Year after watching Tournament, URI’s Matthews thriving in it
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It had been a long wait for the Rams, from the players to the coaching staff to the fans. Dan Hurley’s last experience competing in the NCAA Tournament was in his playing days at Seton Hall. No player on the URI roster had ever made a start in a Tournament game before Friday, and the team’s rabid fan base had waited 18 years in between hearing their team’s name called on Selection Sunday.
The Rams soaked in the unique experience, arriving in California on Wednesday, allowing themtime to reflect on the weight of what they had already accomplished this season.
“It means a lot to me,” said Hassan Martin, on bringing an Atlantic 10 championship to Rhode Island for the first time in 18 years. “Going out as a warrior hasn’t been done in almost two decades, and not only to get to the tournament but to win the Atlantic 10 championship. It is something I will never forget.”
“A year ago around this time I was rehabbing and our season was over,” added E.C. Matthews. “This is what it’s all about.”
Matthews attended the Providence-site NCAA tournament games in person last year while rehabbing his knee. The guard had the chance to see his former high school coach, Nate Oats, and his University of Buffalo team in action last March.
“I wanted him to see what the atmosphere was like,” said URI head man Dan Hurley. “I wanted him to see and feel and sense, what it would be like if we were able to [get there].
“I feel like we could have been in this position last year, if [Martin] and [Matthews] hadn’t gotten hurt,” added Hurley, after his team upset Creighton on Friday. “This is so amazing for the players, for the school, for the fans who have suffered for many years. And for the state. It’s such a great state, with great people. A beautiful place to live. We’re just so happy to bring shine to Rhode Island.”
Prior to Friday’s game, there were only two URI players with any NCAA Tournament experience. In Stan Robinson’s last season at Indiana, his team qualified for the Dance as a 10 seed. They lost their first round game to Wichita State. 81-76. Robinson played 16 minutes off the bench, scoring six points on 3-for3 shooting from the field.
Kuran Iverson also made a cameo at the highest level of college basketball in his freshman year at Memphis. Iverson did not play in his team’s first-round win over George Washington, and saw the court for only two minutes in their season-ending loss to Virginia.
“Them two minutes, I enjoyed them. I had two points as well. Getting here is exciting, and I want to keep going. Especially for these guys. They put together something special and I joined and I want to contribute to the team.”
Iverson started and played 34 minutes, scoring 17 points. A far cry from coming off the bench to play in garbage time during a seasonending loss.
The Big East conference is historically a defensive-minded group of teams, that use physical play to throw their opponents off their usual game. Creighton does not fit that traditional mold at all, being a finesse team that likes to shoot and up the tempo.
URI, on the other hand, embodies the oldschool Big East mentality. They made the Bluejays earn every layup and were more than happy to watch as they jacked up 23 3-pointers.
Hurley sees this gritty identity come from his lineage. His father, Bob Hurley Sr., coached both of his sons in high school and molded them in his image.
“We’re built in the image of my family,” said the youngest Hurley. “We’re all very intense, we’re all very passionate about basketball. Very passionate about helping young people develop.
“This team also reflects the city I grew up in, Jersey City. Hard-nosed group of guys that plays as hard as any team in the country. These guys are high-level players, too. When you add high-level players and then they play with grit, real, true grit, you have a chance to have something really great.”
URI had a few notable former players and coaches in attendance. In addition to Antonio Reynolds-Dean (assistant coach currently at URI) and Preston Murphy (assistant coach currently at Creighton), Rhody legend Lamar Odom took in the game from seats at half court.
He was joined by his former head coach Jim Harrick.
Hurley also took note of URI fans who made the cross-country trek to take in the game. URI had the longest travel from campus to first-round site of any team.
“I thought it was amazing,” he said of the support. “Across the bench it was amazing that they were there and we could see ‘em. They were loud. It almost felt like 18 years of excitement and they really inspired the guys.