We continue our recruit and return series with the Rhode Island Rams, whose season ended with a loss to Duke on Saturday. Here is a look at what the 2018-19 season could hold for Dan Hurley and the Rams:
Possible 2018-19 starting five
G: Jeff Dowtin
Who is lost: There could be changes on the horizon for the Rhode Island program. First, the players: Four or five starters are seniors, including star guards Jared Terrell and E.C. Matthews. Terrell became one of the best guards in the league by his senior season, while Matthews was an elite-level player prior to injury but returned as a senior to become a great No. 2 for Terrell. Former Indiana transfer Stanford Robinson bought into the culture, and his versatility was an asset. Andre Berry, the team’s best inside player, is also moving on. Jarvis Garrett, a key role player throughout his career, is a senior.
Who is added: The biggest addition is ESPN 100 center Jermaine Harris, a 6-foot-9 big man from Maryland. Harris chose the Rams over West Virginia and Xavier. He’s a powerful body who can score at the rim, block shots and rebound. Harris is good in transition and is at his best when getting easy buckets and finishes. He should start immediately inside for Rhode Island. The Rams are also bringing in some perimeter reinforcements, led by four-star small forward Dana Tate, a local product from Massachusetts, and shooting guard Brendan Adams, a talented player from Maryland.
What it means for next season: This is going to be a rebuilding process for Dan Hurley (assuming he’s still in charge of the Rams). Fortunately, he has two high-level guards around which to build. Jeff Dowtin became an integral part of the Rhode Island lineup as a sophomore, taking the point guard role and running with it. He was one of the best distributors in the Atlantic 10 and showed an ability to score on his own, going for 20-plus in back-to-back games in February. Freshman Fatts Russell is going to be an all-conference performer at some point. He possesses terrific quickness and is fearless with the ball in his hands. Dowtin and Russell will create nightmares for opponents. Cyril Langevine leads a host of returning role players up front. Hurley will need some contribution from the wing, which is where Tate and perhaps oft-injured Christion Thompson could come in.
Trending: Down. This seems inevitable, especially if Hurley departs for greener pastures at Pittsburgh or UConn. Even if he stays, the mass exodus of seniors will be difficult to replace. Terrell and Matthews were studs, and though Dowtin and Russell are going to be one of the best backcourts in the league, a drop-off is going to impossible to avoid.