Daynia La-Force was named as the eighth head coach in program history, taking over a team with tons of experience. Five players started at least 16 games last year, and 84 percent of the team's offense production returns. Questions, though, still abound, namely, how can the returning crew mesh with the new coach, and make a run towards the upper echelon of the conference. The Rams haven't had a winning season in conference play in 19 years. The Rams are hungry.
Team: Rhode Island Rams
Head Coach: Daynia La-Force (1st season, Georgetown '95)
2013-14 Record: 7-23 (2-14 in A-10)
Returning Starters:
--Tayra Melendez (5' 11" junior guard): 13.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg
--Sam Tabakman (6' 3" junior forward): 9.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg
--Sydney Lewis (5' 11" senior guard): 6.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg
--Kallie Banker (5 10" redshirt sophomore guard): 5.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.9 apg
RVA Sports Network spoke with La-Force about her new adventure, building the Rams program.
1) What drew you to Rhode Island?
La-Force: "You know, the opportunity to rebuild. It's always been part of my niche as a basketball coach. I've been with several programs where I've learned how to successfully rebuild a program, and I saw that opportunity at Rhode Island. Especially being in the A-10, a very competitive conference, and now an opportunity to start over and be part of something great."
2) What made you choose Rhode Island specifically as opposed to other rebuilding opportunities?
La-Force: "The people at Rhode Island. I had been affiliated with some people at Rhode Island for about three years and it's a great state. It's small, but a state filled with a lot of big thinkers and passionate people. Everyone I've met over the past few years who have been affiliated with the University of Rhode Island always talked of how proud they were of the athletics program and how much support that was there. I visited a couple of times and fell in love with the Ryan Center. So, to me, it was a no-brainer to go into a situation where there was so much support."
3) How do change the mindset of the team?
La-Force: "You have to inherit young ladies who want to win, young ladies who understand the commitment it takes, passionate about winning and changing the program. If I had to come into a situation where I'd have to struggle to change the culture, it would be a lot more difficult. But they've embraced something new; they want to win so badly. I've never been around a group of young women who want to win so badly. The will to win is already there. It's now about giving them the tools and the techniques to do it."
4) Who will be your floor generals, on and off the court?
La-Force: "Our captains: Megan Straumann, who is a senior. She hasn't had a lot of success at Rhode Island, and she wants to go out with a bang. (NOTE: Straumann was limited to 15 games due to injury in 2013-14.) She will do whatever it takes to make sure this is a successful year for her and her team. She wants to leave a legacy, part of the group that first started the placing of URI on the rise, and she shows it every single day with her effort in practice."
OUTLOOK: It's very hard to change a culture, especially one that seeks a winning record in their conference for the first time in almost two decades. La-Force will also look for contributions from her freshmen, 5' 11" guards Dominique Ward and Charise Wilson, and 6' 3" forward Tylor Raysor, who she calls "the future of URI women's basketball".
La-Force's biggest challenge is to find consistent scoring options, as only two returning players averaged nine points or higher last year. You need three good, consistent options in the A-10, with one or two more coming off the bench capable of giving a spark.
La-Force had success late in her tenure at Northeastern, named CAA Coach of the Year in 2012-13. This will take time. But if the Rhode Island supporters see some progress this year, even if it's not reflected in the overall record, they will reward with patience as the rebuilding process continues.
The Rams begin the season with back-to-back home games against Marshall and East Carolina November 14th and 15th and begin Atlantic 10 play at home to Duquesne on January 3rd.
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