We continue our recruit and return series with the Rhode Island Rams, whose season ended Sunday with a loss to Oregon in the Midwest Region. A look at what the 2017-18 season could hold:
Possible 2017-18 starting five
G: Jeff Dowtin
Who is lost: Rhode Island's frontcourt starters are both departing. Hassan Martin has been one of the best defensive players in the country all four years with the Rams, but he became a much more productive offensive weapon late in his career. Martin finished his senior season second on the team in scoring, shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. His presence on the defensive end will be difficult to replace. One-time elite recruit and former Memphis transfer Kuran Iverson is also leaving. He bought into his role once he got to Rhode Island and became an integral piece due to his size and ability to score at all three levels. There just weren't many players like him in the Atlantic 10. The big remaining question surrounds star guard E.C. Matthews. His NBA draft stock is not what it was a couple seasons ago, but he's still a big, strong guard who can handle the ball and has improved his outside shot.
Who is added: Dan Hurley is only bringing in one freshman next season, but he's a good one. Daron "Fatts" Russell is only a three-star prospect, but he's the type of player who will have a terrific four-year career in the Atlantic 10. Russell is very quick and can get into the lane consistently against his defender. He's aggressive and loves to create for himself and others off the dribble. If Matthews leaves, Russell will be even more important as a playmaker. Either way, he'll find a way to make an impact. Big man Michael Tertsea redshirted this past season.
What it means for next season: Matthews' status is the key. If he returns, Rhode Island has its best scorer and most dangerous offensive players back in the fold. If not, Hurley will have to find new go-to guys in the offense, as his top three scorers will all be gone. Jared Terrell is a strong, physical wing guard who has improved his perimeter shot over the last three years after being mostly a downhill, bully-type finisher at the high school level. Jarvis Garrett, Stanford Robinson and Jeff Dowtin all played key backcourt roles this season.
Garrett missed most of the middle of the season with an illness, and his minutes were limited late in the campaign, but he was the team's best point guard as a sophomore and could get back to that when healthy. Dowtin, a freshman, filled in admirably -- and his passing and playmaking ability helped key Rhode Island's late-season surge. Robinson provided scoring punch and defensive versatility off the bench, but could be looked to for a bigger offensive role next season. Up front, Hurley will need to find replacements for Martin and Iverson. The two most likely pieces are Nicola Akele and Cyril Langevine, who finished third on the team in rebounds despite playing just the ninth-most minutes. With an extended role, he could be very productive down low. Akele has shown inside-outside flashes during his first two seasons.
Trending: Level. Hurley finally broke through and made it to the NCAA tournament in his fifth season with the Rams and seventh season as a college head coach. The losses of Iverson and Martin will be tough, and if Matthews goes, this could change to "down." But there's still a ton of perimeter talent returning.