12/13 | Western Kentucky University | 12:00 PM (CBSSN)

[spookydog]

University of Rhode Island vs Western Kentucky University
E.A. Diddle Area, Bowling Green, KY
Sunday, December 13, 2020
12:00PM

Media
TV: CBSSN
Online: CBSSN
Radio: 101.5 FM (B101) or Tune In Radio App

Previews:
WKY’s Fan Forum
Another WKY Fan Forum

Rhody comes off an undesirable extended period of not playing a trip to Madison to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Bowling Green. Weird, for the life of me I can’t figure out why there was such a lengthy break without any games. It’s not because of Covid, not because of exams…whatever could it be? It is almost like a team backed out because they were afraid to play. I guess we will never know why the long break. The Rams are coming off a big team win against Seton Hall of the Big East Conference. Big East…hmmmm…I feel like we regularly play another team from that conference each year but for the life of me I don’t see it on the schedule this year. Weird. The Rams travel to Kentucky to take on a very tough Western Kentucky, who are picked to finish first in the Conference USA. WKY lost last year in Kingston as this game is being played as part of their home & home series. Hmmm…home & home series. Why does that sound familiar? I feel like we should have had an away game with another team as part of a longstanding home & home series. Nope, not Nevada…they backed out of their agreement a few years ago when they were afraid to travel to Rhode Island. It’s another team, more local, that backed out of a home & home series this season. Oh well, I guess we will never know what that team is that was afraid to play Rhody. Anyway, back to the game at hand. The Hilltoppers are led by their beast downlow, Charles Bassey, who missed last year’s tilt due to a season ending injury. Bassey is on the Wooden & Naismith award watch lists (along with Fatts) for the most outstanding college basketball player. The Mitchell twins have their work cutoff for them down low as this 6’11” junior is a dominate force. WKY is also lead by senior guard Taveion Hollingsworth, who is scoring 18 a game & shooting over 50% from the field. Bassey is the only height on this team down low getting significant minutes, so I can see the twins, Harris, & Walker trying to wear him down on the box. URI has been playing some great basketball as of late, winning their last 3 games (before this game in Wisconsin). I am hoping this long layoff doesn’t affect how they will play this coming Sunday afternoon. WKY has a home game Thursday night against Gardner-Webb before playing URI. Presumably Rhody will come into this road games as slight underdogs, but if they can play a complete team game like they did against Seton Hall I see a 4th consecutive victory for the Rams. Rams win this by double digits, 81-69, leaving their weird ass mascot in tears. Maybe this game will be now be considered the fictitious Bowling Green Massacre from almost 4 years ago? Wear a Mask & Go Rhody!

Opponent
Record:
3-2, 0-0 in the Conference USA
Last season: 20-10, 13-5 in the Conference USA

Rankings (URI):
RPI: 46 (194)
KenPom: 76 (73)
NCAA NET: 123 (57)*
BPI: 57 (83)
Sagarin: 87 (69)
* = Last Year’s Rankings

Leaders:
Points – Taveion Hollingsworth 18.4 (Sr., G)
Rebounds – Charles Bassey 11.2 (Jr., C)
Assists – Dayvion McKnight 3.2 (Fr., G) (1.4 TO per game)

Historical
Series: 1-0
H: 1-0, A: 0-0, N: 0-0
Most Recent Matchup: 12/21/19 86-72(OT) W at URI
Most Recent Win Streak: 1 – URI
Match-up Predictor: 31.3% Chance of URI Winning

[Jersey77]

Another tough matchup against a WK team that is well balanced with many players able to be double digit scorers on any given day. Standouts Bassey at center and Hollingsworth at guard lead the way with a strong supporting cast. Also watch for Davidson transfer Luke Frampton getting significant minutes who is an outstanding shooter and previously led the A10 in 3 pointers.

[sevegny7]

Another tough matchup against a WK team that is well balanced with many players able to be double digit scorers on any given day. Standouts Bassey at center and Hollingsworth at guard lead the way with a strong supporting cast. Also watch for Davidson transfer Luke Frampton getting significant minutes who is an outstanding shooter and previously led the A10 in 3 pointers.

Also do not sleep on their other big Carson Williams. He is really good and single handedly kept WKU in the game at the Ryan Center last year.

[spookydog]

We are on to Western Kentucky...

[SmartyBarrett]

WKU also plays tonight (vs Gardner Webb) in what should be a "developmental game" for them.

[RF1]

The Western Kentucky program is probably far more storied than most URI fans are aware of. It has made the NCAA Tournament 23 times dating back to 1940. Its tourney record is 19-24 with several deep runs including a 1971 Final-4. Their glory years are not all long ago as they have made the tourney 7 years in the last two decades which includes a 2008 Sweet-16.

Check out their history:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_K ... basketball

[Rhodymob05]

Theyre definitely overshadowed by Kentucky. Great program.

[steveystuds06]

LIke BC and Seton Hall, this is one of those games we need to win. WKU will be a tough test for our guys, but we should go into this game fearless... I really hope our coaching staff is telling Shep to demand the ball more. We need him shooting 3-4 more shots a game. I think we see more of Ish as well.

Go Rhody!!

[RI_Bred]

Need Floor General Fatts for this one. Must Just win.

[Rhody19/21]

Looking forward to the Mitchell’s v Bassey.

My key to the game: get Bassey in foul trouble and off the court.

[PeterRamTime]

They struggled with Gardner Webb tonight.

They are good but they are no Wisconsin thank god.

[NYGFan_Section208]

They struggled with Gardner Webb tonight.

They are good but they are no Wisconsin thank god.

Gardner-Webb....a tough out...just ask Coach K...

[reef]

Definitely gonna be a war

68-65 WKY

[SmartyBarrett]

I didn't watch it so only checked the box score, but seems like Gardner Webb's plan was "Bassey's going to get his but we can't let anyone else get hot." And it almost worked. It also appears that WKU's defense isn't that great.

[ramster]

Gardner-Webb has 3 players from Putnam Science Academy with 2 starters in Jakeam Cornwall (Senior) and Kareem Reed (Sophomore). Freshman D'maurian Willams comes off the bench. All 3 played well vs WKU

That was Gardner-Webb's 1st game of the season. They play @ Pittsburgh Saturday

[eli#10]

Just looked at box score and Luke Frampton, who transferred from Davidson, hit all 5 of his 3 point shots for 15 points off the bench. Gonna have to have someone like Martin in his face.

[Jersey77]

Just looked at box score and Luke Frampton, who transferred from Davidson, hit all 5 of his 3 point shots for 15 points off the bench. Gonna have to have someone like Martin in his face.

Yes, he is a sniper and led the A10 in 3pointers made and % when at Davidson.

[SmartyBarrett]

Yeah I had some not-so-great flashbacks when I saw his name in the box score.

[PeterRamTime]

If anybody is interested in what we are up against.

This highlight package will give you a good idea.


This was a loss for them,, but obviously they are very talented, athletic and well coached.

[PeteRI]

Is this game definitely on CBSSN at 12 today? My online guide has some stupid college football show on at that time.

[URI_05]

Tomorrow?

[ramster]

Is this game definitely on CBSSN at 12 today? My online guide has some stupid college football show on at that time.

Wrong day.
Game is tomorrow - Sunday
Today is Saturday

[PeteRI]

Sorry. That's what happens when I post without having enough coffee in me.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Sorry. That's what happens when I post without having enough coffee in me.

I hear ya...nothing happens here w/o coffee. No getting dressed or working (I wfh). Definitely no driving. Every. Single. Day.
Addicted to coffee? How would I know? Hopefully I never have to find out...

[KingstonLane]

Anyone know what the travel plans are for this game? Official MBB Insta account posted a bus at 6am today. Meanwhile Betrand just posted from Logan

[KevanBoyles]

Bus to Logan?

[KingstonLane]

Bus to Logan?

Makes sense. Was overthinking it for a minute. Betrand has been sick as recently as this week, but must be better if he’s traveling with the team

Also figured they fly out of TF Green more often, probably not many direct flights to Bowling Green from Providence

[Section104]

Anyone going to the game? I’m 50/50 on attending. I know there was probably 20-30 of us at the MTSU game last year so i figured a handful may be there. PM if you are making the trip.

[ramster]

Anyone going to the game? I’m 50/50 on attending. I know there was probably 20-30 of us at the MTSU game last year so i figured a handful may be there. PM if you are making the trip.

Attendance for Gardner Webb: 1,009 = 13% of Capacity: 7,523

[ramster]

[Section104]

Anyone going to the game? I’m 50/50 on attending. I know there was probably 20-30 of us at the MTSU game last year so i figured a handful may be there. PM if you are making the trip.

Attendance for Gardner Webb: 1,009 = 13% of Capacity: 7,523

Yup. Tickets are very cheap too. Just trying to get the green light from the wife!

[PeterRamTime]

Anyone going to the game? I’m 50/50 on attending. I know there was probably 20-30 of us at the MTSU game last year so i figured a handful may be there. PM if you are making the trip.

Attendance for Gardner Webb: 1,009 = 13% of Capacity: 7,523

Yup. Tickets are very cheap too. Just trying to get the green light from the wife!

Might be the only chance for a year to see us!

[Rhody72]

Only if Harris is healthy, he could be a help on defense against WKY because we need his bulk down low. This may offset an ill-advised trey or two.

[Rhody72]

With no money for a charter to WKY during a pamdemic, URI should have postponed this game until next year. The distance from Madison, WI to Bowling Green, KY is almost 600 miles (12 hours). Even staying out in mid america and saving on one leg of a charter would cost too much in lodging expenses to make it worthwhile. I hope no one gets sick.

[Rhodymob05]

Must win

[steveystuds06]

It's gameday!!!!!

MUST WIN!!

[Rhodymob05]

I see the line is at WKU -3.5. Is Harris a scratch now?

[ramster]

I see the line is at WKU -3.5. Is Harris a scratch now?

If Harris was a scratch many posters here would think the line would move more favorably towards WKU

[ramster]

[ramster]

[Billyboy78]

Jermaine and the twins give us 15 fouls down low to try and deal with Bassey.

[section(105)]

......hopefully to get off to good start, not one of those big holes we seem have to climb out of......

[ramster]

[ramster]

[PeterRamTime]

Anybody else in keaneyblue land going to be joining me in attendance of this sporting event?

Am I the first Rhody fan to attend a game!?

[DeanDome88]

I'm hoping we can keep the turnovers down and come out of here with an important win. Will this be the first time we have all ten players healthy for a game?

[theblueram]

Anybody else in keaneyblue land going to be joining me in attendance of this sporting event?

Am I the first Rhody fan to attend a game!?

PRT, That's awesome! The first Rhody fan to see a live game! Enjoy. Yell loud so we can hear ya!

[BCarey1315]

Anybody else in keaneyblue land going to be joining me in attendance of this sporting event?

Am I the first Rhody fan to attend a game!?

That's awesome. Stay safe and enjoy every second!! A good buddy of mine is there, should be rocking Rhody blue but havent confirmed that yet. It's not often that I'm jealous of him living in Kentucky!

[ramster]

The 15-24 for 62% in the 2nd half broke down to:
Sheppard (4-5)
Martin (3-3)
Carey (2-3)
Makhel (2-3)
Makhi (1-1)
Leggett (1-1)
Walker (1-3)
Russell (1-5)

[ramster]

Same starting line up that David Cox implemented in Game 3:
Makhel Mitchell
Martin
Russell
Sheppard
Walker