Win the conference tournament. That should be the mantra of every college basketball team in Rhode Island the rest of this season.
Win the conference tournament. An at-large bid to the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments on Selection Sunday, March 16 is unlikely for Rhode Island’s eight Division I programs. Big East, Little East, America East, Ivy League, it makes no difference.
Win the conference tournament. Division III offers a little more reason for optimism. The runner-up might receive a bid — as the UMass Dartmouth women did last year — but don’t count on it.
Win the conference tournament. This year it is everything.
So, who in the Rhode Island hoops delegation has a chance to be dribbling during March Madness? Read on.
DIVISION I MEN
URI is 13-3, 2-2 in the A-10, after its 67-64 overtime victory at Richmond last Saturday. As he has all season, Sebastian Thomas led the way with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocked shots and 2 assists. He scored Rhody’s last four points on a turnaround jumper and two free throws.
Thomas is the best story in Kingston so far. He grew up in Rumford, was a star at Bishop Hendricken, went to URI for two years, transferred to Albany, started 32 games and averaged 19.6 points, and then returned to URI for his senior season. And a good thing he did. When the Rams have needed a basket or a defensive stop, he has met the challenge.
Based on the results to date, URI may have the best chance of the locals to win the conference tournament. But there’s a long way to go, and they have to keep winning, especially at home. Tonight they are in Chicago to play Loyola.
This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.
