Star Rhode Island guard E.C. Matthews will be out for the college basketball season as he tore his ACL in the Rams' season opening win against American University this past Friday night.
A first-team All-Atlantic 10 preseason selection and a projected first round prospect in the 2016 NBA Draft, Matthews was looking to lead Rhode Island back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999 when Lamar Odom guided Rhode Island to "The Big Dance."
The news is unfortunate for the Atlantic 10, Rhode Island, and Matthews. If your the A-10, you want to play against the very best competition possible and naturally, the Rams will be a weaker team as a result. As well, the A-10 very well might be losing a potential top-25 ball club. If Rhode Island is unable to pick up the slack with the absence of their best player, some of conference prestige might diminish.
As for Matthews, we all hope he gets the medical redshirt that he will be applying for. I don't see there being any reason for why he doesn't get his wish granted, but the NCAA is the NCAA. YOU NEVER KNOW WITH THEM!
In all seriousness however, lets pray for a speedy and healthy recovery for Matthews. As an A-10 fan, I want to see him back in full form next season so he can guide Rhode Island to an NCAA Tournament birth. This would make for a great story for Matthews as he will look to finish out his last year of college basketball.