One hundred years ago, the game of basketball was introduced to Rhode Island State College, a small agricultural school in the village of Kingston. The sport became the centerpiece of the college's athletic program. With the arrival in 1920 of coach Frank W. Keaney, the student body, faculty, and community embraced the teams with enthusiastic support, and a tradition of excellence was launched. With his incorporation of the fast break and the full court press, Keaney led his Rams to national prominence, with high-scoring teams and a challenge for a national championship in 1946.

After the...