Hassan Martin wins Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Week honors

If you read my recap from the Richmond game the other day, you may recall I sang the praises of Hassan Martin near the end.

"EC Matthews has been getting all of the hype, and deservedly so. Six Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Week awards now, including four straight. But do not forget about the other freshman who's making major contributions to this team: Hassan Martin. Besides his obvious shot-blocking prowess, he's starting to develop some solid game in the low post offensively, including his monster facial dunk today. He clearly needs to improve his shooting from the outside, as well as his free throw shooting (a not-so-hot 53%), but he's starting to remind me a little bit of Delroy James. But that comparison can only become official with the shooting. It'll come."

Martin averaged 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, as well as 2.5 blocks over two games, extending URI's grasp on the A10 rookie honors for the fifth consecutive week (Matthews had won the previous four). And of course, you may have seen this highlight involving the two froshies:

So whoop di do, the Rams are cleaning up on conference rookie of the week awards. Who cares, right? Wrong. This is the Atlantic 10, not one of the BCS leagues where freshmen have one foot out the door into the NBA as soon as they set foot on campus. Nine times outta ten, these guys are in it for the duration.

For those who have already bailed on Danny Hurley, I understand the frustrations about his clock management, and the offensive structure in those late-game situations. But those problems are infinitely more fixable than not being able to land star recruits. When's the last time URI was able to land two high-impact freshman in the same season?

Hurley, and his staff as a whole, have done an outstanding job in just two years completely remaking the culture in Kingston. Guys like EC and Hassan would not be here without them, and you wouldn't hear stories like Jarvis Garrett verbally committing to the program. A 13-17 record is nothing to write home about, particularly a 4-11 conference record, but with the potential for a win in the finale vs. Fordham, as well as a bid in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, the Rams could realistically reach 15 wins, giving them the total of the last two years combined.

So again, congratulations to Hassan Martin on winning the honors. I'll be doing more of a "Rhody wrap-up" of sorts after the Fordham game, and certainly after they conclude the A10 tourney. Til then, just remember that for the first time in a long time, there's a good reason for optimism in the greater Narragansett area.