Rhode Island basketball's big moves as Archie Miller starts year one. What to know
SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Archie Miller finally feels like he’s coaching a team again.
His first few weeks at the University of Rhode Island were something different. The Rams retained just five players from their disappointing 2021-22 season. It’s only the rare men’s basketball program that can run a worthwhile workout with such limited numbers.
That changed once reinforcements arrived for the summer. URI has been on the floor at the Ryan Center, in the adjacent weight training facility and bonding during mandatory team breakfasts. Players are getting to know Miller and his staff as much as they’re becoming better acquainted with one another.
“It’s starting to jell in terms of having a group of people who understand that we’re a team,” Miller said. “I’ve been very, very excited in general about how business-like we’ve been and what we’ve been able to accomplish.”
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How exactly will the Rams stack up in the Atlantic 10 next season? The hope, certainly, is some progress from a 15-16 mark that included just three wins after Jan. 19. URI was among the bottom 20% of teams nationally in turnover percentage, free-throw percentage and scoring per game via 3-pointers.
“Guys have done a really good job understanding how we do our business,” Miller said. “If you’re consistent with that, you’ll usually get good results, and we have.”
Miller said the small group of holdovers — Malik Martin, Jalen Carey, Ishmael Leggett, Sebastian Thomas and Abdou Samb — helped set a foundation. Martin is fully recovered from the right knee injury that nagged him at times last season and Carey has shown signs of being the coveted recruit who committed to Syracuse out of the prep ranks.
“He’s been very consistent,” Miller said. “He’s been open-minded to how we’re working. And he’s shown significant improvements in shooting and in leadership.”
Seton Hall transfer Brandon Weston has also put knee and ankle injuries firmly in his rearview mirror. The former top-100 recruit is down more than 10 pounds this summer and looking more athletic on the wing. Incoming freshmen Louis Hutchinson and Rory Stewart have found their footings quickly.
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“They’ve both been pleasant surprises,” Miller said. “Very intelligent guys — smart. Really hard-working guys.”
The eye-catcher for fans could be George Washington transfer Brayon Freeman, who was an all-rookie selection in the conference in 2021-22. Freeman was a top-125 player nationally in assist rate and became the first newcomer for the Colonials to finish with at least 100 in nearly two decades. Improving his 20.2% turnover rate and 43.2% shooting inside the arc could make Freeman one of the premier offensive guards in the league.
“He’s a guy that has a chance to be a live wire for us with the ball and without,” Miller said. “Very, very talented player.”
The Rams are waiting on two players to join them in the fall. Anthony Harris and Jeremy Foumena are still finishing their academic requirements at North Carolina and Orangeville Prep, respectively. Miller expects to have his full 13-man roster ready to go when students report to campus for first semester.
“They’re on their own as they would be at home for summer break,” Miller said. “Sometimes it’s not as much of a concern. Some of the things they’re not able to do, we can speed them up with film when we get started.”
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With that in mind, Miller is keeping the door open for now in terms of lineup combinations and rotations. Those are expected to shake out in the fall — even then, time on the floor won’t be guaranteed. Only two players in Miller’s last six combined seasons at Dayton and Indiana logged 80% of available minutes.
“Our chance to be a good team is really going to be our strength in numbers and our collective,” Miller said. “It’s not going to be having six guys back or two all-conference players returning. It’s basically a team that’s going to be built from scratch.
“Our new guys are going to have to start over. Our returners are going to have to start over. We’re going to have to put that together.”
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island Basketball: Looking at the men's team offseason moves
