03:54 PM EST on Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Frank the moderator: From an email:
F-man2: Where does the all time series between URI and PC stand? Prediction for Dec. 3: PC, 78; URI, 66.
Kevin McNamara: I believe PC leads, 64-51. The Friars play at Ryan Center this year. They lost in their 1st ever trip to the building two years ago and edged the Rams in overtime at home last year. These two teams are really in flux right now. URI has to integrate Dawan Robinson into its attack beginning Saturday against Brown. Then it's time for the PC game. The Friars have Vermont tonight, New Hampshire Wednesday and then hit the road for Fairfield, Wichita State and URI. That's not easy for a team starting two freshmen and with little bench.

Moto: Anything new on Dawan's status? Can we expect him to be in uniform and ready to play when the Rams return from Utah?
Kevin McNamara: I have heard nothing but good things about Dawan's health. He's practiced well and behaved himself off the floor. I would be shocked if he doesn't play 25 or so minutes against the Bears. His return to a high level of play, however, could take awhile.

rhody79: What do you think of URI's recruiting class did they sign 5 or 6 and why no big man??
Kevin McNamara: Jim Baron's recruiting philosophy seems to be just finding the best players. He likely sees an Atl-10 with few centers of prominence and wonders why he needs one. JUCO Darrell Harris is a perfect example. He's 6-10 but not suited for banging but is a fine catch. I love Kaheim Seawright's potential. Even at 6-7 or 6-8 with long arms, he can be a dominant Atl-10 rebounder. Centers are overrated. I'd rather have aggressive, versatile forwards.

TheProcess: Any word on what other Rams think of the Jon Lucky situation? Are his teammates sympathetic to him or angry that he left so suddenly?
Kevin McNamara: No word. I'm sure some are happy. It gives them more playing time. That's the golden charm for these kids. Getting on the floor often outweighs winning. If the two fit together, perfect.

Kevin McNamara: The 6 players URI did sign are impressive. I have only seen Delroy James, a lefty small forward who handles the ball very well and can run and jump. I hear good things about T. Grier and M. Jones, two small but productive guards. Joe Mbang is a stud athlete who could be one of those tough, rebounding forwards Baron likes. And word is Keith Cothran of Winchendon Prep is a fine scorer.

rhody79: What do you know about next years recruits for URI??
Kevin McNamara: I saw Delroy James Sunday at the outstanding tournament at St. Andrew's. He'll be back in town in Kingston for a tourney in February. He's athletic, runs well and looks to finish strong. His shot looked okay, but that's not his strong suit. He plays on a loaded team at Laurinburg that also features two other URI targets: center Phil Jones and forward Kiwan Smith. I have not seen the other recruits so I don;t like to take other people's word. Did anyone on this chat see St. Thomas More play??

TheProcess: Baron seems to favor playing upperclassmen even when freshmen can do the job better. Do you agree, and if so, why do you think Baron is so wedded to "experience" vs. young talen. It seems a waste to recruit good kids only to have them languish on the bench.
Kevin McNamara: Excellent observation. I think Baron wants to give Tyrese Sullivan and Jon Clark all the opportunity in the world to keep their minutes. While both will have roles on this team, I see younger players going be them. This is a common move for coaches and it's up to the seniors to hold onto their spots. My top 5 for URI would be: Dawan, J.Baron, JWise, TMack and D. Harris. Seawright is the 6th man. That's a good team, potentially.

rhodyram74: I am looking forward to watching Jim Baron, Jr. play for Rhody the next four years. He is so smooth and plays hard the entire time he is out on the court. Do you see any potential problems with him playing for his dad?
Kevin McNamara: Not at all. He is a very nice kid who is living his dream. Father and son are very close and problems only develop when it looks like the dad is playing the kid and he doesn't deserve it. That's not the case here. I love Jimmy's potential, especially on a team that can't score. Jimmy and Dawan Robinson are potentially the two best scorers on the team. They need to play!

ARamfanInSK: I know you don't follow URI as closely as PC, but can you explain why Baron consistantly starts the less talented seniors (no names needed) in place of the highly talented youth on this team? I don't like the "It's the guys who play the most minutes that matter, not who starts" routine either, because this starting unit consistantly gets behind early, leaving an uphill battle for our young guys to deal with. Who would you start if you coached URI?
Kevin McNamara: It's early. They played Sacred Heart. We'll see who starts in Utah and against Providence.

Kevin McNamara: And I agree. It's who gets the minutes, not who starts.

tpc390: What do you think of Tim Welsh as a bench coach?
Kevin McNamara: I think Tim Welsh's bench coaching would be much better if he had a good point guard. This is no knock on Donnie McGrath, who's had a nice career at PC. But he's been a shooting guard in a PG's body the last three years. That has really cost the Friars in close ballgames. Obviously, the team's record in tight games was abysmal last year. That needs to improve and is a poor reflection on the coach. Having two penetrating PG's like frosh Weyinmi Efejuku and Sharaud Curry will really help. Now if they could only be setting up Ryan Gomes.....

ARamfanInSK: Kevin, you just lost a lot of credibility regarding URI if you think TMack is a top 5 player and you don't even mention Will Daniels....
Kevin McNamara: That's your opinion. I'll take Terrence Mack, a senior who's done a lot in his career, over Will Daniels. Right now. Make Will my 7th guy. He could be in the top 3-4 by the end of the season but I need to see much more. He is a good prospect.

rhodyram74: I agree with your starting five for URI except for T. Mack. He carried the team on his shoulders last year but I feel Wil Daniels is one of the starting five not T. Mack. Would you have J. Baron as your point guard and Robinson as the shooting guard?
Kevin McNamara: Other way around with the guards. Jimmy will really benefit by a PG who can penetrate and dish. That's Dawan. Getting Dawan back and asking him to score, score, score is not the way to go. Be a PG first, then score. And hey, both Tmack and Wil Daniels are playing an awful lot for this team. Why do you have to pick between the two?

rhody79: Kevin an FYI My son now a walk on at wake played with M. Jones and against T. greer. Both may not be that tall but they both play bigger than they are they are both very strong and excellent athletes. Jones is a great on ball defender and more of a point. Greer is and accomplished offensive player who can go inside and out, He had 36 against us in a loosing effort. Two good gets but very different players who could easily play together.
Kevin McNamara: I am quite friendly with Jere Quinn, the coach at St. Thomas More. He has both Grier and Jones this year and he insists they will play together an awful lot. He says Jones is a true PG who can run a team and also score. Grier is more of a power guard, perhaps like the old GTown guards..Horace Broadnax maybe. They both look like fine gets.

Ajax: Kevin,
Will Montez Downey be a Friar?
Kevin McNamara: I know the staff went to see him in North Carolina last week. My guess is if he can get through admissions (which was the problem in August) he'll be here. They certainly need help at off guard. Athletically, the reports on the kid are good. So what are the chances? Ask admissions.

Ajax: Kevin,
What are the chances that Downey is at PC for the 2nd semester?
Kevin McNamara: See above.

Kevin McNamara: Thanks everyone for the participation. We will continue with these Monday chats (close to every week) throughout the season. Please join us. Special shout out to the Ram fans. Way to go. The Friar people must be fretting about the season starting tonight. Don't be bashful. Join in. Thanks again.