The Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
7:00PM
Media
TV: YurView (Channel 4 on COX in RI)
Online: ESPN+
Radio: 101.5 FM (B101) or Tune In Radio App
Previews:
BU’s Fan Forum
The University of Rhode Island Rams tipoff the upcoming 2021-22 season Tuesday night against the Boston University Terriers. The Rams are looking to rebound (ooooh, a basketball pun) after a disastrous 10-15 season the previous year. As David Cox stated after Thursday night’s exhibition win over JWU, “We are reclaiming our culture.” To reclaim their culture, they will need to get the win against regional foe (& the Projo’s Bill Koch’s alma mater) Boston University. This is the first time in ten years that they have faced off against one another. The Terriers, who are the preseason pick to win their conference, are led by Joe Jones, who enters his 11th season at the helm. The key to stopping this team will be shutting down Javante McCoy. This 6’5” guard is the Patriot League preseason player of the year who averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists & shot almost 50% from the field. Along with McCoy, they have another preseason all-league player in Walter Whyte. This 6’6” G/F put up numbers (13.5 points & 6.8 rebounds per game) that would make even Heisenberg proud. As will be the case with most of this out of conference schedule, Rhody’s size down low with the Mitchell twins & Antwan Walker should be too much for most teams. Throw in freshman forward Ileri Ayo-Faleye (if he plays), they should have an advantage in the frontcourt. Hopefully Sheppard gets his shot back in this game as he shot quite poorly in URI’s exhibition game. I am looking forward to what the 2 Ishmaels do in this game & how much time will they spend on the court together. My prediction is that this will be a double-digit win for URI but not quite as exorbitant as their win more than a century ago over BU in February of 1909 when they won 80-8. After playing a tight first half, Rhody pulls away & wins this one 73-61. Go Rhody!
Opponent
Record:
0-0, 0-0 in the Patriot League
Last season: 6-10, 6-10 in the Patriot League
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 204 (108)*
RPI: 182 (188)*
KenPom: 198 (100)
BPI: 224 (95)*
Sagarin: 161 (107)
* Denotes last season
Leaders:
Points – Javante McCoy 16.1 (Sr., G)*
Rebounds – Sukhmail Mathon 8.2 (Sr., F)*
Assists – Javante McCoy 2.2 (Sr., G) (1.9 TO per game)*
* Denotes last season
Historical
Series: 24-12
H: 17-5, A: 8-7, N: 0-0
Most Recent Matchup: 11/25/11 70-64 L at URI
Most Recent Win Streak: 1 – Boston University
Match-up Predictor: 76.3% Chance of URI Winning