Archie Miller's Rhode Island Rams are betting big on a complete roster overhaul – and they're convinced it's going to pay off. After steadily improving from nine wins to 18 over the past three seasons, is this the year they finally break through in the Atlantic 10? Miller certainly thinks so, despite the fact that almost every key player from last year's squad is gone. But here's where it gets interesting...
"I love our group," Miller stated, emphasizing the strong chemistry he's already seeing. "From the minute we assembled our [team and our] new guys, our young players and our returners have all gotten together, it became really apparent the quality of kid we have... The work ethic of the group has been as impressive as any I’ve ever had anywhere." This is a bold statement, considering Miller's coaching history, which includes successful stints at Dayton and Indiana.
In today's college basketball landscape, the transfer portal reigns supreme, and Rhode Island has fully embraced it. The Rams have brought in a wave of talent from other programs, including guards Myles Corey (South Alabama), Jonah Hinton (St. Bonaventure), and R.J. Johnson (Charleston Southern), along with wings Tyler Cochran (Minnesota) and Jahmere Tripp (Fordham). The frontcourt also gets a boost with the additions of forwards Alex Crawford (Fresno State), Keeyan Itejere (Northern Kentucky), and Mouhamed Sow (Saint Peter’s). That's a LOT of new faces! Will they be able to gel quickly enough to compete in a tough A-10 conference?
What's particularly intriguing is the offensive firepower these newcomers bring. Crawford, Corey, and Johnson all averaged double figures last season. Tyler Cochran, a transfer from Minnesota, was named the Mid-American Conference’s defensive player of the year two years ago while at Toledo, showing that he can impact the game on both ends of the court. The Rams are hoping these transfers will provide an immediate scoring punch and defensive presence.
Securing defensive prowess was a major focus for Miller, as his Rhode Island teams have struggled to consistently get stops in conference play. Another primary goal was to evaluate the potential of the revamped roster, which heavily influenced the Rams’ offseason preparation. "We took a different approach way earlier in May, June and July with our group this year," Miller explained. "We had to treat our summer way more intense, way more time-consuming and way more playing basketball together than ever before." This intensive summer program was designed to accelerate the team's development and build cohesion.
That process is ongoing as Rhode Island prepares for its season opener against Stetson on November 3rd, and it will likely continue throughout the non-conference schedule. Despite the challenges of integrating so many new players, Miller remains optimistic about the potential for a breakthrough season. "Putting together and becoming the team we want is going to take some time, but I’m excited about our group," he said. And this is the part most people miss... Miller understands that building a cohesive team takes time, especially with so many new faces. The non-conference schedule will be crucial for the Rams to develop their identity and chemistry before entering the gauntlet of A-10 play.
A Look at the Rams:
- Coach: Archie Miller, entering his fourth season at Rhode Island (39-55 with the Rams, 245-176 overall in 13 seasons). Miller's experience and track record suggest he knows how to build successful programs.
- Last Year: The Rams started strong, winning their first nine games and entering conference play at 11-1. However, they struggled after New Year’s Day, finishing 18-13 overall with a 7-11 A-10 record and a first-round exit in the league tournament. Last year's collapse highlights the importance of maintaining consistency throughout the season.
- They'll Miss: The departure of nearly all key contributors from last season necessitates this reboot. The biggest loss is guard Sebastian Thomas, who averaged 17.2 points and six assists and earned Third Team All-Conference honors. Replacing Thomas's production and leadership will be a major challenge.
- Impact Returners: Graduate student Drissa Traore, a forward who appeared in all 31 games last season (starting two), is the lone rotation regular returning from last year. He averaged 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds. Traore's experience and familiarity with the system will be valuable assets.
- Newcomers of Note: Veteran guards Myles Corey and R.J. Johnson are expected to play significant roles. Corey has over 2,000 career points, including 13.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season at South Alabama. Johnson, entering his sixth Division I season, has 1,184 career points and averaged 13.8 points and 4.5 assists last season at Charleston Southern. Miller calls him "a true quarterback." "They’re both really sturdy," Miller said. "As older guards in our league, they’re both going to really be able to get started on the defensive side of things to get us started." These experienced guards will be counted on to provide leadership, scoring, and defensive stability.
- Reasons to Be Optimistic: The Rams appear to have the athleticism and speed to play at a faster pace. They ranked 38th in KenPom.com’s adjusted tempo metric last season and could play even faster this year. "We don’t have a player on our team this year that I would put in any category that can’t move," Miller said. "We can really move as a group, top to bottom. Our frontcourt is faster than our guards at times. We have a very athletic group, so we’re going to have to play to that." An up-tempo style could be a key to success for the Rams this season.
- X-Factor: Redshirt junior guard Jonah Hinton, a transfer from St. Bonaventure, has Atlantic 10 experience and could make an impact. He averaged 8.4 points while starting for the Bonnies. "Having the coaches behind you gives you a different sense of confidence," Hinton said. "Having the ball in my hands a lot more, being able to make decisions, facilitate for the team, whatever the team needs that night. I’m going to be a lot more comfortable in that role with the ball in my hands." Hinton's confidence and experience could make him a valuable asset off the bench.
- Circle the Date: Rhode Island participates in the Veterans Classic against Tulsa in Annapolis, MD, on November 7th. They also have their annual rivalry game against Providence on December 6th. These games will provide early tests for the Rams and gauge their progress.
Bottom Line: With so much turnover, it's difficult to predict how the Rams will perform. Their success will hinge on how well the new players mesh, especially the veteran guards. If they can develop chemistry and play well together, Rhode Island could surprise some people in the Atlantic 10. But here's where it gets controversial... Some believe that relying so heavily on transfers is a risky strategy that can lead to a lack of team identity and long-term stability. What do you think? Can a team built primarily through the transfer portal achieve sustained success, or is it a recipe for short-term gains and eventual disappointment? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
