Game #1 - Maine - November 8th @ 7:30pm

RoadyJay · Unread post by **RoadyJay** » 10 years ago

We should absolutely manhandle this team. They lost three starters, two transferred and one went pro overseas.

They are young and inexperienced (no seniors), especially in the front court. Biruta, Iffy, and Martin should dominate down low.

They gave up a bunch of points last year and also struggled on the road. I expect more of the same this year with less talent.

If our guard play is improved over the Southern Connecticut game this should be a rout.

Expect a Maine starting line-up of:
#1 Dimitry Akanda-Coronel G/F So 6’4 190
#5 Zarko Valjarevic F So 6’4 210
#12 Xavier Pollard G Jr 6’3 190
#25 Till Gloger F So 6’8 220
#55 Garet Beal G/F Fr 6’6 215

Maine has exhibition wins over McGill (83-57) and Laval (88-79).

For more information visit:
http://www.goblackbears.com/sports/m-baskbl/index
http://rhodyrampage.com/2013/10/02/rhod ... ack-bears/

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

All the more reason not to rush Biruta back .... or at least limit his minutes.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

Agreed. Biruta will absolutely be needed at 100% if we want to beat Larry Brown's SMU Stags twice in as many years.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

I'm not sure we're ready to manhandle anyone yet.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

I see a 15-20pt win here.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

I like their road uniforms.

Shinze88 · Unread post by **Shinze88** » 10 years ago

Speaking of uniforms, I have not heard any comments our our uni's from the Southern scrimmage. Anyone who went to the scrimmage have any comments? I have not seen any pictures or video.

Obadiah · Unread post by **Obadiah** » 10 years ago

The Rams gave up 52 points to the S. Connecticut guards last Friday. They cannot afford to turn in that kind of defensive effort against Maine. In addition to Pollard, it's Dimitry Akanda-Coronel from East Boston via Taber Academy and freshman Garet Beal that form the three guard offense that Woodward used in Maine's two exhibition wins. URI will have size and depth advantages, but Maine will use its speed and good sized guards much like SCSU did to attack the basket. Also to be watched is the kid from Serbia, forward Zarko Valjarevic, a good three point shooter who scored a total of 33 points in their exhibition wins. We need a good game from EC in this one.

reef · Unread post by **reef** » 10 years ago

I think URI 82-68

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

Shinze88 wrote:Speaking of uniforms, I have not heard any comments our our uni's from the Southern scrimmage. Anyone who went to the scrimmage have any comments? I have not seen any pictures or video.

I don't think they were wearing the new ones. They are delayed or late to be delivered or something. Not sure but they weren't even ready for Wednesday night's event.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 10 years ago

This is part of a double header with the WBB team. They start at 5 and both games will be televised.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Hope we get the official word on streaming options soon!

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

I would imagine Hurley is spending the entire week on defense.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Show them tapes of VCU's defense. Of course, to play that defense well, is just a little easier said than done.

Obadiah · Unread post by **Obadiah** » 10 years ago

I agree with the view that rather than spend time fighting the officials on the definition of what constitutes a foul under the new rule, spend your time using the new rules to your advantage. How did VCU manage only 14 fouls under the new rules in its exhibition match given the way they play?

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 10 years ago

Yea all good stuff, I would like for Munford to give them 23 or something. Elite scoring #s in 20-25 minutes played.

A bunch of other requests too. I think we all have a whole offseason of hopes and dreams built up.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Either VCU and Smart have the hand checking thing down pat already, or the refs cut them slack based on their excellent defensive reputation. Not saying the latter is right of course, but just sayin.....

On the other hand...Hurley's teams have a reputation of aggressive defense, but foul a lot, so that might carry over to this season? Hope not, but....

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 10 years ago

As this is the first game where the outcome matters, I am expecting to see more of the DH philosophy, on both ends of the floor , with this group of players. No more time to hold back, let's see the style we/re going to play, less emphasis on getting PT, let's put peddle to the metal, press the hell out of them, get out and run, use the secondary break, and bust out with a big win and a take notice A-10.....!!...anyone seen a point spread??

ElmCityRhody · Unread post by **ElmCityRhody** » 10 years ago

After that post I'll take rhody -37 !

Let's goooooo already !!!!

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

section(105) wrote:As this is the first game where the outcome matters, I am expecting to see more of the DH philosophy, on both ends of the floor , with this group of players. No more time to hold back, let's see the style we/re going to play, less emphasis on getting PT, let's put peddle to the metal, press the hell out of them, get out and run, use the secondary break, and bust out with a big win and a take notice A-10.....!!...anyone seen a point spread??

i wouldn't expect it to go from 0 to 60 in one game. you are underestimating how difficult it is to integrate 7 new people into a cohesive team. 2 out of our 3 go-to scorers (Gil and EC) were not playing Div 1 basketball last year. if we aren't noticably much better in Jan/Feb then we are in Nov/Dec I would be shocked. i am excited for this team but think we will need to be patient. that said, against maine it shouldn't matter....i will guess URI -22.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Anything less than a 15 pt. win will be a downer. This game should be over by mid-second half.

Obadiah · Unread post by **Obadiah** » 10 years ago

URI has lost the last two games to Maine, both at the Ryan Center This happened only once before in the all time series. In one span under Keaney URI beat Maine 40 straight games.

STC · Unread post by **STC** » 10 years ago

Who cares if we win by 5 or 15 or 25 just win the damn game and string some wins together against teams that URI should beat.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

We used to fast break them from opening tip to final buzzer, regularly scoring 100 or close to that, winning by 30-40 points.

This team should do the same, but I doubt they're totally ready to do that just yet.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Back in the old Yankee Conference days, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont
were six wins over 20 points almost every year.
Once is a while, Maine or Vermont would have decent team and beat us on the road.
Vermont actually beat us at Keaney one year.
All in all they were slaughters.
We have to destroy all these lesser teams on our schedule to impress year end
tournament committees, should we become worthy of consideration.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 10 years ago

Put me in the camp that only cares if they win. While style points would be nice I think even a one point win will help confidence tremendously for a still growing team. Last year's team started 0-5 and they seemed to press late in games and I believe it had to do with being winless. I'm thinking specifically of the 5th game, an OT loss to Loyola where they had a 19-8 run in the end of regulation and OT to beat us. Put one in the win column any way you can and then it's on to SMU.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 10 years ago

And I know people were looking for lines, and while I couldn't find one specific for this game I did find a future bet. On carbonsports.ag a $1 bet that URI will win the national championship will get you $1000.

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

How is Biruta's ankle?

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

Dan has been downplaying the injury. I think he's still considered "day-to-day" but I'd be surprised if he didn't play, at the least, to test it out.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

Obadiah wrote:URI has lost the last two games to Maine, both at the Ryan Center This happened only once before in the all time series. In one span under Keaney URI beat Maine 40 straight games.

Maine has had a knack as of late in choosing to play URI in years when Rhody has had some of its worst teams ever. Since the Ryan Center opened:

12/4/11 74-76 L MAINE (OT) (7-24 URI season)
11/26/04 44-47 L MAINE (6-22 URI season)
12/14/02 69-63 W MAINE (20-11 URI season)

RHODE ISLAND VS. MAINE - ALL-TIME SERIES

•The Rams renew one of their longest rivalries (6th most played opponent) in program history when they host Maine for the 100th time.
•URI holds an 85-14 lead in the all-time series, dating back to the first meeting in the 1909-10 season (W, 33-23; Feb. 24, 1910)
•Rhode Island has dropped the last two meetings against the Black Bears, including a 76-74 OT decision on Dec. 4, 2011.
•URI is 46-7 all-time playing at home against Maine but just 1-2 in games at the Ryan Center.

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 10 years ago

Love the historical look back, thx.

Essam · Unread post by **Essam** » 10 years ago

The time is now. No excuses. 7 new players or not. Good coaches win

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

just win baby

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 10 years ago

I'm hoping the student turnout for this game is good. It'll hopefully grow as the season goes along, but hopefully the home opener will have a good atmosphere.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

The other URI connection with Maine basketball is their head coach, Ted Woodward. Ted is the grandson of former URI President (1941-1958) Carl Woodward (namesake of Woodward Hall). Ted's father was Bill Woodward, a professor at URI that also authored Keaney -- If You Don't Love to Play, Pivot and Go Home, the biography of Frank Keaney and The Runnin' Rams: The History of the University of Rhode Island Basketball. Ted's first win as a head coach was very special as it was against the Rams in Kingston, where he grew up, 12-14-02.

RoadyJay · Unread post by **RoadyJay** » 10 years ago

RF1 wrote:The other URI connection with Maine basketball is their head coach, Ted Woodward. Ted is the grandson of former URI President (1941-1958) Carl Woodward. Ted's father was Bill Woodward, a professor at URI that also authored Keaney -- If You Don't Love to Play, Pivot and Go Home, the biography of Frank Keaney and The Runnin' Rams: The History of the University of Rhode Island Basketball. Ted's first win as a head coach was very special as it was against the Rams in Kingston, where he grew up, 12-14-02.

Good for Ted. I'm still going to heckle the @#%# out of him.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

I was at that game in '02.
I took my daughter's then boyfriend, who'd never gone to a college basketball game,
with the hopes of converting him. He was a hockey player and a PBruins fan.
Well, it was the most God awful ugly game ever. Small crowd, dull action. The Rams stunk.
Needless to say, as far as I know, he never went to another basketball game.

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

Game notes for tomorrow:

http://gorhody.com/sports/m-baskbl/2013 ... -Maine.pdf

NJ03 · Unread post by **NJ03** » 10 years ago

section(105) wrote:As this is the first game where the outcome matters, I am expecting to see more of the DH philosophy, on both ends of the floor , with this group of players. No more time to hold back, let's see the style we/re going to play, less emphasis on getting PT, let's put peddle to the metal, press the hell out of them, get out and run, use the secondary break, and bust out with a big win and a take notice A-10.....!!...anyone seen a point spread??

There most likely will not be a point spread. The America East is one of the smaller conferences which Vegas doesn't bother handicapping (unless it's conference tournament, NCAA tourney, NIT, etc)

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 10 years ago

Team Rankings has no spread(yet), but did have projected score; URI 73.5 Maine 66.0.

Iggy1979 · Unread post by **Iggy1979** » 10 years ago

I expect more points than 73.5.

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

I read somewhere that Maine likes to run, too. So, depending on the refs, it could be a game in the 80s or 90s. Our frontcourt will dominate, even if Biruta plays only a little or none at all.

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 10 years ago

We need to bang on the boards and a lot. Hopefully this team molds a little better on both ends. I know it will and its gonna be great. I expect more shots to drop as well.

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 10 years ago

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

Sometimes I think, poor Dan for doing these little videos here and there. He's very expressive in this one!

Seriously, students better show.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 10 years ago

Ted beat a Baron team? What are the odds?

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 10 years ago

Students on a Friday night????????????????????????????????

(Well, yeah: The six who have nothing to do and the 19 who end up there because they were so plastered that they thought they were in the Union waiting for the bus to go home for the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

)

STC · Unread post by **STC** » 10 years ago

I don't have great expectations for students showing up. Unless the Ryan Center decides to start selling beer between now and tomorrow at 7:30, I wouldn't get your hopes up.

Some of us here are too far in the forest to see the trees. The reality is that this is still a tough sell to a student body whose memories of the past two seasons are that of 7 and 8 wins. Add in that Maine is hardly a team that moves the dial and you can pretty much forget about it.

luke · Unread post by **luke** » 10 years ago

Heading up to the Ryan Center from Southern New Jersey about 4:30 am tomorrow to avoid the traffic. Anxious to see the new guys in person for the first time. I'm hoping the team defense will be much improved. If they have been pressing end to end in practice since day one it may be that not doing so in the exhibition game may have affected them. I truly hope that is the explanation. We will see. I know the Hurley family believes in constant pressure. Hope these guys can do it. Have to believe Dan's former players know how to do it right.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Luke, you are a true fan!
Drive safely.

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