Column: Rhody men's hoops ballin' in preseason

11/13/08 - Jim Baron, head coach of the University of Rhode Island men's basketball team, speaks loudly when he talks. Like most successful coaches, he is clear, firm and understood.Baron says that he has been handing out flyers, talking to students in dining halls and doing other activities around campus to get the student body excited about basketball season.

However, there are few things that Baron could say or do at Hope Commons or Butterfield Dining Hall that could be as loud, clear, firm and understood as what he and his team do on the basketball court.

In two preseason games, the Rams have shown that there may not be a more exciting event or a hotter ticket in the Ocean State than a Rhody basketball game. One hundred twenty-three points against Concordia, 109 points against Rhode Island College, and enough highlight reel plays to fill a good hour of "Sportscenter" have the Ryan Center buzzing for the upcoming season.

The Rams play a fast and exciting style of basketball with fast and exciting athletes. Jimmy Baron is as sharp a three-point shooter as you will see.

Keith Cothran, who played 30 minutes against RIC, is a remarkably talented player on both ends of the floor, and he is good for a couple show-stopping dunks each time out.

Marquis Jones, who continues to improve as a point guard, had 11 assists against RIC.

The rest of the team, from the starters to those who come off the bench, are capable of creating fireworks on the court.

One thing is for sure; this team can score a lot of points and keep people in the stands.

"It's definitely a good style to watch as a fan," Jimmy Baron said after putting up 26 points against RIC. Baron went 6-8 from three-point territory in that contest and also drove to the basket well. At one point in the first half, Baron scored eight points in less than one minute.

While Baron's outside shot is as terrific as everyone remembers, his skills taking the ball inside may be on display more this year than in previous years.

"The type of style we're playing gives everyone an opportunity to put the ball on the floor," he said. "As a shooter that is something that you need to do to keep the defense honest."

Baron also praised the play of his point guard, Jones, who has done an outstanding job of finding Jimmy, and other Rhody scorers, in the open court.

"That's my job," Jones said.

The sophomore point guard said that finding the open guy, so they can knock down the shot, is fun for him. He also said that while he had 11 assists, he could have had 15, helping the Rams even more.

Veteran Rhody fans have seen plenty of excitement around this team before, after all, they did start the season 14-1 last year.

"I hope we start the season the way we did last year," Jimmy Baron said. "Like someone else with the same last name as me says, we're trying to take it one game at a time. There's no other way to put it."

Jimmy Baron is absolutely right. While this team has a great deal of talent and potential, they will have to put it all together when it counts. Talent, potential, highlight plays and fast starts do not translate into conference victories and a good finish.

The team will have to work on a few things to get better. Jim Baron acknowledged that defense and rebounding are two areas in which the team will need to improve. If everything comes together the way Baron wants it to, this team will continue to be as exciting late in the season as they are now.

While they know what they need to do, the team cannot accomplish everything alone. It will need the support and faithfulness of the entire URI community to get where they want to be.

"It's nice to see that spirit," Jim Baron said. "In my opinion, that's what makes it real exciting, that Rhody spirit."

On the eve of the regular season, that Rhody spirit needs to be found and brought to the Ryan Center on Friday night for the regular season opener against Brown University. Coach Baron could not stress enough how much he and his team wants and needs students to show their support.