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LOCATION: Providence, RI
CONFERENCE: Ivy League
LAST SEASON: 4-22 (.154)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 2-12 (7th)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 1/4
NICKNAME: Bears
COLORS: Seal Brown, Cardinal Red & White
HOMECOURT: Pizzitola Sports Center (2,800)
COACH: Glen Miller (Connecticut '86)
record at school First year
career record 95-58 (6 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Kevin Jaskiewicz (E. Conn. State '88)
Andy Partee (Monmouth '92)
Tom Satran (Connecticut College '94)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 13-10-4-6-4
RPI (last 5 years) 205-227-266-277-301
1998-99 FINISH: No conference tournament.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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When you come right down to it, basketball season at Brown hasn't been a joy recently. The team has been mired in a slump in the 1990s that would make those lovable losers the Washington Generals cringe. Even last year with all-league performer Kamal Rountree (19 ppg, 6 rpg) leading the way, the Bears were able to muster only four victories and tie for last in a weak Ivy League. They are working on changing that, with some slow but sure steps. Long-time coach Frank "Happy" Dobbs is out and Glen Miller is in. Miller, who had great success last season at Division III Connecticut College, where he had an undefeated regular season, comes to Providence with a history of reclamation projects. His first two seasons with the Camels were atrocious, with the team winning just 10 games combined. Then the program had a remarkable turnaround, going 85-20 in his last four seasons, including a berth in last year's Division III Final Four. The Brown administration can only hope Miller has the ability to turn the trick again. But his magic deck will be a bit stacked against him. The Bears lose Rountree, their rock last season. Rountree led Brown in scoring in all but four games and paced them in rebounding in 11 games. Without him, someone will need to step up. On the plus side, Brown has 11 players returning, including four starters. The Bears will also add 5-11 sophomore Jihan Bowes-Little (Cardinal Newman HS/Sebastopol, Calif.), who transferred from the University of Portland. He has good athletic ability. Bowes-Little will play at one of the guard spots and has superior shooting and dribbling ability. A flashier guard than most in the Ivy are used to, Bowes-Little will probably step right into the starting lineup.
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT C+ BENCH/DEPTH D+
FRONTCOURT D+ INTANGIBLES C
For Brown, the Glenn Miller era must begin with little baby steps. For a program that has failed to win 20 games in the last three years combined, just a double-digit victory season would be a major achievement. Unfortunately, it probably will not happen this year. The loss of Kamal Rountree and the disruption of trying to implement a new system with a new coach will cause some growing pains. But the addition of Jihan Bowes-Little and the return of a still-young team bodes well for Brown's future. Let the Bears get their footing this season. The future looks brighter, especially if Miller and Bowes-Little live up to their advance billing. |
The addition of Bowes-Little may up the talent level, but will make Brown one of the smaller lineups in the Ivy League. Returning point guard Corey Vandiver (6.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 80 assists) is listed at 6-0. The two of them in the backcourt could mean some matchup problems on defense. Sophomore Travis Brown (7.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, .423 3-PT), who played most of last season at the off guard, will move to small forward and also see some time as a third guard. Brown, 6-4, could slide over to give Vandiver and/or Brown a rest. The other backcourt members are: 6-3 sophomore Jesse Wood (3.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg); 6-3 junior Patrick Nee (4.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, .857 FT); 6-2 senior Matt D'Antoni (1.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg); and 6-1 sophomore Omari Ware (1.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg). The Bears' frontcourt will feel the loss of Rountree. When Miller decides he needs a center in the lineup, he will have to turn to 6-9 sophomore John Verdeaux (0.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg) or 6-9 junior Tyler Driggers (0.5 ppg, 0.9 rpg). Neither comes close to Rountree's ability. That will force the Bears to play small up front frequently. In addition to Travis Brown, Miller can use Shaun Etheridge (8.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) at forward. The 6-7 sophomore was the next best player for Brown last season and a defensive presence. Last year, he broke a Pizzitola Sports Center record by getting seven steals in a game against Cornell. The move of Brown to the forward spot could slide 6-6 sophomore Josh Meyer (5.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg) into a bench role. Meyer started every game last year as a freshman and performed well. He may turn out to be a real asset coming off the bench. Also returning up front is 6-7 sophomore Quinn Tamm (2.1 ppg, 1.0 rpg). Other Brown reserves include 6-5 freshmen Robby Findlay (Maine Central Institute/Henderson, Nev.); 6-7 freshman Brandon Howard (Riverside HS/ Greer, S.C.); 6-5 freshman Earl Hunt (Good Counsel HS/ Rockville, Md.); and 6-6 freshman Alaivaa Nuualiitia (Northfield Mount Hermon HS/ Lower Merion, Pa.).
 | The 19th edition of Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook is on sale now. To order, call 800-828-HOOP (4667), or visit their web site at
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