NIT Tournament - Second Round
Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Monday, March 20, 2023
6:00PM
Media
TV: N/A
Online: ESPN3
App: Varsity Network
Previews
Richmond Fan Forum
Let’s start with the most important note…Congratulations to the University of Rhode Island’s women’s team for winning their first ever postseason victory. The game at times was not pretty, but getting a win in rock fight is all that matters. The Rams advance to take on intraconference foe Richmond on Monday night at the Ryan Center.
The Spiders rolled over Pennsylvania by over 20 to advance to the second round. Richmond is led by a pair of forwards in Addie Budnick & Maggie Doogan. Budnick has 10 straight games of double digit scoring & is averaging almost 14 points per game. Doogan, who made the A10 Conference All-Rookie team, went for 18 & 13 in the first-round game. Grace Townsend is a really good point guard who is averaging roughly 10/5/5. Townsend had 2 games this season where she had a double/double with points & assists.
In order for Rhody to get the win Monday night, they are going to need a better offensive performance. The Rams defense stifled Boston University & was the reason they won. The Rams held the Terriers to an abysmal 1-19 from behind the arc. Unfortunately, the Rams shot just 22% with Squires, Hattix-Covington, & Debroise going a combined 0-19. Even though the Rams beat the Spiders earlier this season by 26, it will be extremely difficult to get the win if they have another offense performance like Friday nights. Hopefully some of the poor shooting was due to rust after not playing for almost 2 weeks. Playing at home, I think Rhody will have just enough to get the win. The Rams have beaten the Spiders six straight, let’s make it 7! My prediction URI 61 – Richmond 58. Go Rhody!!
Opponent
Record:
21-10, 8-6 in the A10
16-14, 7-9 in the A10 (Last Season)
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 95 (71)
RPI: 78 (52)
Leaders:
Points – Addie Budnik 13.8 (Jr., F)
Rebounds – Caitlin Weimar 6.1 (Fr. F)
Assists – Grace Townsend 4.7 (Jr., G) (2.6 TO per game)
URI Leaders:
Points – Maye Toure 13.7 (Jr., F)
Rebounds – Maye Toure 8.7 (Jr. F)
Assists – Sayawni Lassiter 4.6 (Sr., G) (2.5 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 9-19
H: 4-8, A: 5-8, N: 0-3
Most Recent Matchup: 1/18/23 75-49 W at URI
Most Recent Win Streak: 6 – URI