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Duke Basketball: Scouting the Rhode Island Rams

By Kevin Connelly

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Rhode Island Rams watches his team in the first half of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Rhode Island Rams watches his team in the first half of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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After coming from behind to take down Oklahoma in overtime, Rhode Island moved on to the Second Round and will take on the Duke Blue Devils.

The Rhode Island Rams were led by their senior guard, E.C. Matthews, in the First Round who scored 16 points on the Sooners.

Unlike the Blue Devils, the Rams got a major contribution from their bench. Although only using three players off the bench, they combined for 23 points.

The Rams play with a Jersey City, New Jersey fearless and tenacious approach that was instilled in their head coach, Dan Hurley.

Duke fans know that grit and toughness from Dan Hurley’s brother and former Duke standout Bobby. Dan is also the son of legendary high school coach Bob Hurley.

Once again, the Blue Devils will have a major size difference inside. Rhode Island is a small team, but they are much more athletic than Iona.

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In the eight-man rotation that the Rams played against Oklahoma, their tallest players were listed at 6’8″, Andre Berry and Cyril Langevine.

Despite coming off the bench, Langevile scored 14 points and pull down 10 rebounds in 29 minutes, while Berry started yet only added 5 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes.

Out of the Atlantic-10 Conference, the Rams were the top team in the conference throughout the regular season but fell in the A-10 Championship to Davidson.

Despite Matthews being the leading scorer in the First Round for Rhode Island, the Rams’ leading scorer on the season was Jared Terrell at 17.0 points per game. Terrell had 13 in the win on Thursday.

Matthews averages 13.2 points per game.

On a lighter note, Rhode Island may have a player with the best name in the country, Fatts Russell. Russell had a very good game against Oklahoma, scoring 15 points in 21 minutes.

A perrinal Top-25 team throughout the season, Rhode Island took down power confernce teams Seton Hall and Providence this season, while losing to Virginia and Alabama. The Rams also defeated Duke’s First Round opponent, Iona 80-74 back in late December.

A game preview will be released tomorrow, but you can bet it will stress the importance of Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr. dominating in the paint.

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