It's difficult to win without chemistry.

Ask any coach and they'll tell you. No matter how talented a team is, you still need good chemistry to win championships.

That's one of the reasons why Rhode Island is 10-1 and has a trio of Big East wins on its resume.

``It's much better than it was last year," Rams junior guard Jimmy Baron said. "We're playing with great confidence and we trust each other a lot more. Trust is the main thing that drives team chemistry."

The younger Baron, who is coached by his father, admitted that this was the best week of his basketball career. A home win against in-state rival Providence was followed by a road victory at Syracuse.

Baron said that another key has been the play of senior point guard Parfait Bitee, who is averaging 10.3 points and 6.0 assists per game this season.

``He's been the driving force for our team," Baron said.

The Rams have three players in double-figures - led by senior forward Will Daniels (17.9 ppg) and Baron (15.5), one of the nation's top shooters. Four other players are averaging between 7.5 and 9.4 points per game.

GAUCHOS ROLLING

The Big West doesn't get a whole lot of pub, but UC Santa Barbara is deserving after a 9-1 start that includes wins over UNLV, San Francisco and Pepperdine.

The lone loss came at Stanford.

Gauchos coach Bob Williams said that it's been the leadership of Alex Harris and Chris Devine - along with the growth of the sophomore backcourt, Justin Joyner and James Powell, which has been key.

Williams also said that he's changed the defensive philosophy from a year ago and now the Gauchos are more aggressive and put more pressure on the ball.

The 6-foot-6 Harris, who is averaging 23.6 points and 4 boards per game, is one of the most underrated players in the country.

``He's always been such an efficient scorer," Williams said. "He only takes about 14 or 15 shots per game, but he gets to the foul line, scores at the rim and can hit the three. He's also made a huge improvement defensively."

Williams was also raving about his four-man recruiting class that will come in next year. It's led by 7-foot-2 Hungary native Greg Somogyi, who plays at Woodside Priory in Calif.

``He's going to be as big of a surprise as there is on the west coast," Williams said. "He's got a 7-8 wing span and is really blossoming."

RANDOM NOTES: According to sources, UConn signee Nate Miles, who the Huskies are hoping will be eligible to join the team next month, has been kicked off the Patterson School (N.C.) team. Miles is still in school. ... Gonzaga reserve big man Theo Davis has returned to Canada to be with his father, who had a stroke last month. ... Last year's Big South Freshman of the Year, Joshua Mack, has left the team and will transfer. The sophomore point guard saw his playing time decrease significantly under new coach Cliff Ellis - from 28 minutes to 13.3 per game this season. ... Auburn lost sophomore forward Lucas Hargrove and 7-foot-1 freshman Boubacar Sylla for the next month or so. Hargrove broke his left hand in practice and Sylla has a stress reaction in his left ankle. ... Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg got good news when freshman Dorenzo Hudson was officially admitted to the school. Hudson will be eligible for the Hokies game against Old Dominion on Dec. 16. ... Jimmy Baron on his 6-foot-9, 280-pound teammate Jason Francis. ``He's as wide as Warren Sapp."