Week #15 - Games of Interest

Talk about the men's team, upcoming opponents and news from around college hoop.
Obadiah
Tyson Wheeler
Posts: 5405
Joined: 11 years ago
x 2275

Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by Obadiah »

Butler remains the only A-10 school ranked in the Top 25 as it is #11 in the AP Poll and #10 in the Today USA Coaches Poll. Both VCU and Saint Louis are getting other votes in both polls.

The A-10 RPI rank continues at #7. After six straight losses, URI’s rank has now fallen to #193. At #43, RI retains the conference’s second strongest SOS behind Butler.

Only OOC game tonight is Norfolk State defends their 10-0 record in MEAC versus Maryland - Eastern Shore.

The following profiles how URI's OOC opponents are performing to date:

Code: Select all

  School	      Wins  Losses	       Comments
Norfolk State	  15	  10	  In first place in MEAC at 10-0
Virginia Tech     11	  12	  Tied with BC for last in ACC
Ohio State	     17	   6	  In top half of Big Ten
Seton Hall	     13	  11	  In bottom third of Big East
Loyola (MD)	    17	   9	  Tied for second in Metro Atlantic
Auburn	          9	  14	  Near bottom of SEC
George Mason	   14	  10	  Upper half of CAA
Vermont	        16	   7	  In first place in America East
Providence	     12     11	  In bottom third of Big East
SMU	            13	  12	  Next to last in Conference USA
Georgia State	  12	  14	  Middle of CAA pack
Brown	           8	  12	  Near bottom of Ivy League
St. Mary’s	     21	   4	  In second place in West Coast Conference
Total	         178    132           .574
0 x
sf2010
Cuttino Mobley
Posts: 1767
Joined: 11 years ago
x 563

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by sf2010 »

I'm really surprised by SMU's fall-off. I knew they were an "inflated" 8-1 when they played us, but next to last in CUSA? That's bad. Although, they did lose to us so I guess that wasn't a one-off and turned out to be a harbinger of things to come...
0 x
reef
Frank Keaney
Posts: 14775
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5148

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by reef »

yeah Larry Brown not getting it done in Conf
0 x
User avatar
ace
Ernie Calverley
Posts: 8059
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5551

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by ace »

Nerlens Noel out of the game with a knee injury, didn't look good at all.
0 x
User avatar
twisted3829
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3276
Joined: 11 years ago
x 439

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by twisted3829 »

hopefully for his sake its only a bruise or strain and not one of the CLs (A, M, P)
0 x
NOT IN OUR HOUSE
User avatar
ace
Ernie Calverley
Posts: 8059
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5551

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by ace »

twisted3829 wrote:hopefully for his sake its only a bruise or strain and not one of the CLs (A, M, P)
Early word is dislocation but nothing confirmed. He was definitely in a lot of pain and was carried off.
0 x
User avatar
twisted3829
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3276
Joined: 11 years ago
x 439

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by twisted3829 »

yeah I saw the play, it looked painful
0 x
NOT IN OUR HOUSE
Obadiah
Tyson Wheeler
Posts: 5405
Joined: 11 years ago
x 2275

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by Obadiah »

Not a lot of action tonight and the few URI OOC opponents that were did not fare very well.

Virginia took a second win over Virginia Tech, 73-55.

Vermont failed to defend its home court and lost to BU, 64-59. The loss knocked the Catamounts out of first place in the AE.

In an intra-state game, Seton Hall's late rally fell short as the Pirates lost to Rutgers, 57-55.
0 x
User avatar
rodfromcranston
Frank Keaney
Posts: 13068
Joined: 11 years ago
x 1517

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

Michigan State is blowing out arch rival Michigan.
Love Tom Izzo.
0 x
< Arthur is my spirit animal.
reef
Frank Keaney
Posts: 14775
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5148

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by reef »

Say it aint so Nerlens Noel !!!
0 x
User avatar
twisted3829
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3276
Joined: 11 years ago
x 439

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by twisted3829 »

rodfromcranston wrote:Michigan State is blowing out arch rival Michigan.
Love Tom Izzo.
I was all over the MSU +2
0 x
NOT IN OUR HOUSE
User avatar
adam914
Ernie Calverley
Posts: 9718
Joined: 11 years ago
x 7385

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by adam914 »

rodfromcranston wrote:Michigan State is blowing out arch rival Michigan.
Love Tom Izzo.
Me too Rod, Izzo has always been one of my favorites. What he does with some of those teams is amazing. Of course he has also had some extremely talented teams at times as well.
0 x
"Our goals have not changed, we want to be the best program in the Atlantic 10, and even more than that we want to get to a Final Four someday." - Thorr Bjorn - March 22, 2018
User avatar
rodfromcranston
Frank Keaney
Posts: 13068
Joined: 11 years ago
x 1517

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

Izzo never has the top high schoolers, like UNC, Duke or Kentucky,
but he's always there at the end of the season.
Classy guy, who seems to do things the right way, and one hell of a coach, too!
0 x
< Arthur is my spirit animal.
User avatar
rjsuperfly66
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3425
Joined: 11 years ago
x 1440

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rjsuperfly66 »

rodfromcranston wrote:Izzo never has the top high schoolers, like UNC, Duke or Kentucky,
but he's always there at the end of the season.
Classy guy, who seems to do things the right way, and one hell of a coach, too!
Agree, and his teams usually peak in February and March, important for any great coach.
0 x
User avatar
adam914
Ernie Calverley
Posts: 9718
Joined: 11 years ago
x 7385

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by adam914 »

rjsuperfly66 wrote:
rodfromcranston wrote:Izzo never has the top high schoolers, like UNC, Duke or Kentucky,
but he's always there at the end of the season.
Classy guy, who seems to do things the right way, and one hell of a coach, too!
Agree, and his teams usually peak in February and March, important for any great coach.
Absolutely, his teams always seem to be ready to play when it matters most.
0 x
"Our goals have not changed, we want to be the best program in the Atlantic 10, and even more than that we want to get to a Final Four someday." - Thorr Bjorn - March 22, 2018
User avatar
SGreenwell
Sly Williams
Posts: 4373
Joined: 11 years ago
Location: Houston, TX (via Charlestown, RI)
x 2975
Contact:

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by SGreenwell »

When I looked at coach's records in close games, most of them were about .500. Izzo was the one guy who consistently beat that percentage.
0 x
User avatar
adam914
Ernie Calverley
Posts: 9718
Joined: 11 years ago
x 7385

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by adam914 »

SGreenwell wrote:When I looked at coach's records in close games, most of them were about .500. Izzo was the one guy who consistently beat that percentage.
That's pretty interesting actually. It doesn't surprise me, but I would have thought more of the top tier coaches were there with him. Impressive.
0 x
"Our goals have not changed, we want to be the best program in the Atlantic 10, and even more than that we want to get to a Final Four someday." - Thorr Bjorn - March 22, 2018
User avatar
bigappleram
Ernie Calverley
Posts: 8836
Joined: 11 years ago
x 9829

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by bigappleram »

tonight at 9 you can either watch Duke vs UNC or Providence vs South Florida

hmmm
0 x
User avatar
SGreenwell
Sly Williams
Posts: 4373
Joined: 11 years ago
Location: Houston, TX (via Charlestown, RI)
x 2975
Contact:

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by SGreenwell »

adam914 wrote:
SGreenwell wrote:When I looked at coach's records in close games, most of them were about .500. Izzo was the one guy who consistently beat that percentage.
That's pretty interesting actually. It doesn't surprise me, but I would have thought more of the top tier coaches were there with him. Impressive.
Kind of like in baseball, in basketball, coach records in less than three point games tends to fluctuate a lot from year to year. What makes most of the elite coaches really good is that they don't let games get close at all - They just blow out teams.
0 x
User avatar
adam914
Ernie Calverley
Posts: 9718
Joined: 11 years ago
x 7385

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by adam914 »

Charlotte wins at Butler. Wow..
0 x
"Our goals have not changed, we want to be the best program in the Atlantic 10, and even more than that we want to get to a Final Four someday." - Thorr Bjorn - March 22, 2018
User avatar
ace
Ernie Calverley
Posts: 8059
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5551

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by ace »

Nice win to transition into the UNC-Duke game
0 x
reef
Frank Keaney
Posts: 14775
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5148

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by reef »

Nice win by Charlotte, I did think they were getting too many points though I thought BU would get the win
0 x
User avatar
RF1
Ernie Calverley
Posts: 9072
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5492

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by RF1 »

Providence has put together a nice streak with 3 straight wins - @Villanova, home to ranked Cincinnati, and @ South Florida.
0 x
User avatar
ATPTourFan
Frank Keaney
Posts: 12094
Joined: 11 years ago
Location: Wakefield, RI
x 4789
Contact:

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by ATPTourFan »

Amazing they seem to be able to win on the road in the BE now.
0 x
Support Coach Miller & Rhody Basketball! Give to the Athletic Director's Fund
seanmc94
Tom Garrick
Posts: 1371
Joined: 11 years ago

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by seanmc94 »

I think Cooleys no nonsense approach is turning boys into men. PC now responds when punched in the mouth. Developing some toughness and winning with Defense. Who would have thunk it?
0 x
Warning: area protected by guard donkey
User avatar
ATPTourFan
Frank Keaney
Posts: 12094
Joined: 11 years ago
Location: Wakefield, RI
x 4789
Contact:

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by ATPTourFan »

Far from the end of Welsh and horrible Keno times.
0 x
Support Coach Miller & Rhody Basketball! Give to the Athletic Director's Fund
seanmc94
Tom Garrick
Posts: 1371
Joined: 11 years ago

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by seanmc94 »

C'mon nothing says toughness and grit like Euro sharp shooters and low mid major big men...
0 x
Warning: area protected by guard donkey
User avatar
rjsuperfly66
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3425
Joined: 11 years ago
x 1440

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rjsuperfly66 »

ATPTourFan wrote:Far from the end of Welsh and horrible Keno times.
I feel bad for Timmy -- Imagine having Baron doing color for URI games? And not even as a fan, but imagine being the former coach having to talk about the progress the program is making?

WOOF!
0 x
User avatar
URIGONZO
ARD
Posts: 586
Joined: 11 years ago
x 67

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by URIGONZO »

I think Charlotte has put themself in good position for an at-large. They impressed me with their defense when they came in here. I thought it was comparable to VCU's Havoc defense.
0 x
From the Standpoint of Sitting Down.
rambone 78
Frank Keaney
Posts: 16332
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5186

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rambone 78 »

The problem with the A10 getting a fifth or sixth team in the Dance, is that the so-called experts are saying the BE is getting 8-9 teams in.

It never ends. The BE's old rep carries that conference like no other.

I imagine it'll be the same with the new BE BB conference. Then just watch the overrated BE at-larges go bye-bye early in the Dance as usual.

Barf!!!!
0 x
User avatar
rjsuperfly66
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3425
Joined: 11 years ago
x 1440

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rjsuperfly66 »

rambone 78 wrote:The problem with the A10 getting a fifth or sixth team in the Dance, is that the so-called experts are saying the BE is getting 8-9 teams in.

It never ends. The BE's old rep carries that conference like no other.

I imagine it'll be the same with the new BE BB conference. Then just watch the overrated BE at-larges go bye-bye early in the Dance as usual.

Barf!!!!
I agree, I think there is a flaw in the system (AKA the RPI). The BE gets overvalued as a conference because the bottom teams who arent that good usually still post decent RPI's since their SOS is considered higher. I mean, PC played a joke OOC conference schedule while URI played a tough one, but their SOS will still be 10-15 spots higher, thus rewarding them or other BE teams for posting "cupcake wins" OOC and battling in conference, thus getting decent, inflated win totals.

Honestly though, to say I have any positive suggestions on how to fix it, I really don't. I think there is honestly major-conference bias in just about every metric out there. Personally though, I don't think you should get a bump by losing by 30 points to the #20 team in the RPI. There is no difference to RPI whether you lose by 2 to #20 (say like URI to Butler, what was it 7 points at Butler) or by 50 to #30 (say like USF vs. etc.). It's just a loss to a good team. There is no such thing as a good loss to a good team (which there should be). Obviously that is going to favor major conference teams since they have more of those opportunities.

Is that fair? I don't think so.
0 x
Obadiah
Tyson Wheeler
Posts: 5405
Joined: 11 years ago
x 2275

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by Obadiah »

Tonight’s action while limited has some intriguing games:

A key A-10 game is UMass at VCU. This is a must win game for the Minutemen in their hopes to make the Big Dance. Their season has been marked by many so-so wins, but in the last few games they seem more energized. The game is on CBS Sports at 9 PM.

Duquesne at Temple.

In OOC action,

In a big one at 11 PM on ESPN has 22-2 Gonzaga ranked #5 paying a visit to 21-4 St. Mary’s in a battle for first place in the WCC.

Northwestern at #13 Ohio State

George Mason at Drexel

In an important game in the MAAC, Canisius is at Loyola (MD)
0 x
RIhoopz14
Kenny Green
Posts: 243
Joined: 11 years ago
x 7

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by RIhoopz14 »

Guys Duquesne is up 7 going into halftime against Temple. Shooting 63% FG and 50% from 3. A10 is crazy.......
0 x
RIhoopz14
Kenny Green
Posts: 243
Joined: 11 years ago
x 7

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by RIhoopz14 »

Not to mention they are 17 pt underdogs
0 x
RIhoopz14
Kenny Green
Posts: 243
Joined: 11 years ago
x 7

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by RIhoopz14 »

Sry for the consecutive posts, but IMO it's a joke that Temple is being considered in the last 4 in. One good win against an undetermined Syracuse team and some bad losses including against Canisius. I could name about 10 teams that are more deserving
0 x
rambone 78
Frank Keaney
Posts: 16332
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5186

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rambone 78 »

Temple is like a lot of BE teams, they have the rep. It's like they get extra consideration because they're Temple, they've been to the Dance a lot. Same with X. They are very mediocre [for them] this year, yet they are still considered on the bubble.

Will URI ever be in that position? It's a long way off, if ever.
0 x
RIhoopz14
Kenny Green
Posts: 243
Joined: 11 years ago
x 7

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by RIhoopz14 »

Very true, it is all about the names. If UMASS can pull the upset at VCU tonight they will be tied for 1st in the A10, yet not considered near the bubble. Xavier got crushed by Wofford this year and is still in the talks. Crazy how much teams "brand" makes a difference on how they are viewed
0 x
rambone 78
Frank Keaney
Posts: 16332
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5186

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rambone 78 »

That's where URI needs to get, in the college hoops world.

Will take a lot of sustained winning and Dance appearances.

The issue is, could URI keep that level of committment to the program?

Being a state school in the smallest state, it will be a huge challenge.
0 x
User avatar
twisted3829
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3276
Joined: 11 years ago
x 439

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by twisted3829 »

lets see if the Dukes can hang on
0 x
NOT IN OUR HOUSE
User avatar
twisted3829
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3276
Joined: 11 years ago
x 439

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by twisted3829 »

Duquesne loses the lead then hit 2 free throws with under 5 seconds to win by 1. At least URI can't be Duquesne's first win
0 x
NOT IN OUR HOUSE
rambone 78
Frank Keaney
Posts: 16332
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5186

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rambone 78 »

It's good that they won. Now maybe they will have a letdown against us.

On a down note though, if they beat us we will be last in the conference.

Both Temple and X are very mediocre this year for sure. X struggled to beat Fordham at home this week.

Hell, all of college basketball is unpredictable this year. This year's tournament will truly be the biggest crapshoot ever. No dominant team. The so-called "elite" teams, like Kansas, go out and lose to the likes of T-C-Who? as part of a 3 game losing streak, and Duke gets flattened by Miami big time.

We could see a LOT of upsets in the first two rounds this year.
0 x
Obadiah
Tyson Wheeler
Posts: 5405
Joined: 11 years ago
x 2275

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by Obadiah »

Interesting ending to Temple-Duquesne game. Temple had a one point lead with a few seconds left and got called for foul, Duquesne then put in two clutch free throws for the win. I guess some refs are not afraid to end a game with free throws.

With five to go in first half VCU leads UMass, 32-28.

Also, Ohio State beat back a challenge from Northwestern, 69-59.

Canisius lost to Loyola (MD), 68-64. Billy scored 14 points. As is always the case in one bid leagues, Canisius will have to win the MAAC tournament to get a NCAA bid.

George Mason rallied in second half to beat Drexel, 68-62.
0 x
User avatar
twisted3829
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3276
Joined: 11 years ago
x 439

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by twisted3829 »

Temple made the huge comeback and tied it on a lay up and made the and 1 free throw to go up 1 with about 7 minutes to go, Duquesne raced up the floor and was fouled (I couldn't tell if he made the shot anyway (foul was on the floor)). He hit both free throws and Temple had a very good luck despite only having 2 seconds.Baseball pass the the 3 point line and the guy missed the open 3
0 x
NOT IN OUR HOUSE
rambone 78
Frank Keaney
Posts: 16332
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5186

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rambone 78 »

Dagger for Temple. Or it should be anyway.

Of course, they have a history of owning the A10 tournament. They might have to win it again to get in.

Butler and VCU are good, but by no means are they dominant. It'll be wide open in NY.
0 x
User avatar
twisted3829
Carlton Owens
Posts: 3276
Joined: 11 years ago
x 439

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by twisted3829 »

somebody woke up VCU and unfortunately for UMASS they are in the way getting outscored 27-6 in the first 8 1/2 minutes of the second half
0 x
NOT IN OUR HOUSE
User avatar
rodfromcranston
Frank Keaney
Posts: 13068
Joined: 11 years ago
x 1517

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

VCU is going crazy!
Thye're doing anything they want.
ZooMass look like spectators.
0 x
< Arthur is my spirit animal.
rambone 78
Frank Keaney
Posts: 16332
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5186

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by rambone 78 »

Yep. 42-12 in second half. In 14 minutes. Wow.
0 x
Obadiah
Tyson Wheeler
Posts: 5405
Joined: 11 years ago
x 2275

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by Obadiah »

When we complain that URI comes out in the second half at half speed, think about what happened to UMass tonight. Erasing a first half deficit of 5 points, VCU came out blazing on a 21-1 run and maintained a high tempo for the rest of the game winning 86-68, outscoring UMass by almost a 2-1 margin in the second half.
0 x
reef
Frank Keaney
Posts: 14775
Joined: 11 years ago
x 5148

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by reef »

Say it aint so Frannie Dunphy !!
0 x
Obadiah
Tyson Wheeler
Posts: 5405
Joined: 11 years ago
x 2275

Re: Week #15 - Games of Interest

Unread post by Obadiah »

What is pathetic is that after a 18 point loss to VCU, the UMass fans are whining about the refs letting VCU get away with lots of contact in their "havoc" defense.
0 x
Post Reply