SOUTH KINGSTOWN — The point guard of the future doubles as the point guard of the present at the University of Rhode Island.
More and more, sophomore Jeff Dowtin is able to influence the game at both ends of the floor. The Rams are in the capable hands of the Maryland native for the rest of this season and two more, giving them both an able distributor and lockdown defender to front their lineup.
Dowtin was named to this week’s Atlantic 10 Honor Roll after totaling 17 assists in two victories last week, tying his career high with nine in Saturday’s 87-73 triumph over St. Bonaventure. You could certainly make the argument Dowtin outplayed his man-to-man matchup, preseason all-conference selection Jaylen Adams, who shot 6-for-14 from the field and managed just one assist. Dowtin’s 18 points, nine assists and no turnovers in a team-high 34 minutes set the tone for URI to take command of the conference title race.
“As a point guard you hate turning the ball over,” Dowtin said. “That definitely hurts the team a lot. I do a great job, I guess, of taking care of the ball and hitting open teammates.”
The Rams carried a 28-7 record with Dowtin as a starter into Wednesday night’s matchup with Massachusetts. He led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio last season and stands third in the nation in that category through 16 games this year at 5-to-1. Dowtin’s 148 assists and 34 turnovers in those 35 games puts him on par with any point guard in the country in terms of ball security.
“We’ve been able to attract guys like this,” URI coach Dan Hurley said. “Quality players, winners, guys who value winning over stats and individual accolades — which they’re going to get because of the winning, anyway.”
Dowtin’s long arms and intelligence also make him a factor at the defensive end. His emergence started in a 70-59 road win at Davidson last season, as standout Wildcats guard Jack Gibbs shot just 2-for-13 from the field. Dowtin subjected another player to similar treatment in 2017-18, as Charleston’s Joe Chealey was just 3-for-14 in a 68-62 URI win on Dec. 16.
“In this conference we have a lot of top guards, a lot of tough competition,” Dowtin said. “I take pride on defense and in stopping my opponent.”
Home, sweet home
Saturday’s victory over the Bonnies was URI’s 12th straight win at home, a Ryan Center record, and leaves the Rams gunning for Keaney Gymnasium marks in terms of consecutive wins on campus.
URI's last extended streak at its old home was 16 straight games, including the last six of the 1996-97 season, all six in the 1997-98 season and the first four of the 1998-99 season. The Rams were 31-10 overall in home contests over those three campaigns, playing 20 times at the then-Providence Civic Center.
“You want to play in big games,” Hurley said. “It’s a privilege to play at home when you have great crowds.”
URI’s longest home winning streak in the last four decades was 21 straight, that coming under Jack Kraft in the late 1970s. The Rams swept both the 1977-78 and 1978-79 seasons at Keaney, going 17-0. URI added four more wins in 1979-80 before suffering a 74-63 loss to Boston University.
“One of the best atmospheres in the country — I play for them every night,” Dowitn said. “Just knowing that they have our backs, we should go out there and play for them.”
Top 25 votes again
The Rams received votes in The Associated Press Top 25 for the 10th straight week. URI has received votes 39 times in the poll’s history, which dates back to the 1948-49 season. The Rams have received votes in 24 different weeks during Hurley’s six years on campus — URI received votes just 15 times before he was hired. ... Stanford Robinson reached double figures for the first time since scoring 10 points in an 83-64 win over George Mason on Dec. 30. … Cyril Langevine grabbed nine first-half rebounds, one shy of the game-high 10 he’s posted three times this season.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25