KINGSTON, R.I. - Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy.

That's all everyone talked about after Rhode Island senior guard Jimmy Baron's remarkable second-half shooting display against Duke on Sunday afternoon.

Rightfully so after the performance that even had Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski raving about Baron.

But the Rams proved they have more than just Baron in the fiirst half of the Duke loss and also their victory against VCU on Saturday night. Juniors Keith Cothran and Delroy James have emerged and made significant jumps from their freshman campaigns.

Both could care less about Baron getting most of the attention, either.

``He's the best shooter in the country," Cothran said.

``It makes life easier for us because everyone focuses so much on Jimmy," added James.

The Rams have gone from a team that was heavily dependent on one player, Will Daniels, to a club that has four guys (Baron, Cothran, James and big man Kahiem Seawright) capable of getting 20 points. All four are averaging in double-figures.

Cothran scored 23 points in the win against VCU and James added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists. Baron struggled in the first half - as he has in three of the first four games - but knocked down a huge 3-pointer with 1:44 left in the game to put the Rams up 86-82.

``He's a game-breaker," VCU coach Anthony Grant said of Baron. "He gets so much attention that other guys take advantage."

``Our team is unique because we can really score the ball," added Baron, who finished with 17 points. "Teams can't worry about stopping one person because we have too many weapons."

Baron was 7-of-10 from the foul line against VCU, which meant he missed more free throws in the game than he did in the entire season at home last year.

MAIN MAYNOR

A year ago, Eric Maynor was one of the hottest names in the country after spearheading the upset against Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

However, Maynor has seemingly fallen off the radar after the Rams failed to make the Big Dance last season.

``He doesn't care," Grant said. "He's a different type of kid. He's all about winning."

VCU's chances of winning against URI took a hit when talented forward Larry Sanders picked up two quick fouls and was in foul trouble for the entire game. He played just one minute in the first half and seven minutes overall.

The last thing I'd expect from an Anthony Grant-led team is for them to be soft and scared, but that's exactly what VCU displayed against Rhode Island - except for Maynor, who finished with 22 points, eight assists and made a couple of NBA 3-pointers late in the game that gave the Rams a chance.

I'm not sure this team is tough enough to beat Northeastern and win the CAA.

VCU, which prides itself on defense, allowed Rhode Island to come down with 19 offensive rebounds in the game.  The Rams also had 26 turnovers, including 10 from Maynor.

``It's amazing we even had a chance to be in the game," said a visibly frustrated Grant.

RANDOM NOTES: A couple of freshman who haven't gotten the hype, but are putting up impressive numbers: Virginia guard Sylven Landesberg (23.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Rutgers big man Gregory Echenique (9/8 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.8 bpg). ... Austin Peay will retire James "Fly" Williams' number on Feb. 5 at halftime of the game against UT Martin. ... Cincinnati will replace Louisville in the 2009 Maui Invitational. The Cardinals will likely play in the field in 2012.