University of Rhode Island vs George Washington University
Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, DC
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
7:00PM
Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, DC
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
7:00PM
Media
TV: N/A
Online: ESPN+
Radio: Tune In Radio
App: Varsity Network
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Previews
George Washington’s Fan Forum
Of the five stages of grief, which one are you in? From reading the board it seems like most people are in the anger stage. Anger at the lack of defense, anger at the shear amount of wide open threes given up, & anger that this team isn’t better than they are at this stage of the season. After letting Duquesne rain threes and alley oops seemingly all game, the Rams now must travel on the road for back-to-back games. The University of Rhode Island Rams head to our nation’s capital to take on the George Washington Colonials Revolutionaries. This will be the Rams 3rd game in a week, so look for tired legs out there. They won’t be tired from play lock down defense, they are tired from inbounding the ball after another made basket by the opponent.
At the helm of the Revolutionaries is second year head coach & Chris DiSano doppelgänger, Chris Caputo. Last season they had their best year in six years & this year they were 9th in the preseason polls. They have struggled recently, losing 4 games in a row with 3 of those losses in double-digits including home against La Salle. They also opened A10 play with a crushing triple overtime defeat at home to Fordham. The Revolutionaries are salivating at the chance to play a disappointing Rams team.
Leading GW on the court is All-Conference First Team James Bishop, who is leading in both points (17.5) & assists (4.4) per game. Although having scored in double-digits in 9 of his last 10 games, he has struggled from the floor as of late. In 3 of his last 4 he is shooting it at 18% & in his last 5.5 games he is shooting it 18% from deep. Second on the team in scoring is hometown hero, freshman forward Darren Buchanan. Winner of A10 Rookie of the Week three times this season is second on the team in scoring at 15.4 points per game & second on the team in rebounds at 5.7 per game. He is going to be a handful for David Green, so I can see Green getting into early foul trouble trying to guard him. George Washington’s other local star freshman from just across the border in NoVA is guard Garrett Johnson. The 6’8” guard is third on the team in scoring with 13.8 points per game as well third in rebounding at 5.7 per game. The four-time winner of A10 Rookie of the Week is the team’s best three-point shooter but is just 1 for this last 11 (prior to that he was 18 for his last 33 at 55%). Leading the Revolutionaries in rebounding is redshirt sophomore guard Maximus Edwards with 7.1 per game. The preseason All-Conference Second Team player is averaging 12 points per game. Besides Bishop, who is a senior, their next top 6 scorers are all underclassmen. If they can stay together, George Washington has a nice young nucleus to work with in the years to come.
As for the Rams, well it was another abysmal defensive performance. You can let the other team’s best player get that many open looks from three. They were able to force some turnovers which was a good sign. The Rams were able to get Jimmy Clark to turn the ball over 6 times in the last game which is as many he had in his three games prior. What will change in the game on Tuesday night? Archie has threatened a change in the lineup, what will that be? Zek starting? Brown back in the starting lineup over Fuchs? We shall see.
Can the Rams get the win Tuesday night in the District? Road wins are very difficult to come by, especially for this team. Against the Rams, George Washington has won 4 in a row & 5 of the last 7 at the Smith Center. The Rams will need Bishop & Johnson to continue their recent shooting struggles if they want to get the win. Conversely, the Rams defense is so poor that you just know they are going to get open looks & shoot lights out. The Revolutionaries will be well rested as this will be their 1st game in a week while the Rams will be playing their 3rd game in a week. The Rams will probably be about 6.5-point underdogs in this game. Rams will need to play their A game to get the win. My prediction, George Washington 91 – URI 80. Go Rhody!!
Opponent
Record:
14-7, 3-5 in the A10
16-16, 10-8 in the A10 (Last Season)
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 158 (206)
RPI: 101 (159)
KenPom: 175 (208)
BPI: 205 (216)
Barttovik: 166 (186)
Leaders:
Points – James Bishop IV 17.5 (Sr., G)
Rebounds – Maximus Edwards 7.1 (Soph., G)
Assists – James Bishop IV 4.4 (Sr., G) (3.1 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 30-35
H: 16-13, A: 11-19, N: 3-3
Most Recent Matchup: 2/22/23 89-80 (OT) L at George Washington
Most Recent Win Streak: 4 – George Washington
Match-up Predictor: 24.1% Chance of URI Winning
