URI’s Keith Cothran, right, steals the ball from UNH’s Colbey Santos during the first half of last night’s game at the Ryan Center.

The Providence Journal / Ruben W. Perez

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — With so much going on in the first month of the season, it has been difficult for URI basketball fans to take a step back and discuss what their team is really like this season.

After watching the Rams sweep past his team, 88-56, last night at the Ryan Center, New Hampshire coach Bill Herrion provided an analysis for Rhody’s fans.

“Obviously, they thoroughly, thoroughly, thoroughly outplayed us tonight,” Herrion said. “We played down here last year (and lost, 87-76). They’re a much better team than last year, I think; much more athletic, much more aggressive. They throw a lot of bodies at you. They’re good. Very, very good.”

Herrion, whose team is now 3-4, got to see the Rams’ “A” game.

Coming off the tough one-point loss to Providence College on Saturday, Rhody coach Jim Baron was worried about a possible letdown. His team did start a bit slowly. But the Rams got into it through defense — their press harassed UNH into 18 turnovers, which led to 22 URI points. The Rams (7-3) were in total control over the last 30 minutes.

Baron is not yet ready to agree with Herrion. He spoke about how this team has targets to aim for.

“Two years ago, we made it to the Atlantic 10 finals. Last year we made it to the Top 25,” he pointed out.

With more efforts like last night, he knows this squad can leave its mark, too.

“It was a really good team effort by our guys, bouncing back from a busy week,” Baron said. “We got balanced scoring (five guys in double figures), did a great job sharing the ball (19 assists) and got some excellent minutes off our bench (the subs provided 49 points).”

Interestingly, both coach Baron and Keith Cothran, who led the scoring with 14 points, spoke about how they feel this team could help itself as the season goes along because it is more close-knit.

“I think our leadership is a lot more focused for some,” Baron said. “(Jason) Francis, (Kahiem) Seawright, (Jimmy) Baron. They understand what we need to do. They’re very focused. I think we have a good group of guys that gets along with each other.”

“It’s more family-oriented,” Cothran said. “Last year, guys didn’t really want to talk about bad games. This year we talk about good games and bad games. There’s no pouting, like last year. We know what we have to do.”

They will need to play like that down the road to match the 21 victories last year’s club posted. The opposition will get much tougher. New Hampshire, coming off a victory over Brown, was overmatched trying to deal with URI’s speed.

“They didn’t press last year, so you could run your stuff against them,” Herrion noted. “They’re speeding up the game now. That’s how they’ve got to play.”

New Hampshire was within 12-10 before the Rams ran off 10 straight points. The run included a steal off the press and a basket by Stevie Mejia, a highlight-reel dunk off the break by Cothran, then a 3-pointer by Cothran. When it was over, it was 22-10 URI.

It was 37-23 at the half. Any hope the Wildcats might have had disappeared immediately when they did not score in the first 4:35 of the second half. By that time, URI had piled up nine more points for a 46-23 lead.

Baron gave everyone a chance to play after that. After Cothran’s 14 points, Baron and Lamonte Ulmer each had 11 and Seawright and Delroy James 10 apiece. Eleven players scored, including two of the walk-ons — Mike Harris, who had five points, and Jake Grimes, who had three.

Alvin Abreu had 13 points and Tyrece Gibbs 12 for New Hampshire. UNH missed four dunks and hit only two of its first 11 free throws. The 56 points was the lowest total for a URI opponent since the Rams held Fordham to 57 two years ago.

“I was hoping they’d have a letdown (after the PC game), but he (Baron) had them ready to play,” Herrion said. “They’re good. I think they’re going to have a terrific year. They’re definitely an NCAA-caliber team.”

pkenyon@projo.com