01:15 PM EST on Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Frank the moderator: Hey all. Kevin McNamara stops by Wednesday @ noon. Submit a question now.

Kevin McNamara: Hello everyone. It's a slow game week for college basketball in Rhode Island but we have much to discuss. I'll be available for the next hour so fire away.

BC Dad: BC stunk the place out last night. What do you think is behind their poor performance in clutch games? Bench coaching?
Kevin McNamara: The Eagles are slowly adjusting to their new conference. The Big East, as we know, is a bump and grind league where scoring 65 points can win games. The ACC is a run and shoot league where teams want to score 80 points. BC needs to play that tougher defense to keep those games to their liking.

Kevin McNamara: To think bench coaching is an issue at BC is a joke. Al Skinner's track record speaks for itself. BC should be fine. At Maryland, at Ga. Tech and home vs. NC State is a brutal start.

steven13: which of the 4 freshman do you see as having the most upside potential?
Kevin McNamara: Could be wrong here but it may be Weyimi Efejuku. I like kids who can get their own shot and Weyinmi can do that in spades. Strong and quick is a good place to start in the Big East. That said, Geoff McDermott can be a very good, 4-year Big East player. Very productive.

steven13: What's the chances of getting a W at Notre Dame?
Kevin McNamara: Of the road games, Notre Dame is one of the better chances for PC to get a win. Watch the Irish at home tonight vs. Syracuse. They are good when they shoot the 3-pointer. But they are vulnerable.

tommyboy: Is Tim Welsh really that hard to get along with that all these young kids can't wait to get away from him.
Kevin McNamara: While Welsh and his staff need to comfort their players more, maybe it's a plus that they don't stroke players who may not be good enough to make a big impact. That's the case with most of the players who left the program (Brewington,DeSean White excepted). That said, the real problem is recruiting good players and good people who can accept their roles in the program. That's what a good program does and it is very, very hard to do. Especially at a place like PC. The good news is Welsh believes that all 8 players in the program now fit that description. And he's recruiting for next year with an eye on the same thing.

scallop117: will the "new" dunk be of any benefit in pc recruits or do kids prefer on campus play?
Kevin McNamara: Here's the deal with The Dunk. For the next two years, the place will be a mess as the rehab takes place. Fans may be entering the building in strange places, locker rooms will be under construction and all sorts of major and minor inconveniences. The good news is when it's done in 2-3 years, everyone will be better off. But if Tim Welsh is recruiting a HS senior right now, he can say the building will be done in your junior and senior year. Is that very appealing? As far as city vs. campus. There is no argument there. PC is playing downtown. A Dunk with 9,000 fans or more is a great buiding. Getting those 9,000 regularly is another issue altogether.

steven13: will DMAC's scoring increase as he gets more accustomed to playing the 2 guard
Kevin McNamara: Increase? Howabout 15 points a game. He's close to that now and I think that's a very strong year for a Big East 2-guard. McGrath has had a very, very good year. It's a shame there were no other point guard options the last two years because seeing him off the ball clearly shows that's where he should have been all along.

Kevin McNamara: Message for Rhody fans..Ram recruit Keith Cothran and Winchendon School will play at St. Andrew's today in Barrington. Tip is 4 p.m. See you there..

talk: Kevin -- How long will Tim Welsh keep his job at PC. Will the admin and the fans get tired of waiting for a blockbuster season, and will he tire of the small market?
Kevin McNamara: Couple different issue there. Tim has three years left on his current contract after this season. I think it's fair to say he needs to show major progress this year and next, putting the Friars into contention for the post-season. This year looks like a major challenge but the prospects for the future appear strong. PC's administration sees that and likes Tim very much. They understand the road blocks in his way, especially in a league like the Big East. As for him tiring of the place....he chose to stay here a few years back. He wants it to work here. Unless, or until, he wins big again, his options for another comparable job in the coaching world would be limited.

steven13: your report card to date on Hanke and Herbert Hill? If the team were deeper, would they play together more?
Kevin McNamara : In a perfect world, I'd like to see Hanke and Hill together. But this Friar team is not perfect. The lack of depth hurts big-time up front where Hill, Hanke and Jon Kale are the only post players. It's tough to play Hanke and Hill together because of foul issues.
Hanke gets better by the week. He had a dreadfully slow start with his defense and rebounding but that's picking up. Offensively, he's very, very good.
Hill has enjoyed 1 good game, at Wichita. That's not what this team needs from a four-year (he's a redshirt junior) veteran.
Watch out for Kale. He could keep stealing minutes from both those guys.
Adding another post player for next season is VITAL.

tommyboy: I know its early in the season but I am looking for a long shot to make the final four. Going to Vegas in a couple of days
Kevin McNamara: Final 4...Wow. Days of long shots (5 seeds or lower) making the Final 4 may be gone. But there is much balance in college BKB this year. I'd say look at the ACC and Big East and pick the team you think will finish 4,5,6. Put your cash on that team to make a March run. Maybe West Virginia and Maryland.

talk: What have the crowds been like at the Ryan Center for URI? Lots of school spirit?
Kevin McNamara: The crowds have been largely disappointing at URI. Like PC, the Rams scheduled quite a few home games during XMas break and the lack of students hurts. That's the case more so at URI and the Ryan Center. The announced (In The House) crowds also seem a bit inflated after being at the Wagner game, for example. As a rule, however, Ram fans pack quite a bit of school spirit. Hopefully they come out in stronger numbers when the better Atl-10 games come into play.

steven13: what's the outlook for adding a quality post player for next year?
Kevin McNamara: I assume you mean at PC. The Friars welcomed Denver big man (6-10, 250 or so) Ray Hall to the Louisville game. Supposedly he liked his visit quite a bit. No verbal commit just yet, however.

Kevin McNamara: Finding talented post players, however, is very, very difficult for anyone in college BKB right now. We'll see what happens.

GatorBerg: Kevin, I know SEC basketball (besides Kentucky) doesn't get any respect in this region, but do my Gators have what it takes to make a run in March?
Kevin McNamara: I like Florida very much. They may be 1 year away but Billy D. is doing a great job with his team and the talent is apparent. They do need one more guard, however. But the team chemistry improved so much with the loss of Anthony Roberson that you should color the Gators dangerous. And the SEC is prety good again, even without Kentucky. I saw Vandy last night and like them very much. Tennessee and Arkansas are good, too.

ajax: Kevin, don't know if you can answer this, but do you follow what goes on in the URI forum or on the providence scout site? What do you think of the discussions on each? PC or URI...which school has the smarter fanbase???
Kevin McNamara: I don't get to either site as often as I'd like but I do enjoy both when I get the chance. I won't say which site is `smarter' but would encourage everyone to use the ProJo.com discussion boards. That said, Scout and Rivals both do a great job, especially with recruiting. They are worth the money.

Frank the moderator: Kevin -- with conference play just beginning, how do you think PC and URI will fare?
Kevin McNamara : In the A-10: I still think the Rams can pull things together and be a factor in the conference. Besides GWashington, there is no power there. URI needs a more consistent offense to be a factor but I'm not ruling out a 8-9-10 win season.
In the Big East: The Friars will struggle, no question. The league is absolutely brutal. I've seen everyone except Seton Hall and St. John's and Providence will have its hands full. The Friars are young and thin (8 players) and that's no way to go through this grinder. If Tim Welsh gets this team to New York for the conf. tourney, he's done a great job..

Kevin McNamara: Thanks for the questions this week. I believe I am schedule to do this again next Thursday. Tell your friends and talk to you then.