2008 Woodie Awards
Men's basketball off to best start in 27 years with 5-0 record
Evan Crawley
Issue date: 11/20/07 Section: Sports
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11/20/07 - Following a trifecta of victories this past weekend at the Glenn Wilkes Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla., the University of Rhode Island men's basketball team is off to its best start since the 1980-1981 season at a perfect 5-0.
"I think it's a really nice accomplishment, especially for the upperclassmen that have worked so hard over the past few seasons," Rams head coach Jim Baron said.
The Rams topped the University of South Florida 74-67 Friday, Stetson University 80-65 Saturday and the University of Alabama-Birmingham 74-69 Sunday en route to the tournament title.
Senior Will Daniels was named the tournament's most valuable player, averaging 16 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Junior Jimmy Baron also earned all-tournament honors averaging 18 points per game.
Junior Kahiem Seawright broke out of his recent rebounding slump, averaging 12.6 boards per game to go with 9.3 points per game throughout the tournament.
The biggest test when playing three games in a tournament format in as many days is not the teams themselves, but overcoming the fatigue that comes with traveling and grueling competition.
"That was our biggest concern heading in, but we were able to be very resilient," coach Baron said. "We went to Atlantic City last year, and we got the same type of experience."
It may be a little early to think about, but tournaments with this format are great for getting post-season experience for teams.
Despite the team's tournament title, the Rams need to be wary of becoming complacent and enamored with their early success.
"We got to keep working," coach Baron said. "We got a big test with Boston College and Toledo coming up and both are very good teams."
During the last two seasons the Rams have had a tough time against the Eagles, with BC winning 86-68 and 78-56 in the 2006-2007 and 2005-2006 seasons respectively.
Boston College is off to a fast start as well led by junior point guard Tyreese Rice and sophomore forward Shamari Spears, posting a 3-0 mark with wins over New Hampshire, Florida Atlantic and Mercer.
"I think it's a really nice accomplishment, especially for the upperclassmen that have worked so hard over the past few seasons," Rams head coach Jim Baron said.
The Rams topped the University of South Florida 74-67 Friday, Stetson University 80-65 Saturday and the University of Alabama-Birmingham 74-69 Sunday en route to the tournament title.
Senior Will Daniels was named the tournament's most valuable player, averaging 16 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Junior Jimmy Baron also earned all-tournament honors averaging 18 points per game.
Junior Kahiem Seawright broke out of his recent rebounding slump, averaging 12.6 boards per game to go with 9.3 points per game throughout the tournament.
The biggest test when playing three games in a tournament format in as many days is not the teams themselves, but overcoming the fatigue that comes with traveling and grueling competition.
"That was our biggest concern heading in, but we were able to be very resilient," coach Baron said. "We went to Atlantic City last year, and we got the same type of experience."
It may be a little early to think about, but tournaments with this format are great for getting post-season experience for teams.
Despite the team's tournament title, the Rams need to be wary of becoming complacent and enamored with their early success.
"We got to keep working," coach Baron said. "We got a big test with Boston College and Toledo coming up and both are very good teams."
During the last two seasons the Rams have had a tough time against the Eagles, with BC winning 86-68 and 78-56 in the 2006-2007 and 2005-2006 seasons respectively.
Boston College is off to a fast start as well led by junior point guard Tyreese Rice and sophomore forward Shamari Spears, posting a 3-0 mark with wins over New Hampshire, Florida Atlantic and Mercer.