Week #13 - Games of Interest

[Obadiah]

In the AP poll, Dayton remains at #7, West Virginia] moves up to #12 and Maryland improves to #17. LSU moves into the rankings taking the #23 spot. And for the first time this season URI gets 6 votes in the others category.

In the USA Today/Coaches poll, Dayton retains the #7 position, with West Virginia moving up to the #11 slot, Maryland improving to #15, while LSU moves into the ranking at #24. Baylor remains the #1 team in the AP poll and dislodges Gonzaga for the #1 position in the Coaches' poll as well.

The cumulative record of URI OOC opponents is 142-93, 0.602, a nice increase from the previous week.

With the Duquesne win at Ryan and the road win over St. Bonaventure, all the key URI metrics as of Monday morning showed big improvements over last week.

NET - 47, up 14
BPI - 61, up 14
Pomeroy - 56, up 16
Sagarin - 56, up 15


No Monday games in the A-10 or among URI OOC opponents.

[RhowdyRam02]

In this morning's bracketville update, URI is now the first team out. In tonight's bubble game:

Third to last in NC State hosts North Carolina at 7 on ESPN

[Obadiah]

NET RANKING* of A-10 TEAMS

School	       Week 7  Week 8	  Week 9   Week 10  Week 11    Week 12  Week 13

Dayton	         #10	 #14       #12       #8        #8        #5       #5		
Duquesne	 #20	 #66       #105      #66       #47       #55      #92	
Richmond	 #22	 #54       #77       #53       #63       #56      #55
VCU	         #52	 #58       #52       #34       #43       #45      #39		
Saint Louis	 #66	 #61       #60       #74       #48       #54      #69		
George Mason	 #67	 #72       #71       #119      #140      #171     #168		
Rhode Island	 #72	 #80       #69       #91       #67       #61      #47		
Davidson	#101	 #99       #94       #94       #112      #107     #98		
La Salle	#130	#123       #119      #136      #179      #174     #173		
UMass	        #158	#139       #128      #121      #127      #175     #164		
St. Bonaventure	#189	#180       #176      #169      #141      #128     #133		
Saint Joseph's	#228	#210       #210      #222      #221      #202     #223		
GW    	        #235	#232       #226      #256      #244      #196     #195		
Fordham	        #258	#267       #266      #258      #284      #274     #274	
				

NET RANKING* of URI OOC OPPONENTS

School	        Week 7	Week 8	  Week 9    Week 10   Week 11  Week 12  Week 13

Maryland	 #11	  #20       #16       #14       #17	 #15      #13
West Virginia	 #12	  #10       #9        #12       #10      #9       #7		
LSU	         #26	  #57       #41       #30       #28	 #23      #25	
W. Kentucky	 #84	  #95       #122      #118      #119     #119     #112	
Alabama	         #96	  #77       #65       #64       #61      #42      #41		
North Texas	 #98	 #110       #111      #105      #102     #92      #78		
Nicholls State	#114	 #193       #192      #162      #136     #179     #180		
Providence	#146	 #119       #129      #100      #90      #79      #79		
Long Island	#231	 #247	    #256      #270      #274     #242     #253	
Brown	        #256	 #252       #259      #237      #209     #220     #228		
Manhattan	#260	 #273       #274      #246      #226     #227     #240		
Mid. Tennessee  #283	 #291       #296      #311      #319     #328     #318
				
* Rankings continually change with new game results, but both ranking comparisons are based on rankings as of Monday morning of each week. 

[RhowdyRam02]

In this morning's bracketville update, URI is now the first team out. In tonight's bubble game:

Third to last in NC State hosts North Carolina at 7 on ESPN

NC State lost 75-65

Bubble teams are now 24-26

[rhodysurf]

VCU is like 9 point favorites over RIchmond. What am I missing? That seems really high

[SmartyBarrett]

VCU is like 9 point favorites over RIchmond. What am I missing? That seems really high

VCU is INCREDIBLY tough at home. They never lose.

Well, almost never

[ramster]

VCU is like 9 point favorites over RIchmond. What am I missing? That seems really high

VCU is INCREDIBLY tough at home. They never lose.

Well, almost never

Richmond playing without their leading scorer Blake Francis 17.6 ppg, 37% 3-point shooter, 85% FT. He is also an excellent defender who takes on the opponents best guard. VCU typically improves as the season goes on.

[SmartyBarrett]

That too.

[Obadiah]

In Tuesday action in the A-10:

Rhode Island at George Mason, 7 PM. On Stadium.

Richmond at VCU, 7 PM. On CBSSN.


No Tuesday games involving URI OOC opponents.

[wgracie99]

In Tuesday action in the A-10:

Rhode Island at George Mason, 7 PM. On Stadium.

Richmond at VCU, 7 PM. On CBSSN.


No Tuesday games involving URI OOC opponents.

Rhody and VCU take care of business tonight and Katy-Bar-The-Door Friday night!! It's gonna be a rockin!!

I am leaving at 5:00am to head to Logan (from central Ma) Saturday but couldn't miss going to this game.

I know 1 game at a time though!!!!

[RhowdyRam02]

In tonight's bubble action

Fourth to last bye Michigan is at Nebraska at 7 on ESPNU
Second to last bye St. John's vs Villanova at 6:30 on FS1
Second to last in VCU vs third out Richmond at 7 on CBSS
We're first out and are at George Mason at 7 on Stadium
Second out Virginia Tech at Miami at 8
Fifth out Purdue at Rutgers at 8 on the Big 10 Network
Sixth out Tennessee vs Texas A&M at 6:30 on SECN
Eighth out Georgetown vs Butler at 9 on CBSSN

[RamFaninSF]

VCU is like 9 point favorites over RIchmond. What am I missing? That seems really high

Totally agree, especially in what is such an intense rivalry game. Gotta take the points.

[Blue Man]

I think my favorite thing about the last 3 weeks of basketball is that not only has OB had to continue his phenomenal work to keep track of every game that matters to URI - but now RR02 has had to add a whole other element to this board and track the bubble action.

Y'all are doing the Lords work. THANK YOU

[RamStock]

VCU is like 9 point favorites over RIchmond. What am I missing? That seems really high

Totally agree, especially in what is such an intense rivalry game. Gotta take the points.

Agree. It seems too high.

[NYGFan_Section208]

VCU is like 9 point favorites over RIchmond. What am I missing? That seems really high

Totally agree, especially in what is such an intense rivalry game. Gotta take the points.

Agree. It seems too high.

Give the points, take VCU in an absolute rout.

[RamStock]

Totally agree, especially in what is such an intense rivalry game. Gotta take the points.

Agree. It seems too high.

Give the points, take VCU in an absolute rout.

That is probably what happens. Usually how it works in Vegas

[RhowdyRam02]

I think my favorite thing about the last 3 weeks of basketball is that not only has OB had to continue his phenomenal work to keep track of every game that matters to URI - but now RR02 has had to add a whole other element to this board and track the bubble action.

Y'all are doing the Lords work. THANK YOU

You're welcome, I'm happy to do it, though I'd be happier if we keep winning and we're in and there's no reason to track the bubble

[DC_Rams]

VCU comes alive in the 2nd Half. They are shooting the lights out.

[RhodyRam86]

Virginia picks up a huge win at home vs. #5 FSU.

[rhodysurf]

VCU looks like they are back

[Rhody83]

VCU comes alive in the 2nd Half. They are shooting the lights out.

Led by a Bones.

[Rhody83]

I think my favorite thing about the last 3 weeks of basketball is that not only has OB had to continue his phenomenal work to keep track of every game that matters to URI - but now RR02 has had to add a whole other element to this board and track the bubble action.

Y'all are doing the Lords work. THANK YOU

You're welcome, I'm happy to do it, though I'd be happier if we keep winning and we're in and there's no reason to track the bubble

Your tracking the bubble is part of the win streak. You will not be allowed to stop tracking it

[TruePoint]

VCU comes alive in the 2nd Half. They are shooting the lights out.

Led by a Bones.

Someone here said they thought Richmond was the better team lol. Richmond is the eggheaded hall monitor and VCU is the guy who wears a sleeveless leather jacket and rides a motorcycle. As I predicted, they held the spiders upside down, shook their lunch money out of their pockets and then folded them up and put them in a locker.

[PeterRamTime]

VCU comes alive in the 2nd Half. They are shooting the lights out.

Led by a Bones.

Someone here said they thought Richmond was the better team lol. Richmond is the eggheaded hall monitor and VCU is the guy who wears a sleeveless leather jacket and rides a motorcycle. As I predicted, they held the spiders upside down, shook their lunch money out of their pockets and then folded them up and put them in a locker.

I was right there with you in that prediction!

VCU is STRONG at home and if you dont have the athletes to defend them and aren't poised you are screwed.

[Rhodymob05]

Seems like roughly half the bubble teams had a nice night.

[SmartyBarrett]

[bigappleram]

Tomorrow night it's all about Roll Tide.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Pitt making a run at Cameron...

I still wish UR would have beaten Dayton last week...sole 2nd is good, tied for 1st would be better. Go Dukes.
Rhody just needs to show everyone the loss to UR was a fluke and clearly be the best team in the conference. Can't do that if Dayton never loses.

[URI_05]

Pitt making a run at Cameron...

I still wish UR would have beaten Dayton last week...sole 2nd is good, tied for 1st would be better. Go Dukes.
Rhody just needs to show everyone the loss to UR was a fluke and clearly be the best team in the conference. Can't do that if Dayton never loses.

It was a bad take last week and it’s still a bad take this week.

[RF1]

In tonight's bubble action

Fourth to last bye Michigan is at Nebraska at 7 on ESPNU
Second to last bye St. John's vs Villanova at 6:30 on FS1
Second to last in VCU vs third out Richmond at 7 on CBSS
We're first out and are at George Mason at 7 on Stadium
Second out Virginia Tech at Miami at 8
Fifth out Purdue at Rutgers at 8 on the Big 10 Network
Sixth out Tennessee vs Texas A&M at 6:30 on SECN
Eighth out Georgetown vs Butler at 9 on CBSSN

Michigan beats Nebraska
St Johns loses to Villanova
VCU beats Richmond
URI beats GMU
Va Tech loses to Miami
Purdue loses to Rutgers
Tenn loses To TAM
Georgetown loses to Butler

[PeterRamTime]

Made up some ground tonight!

[Rhody83]

What a heartbreaker for GTown. Up 14 in the first half. Then to have a goaltending call missed that would’ve tied the game. I feel ... no I don’t

[eli#10]

Me either

[Blue Man]

Surprise UVA wasn’t on our bubble watch - but they moved into as close a lock as you can get beating FSU tonight.

[reef]

Definitely a good night all around wonder if our NET went up ??

[TruePoint]

You know it did, brother. Fifty-two after last night, from 55.

[Blue Man]

You know it did, brother. Fifty-two after last night, from 55.

We’re still at 47. I think you’re talking KenPom TP.

NET doesn’t update til later in the morning.

[TruePoint]

Oh right. KenPom again. I swear I read his question as KenPom. Second time this week I did that.

[bigappleram]

Up to 45 on NET

[RhowdyRam02]

In tonight's bubble action

Fourth to last bye Michigan is at Nebraska at 7 on ESPNU
Second to last bye St. John's vs Villanova at 6:30 on FS1
Second to last in VCU vs third out Richmond at 7 on CBSS
We're first out and are at George Mason at 7 on Stadium
Second out Virginia Tech at Miami at 8
Fifth out Purdue at Rutgers at 8 on the Big 10 Network
Sixth out Tennessee vs Texas A&M at 6:30 on SECN
Eighth out Georgetown vs Butler at 9 on CBSSN

Michigan won 79-68
St. John's lost 79-59 vs #8 Villanova
VCU won 87-68
We won 78-64
Virginia Tech lost 71-61
Purdue lost at #25 Rutgers 70-63
Tennessee lost 63-58
Georgetown lost 69-64 vs #16 Butler

Bubble teams are 27-31

[RhowdyRam02]

Surprise UVA wasn’t on our bubble watch - but they moved into as close a lock as you can get beating FSU tonight.

Bracketville had Virginia the 11th team out as of Monday morning. This is what he had to say about them and other bubble developments from last night:

Trailing late, Virginia rallied to beat Florida State in Charlottesville, netting the Cavaliers a key Quadrant 1 win over Florida State. Beforehand, UVA’s best profile wins were against fellow bubble teams – Syracuse, Virginia Tech and Arizona State. And that’s without factoring in losses to South Carolina and Boston College.

One win does not a season nor a profile make. But if Virginia wants a chance to defend its national title in the NCAA tournament, beating FSU was a big step in that direction. Looking ahead, there’s no return trip to Tallahassee. UVA’s closing chances for additional marquee wins are a pair of games against Louisville and a visit from Duke.

Elsewhere, the bubble wasn’t so kind. Additional Quick Takes:

Villanova pounded Saint John’s at MSG. Missed opportunity.
Georgetown led by double-digits at halftime but lost to Butler at home. The Hoyas need a strong February.
While it’s no surprise that Purdue lost to Rutgers at the RAC, it does drop the Boilermakers to 11-10 overall and 0-6 in B10 road games. Unless Purdue can correct both of those numbers, its NCAA chances are fading.
Virginia Tech fell at Miami – which was playing again without its best player (Chris Lykes). This, following a loss to Boston College. Four of the Hokies next five are at home, but only Florida State carries much weight. And VT is also trying over overcome a 340-ish non-conference SOS.
Richmond lost at VCU; which certainly isn’t bad. But the Spiders’ A10 schedule only provided one regular-season shot against Dayton (loss), meaning its two with VCU are critical. The next matchup is February 15.
Florida wasn’t quite on the bubble heading into its home game with Mississippi State. But after losing to the Bulldogs, the Gators are squarely in that condition now. Just think how the Gators’ profile would look had they beaten both Baylor and MSU in Gainesville? And yet, they are now just 12-8 overall – with three of their next four on the road.
Then there’s Tennessee, who after competing well at Kansas, dropped Tuesday’s home game against Texas AM.
And Syracuse, which saw its five-game winning streak end at Clemson – with Duke visiting the Carrier Dome this weekend.

[RhowdyRam02]

Virginia vs. Rhode Island comparison

NET - we have the edge 45-56
Average NET win - Virginia has the edge 143-148
Average NET loss - we have the edge (if you can call it that) 66-70
Quadrant 1 games they're 2-2, we're 1-3
Quadrant 2 games we're 3-1, they're 4-2
Quadrant 3 games we're 6-1, they're 4-2
Quadrant 4 games we're 5-0, they're 4-0

Razor thin margins separating the teams, but I'd argue we're just that slight razor edge better. If they're as close as a lock as you can get, what does that say about us?

[Obadiah]

Wednesday action in the A-10:

Dayton at Duquesne, 7 PM. On CBSN. The game will be played at the PPG Paints Arena which is adjacent to Duquesne campus. Great opportunity for the Dukes to overcome the recent tarnishing of their season.

Davidson at GW, 7 PM. On ESPN+.

St. Bonaventure at Fordham, 7 PM. On ESPN+. After three straight games and losses against the conference elites, the Bonnies get a respite and a chance to return to the winning side of the ledger.

Saint Joseph's at UMass, 7 PM. On ESPN+.

Saint Louis at La Salle, 8 PM. On ESPN+.


In Wednesday games involving URI OOC opponents:

Alabama at LSU, 7 PM. On ESPN2.

Nicholls at McNeese, 7:30 PM.

# 12 West Virginia at Texas Tech, 8 PM. On ESPN+.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Pitt making a run at Cameron...

I still wish UR would have beaten Dayton last week...sole 2nd is good, tied for 1st would be better. Go Dukes.
Rhody just needs to show everyone the loss to UR was a fluke and clearly be the best team in the conference. Can't do that if Dayton never loses.

It was a bad take last week and it’s still a bad take this week.

Wrong, methinks you're overthinking to try to sound wise... .

In what world can 2nd place possibly be better than tied for first? Second Fiddle World? #2ville"? "Lookmomi'm#2World"?

[Rhode_Island_Red]

Virginia vs. Rhode Island comparison

NET - we have the edge 45-56
Average NET win - Virginia has the edge 143-148
Average NET loss - we have the edge (if you can call it that) 66-70
Quadrant 1 games they're 2-2, we're 1-3
Quadrant 2 games we're 3-1, they're 4-2
Quadrant 3 games we're 6-1, they're 4-2
Quadrant 4 games we're 5-0, they're 4-0

Razor thin margins separating the teams, but I'd argue we're just that slight razor edge better. If they're as close as a lock as you can get, what does that say about us?

You forgot one thing: Virginia is in The Cartel.

[Rhody15]

And they just won the title last year.

If our resume is only slightly better than theirs, they’d be getting in.

[RhowdyRam02]

Believe me, I know what conference they belong to and what they did last year in the tournament. It's just the idea that they're clearly in while we're on the outside looking in. I don't believe that to be accurate. Both teams have work to do

[NYGFan_Section208]

Pitt making a run at Cameron...

I still wish UR would have beaten Dayton last week...sole 2nd is good, tied for 1st would be better. Go Dukes.
Rhody just needs to show everyone the loss to UR was a fluke and clearly be the best team in the conference. Can't do that if Dayton never loses.

It was a bad take last week and it’s still a bad take this week.

Wrong, methinks you're overthinking to try to sound wise... .

In what world can 2nd place possibly be better than tied for first? Second Fiddle World? #2ville"? "Lookmomi'm#2World"?

"Who" (what level of expertise) would you have to hear from, to agree that...'tied for first'...is better than 'second place'.
This fascinates me....

[bigappleram]

Have to assume everyone understands 1st is better than 2nd. However realism has to set in and projecting what is most likely to happen. We are battling VCU and Richmond for that 2nd spot, so rooting for those teams to lose as many games as possible is what I (and others) think is best. If we wind up knocking off Dayton twice and coming in first well that's obviously ideal and gravy, but the likelihood of that is much less than the likelihood of being the clear cut 2nd best team and securing the almost guaranteed 2nd bid the league will get.

[RhowdyRam02]

Today's bubble games

Last bye Depaul at #10 Seton Hall at 6:30 on FS1
Fourth to last in Arizona State is at Washington State at 11 on ESPNU
Last in Texas Tech hosts #12 West Virginia at 8 on ESPN+
Seventh out Xavier hosts Marquette at 8:30 on FS1