Chris DiSano
A10 Hoops: Ranks, Risers and Rivalries
BLUE RIBBON'S A-10 PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH For 40 years Blue Ribbon Yearbook has earned its reputation as the preseason Bible of College Basketball for its comprehensive breakdowns of every team in the land. It’s been a pleasure writing Blue Ribbon’s Rhode Island preview for the past 10 years. While I’ve helped rank BR’s A-10 predicted...
Abdou Samb Plans On Bringing Energy And Excitement To The Rams
Two weeks ago, Rhode Island secured its first 2021 commitment from rising 6-foot-8 senior forward Abdou Samb of Frederick Douglass High School and the DC Premier AAU squad. Samb is well-built and just scratching the surface of his potential. Born in Senegal, Samb migrated to the U.S. roughly seven years ago and has made...
Rams’ Commit Ileri Ayo-Faleye’s Versatility Is His Strength
About a month ago, Rhode Island received somewhat of a surprise commitment from 6-7 Ileri Ayo-Faleye, a 2020 wing from Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, whose recruitment blossomed late in the process. Originally ticketed for a post-grad year at Putnam Science Academy, a powerhouse prep school, Ayo-Faleye decisively pivoted and committed to...
Transfer Waivers Set Up Rams As A Force To Be Reckoned With
It was quite an eight day stretch for David Cox and the Rhode Island Rams men’s basketball program. Between August 17th-25th, four transfers: 6-9 forwards Makhi and Makhel Mitchell (Maryland), 6-3 guard Jalen Carey (Syracuse), and 6-6 wing Malik Martin (Charlotte) received waivers and are immediately eligible to play in 2020-21. The roster infusion...
The Late Jim Norman “Represented All That Is Good About URI”
For 34 years, Jim Norman (URI ’57) was the “Voice of the Rams.” I remember him vividly as I listened to games as a kid, long before the days of streaming services and social media. Radio sparked my romance with the game of basketball… and Jim’s voice was the conduit that would transport me...
URI AD Thorr Bjorn: “Right Now The Plan Is … To Have A Full...
2020 has been unexpected, challenging, and arduous for most of us personally and professionally. On the college athletics front, URI Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn is in the thick of it. The Atlantic 10 recently postponed fall sports and the ever-evolving public health situation continues to necessitate communication, planning, and action. I sat down with him...
Rhody Rewind: Dan Hurley Takes His Team to Italy in “Rhody 2 Rome”
Once every four years, the NCAA allows men's basketball programs to take an international summer trip to explore another culture, lace up the sneakers against competitors from the land abroad, and enjoy 10 days of practice leading up to the journey. Until 2010, incoming freshmen were not permitted to accompany teams on these trips. But...
Interview with Fatts Russell on His Return to Rhody
He's back. Rhode Island rising senior guard Daron "Fatts" Russell, one of the most dynamic players in all of college basketball, withdrew his name from NBA Draft consideration and is returning to Kingston for his senior season. In averaging 18.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.6apg, and 2.9spg a year ago, Russell established himself as one of the elite guards...
Rhody Rewind Takes a Look Back at The Rams vs. Friars Intrastate Rivalry
It's time for another rewind. This weekend YurView turns back the clock to re-broadcast a pair from the archives — this time of the Rhode Island rivalry variety. There are few games on the schedule for either Rhode Island or Providence that stoke greater annual emotion than when the two meet each December. In this...
URI Basketball Live Chat with Thorr Bjorn and David Cox
It's been a kinetic off-season for the Rhode Island Rams men's basketball team and we've got a lot to talk about. We're all in unprecedented times caused by the public health situation. In Kingston, physical life on the 1,200 acre campus is at a standstill with students returning home. Coursework is being completed virtually. The...