Game #28: @ Dayton - Tuesday 7pm

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 9 years ago

Rhode Island (20-7 12-4) travels to the University of Dayton Arena Tuesday night for a 7pm nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network where they'll face a Flyers team (22-6 12-4) fresh off a road upset of #22 VCU. Both teams share the A10 conference lead with Davidson in a three-way tie.

With a win over the Flyers and help by a Davidson 'Cats loss to VCU on Thursday, URI would have the inside track for winning the A10 regular season title and securing the top seed in Brooklyn.

Rhode Island has had its share of success at UD Arena, winning the last two games there in 2010 and 2012.

KenPom sees this as a 62-58 win for the Flyers and gives Rhody a 32% shot at the upset.

http://www.bbstate.com/games/2015-03-03/URI-UD

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 9 years ago

Love them or hate them, Dayton- like Davidson- is one of the really good stories in this year's conference. Of course, I'm partial to the story line that has the tough, gritty team that starts two sophomores and two freshmen winning, but the Flyers and Wildcats are good for the conference.

This will be senior night for Jordan Sibert.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

This would be a good game for someone on our team to make a winning shot in the last few seconds.

We have a history of doing that to Dayton. We haven't done it much this year, except for Gil at Fordham.

Who's going to be the hero?

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 9 years ago

Dayton has a few tough losses on the road (losing by 10 to Duquesne really stands out), but their 15-0 home record is impressive.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

That is impressive. They are due to lose one. This is a good time.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

Kendall Pollard is really good. He looks a lot bigger (thicker) than what I remember when I saw him at Rhody Madness a couple of years ago.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 9 years ago

Two evenly matched clubs -- physically and skill-wise -- though, Dayton has made very good use of the three-pointer at 36%, Sibert having made 67.
Pressure their guards, no stupid fouling all-around, Terrell scores 21, Martin gets early looks, Biruta scores 12, Matthews, Garrett, Buchanan get theirs, and Minnis and Reischel play steady, and URI wins 61-57. Make free throws...

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 9 years ago

Guard the 3 line and on offense drive to the hoop and pound it inside

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

We do need both Terrell and Garrett to start scoring again.

We definitely are pretty evenly matched both in size and athleticism, like Bressler said.

Hope we get a fairly evenly called game from the refs.

Going to be a low scoring game, as usual. Make some 3's, please.

With the intensity with which both teams play, it will be the team that imposes it's will on the other at the end, that wins. Both will be dog tired by then.

Need our best FT shooters on the line when it counts too.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 9 years ago

I prefer our defense to VCU's. Especially since they lost weber. They want to scramble and gamble. It gives up open shots and lay ups. I prefer our suffocating no free anything. I think it will bode well against the Flyers. Also we have the benefit of seeing a guard heavy high scoring at style in Davidson.

We have to play the foul game and try to get them in trouble. Hassan could come up huge in this game against pollard and Pierre, those two do score in the lane but don't have the length of say a sherrod wright.

Remember the comments hurley made about Dayton when they made their tourney run? We beat them last year. We will beat them this year.

RhowdyRam02 · Unread post by **RhowdyRam02** » 9 years ago

Hopefully URI treats Dayton like we usually do and with the same lack of regard that this board treats game thread starter winning streaks!

We're 10-3 in our last 13 games against Dayton and we're 4-2 in Dayton during that stretch and that's with some of our weaker teams.

Now let's go win ourselves a fucking banner!

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 9 years ago

They basically play 5 out, meaning they will pull Gil and Hassan away from the hoop....and open up the lane like Davidson did, for backdoor cuts and slashes to the hoop by Scoochie, Sibert, etc. They will try to isolate Pierre on Hassan, and that will cause problems for us. Pierre can put it on the deck and has a lot of fakes, spins and moves around the hoop, finishes well. Sibert is a catch and shoot guy, I am less worried about him, between TJ and Terrell we should be able to contain him. They handle the ball well and pass very well. Much more similar to Davidson in terms of style of play, better athletes but not as good shooters.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

I don't know, they can shoot the 3 just fine, especially at home.

They are over 40% from 3 for the year at home.

The guy that worries me is Davis. He can go off, be very streaky.

They move very well without the ball.

We can drive on them, or should anyway. They are very reluctant to foul, because they have no bench.

EC should have a big game, Terrell could too. Don't settle for the 3, we suck at them.

Like I said, it's going to come down to the end. We need to bring our Dayton-killer pixie dust with us.

Rhody83 · Unread post by **Rhody83** » 9 years ago

If Gil doesn't have it going on offense, we could see a lot of TJ to cover Pierre.
I liked that line up vs Davidson.
Dayton scares me. They look like the best team in the A10 right now. They have a good offense and a good defense. The other contenders have one and not the other.
They have done a good job staying out of foul trouble too.

This is a tougher game for Rhody than VCU was and Davidson was. We struggle on the road.
Dayton is the best A10 team we have played on the road by a wide margin.

I don't see us winning this game. I hope with everything I have that we do win it.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 9 years ago

We are Dayton's kryptonite.

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 9 years ago

some pre game videos for people

Marquis Jones beats Dayton in 2009

Marquis Jones beats Dayton in 2010

Xavier Munford beats Dayton in 2013

sorry I couldn't find video of Dustin Hallenga from 2004

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 9 years ago

That shot from X is so good.

But how bad does that floor look now? And that was only two years ago.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

Floor is much better now overall, but personally I miss the giant ram head :-/

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

bigappleram wrote:They basically play 5 out, meaning they will pull Gil and Hassan away from the hoop....and open up the lane like Davidson did, for backdoor cuts and slashes to the hoop by Scoochie, Sibert, etc. They will try to isolate Pierre on Hassan, and that will cause problems for us. Pierre can put it on the deck and has a lot of fakes, spins and moves around the hoop, finishes well. Sibert is a catch and shoot guy, I am less worried about him, between TJ and Terrell we should be able to contain him. They handle the ball well and pass very well. Much more similar to Davidson in terms of style of play, better athletes but not as good shooters.

This is a great preview of what to expect.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

I liked the Ram head and our old symbol.
I don't think we hate Dayton. They seem pretty classy, overall,
and represented the league very well, last year.
I may be wrong, but I like us on Tuesday. I think we match up
pretty well with them.
Kendall Pollard has become quiet the player.
I think Pollard winds up playing head to head with Hassan, not Pierre.
Martin HAS to stay out of his recent foul troubles.
Not sure this will be a Biruta type game. More TJ.
Should be an interesting game, with much on the line
for both schools.
Gut check time.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

Where's our friend DFF? [DaytonFlyerFan]

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

It's great that we are in a place where every game this late in the season is so big.
If we can win, guess what SJU becomes?

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 9 years ago

The win at VCU was big for UD and likely an emotional high. Sometimes teams come out flat in the following game. Senior day can also have a lot of emotion and make a team tight. Let's hope this all combines for a Rhody win.

Ashcat · Unread post by **Ashcat** » 9 years ago

By coincidence my son was on the same flight back from Philadelphia with the team yesterday evening (kudos to Ashcat’s kid receiving a full scholarship to grad school begining next year). I had the opportunity to chat with a few of the players at the luggage carousel and their spirits’ were high. E.C. got a kick out of a photo I took of the TV screen showing the A-10 standings on ESPN2 with Rhode Island in sole possession of first place, albeit for only about forty minutes or so. Too bad VCU couldn’t pull it out over Dayton bracketology wise. If push comes to shove that was a huge win for the Flyer’s this time of year and makes Tuesdays game all that more important.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

I think 99% of us were rooting for Dayton, yesterday.
We don't play VCU again, but we do play Dayton.
As such, we control our fate.
Now,we need VCU to beat Davidson, who benefited from some
lopsided officiating vs. GW.
.

luke · Unread post by **luke** » 9 years ago

As a Dayton grad, I have watched all of their games this year. At home Dayton struggled the most against Richmond and St. Joes and were lucky to win both believe it or not. URI is going to have to hit some outside shots, but they do have some size advantage over the Flyers that they haven't had against anyone else in the A10. Dayton doesn't tend to play much zone which does help. Dayton looves to get the ball down low to Pollard and Pierre. Pierre can step out and hit the three, Pollard won't shoot the three, so I would guess Hassan on Pierre and Biruta on Pollard. I think Pollard is too physical for TJ. Watson might be a better option if needed. Stopping Pierre, Sibert and Pollard in that order are key. Kyle Davis an Scoochie Smith are slashers mostly, but will shoot the three if open. Darrell Davis is a three point specialist. Can't leave him alone, but he has cooled off lately. No bench other than Darrell Davis and Bobby Whehrli, a former walkon. The others are all walkons that do not play. To win this game, URI will have to limit silly turnovers, hit free throws and control the glass. On defense, create turnovers and avoid leaving shooters open to help out on defense similar to Davidson. This is a winnable game if URI is patient, takes good shots, hits some and Makes free throws, but it won't be a walk in the park. I wouldn't put money on either team.

luke · Unread post by **luke** » 9 years ago

Yeah Rod, two free throws in the whole game for GW? that is ridiculous.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Luke, I see TJ coming in quickly and covering Pierre,
with Pollard and Martin on each other, as the two
most undersized "centers" in the A-10.
As I wrote before, this doesn't seem like a good matchup for Gil.
Of course, if Hassan gets into foul trouble, you'll
see Gil and Watson.
Dayton plays zone like PC did last year.
It's a smart way to preserve your player's legs and keep them out of
foul trouble.
You had the announcer yesterday going on about how the Hurleys hate
zones, but it's an option that many good coaches use, even
if it's situational.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

How great would it be to win Tuesday and have the rest of the week to build up to a game against the much hated Hawks. I really hate that team. And, we owe them BIGTIME.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

Well, we ended a string of futility against UMass rather emphatically the other day.

Now it's time to do the same against them.

Whether we win or lose Tuesday night, it's still a big game.

The bye could still be in play.

Ashcat · Unread post by **Ashcat** » 9 years ago

We simply don’t have the strength of schedule when the selection committee evaluates the bubble teams. A win in Dayton will help us close in but, when push comes to shove, only an A-10 tourney championship will put us in. As its playing out, our loss to Davidson, at home, was the nail in our coffin as far an at-large bid.

As an aside and looking to next year, our surprising showing this year is going to make scheduling quality, non-conference games next year all the more difficult. I sure as hell would refuse any overtures to come to the Ryan Center to play Rhody if racking up wins was a priority.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

Ashcat wrote:As an aside and looking to next year, our surprising showing this year is going to make scheduling quality, non-conference games next year all the more difficult. I sure as hell would refuse any overtures to come to the Ryan Center to play Rhody if racking up wins was a priority.

The other side of that is that other programs will likely view us as a team expected to win 20+ games and be a surefire top-50 team and potentially a top 25-ish type team. So playing us would give teams the type of game we wish we had more of this year. Scheduling this year was difficult because we were viewed as a team that could be dangerous but, based on recent history, could deliver a "bad loss" to someone.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

Correct, TP. We are going to be viewed as a "good" road loss, not hurting a good team's RPI.

And if by chance they beat us, that's a top 50 [or top 25] road win.

We're still going to have to play more good teams on the road, than at home. Just the nature of the beast. We're not a high major, but a high mid major, or whatever it's called.

Ashcat · Unread post by **Ashcat** » 9 years ago

I wish I could agree with you TP but my discussions with Coach Carr differs. Scheduling next year is going to be bitch and will depend on how much we are will to give away both in $ and home/away away/ scheduling.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 9 years ago

Well, I do think we will have to go on the road quite a bit to get the kind of games we need on our resume. But I am OK with that.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 9 years ago

Scheduling has always been tough for us. But, it's got to be done. We need a stronger one next year or we're going to be in the situation we're in now.

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 9 years ago

Our freshmen and sophs will be a year older, obviously....and tested by fire on the road...it is time to go on the road and play some good BCS type teams at their places or at neutral places....and start some home and homes with upper level mid-majors.....

...this year the schedule was good/appropriate given how young and un-tested we are.....next year we are ready to play the RPI game....

RAM67 · Unread post by **RAM67** » 9 years ago

This Dayton game is going to be a lot of fun, and I am really thinking we are going to win. As others have pointed out, I like our match-ups, and believe controlling Pollard will be the key to this game.

Going on the RPI Wizard, wins in both games left will bring us to 56, beat Dayton lose to St Joes 70, lose Dayton beat St Joes 68. Don't want to know what comes with two losses, but basically RPI won't matter to us at this point. It's all about winning out in Brooklyn.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

Again, agree here, but the one thing that we absolutely HAVE to do, is stop with scheduling 200+ RPI teams at home.

I know we'll have a couple, can't really avoid it, but not any more.

We simply have to have more opportunities to get top 50 and top 100 wins. The more the better. There will be more road than home. We're still not VCU, far from it.

If UMass can do it, we can do it. Carr might be right, but there aren't any more excuses.

Start working the schedule at the FF, and stay on it until it bears fruit. The earlier, the better, before the majority of teams' schedules are filled.

I think that was a problem for this season. They waited too long, I think I heard Dan admit that.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

67, we had better not lose both.

I know some don't care, but that might even put an NIT bid in jeopardy, depending on NY.

We wouldn't get the bye there either most likely.

Worst case scenario for sure. On the A10 board, there's a matrix that outlines the chances for each team to get the bye, and 5th, 6th place, etc. Our chances are now 95% to get the bye.

Even Mr. Negative Nancy, as I'm called on this board [next to 72 of course] doesn't expect that to happen. [lose both games I mean]

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 9 years ago

Ramulous wrote: ...this year the schedule was good/appropriate given how young and un-tested we are.....next year we are ready to play the RPI game....

Essentially this, yes. I'm not sure why it's still such a point of discussion.

Plus, there are the conference numbers-
13-14: 9 top 100 RPI teams, 1 200+ RPI team
14-15: 8 top 100 RPI teams, 4 200+ RPI teams

But please, on to Dayton, whose roster contains one of my favorite types of players, the walk on to scholarship guy.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Rambone, do you know how to use the edit on this site?
If you have something new to add, just edit and add.
Saved from multiple posts for every thought.
Word to the wise.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 9 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Rambone, do you know how to use the edit on this site?
If you have something new to add, just edit and add.
Saved from multiple posts for every thought.
Word to the wise.

Rambone has blown by me in # of posts. He's after you now, Rod.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 9 years ago

Well, if we lose Tuesday and Saturday, he could catch
both of us.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 9 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Well, if we lose Tuesday and Saturday, he could catch
both of us.

Or, catch a breath……...

Rhody83 · Unread post by **Rhody83** » 9 years ago

Rhody will have to give some to get the right teams scheduled next year. Giving will include away/home, away only, away/home/away. They can also get 3-4 Top 50 games.- 2 Top 25 by playing in two early season tournaments. Rhody will be in demand with the tournament coordinators.

urirx · Unread post by **urirx** » 9 years ago

The Hallenga shot was one of beauty. It was a televised game and I just remember watching on tv in my house down the line and hearing the air leave the UD arena. We will see his name some place on either the ud board or a10 board in the next 72 hours. That was one of the highlight games in my 6 years at URI.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 9 years ago

You guys are lucky I work for a living.

Notice except for a couple days a week when I'm off, I don't post during the day?

I'd would have passed you if I was retired, Rod.

I'm sure you're all thrilled. Hey, I have no life, what can I say. There's worse things I can do I think.

Don't worry, I'm going to be working for a couple more years at least.

So you all can relax. For a while.

Rod, yes, I know how to use the edit. Just don't like to combine 2 trains of thought in one post.

Just having fun with y'all.

Rhody83 · Unread post by **Rhody83** » 9 years ago

ace wrote:
Ramulous wrote: ...this year the schedule was good/appropriate given how young and un-tested we are.....next year we are ready to play the RPI game....
Essentially this, yes. I'm not sure why it's still such a point of discussion.

Plus, there are the conference numbers-
13-14: 9 top 100 RPI teams, 1 200+ RPI team
14-15: 8 top 100 RPI teams, 4 200+ RPI teams

But please, on to Dayton, whose roster contains one of my favorite types of players, the walk on to scholarship guy.

Ace, I know you were at the Rhody game yesterday so you probably didn't hear this on the Dayton telecast. Coach Miller has already told Wehrli that he will not be on scholarship next year. They don't have a scholarship for him with new recruits and other players that become eligible.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 9 years ago

Rhody83 wrote:
ace wrote:
Ramulous wrote: ...this year the schedule was good/appropriate given how young and un-tested we are.....next year we are ready to play the RPI game....
Essentially this, yes. I'm not sure why it's still such a point of discussion.

Plus, there are the conference numbers-
13-14: 9 top 100 RPI teams, 1 200+ RPI team
14-15: 8 top 100 RPI teams, 4 200+ RPI teams

But please, on to Dayton, whose roster contains one of my favorite types of players, the walk on to scholarship guy.
Ace, I know you were at the Rhody game yesterday so you probably didn't hear this on the Dayton telecast. Coach Miller has already told Wehrli that he will not be on scholarship next year. They don't have a scholarship for him with new recruits and other players that become eligible.

But he's on scholarship now, so I will cherish that, ya dream wrecker.

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