2/6 | UMass | 8:00PM (ESPN2)

[spookydog]

University of Rhode Island vs University of Massachusetts
Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Saturday, February 6, 2021
7:00PM

Media
TV: ESPN2
Online: ESPN
Radio: 101.5 FM (B101) or Tune In Radio App

Previews:
UMass’ Fan Forum

Theme warning…URI is coming off a disappointing loss where they blew the lead late in the game. To quote Yogi Berra, it’s like déjà vu all over again. Like Rhody, Umass comes to town a little banged up as they were missing two big pieces in their last game against Fordham. Both Tre Mitchell & Noah Fernandes missed Wednesday night’s game & as far as I am aware their status is unknown for Saturday’s game. If these two starting pieces are unable to play, it gives the advantage squarely on Rhode Island. I think Mitchell is the best player in the A10 & Fernandes is a great facilitator. Rhody will need to key on Carl Pierre, Jovohn Garcia, & RI native TJ Weeks. Freshmen guard Garcia did have 7 turnovers last game, so hopefully we can get a repeat performance from him. Unfortunately, UMass leads the turnovers per game margin by 3. Yikes! I’d be remiss to not mention that piece of garbage on the Minutemen’s coaching staff, Tony Bergeron. Screw that guy. The Rams are looking to avoid back to back home losses since the tail end of last season against St. Louis & Dayton. Fatt’s may be limited again Saturday night, so it will be the Ish show. Time to show off in front of the national television audience with this game being on ESPN2. If Mitchell is out, work the ball downlow & get Rhody’s Mitchell & Walker going. I would like to say that with UMass missing crucial pieces the Rams should win this one. With our luck, Umberto Brusadin may be playing big minutes. Rhody will probably be favored by 5.5 & I will be stupid enough to bet it. I am sure I will be betting the under as the last 4 Rhody games have been under thanks to sloppy play. Rams win this one on Saturday night, 69-65. Wear a Mask & Go Rhody!

Opponent
Record:
6-4, 5-2 in the Atlantic 10
Last season: 14-17, 8-10 in the Atlantic 10

Rankings (URI):
RPI: 178 (104)
KenPom: 114 (68)
NCAA NET: 122 (75)
BPI: 117 (74)
Sagarin: 126 (82)

Leaders:
Points – Tres Mitchell 20.0 (Soph., C)
Rebounds – Tres Mitchell 7.4 (Soph., C)
Assists – Noah Fernandes 5.2 (Soph., G) (2.0 TO per game)

Historical
Series: 67-90
H: 41-31, A: 26-54, N: 0-5
Most Recent Matchup: 1/13/21 80-78(OT) L at UMass
Most Recent Win Streak: 1 – UMass
Match-up Predictor: 74.4% Chance of URI Winning

[ramster]

https://umassathletics.com/news/2021/2/ ... espn2.aspx

[Blue Man]

How did this game get ESPN2?

[Jersey77]

College Basketball: 10 Coaches on the Hot Seat for 2020-21, Matt McCall was listed by Athlon sports:
Matt McCall, UMass
"McCall continues to recruit well at UMass — his three full classes have been ranked third (2020), first (2019), and fourth (2018), respectively, in the A-10 — but he has not won enough games to keep the locals happy. The Minutemen are only 38–58 overall and 17–37 in his three seasons, although they did show signs of progress in 2019-20 by winning eight league games — the most at the school since 2015".

Considering their premier facilities with the Mullins Center and the Champions Center (practice facility) they should have high expectations.

[ramster]

Game opened at URI -6.........Now URI -7

[theblueram]

UAss might be a good bet. We suck.

[adam914]

Tre Mitchell is out, so hopefully Makhel can dominate this one for us.

[Shinze88]

The last team we played from Mass was also without their best player and we somehow found a way to lose that one, hopefully we’ll have a better result on Sat if Mitchell can’t play.

[section(105)]

How did this game get ESPN2?

.......fashion show..... ....how assist coaches should not dress......

[Rhody15]

Mitchell definitely out, Fernandes game time decision.

With Fatts, should be a win.

Without, game will be a train wreck and maybe we stumble into a W. Or get blown out by 20. Or win by 20. Or shoot 23%. Or shoot 65%.

[PeterRamTime]

If we can't beat them without Tre Mitchell and Fernandes the staff and players should just quit basketball.

[Blue Man]

If we can't beat them without Tre Mitchell and Fernandes the staff and players should just quit basketball.

Don’t make that bet. We would have nothing to do all winter.

[PeterRamTime]

If we can't beat them without Tre Mitchell and Fernandes the staff and players should just quit basketball.

Don’t make that bet. We would have nothing to do all winter.

We can play in their place.

It would at least be more entertaining.

[ramster]

Hendricken’s TJ Weeks got his first start of the season last game and responded with 35 minutes, 12 rebounds and 13 points

[rambone 78]

With our outstanding 3 pt. defense we'll get lit up from 3.

We used to be pretty good at defending the 3.

Now it's open season for our opponent's best shooters to fire away wide open.

Our problems aren't just on offense.

[ramster]

Expect to see a lot of Garcia and DeGray today with Tre Mitchell and possibly Fernandes out.

[ramster]

5 of the top 17 FG% players in the A10 are from UMASS and URI

Walker is 15thin rebounding

Would like to see Cox give Walker more minutes. Leading the A10 in shooting percentage as a nice tribute to Antwan’s salute to this years team.

We should feed Walker and Mitchell more inside

Sheppard us impressive being 16th in shooting percentage while the majority of FG% leaders are big men.

#1 Antwan Walker
#4 Ronnie DeGray
#7 Makhel Mitchell
#16 Jeremy Sheppard
#17 Tre Mitchell

[Jersey77]

UMass's roster is loaded with exceptionally talented freshman and sophomores many starting and playing significant minutes. If McCall can keep this group together, they will be contenders and close to the top of the conference in the very near future, and keep him off the hot seat. In addition they have all the state of the art facilities to keep the players happy and attract recruits.

[section(105)]

.......I sometimes have trouble describing state of the art facilities for hoops where the facility is an ice rink.......”no body cares about hockey Boomer.....”

[Jersey77]

.......I sometimes have trouble describing state of the art facilities for hoops where the facility is an ice rink.......”no body cares about hockey Boomer.....”

I remember going to games at the old Curry Hicks Cage, it was so loud and a very tough place for visitors to play.

In my previous post, I was primarily referring to the Kennedy Champion's Center, where the team actually spends most of their time. But can't really knock the Mullins Center it is pretty impressive for an on campus facility.

[RF1]

.......I sometimes have trouble describing state of the art facilities for hoops where the facility is an ice rink.......”no body cares about hockey Boomer.....”

I remember going to games at the old Curry Hicks Cage, it was so loud and a very tough place for visitors to play.

In my previous post, I was primarily referring to the Kennedy Champion's Center, where the team actually spends most of their time. But can't really knock the Mullins Center it is pretty impressive for an on campus facility.

It is a nice three structure complex. The Kennedy Champion's Center basketball practice structure, the 9343 seat Mullins Center basketball/hockey arena, and the separate Mullins Center Community Ice rink (full sized rink for women's team and men's practice ). There is also a fairly new student rec center just across the street.

Top to bottom
Mullins Center Community Rink (green roof)
Mullins center Arena (large green roof)
Kennedy Champions Center (roof with solar panels)
Student Rec Center (across street to the right from Kennedy Champions Center/roof with solar panel)



Mullins Center
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mullins_Center

[neil]

Sorry, should have put my Go get’em Ish here.

[rhodyrudder]

Sorry, should have put my Go get’em Ish here.

I betcha Bunky appreciates it.

[SGreenwell]

Mentioned it in the David Cox thread, but I was kind of surprised with their record that UMass' best win is probably, uh, us, depending on what you think of Northeastern (split) or La Salle. They've racked up four wins against Fordham and La Salle, but lost in double overtime to George Mason. Have to imagine that their fans are as disappointed as our fan base is, since both teams seem to have more talent on the roster than the overall record would indicate.

[LoveThoseRams]

How did this game get ESPN2?

.......fashion show..... ....how assist coaches should not dress......

Now this is damn funny!

[section(105)]

.......with Tre not in the lineup, does Assistant Coach Bergeron show up and do what?......

[Rhody72]

I predict a big URI win with or without Tre Mitchell. It is this time of season that tells you about the character of your players. I believe in this team.

[ramster]

Point spread opened at URI -6

Now up to URI -9

[Billyboy78]

Fatts available but not starting.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Fatts available but not starting.

hmmm...wonder why he didn't want to start?

[reef]

I just saw -10 they know how good Tre Is

[KingstonLane]

What is up with this camera tint on ESPN? Hurts the eyes

[URIFIJI]

WOW

[DeanDome88]

Leggett's ability to score in the paint is impressive.

[Blue Man]

Why is Fatts coming in? Who does this help??

Let him rest Cox. Be the adult. We need him in March.

[theblueram]

Funny how they said Leggett will take over where Dowtin left off.

[LIRAM]

Ish is going to be very special.

[eli#10]

PUT DJ back on the bench

[RhodyRams916]

PUT DJ back on the bench

Why was walker taken off?!?!

[KevanBoyles]

Ugly.

[RhodyRams916]

Please take Malik out... Please.....

[URI_05]

Walker started hot, so... sit him?

[RhodyRams916]

Yikes Makhel looks awful today...

[Ram96]

I like how we are attacking the basket but a bit out of control at times.

[eli#10]

Put Martin on bench also

[reef]

Come on Mitchell finish that dunk

[eli#10]

Pplease keep DJ on bench. where is Walker? Walker being on bench at the end of VCU game cost us the game. DJ was in game and totally lost. How can he be so bad after being here for so long?

[ram1980]

One or two of Harris, Carey, Betrand, Johnson and Martin have to give this team something. All 5 of them look terrible

[RhodyRams916]

Carey is so underwhelming. I don't get it.

[reef]

Careless turnovers come on URI get your act together