Another Look in at Stanford Robinson - Is it the Headband?

Stanford Robinson had a terrific junior basketball season and I think I know exactly why - his headband. In about all of the games that Robinson had a massive impact in, he wore one of his infamous headbands.

I will never forget on January 6, 2017 when Rhode Island men's basketball traveled to UD Arena to take on the Dayton Flyers. After leading for the majority of the game, the Rams were forced to try to make a comeback in the final five minutes of the game. The memory that stuck with me was Stanford Robinson ripping off his navy headband in frustration and playing the final minutes of the game without the headband. Immediately after removing the headband, Stanford Robinson drove to the hoop and got an insane and-one after throwing up a layup that banked right in from the center of the glass, after he was fouled. Ultimately, Robinson's team lost the conference contest in the final minute of the game but not due to his efforts.

In a game that the Rhode Island Rams needed to save their at-large hopes and their pursuit of a top four seed in the Atlantic 10 tournament, Dan Hurley's team moved to 9-5 in the conference off the back of Stanford Robinson. Against the George MasonPatriots, Rhode Island's #13 dropped 21 points in 21 minutes off the bench, to go along with four rebounds, one assist, and three steals. He shot 5-8 from the field, including a perfect three-for-three shooting afternoon from beyond the arc. To ice the game, he hit four free throws within the final minute, making it 8-11 from the line, individually.

With only Rhode Island seniors, Hassan Martin and Kuran Iverson, performing up to par for the majority of the game, the Ryan Center saw a common hero emerge off of the bench. Late in the second half and throughout the overtime period, Stanford Robinson single-handedly saved URI’s season. With the game deadlocked at a scoreline of 62-62, Robinson blocked Davidson's Will Magarity right at the rim and sent the game into overtime. Rhode Island’s sixth man had an impactful 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 game-changing blocks on the night.

In case you were not awake at noon on Sunday, March 12, 2017, you missed a back-and-forth Atlantic 10 championship game. Coming off of the bench as usual, Stanford Robinson made his impact felt beyond just the box score. During Rhode Island's initial 27-12 start, Robinson hit a three-pointer that continued to build momentum for Dan Hurley's team. In his fifteen minutes of game time, he played nagging defense on VCU's backcourt. Finally, with the game hanging in the balance and his team leading 68-63, the sixth man all but sealed the championship victory. Robinson's teammate, Jared Terrell, poked the ball out from VCU's JeQuan Lewis' grasp and after diving on the loose ball, Stanford Robinson alertly called a timeout.

In a heroic performance, the guard scored 22 points on 10-12 shooting from the field in a Round of 32 matchup against eventual Final Four team, the Oregon Ducks. Not only did he score 22 points but he scored in every possible way - with dunks, threes from beyond the arc, free throws, and everything in between. In addition, Robinson spun off of two defenders and hit a mid-range jumper with ease, which was shared all over social media.