Larry Ness
Las Vegas Insider-CBB (9-1 run with all Insiders since Nov 16!)
My Las Vegas Insider is on Rhode Island at 7:00 ET. The loss of Toledo PG Payne due to personal reasons (no explanation) has been a 'killer.' This was already a team with little size, as the 6-7 Young (8.3-6.3) is the team's lone inside player (I'm not counting 6-9 freshman Anyijong, who's averaged 2.5-3.5 in 21 minutes/game). With Payne gone, the team's two best players, swingman Kent (18.3) nad 6-5 guard Amos (14.5), have no real "distributor!" Rhode Island is a veteran team which is well-coached and deep. Eight players get 15 minutes or more of action per game. The guard combo of junior Baron (14.3) and senior Bitee (7.5) is solid and the 6-8 Daniels (19.2-6.8) is easily the most talented player on the court. Rhode Island opened 5-0, before losing a tough 76-72 decision at Boston College. The Rams won 19 games LY (lost in A-10 finals) and didn't even get to play in the NIT. That WON'T be the case TY, as the Rams would feel an NIT bid this year would be a disappointment. As for Toledo, the Rockets have opened 1-3 and are going nowhere! Las Vegas Insider on Rhode Island.
