12/6 | Brown | 7:00PM (ESPN+)

[spookydog]

University of Rhode Island vs Brown University
Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
7:00PM

Media
TV: N/A
Online: ESPN +
Radio: Tune In Radio
App: Varsity Network
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast


Previews
Brown Fan Forum
Game Notes


Let’s start with the most important aspect of Wednesday's home game against Brown. Rhody legends Tyson Wheeler, Cuttino Mobley & Antonio Reynolds-Dean will be formally inducted into the Rhode Island Athletics Ring of Honor. All 3 were members of the magical 1998 team, which was also my senior year at URI, that made it to the Elite Eight & were a minute away from the Final Four. Join me in welcoming them back to URI during a special halftime ceremony.

As for the game itself, Brown University travels 30 minutes south to take on the Rhode Island Rams. Inexplicably, the Bears have won the last two games of this series. Prior to this two-game losing streak, Rhody had won 29 of the last 32 games. It has been 5 years since the last Rhode Island win because two of the yearly matchups were cancelled due to COVID. Brown has struggled so far this season with just 2 wins, but one of those wins came against Rhode Island College. Brown’s coaching staff has numerous Rhode Island ties. Coach Mike Martin is in his 12th season & he is a Brown graduate. Pawtucket native TJ Sorrentine, best known for this dagger three against Syracuse in the NCAA tournament, is the Associate Head Coach. Operations Coordinator Sydney Armand is a Cranston native & URI grad who formerly worked on David Cox staff in numerous roles. He first was a team manager, then became a special assistant to the program’s director of basketball, & finally was the video coordinator prior to going to Brown. And saving the best for last, former URI standout & honoree of Wednesday’s Ring of Honor is Assistant Head Coach Tyson Wheeler.

Leading the Bears is Kino Lilly Jr. He is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 19 points per game & even more impressive 38.2 minutes per game. Lilly is also leading he team in assists at 2.7 per game. Nana Owusu-Anane is leading the team in rebounding at 8.3 per game & is second on the team in scoring at 16 per game. He has already accumulated 5 double doubles this season including a 13 & 11 against #16 USC. That game was just a one-point game with less than two and half minutes to play until USC closed on a 12 to 2 run. The Bears final double-digit scorer is forward Kalu Anya at 10.6 per game. He is also second on the team in rebounding & assists.

The Rams are looking to rebound after a difficult but sadly expected loss at Providence. Once again poor free throw shooting hurt the Rams & especially hurt my URI +15 bet. As a team the Rams are shooting it less than 60% from the line for the season. The bigs (Foumena, Fuchs, Brown & Bilau) are shooting it a nauseating 43.86% with Foumena under 37%. Yikes! Obviously, Brown has the advantage in free throw shooting, but the Rams have the edge in every other major statistical category.

Like I mentioned before, the Rams can not overlook this game against Brown, especially after losing the last two against them. If Brown plays like they did against USC it is going to be a tough game. Conversely if Brown plays like they did against UNH which somehow lost by almost 20, URI should win relatively easily. My prediction, URI 74 – Brown 64. Go Rhody!! And remember to be in your seats at halftime to cheer like hell for Tyson, Cat, & ARD!


Opponent
Record:
2-8, 0-0 in the Ivy
14-13, 7-7 in the Ivy (Last Season)

Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 283 (192)
RPI: 345 (105)
KenPom: 252 (171)
BPI: 215 (250)
Sagarin: 175 (229)*
Barttovik: 212 (160)
*Denotes Last Season Rankings

Leaders:
Points – Kino Lilly Jr 19.1 (Jr., G)
Rebounds – Nana Awusu-Anane 8.3 (Jr., F)
Assists – Kino Lilly Jr 2.7 (Jr., G) (2.6 TO per game)

Historical
Series: 109-55
H: 67-15, A: 41-39, N: 1-1
Most Recent Matchup: 12/7/22 59-58 L at URI
Most Recent Win Streak: 2 - Brown
Match-up Predictor: 58.6% Chance of URI Winning

[RhowdyRam02]

The last time we had a 2 game losing streak against Brown was 12/14/82 and 1/31/84.

The last time we had a 3 or longer losing streak was a 6 game losing streak with the games being 3/6/73, 12/1/73, 2/26/74, 12/1/74, 12/30/74, and 1/7/75

[jcru]

OOOOOOoooooooh, da bear came over the mountain,
the bear came over the mountain,
the bear came over the mountaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaainnnnnnnnn.........

[RhowdyRam02]

AND RHODY KICKED THEIR ASS!

[jcru]

there ya go. You got that right.

[section(105)]

Team Ranking has it 69% to win. They have URI ranked #176, Brown at %225.

[steviep123]

Unfortunately I have a work commitment preventing me from attending. I hope the ceremony will be streamed for later view.

[TruePoint]

I expect us to win this one. Nice to be back in a place where we can legitimately “expect” to beat anyone. My hope for this game is that we approach it with the same intensity as we opened the Providence game with, and take out some of our frustration on the Bears and really take it to them. Then try to bottle that and carry it with us the rest of the season. I want to beat the tar off of Brown this year.

[reef]

Yeah expecting a 15 to 20 point win I’ll guess 78-60

[Blue Man]

Archie has at least gotten URI back to the point of doing what's generally expected - beating up on lesser foes. We're just not ready for the big lights or the better teams. Yet.

Lucky for us, outside of Dayton on 1/20, we won't face another environment/team on the same level as PC.

To me that says 22 more incredibly winnable games on the schedule. Starting with this one.

No reason to think this should be competitive, and we've been pretty good at home.

[Jersey77]

Brown lost to Delaware 59-67 (NET #98) on a neutral court, who we play on 12/16.

[PeterRamTime]

Let's finally put a dull 40 together!

I do think Brown, despite their crap record, is better than the likes of Wagner, Fairfield and CCSU. They'll put up a fight, but this is one where our bully ball should work really well.

Get revenge and get ready for a really tough one at Charleston.

[rhodyrudder]

Archie has at least gotten URI back to the point of doing what's generally expected - beating up on lesser foes. We're just not ready for the big lights or the better teams. Yet.

Lucky for us, outside of Dayton on 1/20, we won't face another environment/team on the same level as PC.

To me that says 22 more incredibly winnable games on the schedule. Starting with this one.

No reason to think this should be competitive, and we've been pretty good at home.

VCU is pretty tough. Would be fantastic to win there.
I wonder what UD Arena is gonna be like for Archie’s return.
IU obviously nvr had to go there.

[rhodyrudder]

Let's finally put a dull 40 together!

We’ve had LOTS of dull 40’s over the last 5 years!

[PeterRamTime]

Let's finally put a dull 40 together!

We’ve had LOTS of dull 40’s over the last 5 years!

Lol!!!! NOT WEDNESDAY

[PeterRamTime]

Archie has at least gotten URI back to the point of doing what's generally expected - beating up on lesser foes. We're just not ready for the big lights or the better teams. Yet.

Lucky for us, outside of Dayton on 1/20, we won't face another environment/team on the same level as PC.

To me that says 22 more incredibly winnable games on the schedule. Starting with this one.

No reason to think this should be competitive, and we've been pretty good at home.

VCU is pretty tough. Would be fantastic to win there.
I wonder what UD Arena is gonna be like for Archie’s return.
IU obviously nvr had to go there.

At the rate they're going it'll be the least intimidating Seigal Center ever. I'd pick us to win that one.

[jcru]

Let's finally put a dull 40 together!

We’ve had LOTS of dull 40’s over the last 5 years!

Lol!!!! NOT WEDNESDAY

I've heard of a 40 oz, but never a dull 40.

[Jersey77]

Archie has at least gotten URI back to the point of doing what's generally expected - beating up on lesser foes. We're just not ready for the big lights or the better teams. Yet.

Lucky for us, outside of Dayton on 1/20, we won't face another environment/team on the same level as PC.

To me that says 22 more incredibly winnable games on the schedule. Starting with this one.

No reason to think this should be competitive, and we've been pretty good at home.

VCU is pretty tough. Would be fantastic to win there.
I wonder what UD Arena is gonna be like for Archie’s return.
IU obviously nvr had to go there.

At the rate they're going it'll be the least intimidating Seigal Center ever. I'd pick us to win that one.

Maybe with (F) Sean Bairstow pre-season all-conference selection returning the team will be much improved and create some enthusiasm for them.

[BleedBlue87]

I unfortunately need to travel out of state for this game. I have two tickets a couple rows behind the Rhody bench. Shoot me a message if you want them.

[URIFIJI]

What time does the RING OF HONOR stuff go ? Before game or at the half?

[ramster]

What time does the RING OF HONOR stuff go ? Before game or at the half?

Halftime

[PeterRamTime]

VCU is pretty tough. Would be fantastic to win there.
I wonder what UD Arena is gonna be like for Archie’s return.
IU obviously nvr had to go there.

At the rate they're going it'll be the least intimidating Seigal Center ever. I'd pick us to win that one.

Maybe with (F) Sean Bairstow pre-season all-conference selection returning the team will be much improved and create some enthusiasm for them.

I say we resume owning them this year.

[reef]

Arch presser really good led it off talking about Tyson , cat and ARD

[PeterRamTime]

It'll be interesting to see Bilau's minute count for this one.

Played 8, 16 and 14 against JW, Yale and PC. Kinda weird he got two less minutes at PC than he did against Yale.

Is it time to get him up to 20+? If not Wednesday then when? Wouldn't need 20 minutes in this game, but I sure want him to play 20+ against Charleston.

[Billyboy78]

It'll be interesting to see Bilau's minute count for this one.

Played 8, 16 and 14 against JW, Yale and PC. Kinda weird he got two less minutes at PC than he did against Yale.

Is it time to get him up to 20+? If not Wednesday then when? Wouldn't need 20 minutes in this game, but I sure want him to play 20+ against Charleston.

Archie said he'd get him in for short periods (4 or 5 minutes at a time) The first game, he got in twice. The last 2 games he got in 3 times. We'll see if he gets in more or if Archie extends the time he gets in to 7 or 8 minute stretches.

[rhodysurf]

spread is URI -5..... They need to blow that out of the water

[reef]

spread is URI -5..... They need to blow that out of the water

Damn that seems criminally low !

[ramster]

Maybe decided on FT’s

[jcru]

That's crazy.

Rhode Island... the state where free throws go to die.

[RhowdyRam02]

KenPom gives the #196 NET/175 KenPom Rams a 73% chance of beating #281 NET/249 Kenpom Brown, with a projected final of 75-68.

Massey Ratings gives us (#145 Massey) a 69% chance of beating #297 Brown with a projected final of 72-66

[ramster]

73% and 69%
Not very high chance of winning considering Brown has only 1 D1 Win on the season

[SGreenwell]

Brown is probably a bit better than their record indicates - they have four losses by 5 or less points, and only lost by 11 to USC. But they also lost to Maine by 11 and New Hampshire by 18. It's a team we should handle easily, but they'll probably want to make the game ugly. They've got a brutal offense - 301 in FG percentage, 290 in 3-point percentage, 331 in FT percentage. The only thing they do well on that end is offensive rebound (56th) and avoid turnovers (70th).

[Billyboy78]

Looking at the ticket map, this should be the best crowd we've had this year. Still not great, but maybe 4500-5000.

[steveystuds06]

I have a work dinner, so I can't make it. I gave my tickets to a former player. Anyone that's going, make sure the Ryan Center is loud!

[Jdrums#3]

Would really like to see us play a complete game against Brown tonight from the tip with lock down D and good ball movement and execution on O. No letting up. No lazy garbage time.

We should be the better team. We are the better team so, leave no doubt.

ETA: Also, would like to see House continue to play like he did against PC, would like to see Zek get back on track and Weston, too.

[reef]

Would really like to see us play a complete game against Brown tonight from the tip with lock down D and good ball movement and execution on O. No letting up. No lazy garbage time.

We should be the better team. We are the better team so, leave no doubt.

ETA: Also, would like to see House continue to play like he did against PC, would like to see Zek get back on track and Weston, too.

Couldn’t agree more Drums ! Well stated

[reef]

11-10 Brown. 1414

Brown 3-5 from 3

[adam914]

Bilau is such a difference maker for this team when he's in there. I hope he is starting over Brown whenever he is physically able to.

[reef]

14-11 Rhody. 1147

Bilau looking strong down low

[adam914]

This is hard to watch right now.

[reef]

19-18 Brown 644

URI missing some easy shots @ the rim

We are outshooting them from the floor but they are 5-10 from 3 to 1-3 for us

[ElmCityRhody]

snooze fest

What do I have to do to see dubs in with the A team ??

[KevanBoyles]

We should be wiping the floor with these guys.

[rhodysurf]

Bad effort so far

[PeterRamTime]

Can we mess around and cover please?

[ElmCityRhody]

Pull these guys off the court if they don’t want to play hard

[ATPTourFan]

Maybe we will guard their 3 point shooters?? Maybe ??

[reef]

26-20 Brown. 351

URI looks awful just awful !

Zek 2 fouls 0 points

[adam914]

Was really hoping this would be the first time we put two good halfs together. It will not be.

[KevanBoyles]

Somebody has to wake these guys up.