Welcome to the Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Tipoff for the 2019-20 Season. This afternoon, we feature the Rhode Island Rams.
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Don’t think Tammi Reiss hasn’t been tempted to be a head coach before.
The All-American and longtime collegiate and WNBA assistant prioritized finding the right place and a perfect fit. Rhode Island checks all the boxes. Reiss was introduced as the Rams ninth coach in April.
“I found my niche,” she said. “I found what I was looking for.”
The former Virginia All-American and fifth pick in the 1997 WNBA draft will implement a new culture in Kingston that’s pulled from mentors she’s played under, worked for and admired.
“I mirror people who win and do it the right way,” she says, citing Geno Auriemma as an example.
Retired Virginia Coach Debbie Ryan is also foremost in her mind. “I had the best four years of my life in college basketball, academically and socially,” Reiss said. “Debbie was a huge part of that.”
Reiss will also pull from former San Diego State Coach Beth Burns, whom she describes as a giving person with an impeccable manner, and Syracuse’s Quentin Hillsman. He did not micromanage his staff, she said, and created a “we” environment, something her program will emulate.
As for immediate x’s and o’s, Reiss will rely on senior center Nicole Jorgensen, who she touts as “a walking double-double. She’s a tough kid. She’s very skilled. She’ll have a huge role.”
Davida Dale, rehabbing from an injury, gives the Rams athleticism at the guard spot. Like Jorgensen, her role will expand under Reiss.
Reiss expects junior guard Marta Vargas to flourish. The Portuguese native averaged 7 ppg a year ago while starting 23 games. “She’ll thrive in our system,” Reiss said.
Reiss is confident in her ability to recruit and will go overseas when necessary. While winning is important, she is passionate about creating an all-around quality experience for the student-athletes in her program.
“There’s nowhere to go but up,” she said. “We’ve got to get this done. What happens when we do get it done? Let’s go!”
A look at the Rams:
Coach: Tammi Reiss, 1st year at Rhode Island and overall
Last year: 8-21, 3-13 Atlantic 10 (lost at Duquesne 106-69 in the first round of Atlantic 10 Tournament)
They’ll miss: Elemy Colome led the team in scoring (14.1 ppg) and minutes played a year ago; Jalissa Ross averaged 5.9 ppg and started 20 games.
Impact returners: Senior center Jorgensen (7.7 rpg) and Dale (6.5 rpg) will both play significant roles.
Newbies of note: French native Haby Niang, a 6-3 center, brings international experience having represented her home country in the U20 European Championships. Rehabbing from injury, Niang should be ready to play in December. Syracuse transfers Marie-Paule Fopossi and Veronika Vorackova, and Missouri transfer, Emmanuelle Tahane, a 6-1 forward France, will sit out the season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Reasons to be optimistic: Process-driven Reiss brings in her winning tradition and determination to make Rhode Island a player in the Atlantic 10. She’s succeeded in all she’s done – Reiss has even starred in several movies. Her mentality will elevate this program into contender.
Circle the date: The Rams open the season vs. LIU on Nov. 7, the inaugural game for Tammi Reiss as a head coach. “I’ve always been on the sidelines,” she said. “The first time will be special.” Both parents will be in attendance and regulars at all games.
Bottom line: It’s year one under Reiss, so growing pains, sure. Improvement? You bet.