Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Saturday, November 12, 2022
4:00PM
Media
TV: YurView/ESPN+
Online: ESPN+
Radio: Tune In Radio
App: Varsity Network
Previews:
Texas State Fan Forum
The Rhody Rams look to rebound after a disappointing showing opening night when they lost at home to Quinnipiac. Things don’t get too much easier as they take on a tough Texas State team. The Bobcats were regular season champs of the Sun Belt last season. Post season play didn’t fair well for them as they suffered a loss in the conference tournament quarterfinals which relegated them to the NIT & then lost in the first round of the NIT to North Texas. Texas State is once again predicted to finish towards the top of the Sun Belt & they are led by Preseason First Team Sun Belt player Mason Harrell. This 5th year senior is a very good shooter, 46/40/82 from the field. Much like URI, Texas State had a lot of roster turnover. They lost 4 of their 5 leading scorers which includes their leading scorer from last season, Caleb Asberry, who transferred to Oklahoma State. Even with the high roster turnover, you can expect a slow-paced but efficient offense and tough defense. The Bobcats are hoping Freshman Davion Sykes can fill in the gaps for all the scoring they lost from last season.
Going into this season Rhody fans knew there would be some growing pains, but man that last game was a pain. The Rams had a difficult getting things going offensively, had way too many turnover & gave some inopportune offensive rebounds (but then again is there such a thing as giving up opportune offensive rebounds?). Hopefully Texas State’s defense struggles like it did opening night against Washington State, where the Cougars shot over 50% from the field. Obviously, this goes without saying, but they are going to need Brayon Freeman to play better & stay out of foul trouble. His opening game in a Rhody uniform was less than ideal. Jalen Carey looked like the 2020 version opposed to the one from last season. Clearly the first few games is about finding themselves & that will come as they play together more, its just the sloppiness with the ball & the missed FTs that are tough to take now.
Texas State is playing an exhibition game against an NAIA team in Mid-America Christian Thursday night prior to the match-up Saturday afternoon against Rhody. There could be a little fatigue in the Bobcats after this game. I am guessing URI will be favored by about 4.5. My prediction URI 64 – Texas State 59. Go Rhody!!
Opponent
Record:
0-1, 0-0 in the Sun Belt
21-7, 12-3 in the Sun Belt (Last Season)
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 127 (142)*
RPI: 113 (181)*
KenPom: 188 (154)
BPI: 202 (216)
Sagarin: 162 (132)
Barttovik: 143 (142)
* Denotes last season
Leaders:
Points – Mason Harrell 17.0 (Sr., G)
Rebounds – Nate Martin 5.0 (Jr., F) & Brandon Davis 5.0 (Jr., F)
Assists – Dylan Dawson 4.0 (Jr., G) (1.0 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 0-0
H: 0-0, A: 0-0, N: 0-0
Most Recent Matchup: N/A
Most Recent Win Streak: N/A
Match-up Predictor: 67.4% Chance of URI Winning