tournament.

TEAM THAT CAN MAKE A RUN: #3 Xavier

They are one of the best teams in the country, especially with how well their guards play. Head coach Sean Miller's name will come up in regards to some top coaching openings, including Indiana, as he has built a strong and successful program. Drew Lavender is one of the best guard in the country, and Josh Duncan can put a team on his back with his outside shooting.

TEAM YOU CAN'T TRUST: #2 Duke

The Dookies should beat Belmont in round 1, but could very well be ousted in the second round against Arizona/West Virginia. If the Devils don't shoot well, they are done. Live by the 3, die by the 3, and Duke shouldn't prepare for a long stay.

FINAL FOUR TEAM: #3 Xavier

UCLA is tough, but young. It should be a heck of a regional final between UCLA and Xavier, but the Musketeers will head to San Antonio.

SOUTH REGIONAL

UPSET SPECIAL: #13 Oral Roberts over #4 Pittsburgh

The Panthers have been up and down all year, and the conference tournament champs of the Big East have been better with Levance Fields in the lineup. But they sometimes struggle against good defensive teams, and Oral Roberts is one of the better defensive teams in the country.

TEAM THAT CAN MAKE A RUN: #6 Marquette

More so because of the bracket they are in. Marquette gets an overrated Kentucky team in round one, a soft Stanford team in the second round and a young Texas team in the Sweet 16 (assuming all win). A lot of making a run is who you face, and Marquette is primed for a run.

TEAM YOU CAN'T TRUST: #1 Memphis

Yes, they are exciting. Yes, they have been among the top teams all season. But, they can't shoot free throws, rely too much on freshmen and have Coach Cal on the sidelines. Plus, they played in the Conference USA, quite possibly one of the worst conferences in basketball. In their only tough game over the past two months, Memphis lost, at home, to Tennessee. Memphis could be in trouble against the 8-9 winner, Mississippi St-Oregon.

FINAL FOUR TEAM: #2 Texas

Young, but test, thanks to playing with Kevin Durant last year. DJ Augustin is the real deal, and Rick Barnes is a good X's and O's coach. Plus, they will be the beneficiary of some upsets on their road to the Final Four.

MIDWEST REGIONAL

UPSET SPECIAL I: #12 Villanova over #5 Clemson

The Tigers are overrated, and get a #5 seed based on their run in the weak ACC Tournament. The Wildcats, despite losing to Georgetown in the Big East Tournament, are capable of shooting the 3 and scoring in bunches. If Scotty Reynolds gets hot, look out. Ask Syracuse.

UPSET SPECIAL II: #14 CS Fullerton over #3 Wisconsin

The Titans, normally a baseball power, is capable of scoring points in a hurry. This is one area the Badgers can't compare, as they historically struggle on offense. Josh Akognon is a name you will get to know over the weekend, and he is the real deal, scoring nearly 20 points and shooting 40% from behind the arc. Don't sleep on the Titans!

TEAM THAT CAN MAKE A RUN: #6 Southern Cal

The first round matchup with Kansas St. will be an instant classic, especially the Mayo vs. Beasley subplot. USC should be playing in the Sweet 16, where it will probably lose to Georgetown. But Mayo is exciting to watch, and so are the Trojans, who had a memorable game in the semifinals of the Pac-10 Tournament against UCLA.

TEAM YOU CAN'T TRUST: #3 Wisconsin

They are the beneficiaries of the strength of the Big 10. They are boring. They can't score. And you can't trust them. They struggled mightily against a weaker Illinois team in the conference title game. They are primed for one-and-done this year.

FINAL FOUR TEAM: #2 Georgetown

More because of my hatred for Kansas. Plus, Georgetown is playing its best basketball now, with Roy Hibbert becoming a force down low and Jonathan Wallace and Jesse Sapp shooting from the outside.

CONCLUSION

This will be another memorable tournament, one that will be talked about for the next month. And with Georgetown, North Carolina, Texas and Xavier, it should be an entertaining Final Four in San Antonio.