The Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Friday, November 12, 2021
6:00PM
Media
TV: YurView (Channel 4 on COX in RI)
Online: ESPN+
Radio: 101.5 FM (B101) or Tune In Radio App
Previews:
Bryant’s Fan Forum (couldn’t find one)
The battle of the top two men’s basketball teams from Rhode Island tips off at The Ryan Center this coming Friday when URI takes on Bryant University. Last season Bryant just missed making the NCAA Tournament when they lost in the NEC Championship game. Coach Jared Grasso who enters his fourth season at the helm looks to get them right back at the top of the NEC as Bryant is picked to finish 2nd this season, just behind Wagner. Another strong season from Bryant & look for this up & coming coach to move onto bigger & better things. Bryant is a guard-oriented team who wants to run & shoot from behind the arc. Bryant made almost 10 3’s per game, shooting it just under 38%. Last season Bryant was third in the country in the difference between their three-point percentage and their opponents three-point percentage (29%). Bryant is led by NEC All-Conference Teams guard Peter Kiss, who missed the team’s opening night win against NAIA school Fisher College because of “a violation of team policy”. Kiss was not needed as the Bulldogs rolled to victory, 122-54. Kiss will be certainly needed if Bryant wants to make a run at the road win as he shot 50/42/85 from the field last season. Along with Kiss, Bryant returns 3 other starters in Chris Childs, Charles Pride, & Hall Elisias. While Bryant will start a 4-guard line-up, they will have to contend with our 3-guard line-up of Shep & the Ishs. In Rhody’s opener, those 3 guards led the way, scoring 60% of the team’s points. Best of all was their free throw shooting down the stretch closing out the game (& covering the -8.5 spread that I was greatly appreciative of). Once again, the Rams will have the size advantage down low with Walker & the Mitchell twins, but our bigs need to stay out of foul trouble as 2 of those 3 fouled out. In this game on Friday, Rhody will have to control the pace & play at their tempo. Bryant will want to run, run, run. Rhody will have to close out the shooter in this one since Bryant like fire at will. If the Ishs play like they did against Bryant & Sheppard can get his shot back after two off nights against BU & JWU, URI should win this one easily. Look for Walker to get back to his double digit scoring after getting shutout in the last game. I am guessing the spread for this one will be about 8 & my prediction is URI wins 78-69. Go Rhody!
Opponent
Record:
1-0, 0-0 in the NEC
Last season: 15-6, 10-4 in the NEC
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 144 (108)*
RPI: 139 (1)
KenPom: 205 (95)
BPI: 160 (106)
Sagarin: 227 (107)
* Denotes last season
Leaders:
Points – Charles Pride 25.0 (Jr., G)
Rebounds – Luis Hurtado 12.0 (Sr., G)
Assists – Tyler Brelsford 11.0 (Fr., G) (2.0 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 4-0
H: 4-0, A: 0-0, N: 0-0
Most Recent Matchup: 11/6/18 97-63 W at URI
Most Recent Win Streak: 4 – URI
Match-up Predictor: 74.5 Chance of URI Winning