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2011-2012 MEN’S BASKETBALL Preview

Rhode Island College

Men’s Basketball

1 Avery King So. Guard 5-11 170 Pawtucket, RI/St. Raphael Academy2 Ethan Gaye Jr. Guard 5-10 155 Providence, RI/Mt. Pleasant3 Tahrike Carter Jr. Guard 6-2 175 Brooklyn, NY/Benjamin Banneker4 Kadeem Francis So. Guard 6-1 175 White Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac5 Randy Casey Jr. Guard 5-11 170 Attleboro, MA/Canterbury School11 Joseph Sauders So. Guard 5-9 185 Newport, RI/Rogers12 Tom DeCiantis So. Guard 6-4 185 North Kingstown, RI/North Kingstown 21 Keith Hamilton Sr. Guard 6-0 160 Queens Village, NY/MSGR. McClancy22 Brandon Hill Fr. Guard 5-8 170 Bronx, NY/Wings Academy23 Basheem Bennett Fr. Forward 6-3 210 Poughkeepsie, NY/Poughkeepsie24 Michael Palumbo So. Guard 5-9 160 Providence, RI/Classical32 Mason Choice Sr. Forward 6-4 200 Newport, RI/Rogers33 Steven Roberts Jr. Center 6-5 205 New Haven, CT/Hillhouse35 Chris Burton Fr. Forward 6-5 175 New Rochelle, NT/New Rochelle41 Jacob Page Fr. Forward 6-4 185 Brookline, MA/Brookline50 Mike Akinrola Jr. Center 6-6 230 Woonsocket, RI/Woonsocket

Roster

Who’s Back? Who’s Missing?Senior forward Mason Choice was named First Team All-Little East last season. Choice averaged 12 points per game last season. Senior center Mike Akinrola was named First Team All-Little East and the LEC Tournament’s Most Valuable Player last season. Akinrola averaged 14 points per game last season. Junior guard Tahrike Carter, was named team captain along with Choice. Carter averaged four points per game last season.

The Anchormen are forced to replace the contributions of winningest senior class in Anchormen history, comprised of Antone Gray (13 points per game last season), Darius Debnam (4), Nick Manson (9) and Carl Lee (11). Gray and Debnam became the only two players in program history to play in four consecutive NCAA tournaments. Their teams tallied a cumulative record of 89-29 (.754) over the last four years.

Page 3Week of November 1, 2010


2011-2012 Regular Season ScheduleDate / Time Opponent

11/4 7:00 p.m. University of Rhode Island (Exhibition)11/15 7:00 p.m. Clark11/17 7:00 p.m. Becker 11/19 1:00 p.m. Lasell 11/22 7:30 p.m. Bridgewater State 11/27 3:00 p.m. Brandeis 11/29 7:30 p.m. Johnson & Wales 12/03 3:00 p.m. Plymouth State * 12/06 7:30 p.m. Salve Regina12/08 7:00 p.m. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 12/10 3:00 p.m. Eastern Connecticut State *01/05 7:00 p.m. Wheaton 01/07 3:00 p.m. UMass Boston * 01/10 7:30 p.m. Southern Maine * 01/14 3:00 p.m. Keene State * 01/17 7:30 p.m. UMass Dartmouth * 01/21 3:00 p.m. Plymouth State * 01/24 7:30 p.m. Western Connecticut State * 01/28 3:00 p.m. Eastern Connecticut State *01/31 7:00 p.m. Amherst 02/04 3:00 p.m. UMass Boston * 02/07 7:30 p.m. UMass Dartmouth *02/09 7:00 p.m. Bates 02/11 3:00 p.m. Southern Maine * 02/14 7:30 p.m. Western Connecticut State * 02/18 3:00 p.m. Keene State

Home Contests in Bold * Little East Conference game

RIC under the direction of head coach Bob Walsh, finished the 2010-11 season with a 21-8 overall record and an 11-3 (first place tie) mark in the Little East Conference. The Anchormen reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Div. III Tournament for the third time in five years, before their season came to an end in a 78-74 loss to Amherst College in the sectional round on March 11.

The Anchormen shared the 2011 Little East Conference Regular Season Championship with Western Connecticut State University, marking the program’s fifth regular season championship in the past seven years (2010, ’09, ’07, ’05). After a first-round bye, RIC defeated Keene State College (102-92 in double overtime) on Feb. 25. and then defeated Eastern Connecticut State University (62-49) on Feb. 26 to win the Little East Conference Tournament title for the fourth time in the last five years (2010, ’08, ’07). The win gave RIC an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament-the Anchormen’s fifth straight appearance in the Big Dance. RIC was one of only five programs in the nation to qualify for the NCAAs in each of the past five seasons.

Last Season


vs. URI (Exhibition)7:00 p.m.

URI last season20-14 overall, 9-7 ACC

How RIC fared last seasonRIC lost 88-55 in their exhibition contest against URI in the Ryan Center on Nov. 4.

vs. Clark7:00 p.m.

Clark last season10-15 overall, 4-8 NEWMAC

How RIC fared last seasonMike Akinrola scored 19 points as the Anchormen defeated the Cougars 63-49 on the road early last season.

Friday, Nov. 4 Tuesday, Nov. 15

vs. Becker7:00 p.m.

Becker last season24-5 overall, 14-0 NECC

How RIC fared last seasonThe Anchormen were upset 67-53 in their regular season home opener versus the Hawks on Nov. 15.

Thursday, Nov. 17

vs. Bridgewater State7:30 p.m.

BSU last season19-10 overall, 7-5 MASCAC

How RIC fared last seasonMason Choice hit a pair of clutch free throws with 11 seconds left in regulation to lift the Anchormen to a 62-61 victory on Nov. 23.

Tuesday, Nov. 22

vs. Brandeis3:00 p.m.

Brandeis last season19-9 overall, 6-8 UAA

Fast factThe Judges eliminated RIC from the Div. III NCAA Tournament with a 76-65 vcitory in the Sweet 16 two years ago.

Sunday, Nov. 27

vs. Johnson & Wales7:30 p.m.

JWU last season21-9 overall, 14-4 GNAC

Fast FactJWU senior guard Lamonte Thomas is a pre-season first team All American selection. Thomas averaged 30.7 points per game last season.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

vs. WPI7:00 p.m.

WPI last season23-6 overall, 11-1 NEWMAC

How RIC fared last seasonThe Engineers edged the Anchormen 60-59 after RIC senior forward Carl Lee missed a contested layup at the buzzer in overtime on Dec. 9.

Thursday, Dec. 8

vs. Plymouth State3:00 p.m.

PSU last season11-14 overall, 5-9 LEC

How RIC fared last seasonThe Anchormen have won 13 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams dating back to 2004-2005. RIC split the season series with PSU last season.

CAN’T MISS MATCHUPS

Saturday, Dec. 3Saturday, Jan. 21


vs. Eastern Connecticut3:00 p.m.

ECSU last season22-10 overall, 10-4 LEC

Fast FactRIC swept the two-game season series with ECSU last season. Mason Choice hit a half court shot to propel RIC to a 52-49 win on Dec. 4.

vs. UMass Boston3:00 p.m.

UMass Boston last season8-17 overall, 2-12 LEC

How RIC fared last seasonThe Anchormen swept the season series with the Beacons, with an average margin of victory greater than 25 points.

Saturday, Jan. 7Saturday, Feb. 4

vs. Southern Maine7:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Southern Maine last season10-15 overall, 2-12 LEC

Fast FactRIC’s 95-88 loss to Southern Maine last season was their first loss versus the Huskies since the 2005-2006 season.

Tuesday, Jan. 10Saturday, Feb. 11

vs. Keene State3:00 p.m.

Keene State last season17-11 overall, 8-6 LEC

Fast FactThe Anchormen have won 11 of the last 12 meetings, including a 102-92 double overtime victory in the LEC Tournament last year.

Saturday, Jan. 14Saturday, Feb. 18

vs. UMass Dartmouth7:30 p.m.

UMD last season11-15 overall, 7-7 LEC

How RIC fared last seasonRIC rebounded from a 75-70 loss on the road on Dec. 25, blowing out the Corsairs 75-54 at the Murray Center on Feb. 15.

Tuesday, Jan. 17Tuesday, Feb. 7

vs. Western Connecticut7:30 p.m.

WCSU last season22-6 overall, 11-3 LEC

Fast factRIC held WCSU senior guard DaQuan Brooks to 16 and 19 points in two games last season. Brooks averaged 21 points per game last season.

Tuesday, Jan. 24Tuesday, Feb. 14

vs. Amherst7:00 p.m.

Amherst last season25-4 overall, 7-2 NESCAC

How RIC fared last seasonThe Anchormen were eliminated from the Div. III NCAA Tournament 88-84 in the Sweet 16 by the Lord Jeff’s last season.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

vs. Bates7:00 p.m.

Bates last season12-13 overall, 3-6 NESCAC

Fast FactThe Anchormen will face Bates for the first time in program history in their final non-conference matchup of the regular season on Feb. 9.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Saturday, Dec. 10Saturday, Jan. 28


Meet The Anchormen

Junior Guard 5’10” 170 lbsProvidence, RI/Mt. Pleasant

Gaye, a local product from Mount Pleasant H.S. transfered from URI last season and will help fill the Anchormen’s vacancy at the starting guard spots left by the departure of Antone Gray and Nick Manson this season. Gaye is an excellent ballhandler with tremendous vision as a passer on the offensive side of the ball. Gaye is also an excellent defender and rebounder.

Sophomore Guard 6’1” 175 lbsWhite Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac

A solid all-around guard, Francis will see his role expand greatly as a sophomore this season. Francis is a very smooth and athletic guard, who consistently makes smart decisions with the ball in his hands. Francis is equally adept at both setting up his teammates and making plays defensively. Francis will be a key contributor off the bench for the Anchormen.

Sophomore Guard 5’11” 170 lbsPawtucket, RI/St. Raphael Academy

King, a transfer from Division II Lyndon State, will have an immediate impact for the Anchormen either as a starter or coming off the bench this season. King has blazing speed, which makes him a dangerous threat in transition or on a fast break. King’s ability to knock down any shot on the floor makes him a deadly weapon, especially from 3-point range. King is a player to watch.

Avery King

1

Ethan Gaye

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3

Junior Guard 6’2” 175 lbsBrooklyn, NY/Benjamin Banneker

Carter, recently named a team captain, will step into the starting lineup as a junior this season. Carter is an outstanding individual defender, who has made tremendous strides in his offensive game. Already one of the best defenders in the Little East Conference, Carter has the potential to develop into the next superstar for the Anchormen.

Tahrike Carter Kadeem Francis

4 12


Junior Guard 5’11” 170 lbsAttleboro, MA/Canterbury School

Casey, a transfer from Division II junior college Dean College, served as the Bulldogs captain and point guard last season, averaging 7.9 points and 5.2 assists per game. Casey is an athletic combo guard, who is a dynamic slasher capable of driving the lane on the offensive end of the floor. He will factor into the starting rotation at the guard spots immediately this season.

Sophomore Guard 5’9” 185 lbsNewport, RI/Rogers

Saunders is a solid all-around player who will look to carve out a role off the bench for the Anchormen as a sophomore this season. Another local product from Newport, Rhode Island, Saunders hails from the same alma mater (Rogers) as fellow Anchorman, senior forward Mason Choice.

Sophomore Guard 6’4” 185 lbsNorth Kingstown, RI/North Kingstown

DeCiantis is an athletic guard, whose size makes him a matchup nightmare for smaller defenders. A highly touted local product from North Kingstown, Rhode Island, DeCiantis didn’t see much playing time on a veteran team as a freshman last season, but is expected to step into the starting lineup this season for the Anchormen. DeCiantis is a player to watch this season.

Senior Guard 6’0” 160 lbsQueens Village, NY/MSGR. McClancy

A sharp-shooting sniper capable of burying a 3-pointer from anywhere on the floor, Hamilton will be a key contributor off the bench for the Anchormen again this season. A transfer from Queensboro Community College two season’s ago, Hamilton has made strides improving his defense, but his ability on the offensive end makes him a deadly weapon off the bench.

Randy Casey Joseph Saunders

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Tom DeCiantis Keith Hamilton

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Meet The Anchormen

Freshman Guard 5’8” 170 lbsBronx, NY/Wings Academy

Hill is a solid all-around guard, who despite being undersized, will be looking to carve out a role off the bench. RIC has a history of taking undersized players like Hill and turning them into impact players, so don’t be surprised if Hill has an immediate impact as early as this season.

Senior Forward 6’4” 200 lbsNewport, RI/Rogers

A unique blend of speed, athleticism and size allows Choice to be a factor as both a perimeter and interior scoring threat. Choice averaged 12 points per game last season and was named First Team All-Little East for the second consecutive year last season. A team captain, Choice has the potential to be the best player in the Little East Conference as a senior this season.

Brandon Hill

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Basheem BennettFreshman Forward 6’3” 210 lbsPoughkeepsie, NY/Poughkeepsie

A highly touted recruit from New York, Bennett will be looking to make an impact off the bench this season as a freshman. Bennett will be a long-term project for the Anchormen, but has tremendous potential and could develop into an impact player.

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24 32 41

Sophomore Guard 5’9” 160 lbsProvidence, RI/Classical

Don’t let his size fool you, Palumbo is one of the deadliest sharp shooters in the Little East Conference. Palumbo has tremendous range and is capable of burying 3-pointers from anywhere on the court if given an ounce of daylight. What he lacks in pure size, Palumbo makes up for in hustle, especially on the defensive end of the floor where he has a knack for forcing turnovers.

Michael Palumbo Mason Choice


Junior Center 6’5” 205 lbsNew Haven, CT/Hillhouse

Roberts is a developing post-presence with off-the-charts potential thanks to his extraordinary athleticism. Roberts combines his large frame with outstanding leaping ability that not only allows him to compete for rebounds, but finish with a slam dunk at the rim either off a rebound or on a fast break. Roberts will be a key contributor coming off the bench as a junior this season.

Freshman Forward 6’5” 175 lbsNew Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle

A talented and versatile forward, Burton will be asked to come off the bench this season and fill the void left by the departure of Darius Debnam, Carl Lee and Ashton Watkins, who is not with the team due to a family commitment. Burton is a long-term project for the Anchormen, but has the potential to dominate the Little East Conference in the future if he develops his game in the paint.

Freshman Forward 6’4” 185 lbsBrookline, MA/Brookline

Like Burton, Page will be called upon to fill the void left by Debnam, Lee and Watkins this season. Page will come off the bench this season, but has an opportunity to play significant minutes this season. Page is another long-term project for the Anchormen with tremendous upside. Like Burton, Page’s athleticism and size make him an impact defender and shot blocker in the paint immediately this season.

Senior Center 6’6” 230 lbsWoonsocket, RI/Woonsocket

Akinrola stepped into the starting lineup and developed into a dominating presence in the paint for the Anchormen last season. Akinrola was named First Team All-Little East and the Little East Conference Tournament’s Most Valuable Player last season. He averaged 14 points per game last season.

Steven Roberts Chris Burton

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41 50

Jacob Page Mike Akinrola


Little EAST CONFERENCE preview

Eastern Connecticut State is coming off a strong season and will return a good core group of players from last season’s team, which lost in the finals of the Little East Conference Tournament at the hands of the Anchormen at the Murray Center on Feb. 26. ECSU will be dealing with the loss of three key seniors from last year’s team, but a strong recruiting class will put them in the mix once again this season. The Warriors will rely on an experienced defense to shut teams down and individual efforts from Nick Nedwick to be successful.

Keene State improved tremendously last year after a .500 season the year before and you can guarantee they’ll be even better this year. Who can forget the trouble they gave the Anchormen in the “Murray Center Miracle” Little East Conference semifinal game last year. The Owls will be seeking their first LEC title since 2004. Junior forward Derek D’Amours and sophomore guard Ryan Martin will pace the Owls explosive offense. The Owls will be RIC’s biggest challenger this season.

Western Connecticut State tied with the Anchormen for the Little East Conference regular season title last season, finishing 22-6 overall (11-3 LEC). The Colonials split the two-game season series with RIC last season before being knocked out in the semifinals of the Little East Conference Tournament by in-state rival Eastern Connecticut State. Middlebury eliminated the Colonials in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year. This season, the Colonials will be led by senior guard DaQuan Brooks, a pre-season First Team All-American selection.

Key PlayerNick Nedwick (17.9 pts/game)

Last Year’s Results:RIC 52-49, RIC 60-51,

RIC 62-49 LEC Tournament

Key PlayerDerek D’Amours (14.8 pts/game)

Last Year’s Results:RIC 96-82, RIC 78-69,

RIC 102-92 2OT LEC Tournament

Key PlayerDaQuan Brooks (21.8 pts/game)

Last Year’s Results:WCSU 82-77, RIC 86-75

Eastern Connecticut State Warriors

Keene State Owls

Western Connecticut State Colonials


Plymouth State comes back into the picture after still managing to be competitive in a rebuilding year last season. Under the direction of first-year head coach Damien Strahorn, the Panthers went 11-14 including a 5-9 record in the Little East Conference, but were bounced from the LEC Tournament in the first round by Eastern Connecticut State. After losing four seniors to graduation, the Panthers will be rebuilding once again this season.

The Huskies stunned the Anchormen early last season and will have a hard time repeating the feat this season after graduating five seniors including forward Otis Smith and guard Isaac Cortez. With such a young team on the court, expectations are extremely limited for the Huskies this season. Southern Maine will need their freshman and sophomores to step up in order to have a prayer of survival in the Little East Conference this season.

UMass Boston is another young team in the Little East Conference that is looking to work their way back into the playoff picture this season. The Beacons last took home the LEC title in 2006. UMass Boston returns some key pieces that should be able to supply some offense, but with more than half of the players on the team underclassmen, there may just be too much youth on the floor for the Beacons to overcome. You can expect this team to be good, just not yet, maybe in two years.

UMass Dartmouth remains the Anchormen’s biggest in conference rival. The Corsairs are coming off a disappointing season, 11-15 (8-7 LEC), last year and will return a large majority of their starting lineup this season. The big loss for the Corsairs is guard Brandon Stevens, a member of the 1,000-point club, who always gave the Anchormen problems. In order for the Corsairs to be successful in the Little East Conference this year, they need their freshman class to step up.

Key PlayerSean Bergeron (10.4 pts/game)

Last Year’s Results:USM 95-88, RIC 85-54

Key PlayerIsaac Jenkins (12.6 pts/game)

Last Year’s Results:RIC 76-54, RIC 81-52

Key PlayerPaul Rose (13.4 pts/game)

Last Year’s Results:UMD 75-70, RIC 75-54

Key PlayerBrian Chergey (8.8 pts/game)

Last Year’s Results:RIC 73-56, RIC 97-67

Plymouth State University Panthers

UMass Dartmouth Corsairs

UMass Boston Beacons

Southern Maine Huskies


assistant coach record2004-05 Providence 14-17 2003-04 Providence 20-9 #5 SEED NCAA TOURNAMENT 2002-03 Providence 18-14 NIT THIRD ROUND 2001-02 Providence 15-16 2000-01 Providence 21-10 #10 SEED NCAA TOURNAMENT 1999-00 Providence 11-19 1998-99 Providence 16-14 NIT FIRST ROUND 1997-98 San Diego 14-14 1996-97 IONA 22-8 MAAC REG. SEASON CHAMPS/NIT 1995-96 IONA 21-8 MAAC REG. SEASON CHAMPS/NIT 1994-95 IONA 10-17 1993-94 Hamilton 17-9 ECAC SEMI-FINALIST 1992-93 Hamilton 22-5 ECAC FINALIST

MEET THE head COACH

BoB WalshBob Walsh begins his seventh season as Rhode Island College’s head men’s basketball coach. Walsh has presided over one of the most successful periods in program history as RIC has made six consecutive trips to the postseason and five straight appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Anchormen are one of only five programs in the nation to accomplish this feat. Walsh has led RIC to the Sweet 16 three times and the Elite Eight once during his tenure.

Walsh owns a 135-43 record (.758 winning percentage) and has won four Little East Conference Regular Season and four LEC Tournament Championships during his tenure RIC. Over the last four years, the Walsh’s Anchormen have won 89 games, the second most of any four-year stretch in program history eclipsed only by an overlapping stretch which began in 2006 and ended last season during which RIC won 95 games. Entering this season, Walsh is third in program history in career victories.

Walsh owns a pair of exhibition victories over Division I opponents. RIC defeated Iona (82-71) on Nov. 3, 2006 and edged Holy Cross (61-60) on Nov. 1, 2007. The Gaels and Crusaders were coming off NCAA Division I Tournament appearances the previous season.

Walsh, 39, spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Providence College basketball program prior to coming to RIC.

Walsh joined the staff of Providence College’s then-head coach Tim Welsh in 1998 after spending the 1997-98 campaign as an assistant coach at the University of San Diego. Walsh formerly served as an administrative assistant on Welsh’s staff at Iona from 1994-1996.

Little East Conference Coach of the Year2007, 2009

Rhode Island Media Coach of the Year2007, 2009, 2010

head coach record2010-11 RIC 21-8 LEC Reg. Season/Tourn. Champs - NCAA Sweet 162009-10 RIC 22-8 LEC Reg. Season/Tourn. Champs - NCAA Sweet 16 2008-09 RIC 23-6 LEC Reg. Season Champs - NCAA First Round 2007-08 RIC 23-7 LEC Tourn. Champs - NCAA Second Round 2006-07 RIC 27-4 LEC Reg. Season/Tourn. Champs - NCAA Elite 8 2005-06 RIC 19-10 ECAC Finalist

13 YEARS221-160 (.580)

6 YEARS135-43 (.758)

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