has puzzled the rugby league community.ddddddddddddIts a difficult job to take and at a difficult time, Wells said.Wayne must know, hes an internationalist and an expansionist, so he understands the lay

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island coach Dan Hurley thought the key to his players making shots was the way they selected them.Im not sure we took any bad shots, he said Monday night after the 21st-ranked Rams beat Marist 107-65 in the Hall of Fame Tipoff Tournament.I just think these guys really enjoy playing together, Hurley added after URI shot 56 percent from the field -- including 12 of 21 from 3-point range. I dont think they want to let each other down by being a pig or being selfish, because they all care about one another.E.C. Matthews scored 22 points for the Rams (2-0), shooting 8 of 10 from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range. Hassan Martin had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Kuran Iverson and Jared Terrell scored 14 apiece for Rhode Island in its first appearance in The Associated Press Top 25 since 2007-08.Matthews said the players know they dont have to take a shot if its not there.Playing with great guards and great forwards, youve just got to rotate the ball, he said.Khallid Hart scored 19 points and Brian Parker had 18 for Marist (0-2).The Red Foxes scored the first five points of the game and led 7-2 before URI reeled off 16 in a row. Rhode Island scored six of the last seven points in the first half to open a 25-point lead at the break and then added the first five points of the second.BIG PICTUREMarist: The Red Foxes opened the season with back-to-back games against ranked teams, losing to No. 1 Duke in their opener on Friday.Rhode Island: This is the easy part for the Rams, who beat Dartmouth by 23 in the opener. Its all a warmup for No. 24 Cincinnati, followed by either Penn State or Duke, in the Tipoff Tourneys championship rounds at Mohegan Sun Casino.POLL IMPLICATIONSURI moved up two spots in The Associated Press Top 25 this week after coasting to a season-opening, 84-61 victory over Dartmouth. But the Rams will have to earn their spot in next weeks rankings, with games against No. 24 Cincinnati and then either Penn State or No. 1 Duke on the final day of the tournament.BAD STARTSIts the second time in as many games that URI started slowly before coasting to victory. Dartmouth led 12-11 with 5 minutes gone in the opener before the Rams pulled away.Minus a slow, kind of sluggish defensive start, I thought we hung in there, Hurley said. We got on the first group about their start. We didnt like it against Dartmouth. We cant continue to dig holes for ourselves.STATSURI shot 57 percent from 3-point range. The Rams had 21 assists to seven for Marist, and outrebounded the Red Foxes 43-21.That was one of our goals, Hurley said. Not just to win the glass, but to dominate the glass.RESTING UPHurley used his bench in the second half, and no starter played more than 25 minutes. In all, 13 players saw the floor for the Rams, and all but one scored -- Mike Layssard, who did have three rebounds and an assist in 6 minutes. Eric Dadika and Will Leviton each made a basket after checking in for the final 2 minutes of the game.Hurley said he wants his starters playing 30 minutes or more when the competition gets tougher.We wanted to build them up, he said. Going into the weekend, were going to need these guys in the 30s.UP NEXTMarist: Hosts Vermont on Wednesday night.Rhode Island: Plays Brown in Kingston on Wednesday in the second of four games in the Hall of Fame tournament.Detroit Tigers Store . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Tigers Jerseys 2020 . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. https://www.cheaptigers.com/ . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. Custom Detroit Tigers Jerseys . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. Detroit Tigers Gear . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf.Wayne Bennett has been labelled a disrespectful by sections of the English media following another terse post-match TV interview.England were less than convincing in their come-from-behind 38-12 success over a gallant Scotland in Sundays Four Nations encounter at Coventry.However, it was the seven-time premiership winner, not his players, who came under fire after an interview with the BBCs Tanya Arnold where he once again responded to her questions with a series of curt responses.This country is at a crossroads with what we do with the international game, said former Super League winger Jon Wells, who was co-commentating on the game for BBC Radio.I think that interview was nothing short of a disgrace.Hes treated a very professional broadcaster with disrespect.Hes been asked questions in good faith. He might not be happy with the result, but youve got to front up as a head coach.Bennett was appointed by the English RFL on a lucrative two-year contract earlier this year in an effort to raise the profile of a sport that lags well behind football, cricket and rugby outside of its northern heartlands.His refusal to talk to the media dduring a four-day visit during the Super League season frustrated his paymasters and his reticence to promote the game has puzzled the rugby league community.ddddddddddddIts a difficult job to take and at a difficult time, Wells said.Wayne must know, hes an internationalist and an expansionist, so he understands the lay of the land.Its not just about putting on a good training session and motivating your players.Youre an ambassador for the sport in this country. Were trying to get more people watching and listening to this game.Harris, a stand-out player for Great Britain and Wales during a stellar career, echoed Wells sentiments.When he first came over here mid-season during the Super League, he was here for four days and didnt speak to the press, Harris told the BBC.He is the Alex Ferguson of the NRL. Hes come over here to promote the game and taken it to another level with his profile.He has a responsibility to do those types of interview and grow our our game.I thought that interview was shocking. ' ' '