URI senior Jason Francis (54), battling for a rebound during a game against Northeastern earlier this month, is being rewarded for his hard work and aggressive play this season.

/

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — As with all coaches, Jim Baron has tendencies and traits that distinguish him from others who do the same work. Take, for example, what Baron is doing with Jason Francis these days.

It would have been easy for Baron, the URI basketball coach, to have forgotten about Francis, one of three seniors on his team.

Francis performed with only marginal success last year after transferring from Southeastern Illinois College. The burly 6-foot-9 forward from Old Harbour, Jamaica, averaged only 2.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 29 games.

Late in the season, Francis developed knee problems. He had a knee drained, but the problems continued into this season, limiting Francis’ preseason work. Francis gained weight, to about 300 pounds.

That made it difficult for Francis to keep up with the rest of the team, especially with the running, pressing style the Rams are using this season. Francis did not play at all in two of the early games, and his work in other contests has been limited to 6.3 minutes.

So, some might have been surprised when Baron made his first change in the starting lineup all season for Tuesday’s game against New Hampshire — inserting Francis in place of Delroy James. But for those who know Baron’s inclinations, it really was not a surprise.

“He’s a tough competitor,” Baron says of Francis. “He’s one of our upperclassmen. He’s a hard worker. He puts everything into what he does.”

There are times when Baron, like any coach, will remove a player or limit playing time because that player is not doing what he is asked. But if a player gives his all, especially as a senior, Baron usually finds a way to reward him. That appears to be what Baron is doing with Francis.

Asked about a starting lineup for this afternoon, when the Rams (7-3) host Central Connecticut (4-4) at 4 o’clock at the Ryan Center, Baron said he is leaning toward starting Francis again.

“Jason continues to use his body. He’s physical and aggressive like we want all our players to be,” the coach said.

At one point in the New Hampshire game, Francis tried to draw an offensive foul. He took a hit from a Wildcats player while driving to the hoop. It was a play that, in many circumstances, likely would have drawn an offensive foul. But Francis is so big, he does not get the benefit of the doubt from officials and nothing was called, even as Francis was knocked to the ground.

Another time, Francis got in a scrum while fighting for a loose ball and was knocked to the floor, face first, and shaken up. The Rhody fans gave him an ovation when he got up and left the court.

Even with getting the starting nod, Francis played only nine minutes against New Hampshire. It does not look as it he will play much more than that in most games this season. But what Baron obviously is doing by starting him now, in some of the lower-pressure nonconference games, is telling Francis that he recognizes his willingness to work.

It is Baron’s way of rewarding a senior.

URI could be one player short in the frontcourt today. Will Martell also was hurt in the New Hampshire game, injuring a knee. The 7-footer, who has been coming on nicely — he is one of the guys who has taken some of the playing time from Francis in the five spot — did not practice most of the week and is questionable for today, Baron said.

Height is not a big need against Central Connecticut. The Blue Devils have a small team, with no one taller than 6-foot-6.

However, they do have a good inside player in Ken Horton. He enters averaging 20.6 points and 7.4 rebounds. He has blocked 17 shots. Despite their lack of size, the Blue Devils have outrebounded their opponents in each of their last seven games.

pkenyon@projo.com