3/4 | Dayton | 3:30PM (NBCSN) | A10 2nd Round

[spookydog]

University of Rhode Island vs University of Dayton
Atlantic 10 Tournament – Second Round
Stuart C. Siegel Center, Richmond, VA
Thursday, March 4, 2021
3:30PM

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

Previews:
Dayton’s Fan Forum
Another Dayton’s Fan Forum
Blackburn Review

Well, here we are, the A10 Tournament. After a truly disappointing season, the 10th seeded URI Rams take on the 7th seeded Dayton Flyers. URI’s only win in their last 7 games did come against Dayton, so maybe just maybe we can win this one. Dayton is coming off a win against top seed St Bonaventure in their final game of the regular season. The Flyers somehow pulled out the victory even though they turned the ball over 21 times & Jalen Crutcher was held to just 6 points. For Rhode Island to win, they will need to force turnovers & have Fatts drive to either get to the line or kick it out to Ish & Sheppard. The last time these teams faced each other both Ish & Sheppard had stellar games. Ish had HUGE threes in OT. Walker will need to rely less on his 3 point shooting (he is 2 for his last 15 attempts) & get his points down on the block. Hopefully Mitchell can stay out of foul trouble as well. In 2 of his last 4 games he was only able to play 12 & 18 minutes respectively. I don’t have a clue what will happen but win this game & then take on VCU. Hmmmm…to quote Kevin Garnett, Anything is possible!! Well, probably not that, but who the hell knows with this team. Just don’t go down without a fight. At least we get one final Fatts vs Crutcher battle. Let’s see who can will their team to victory. URI should be about a 1.5 point underdog. I’m feeling an “upset”, Rhody wins 69-66. Wear a Mask & Go Rhody!

Opponent
Record:
13-8, 9-7 in the Atlantic 10
Last season: 29-2, 18-0 in the Atlantic 10

Rankings (URI):
RPI: 85 (173)
KenPom: 82 (93)
NCAA NET: 86 (104)
BPI: 83 (89)
Sagarin: 76 (100)

Leaders:
Points – Jalen Crutcher 18.2 (Sr., G)
Rebounds – Jordy Tshimanga 8.0 (Sr., C)
Assists – Jalen Crutcher 4.9 (Sr., G) (3.0 TO per game)

Historical
Series: 18-22
H: 10-7, A: 7-11, N: 1-4
Most Recent Matchup: 2/16/21 91-89(2OT) W at URI
Most Recent Win Streak: 1 – URI
Match-up Predictor: 48.0% Chance of URI Winning

[rhodyrudder]

Good job spooky!
Any word on Shep?
If he's out, I'm liking this even less...

[reef]

Going to be a war I will say Dayton 65-60

[Blue Man]

Throw it all out. The year doesn't matter. Logic doesn't matter. It's the wildest time of the year. We can do this.

LETS FUCKING GO.

[PeteRI]

Like our beloved coach says, "It's a new season."

[Jersey77]

Throw it all out. The year doesn't matter. Logic doesn't matter. It's the wildest time of the year. We can do this.

LETS FUCKING GO.

Blue Man, I wish I can be as excited as you. Just fearful this game will be ugly and be totally frustrated.

[Blue Man]

Throw it all out. The year doesn't matter. Logic doesn't matter. It's the wildest time of the year. We can do this.

LETS FUCKING GO.

Blue Man, I wish I can be as excited as you. Just fearful this game will be ugly and be totally frustrated.

It takes a certain level of mental instability.

[rhodylaw]

Throw it all out. The year doesn't matter. Logic doesn't matter. It's the wildest time of the year. We can do this.

LETS FUCKING GO.

Blue Man, I wish I can be as excited as you. Just fearful this game will be ugly and be totally frustrated.

It takes a certain level of mental instability.

I''m right there with you on this team - pumped for the new season. We are 0-0 with some great roster pieces, plenty of practice time and the only team in the league with game conditioning this year to play multiple back to back games. No other team spent a week at Mohegan Sun and played 4 hard games in 5 days. We are ready for this. Let's go!

[Jersey77]

Blue Man, I wish I can be as excited as you. Just fearful this game will be ugly and be totally frustrated.

It takes a certain level of mental instability.

I''m right there with you on this team - pumped for the new season. We are 0-0 with some great roster pieces, plenty of practice time and the only team in the league with game conditioning this year to play multiple back to back games. No other team spent a week at Mohegan Sun and played 4 hard games in 5 days. We are ready for this. Let's go!

Please pass the KOOL-AID, I really need a swig.

[rambone 78]

Just humor them, lol.

[Rhodymob05]

Theyre playing like they won't play again until next season. That means something.

[Billyboy78]

[section(105)]

........add this to the excuse list?.......ouch

[Rhodymob05]

That is so fitting its not even funny. WTF

[reef]

Sucks to go out like this for Shep tough news

[PeterRamTime]

No Shep means a lot more Carey and quite possibly a lot of getting our ass beat.

Even if we won, would we have Shep for the next game?

[theblueram]

Does this mean Walker stays in past the 4 minute mark?

[Jersey77]

Sucks to go out like this for Shep tough news

Shep may not want to end his college career this way.
Shortened Covid season, no fans at the RC
He has a very small body of work Div1 level, may want to come back and be the man next year. That will help his resume to negotiate an overseas contract in 2022.
Or At his age , he may just be done and go on with his life.

[Rhody_NYCT]

Would love to see Sheppard back next year. I'm sorry to hear that he's out for the Dayton game. Get better Shep!

[NYGFan_Section208]

Does this mean Walker stays in past the 4 minute mark?

Don't get crazy

[JimSidd]

Sucks to go out like this for Shep tough news

Shep may not want to end his college career this way.
Shortened Covid season, no fans at the RC
He has a very small body of work Div1 level, may want to come back and be the man next year. That will help his resume to negotiate an overseas contract in 2022.
Or At his age , he may just be done and go on with his life.

I say it’s the latter.

[rambone 78]

It's maybe a case of, just how much do these guys want to play for Cox next season?

When it comes to Sheppard and any possible transfers.

We'll see soon enough.

I will guess that things aren't all hunky dory.

[KingstonLane]

Never say never but not having Shep is a massive, massive loss. I imagine Malik gets the start at the 3. Expect some big AB/Carey minutes

[Rhodymob05]

I also think Shep will be back.

[ngriff]

Well I was at the a10 tourney games in 2018-2019 when rhody made a run after a disappointing year. Let's hope they can do it again, just this time win it all instead of a semi finals appearance.

[rhodyrudder]

Well I was at the a10 tourney games in 2018-2019 when rhody made a run after a disappointing year. Let's hope they can do it again, just this time win it all instead of a semi finals appearance.

Blew the massive first half lead against Bona...
Then decided against one of the lower-level post-season tourneys...
smh

[Rhodymob05]

That Bona game was a tale of two teams. Similar to this season.

[Rhody15]

Never say never but not having Shep is a massive, massive loss. I imagine Malik gets the start at the 3. Expect some big AB/Carey minutes

Carey was just saving his break out game for the A10s!

( I hope I hope I hope)

[steveystuds06]

I also think Shep will be back.

We all want that but it's not happening.

[ngriff]

Assuming no crazy upsets happen looks like the path will be Dayton who we have beaten this year, VCU who we have beaten 9 times out of the last 10 meetings, including a win this year, Davidson who they lost to by 9 but Davidson is a beatable team definitely. That would bring us to the championship who we would presumably play either bonies who we beat or SLU who we lost to 7 by while shooting 32% from the field and 68% from the free throw line.Yes while this is crazy optimistic it can be done and this backs it up, all of these games are winnable

[steveystuds06]

Never say never but not having Shep is a massive, massive loss. I imagine Malik gets the start at the 3. Expect some big AB/Carey minutes

Carey was just saving his break out game for the A10s!

( I hope I hope I hope)

I thought he actually looked pretty solid last game. He filled the lanes and finished well. Definitely outplayed Ish.

[ngriff]

Well I was at the a10 tourney games in 2018-2019 when rhody made a run after a disappointing year. Let's hope they can do it again, just this time win it all instead of a semi finals appearance.

Blew the massive first half lead against Bona...
Then decided against one of the lower-level post-season tourneys...
smh

Remember it vividly we had a great lead and got out of control. I remember fatts threw up a crazy alley oop to preston at the peak of their lead which was completely missed. From there it just went straight downhill.

[RF1]

Dayton is likely thrilled to be playing URI. They will have a chance to avenge their last game to Rhody that they choked away and at the same time be playing a team (save for the senior day UD game) that basically quit on the season some five weeks ago.

[Rhody_NYCT]

Even with our struggles, I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Nothing like college hoops in March. I am not expecting anything from this team, but if we play some defense, we can beat Dayton. After that, there are no great teams in the league.

[Jersey77]

Based on the way we have been trending and Dayton out for blood after blowing their 18 pt. lead losing in 2OT, I am not sure this game will even be
close.

We can't ignore our lousy defense and very questionable offense our team has been exhibiting.

On top of that no Shep, who led us in scoring game 1 with 16 pts and he had 17 pts. in the second game, he shot 57% from the field for both games combined.

It will be very difficult for us to make up his production.

I wish I had a reason to be more optimistic, but not feeling it.

I sure hope I am wrong and will be rooting hard for them.

[KingstonLane]

Based on the way we have been trending and Dayton out for blood after blowing their 18 pt. lead losing in 2OT, I am not sure this game will even be
close.

We can't ignore our lousy defense and very questionable offense our team has been exhibiting.

On top of that no Shep, who led us in scoring game 1 with 16 pts and he had 17 pts. in the second game, he shot 57% from the field for both games combined.

It will be very difficult for us to make up his production.

I wish I had a reason to be more optimistic, but not feeling it.

I sure hope I am wrong and will be rooting hard for them.

Yup. Going to need AB, Carey or DJ to have double digit points. Haven’t seen that in awhile from any of them

[Rhody15]

Based on the way we have been trending and Dayton out for blood after blowing their 18 pt. lead losing in 2OT, I am not sure this game will even be
close.

We can't ignore our lousy defense and very questionable offense our team has been exhibiting.

On top of that no Shep, who led us in scoring game 1 with 16 pts and he had 17 pts. in the second game, he shot 57% from the field for both games combined.

It will be very difficult for us to make up his production.

I wish I had a reason to be more optimistic, but not feeling it.

I sure hope I am wrong and will be rooting hard for them.

Yup. Going to need AB, Carey or DJ to have double digit points. Haven’t seen that in awhile from any of them

At this point I'll be happy with Betrand hitting the rim on one of his 3s, don't think he's done that since the year 2020.

[steveystuds06]

Ya, I think we get smoked but I would love to be wrong.

[TrevlontRook3]

Throw it all out. The year doesn't matter. Logic doesn't matter. It's the wildest time of the year. We can do this.

LETS FUCKING GO.

Blue Man, I wish I can be as excited as you. Just fearful this game will be ugly and be totally frustrated.

How can you go any lower after the last 7 games so pumped to watch and even more excited for the future.

[TrevlontRook3]

Assuming no crazy upsets happen looks like the path will be Dayton who we have beaten this year, VCU who we have beaten 9 times out of the last 10 meetings, including a win this year, Davidson who they lost to by 9 but Davidson is a beatable team definitely. That would bring us to the championship who we would presumably play either bonies who we beat or SLU who we lost to 7 by while shooting 32% from the field and 68% from the free throw line.Yes while this is crazy optimistic it can be done and this backs it up, all of these games are winnable

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

We’ve played some of the ugliest games I’ve seen from Rhody since I became a ram my freshmen year 09. That being said we’ve kept almost every game competitive even with poor sorry extremely poor shooting along with ridiculous amounts of turnovers. I’m being pretty optimistic thinking Fatts and company can make the run but just hoping for a win tomorrow so I can’t at least see Fatts play another game

[DeanDome88]

The A-10 did us a favor with the ten seed. No first round exit.

[Rhodymob05]

No Shep, huge moment for Fatts.

[Rhody15]

No Shep, huge moment for Fatts.

Over under 25 shots for Fatts?

I wish I was kidding, but without Sheppard, I could easily see Fatts approach 30 shots.

[STC]

A woefully inefficient day from the field would be a fitting end to the Fatts era.

[theblueram]

A woefully inefficient day from the field would be a fitting end to the Fatts era.

And the Cox era.

[rambone 78]

I think the only way that URI will fire Cox after this season, would be if the players let it be known they are extremely unhappy about the state of affairs, and threaten to leave if a change isn't made. Or actually do leave.

It's unlikely, but who knows?

[Rhodymob05]

No Shep, huge moment for Fatts.

Over under 25 shots for Fatts?

I wish I was kidding, but without Sheppard, I could easily see Fatts approach 30 shots.

Idc as long as they go in. Could be his last time in Keaney Blue.

[Rhody15]

No Shep, huge moment for Fatts.

Over under 25 shots for Fatts?

I wish I was kidding, but without Sheppard, I could easily see Fatts approach 30 shots.

Idc as long as they go in. Could be his last time in Keaney Blue.

Could be his last time in Keaney Blue, as well as the last Hurley player we have. End of an era, in a way.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Based on the way we have been trending and Dayton out for blood after blowing their 18 pt. lead losing in 2OT, I am not sure this game will even be
close.

We can't ignore our lousy defense and very questionable offense our team has been exhibiting.

On top of that no Shep, who led us in scoring game 1 with 16 pts and he had 17 pts. in the second game, he shot 57% from the field for both games combined.

It will be very difficult for us to make up his production.

I wish I had a reason to be more optimistic, but not feeling it.

I sure hope I am wrong and will be rooting hard for them.

drink more?

[Jersey77]

Based on the way we have been trending and Dayton out for blood after blowing their 18 pt. lead losing in 2OT, I am not sure this game will even be
close.

We can't ignore our lousy defense and very questionable offense our team has been exhibiting.

On top of that no Shep, who led us in scoring game 1 with 16 pts and he had 17 pts. in the second game, he shot 57% from the field for both games combined.

It will be very difficult for us to make up his production.

I wish I had a reason to be more optimistic, but not feeling it.

I sure hope I am wrong and will be rooting hard for them.

drink more?

Good advice