University of Rhode Island vs La Salle University
Tom Gola Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Sunday, February 23, 2024
12:00PM
Tom Gola Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Sunday, February 23, 2024
12:00PM
Media
TV: USA
Online: USA
Radio: Tune In Radio
App: Varsity Network
Live Stats: N/A
Previews
La Salle’s Fan Forum
After getting swept at home over the last two games, the Rams head back out on the road for their next two games. The Rams will travel south to Philadelphia to take on the La Salle Explorers Sunday afternoon in the first of two road games. Normally a game against La Salle would be just what the doctor ordered, but who the hell knows anymore. The Rams have now lost 3 in a row & 8 of 10 while La Salle has inexplicably won 2 in a row. Before that the Explorers had lost 9 of 10. If the Rams want to avoid the play in games portion of the A10 tournament, getting a win here will help. Of their 5 remaining games, 3 of them are against teams below Rhody in the standings. Conversely, they will probably only win the game at home against St. Louis.
The Explorers are led by the one-two punch of Khalil Brantley & Jhamir Brickus. Brantley is leading the team in scoring with just over 15 per game & is also leading the team in steals with 1.7 per contest. At just 6’1”, he is also third on the team in rebounding with just over 5 per game as well as second on the team in assists at 4.2 per game. Meanwhile, Jhamir Brickus is second on the team in scoring at just over 14 per game & leading the team in assists at almost 5 per game. The last time they played Rhode Island last month, Brickus went for 14, 8, & 6. Junior guard Daeshon Shepherd is third on the team in scoring with 10.3 per game. He has been coming on as of late. He scored 14 against Rhody but then was held scoreless over his next two games. But over his last 4 he has gone for 12, 14, 19. & 23. With the way Rhody’s defense struggles, I am going to pencil him in for 25 to keep his point increase streak alive. Shepherd is second on the team in rebounding, just one behind forward Rokas Jocius. They are both averaging five and a half rebounds per game. The Explorers best three-point shooter is Andres Marrero. He did not play in their last game & played sparingly in the last couple games. I am not sure if he got hurt or if he is the Explorers version of Foumena. I mentioned this tidbit the last time these two teams played, but what I find most surprising about the Explorers roster is even in the age of players transferring schools, their entire roster is made up of players who have only played collegiately at La Salle. It hasn’t quite translated into success yet, but there is potential there.
As for the Rams, well at least I hit my race to 15 points bet the last game at +115. That was the only good news I could muster. I would bring up Fuch’s double-double the last game, but I don’t want this thread to become another shitshow. Whoops, too late. Richmond really made David Green use his right hand in the last game & he struggled. Has Cam hit the freshman wall & now has tired legs? In his last four games (& 5 of 6), he has hit just 1 shot in each game.
Can the Rams sneak out a road victory against La Salle? Rhody is struggling so much that they would have a tough time against La Salle Academy in Providence. Hell, they might even struggle to stop the nuns at La Salette Shrine. Although beating UMass by just one, La Salle led wire to wire & built the lead to as much as 18 in that game. In the last game, they lead St. Bonaventure by as much as 20 & cruised to victory by shooting over 50% from the floor & had an impressive 20 assists in that game. Even though the Explorers lost the last time these teams matched-up at the Ryan Center, they were in it the whole game & lost by just two. La Salle will be looking for revenge & confidence will be high. Who knows, maybe the Explorers will get 1500 fans in the door for this one. Look out! Will Rhody be able to stop this little Explorer win streak? My prediction, La Salle 78 – URI 75. Go Rhody!!
Opponent
Record:
13-14, 4-10 in the A10
15-19, 7-11 in the A10 (Last Season)
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 208 (187)
RPI: 206 (146)
KenPom: 219 (180)
BPI: 187 (196)
Barttovik: 192 (183)
Leaders:
Points – Khalil Brantley 15.1 (Jr., G)
Rebounds – Rokas Jocius 5.5 (Soph., F)
Assists – Jhamir Brickus 4.9 (Sr., G) (1.9 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 35-11
H: 16-4, A: 15-6, N: 4-1
Most Recent Matchup: 1/31/24 71-69 W at URI
Most Recent Win Streak: 1 – URI
Match-up Predictor: 33.5% Chance of URI Winning
