A Close Look in at Michael Layssard - A Sign of Prominence for Rhode Island Rams Basketball
With URI currently at an overall record of 19-9 and a conference record of 11-5, the Rams are squarely on the bubble and still looking for more. On the whole, the 2016-2017 season has been disappointing after their preseason rankings of #23 and #24 in the AP and Coaches polls, respectively. Due to this disappointment, I have to recount one of the factors for how the Rhode Island Rams could have potentially attained better results. The reason I am hinting at is the usage of their top-rated recruit of their 2016 class, Michael Layssard Jr.
The Shreveport, Louisiana native received interest from a huge range of perennial NCAA Division 1 programs and chose to commit to the team in Kingston, RI much to many people's surprise. With his commitment, it was the first real sign that URI can now compete with bigger Power 5 programs on the recruiting trail. Besides receiving an offer from URI, Layssard Jr. was offered by Florida, Texas A&M, Memphis, Tulsa, and New Mexico State. Additionally, he received interest from schools like SMU, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. This season, Florida and SMU are prominent top 25 teams that will likely do damage in the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, Wake Forest and Texas Tech are bubble teams that are currently in contention with URI for an at-large bid. Besides those three schools, Memphis has had a relatively commendable season in their first season with Tubby Smith at the helm and Texas A&M has a bright future.
When Michael Layssard Jr. first came to campus and got interviewed by CoxHub on his commitment to Rhode Island, he mentioned that his most underrated ability on the court is his ball-handling ability. His ball-handling ability only adds to his repertoire of skills that he can put forth to securing several W's for any team. If you ever watch the YouTube videos of Layssard Jr. in high school (which I have previously written about and posted), you can see his natural scoring ability, inside and outside of the paint. Thanks to his soft touch and good hands, when Layssard Jr. catches the ball in the low post and in the paint, expect the orange to go through the bucket the large majority of the time. From the high post and beyond, other teams will sleep on his elbow jumper but much to my happiness, Michael Layssard Jr. has strange range. The 6'8 big man can hit any jumper and that includes shooting from beyond the arc.
The Louisiana native is a special offensive weapon because the opposition must defend him at every level in the half court. At some point, Layssard Jr. will find free space and score. Moreover, Layssard Jr. can rebound with the best of them. If anyone thought Andre Berry's dominance at UD Arena last season was impressive, then prepared to be even more impressed by this power forward. While he has the deep shooting range that extends to anywhere in the half court, Layssard Jr. was desired by so many teams because of his rebounding ability that complement his game perfectly. If anyone uses Instagram, I recommend going onto URI's Director of Basketball Performance, Daniel Marshall's account and watch the video of the basketball team training in the offseason to the tune of an Eminem song. When you watch this certain video, there are no words that need to be said when you see the strength and condition of Layssard Jr. in his lifting exhibition. It was quite the sight to see, especially due to the intense and comedic expression on his face.
The only part of the power forward's game that needs some improvement is on the defensive side and that is already almost where it needs to be. In Dan Hurley's defensive system, he wants all of his players to be agile so that they can rotate easily and be a part of the defensive press. Thus, the Rhode Island faithful has rarely seen play from Andre Berry this season. Thanks to the trainers and other physical staff on the URI men's basketball team, Michael Layssard Jr. is physically capable of defending any opposing big man at this juncture. In other words, whatever weight concerns that anyone ever had about Layssard Jr. certainly do not exist any longer.
In all honesty, out of URI's four-man 2016 recruiting class, I was most impressed and in anticipation for the play of Michael Layssard Jr. and fellow big, Michael Tertsea. Ironically, Tertsea has redshirted this season (a respectable decision) and Layssard Jr. has played a total of 19 minutes all season (only in garbage time). I know that they call Michael Tertsea "Big Mike" but they might as well call both of them "Big Mike" because they're both big and tall individuals that are ready to dominate the paint. Also, I am just going to say now that if URI does not meet the expectations that the entire college basketball world had for them before this season began, one of the massive factors will be the lack of playing time given to players like Andre Berry, Michael Tertsea, and Michael Layssard Jr. Let's just say that if is in fact the case, I will NOT be content, to say the least. Everyone will miss Kuran Iverson and Hassan Martin next season obviously but with players like Andre Berry, Cyril Langevine, Michael Tertsea, and Michael Layssard Jr. in the rotation next season, I am not overly worried.
Oh, URI has a heralded forward that can score from anywhere on the floor, including from beyond the arc, can rebound, handle the ball, and is continually getting in physical shape to run around in Dan Hurley's disruptive defense? Well, I cannot wait to see this man play like NOW ... or ASAP.
