Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
7:00PM
Media
TV: N/A
Online: ESPN +
Radio: Tune In Radio
App: Varsity Network
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Previews
Brown Fan Forum
Game Notes
Let’s start with the most important aspect of Wednesday's home game against Brown. Rhody legends Tyson Wheeler, Cuttino Mobley & Antonio Reynolds-Dean will be formally inducted into the Rhode Island Athletics Ring of Honor. All 3 were members of the magical 1998 team, which was also my senior year at URI, that made it to the Elite Eight & were a minute away from the Final Four. Join me in welcoming them back to URI during a special halftime ceremony.
As for the game itself, Brown University travels 30 minutes south to take on the Rhode Island Rams. Inexplicably, the Bears have won the last two games of this series. Prior to this two-game losing streak, Rhody had won 29 of the last 32 games. It has been 5 years since the last Rhode Island win because two of the yearly matchups were cancelled due to COVID. Brown has struggled so far this season with just 2 wins, but one of those wins came against Rhode Island College. Brown’s coaching staff has numerous Rhode Island ties. Coach Mike Martin is in his 12th season & he is a Brown graduate. Pawtucket native TJ Sorrentine, best known for this dagger three against Syracuse in the NCAA tournament, is the Associate Head Coach. Operations Coordinator Sydney Armand is a Cranston native & URI grad who formerly worked on David Cox staff in numerous roles. He first was a team manager, then became a special assistant to the program’s director of basketball, & finally was the video coordinator prior to going to Brown. And saving the best for last, former URI standout & honoree of Wednesday’s Ring of Honor is Assistant Head Coach Tyson Wheeler.
Leading the Bears is Kino Lilly Jr. He is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 19 points per game & even more impressive 38.2 minutes per game. Lilly is also leading he team in assists at 2.7 per game. Nana Owusu-Anane is leading the team in rebounding at 8.3 per game & is second on the team in scoring at 16 per game. He has already accumulated 5 double doubles this season including a 13 & 11 against #16 USC. That game was just a one-point game with less than two and half minutes to play until USC closed on a 12 to 2 run. The Bears final double-digit scorer is forward Kalu Anya at 10.6 per game. He is also second on the team in rebounding & assists.
The Rams are looking to rebound after a difficult but sadly expected loss at Providence. Once again poor free throw shooting hurt the Rams & especially hurt my URI +15 bet. As a team the Rams are shooting it less than 60% from the line for the season. The bigs (Foumena, Fuchs, Brown & Bilau) are shooting it a nauseating 43.86% with Foumena under 37%. Yikes! Obviously, Brown has the advantage in free throw shooting, but the Rams have the edge in every other major statistical category.
Like I mentioned before, the Rams can not overlook this game against Brown, especially after losing the last two against them. If Brown plays like they did against USC it is going to be a tough game. Conversely if Brown plays like they did against UNH which somehow lost by almost 20, URI should win relatively easily. My prediction, URI 74 – Brown 64. Go Rhody!! And remember to be in your seats at halftime to cheer like hell for Tyson, Cat, & ARD!
Opponent
Record:
2-8, 0-0 in the Ivy
14-13, 7-7 in the Ivy (Last Season)
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 283 (192)
RPI: 345 (105)
KenPom: 252 (171)
BPI: 215 (250)
Sagarin: 175 (229)*
Barttovik: 212 (160)
*Denotes Last Season Rankings
Leaders:
Points – Kino Lilly Jr 19.1 (Jr., G)
Rebounds – Nana Awusu-Anane 8.3 (Jr., F)
Assists – Kino Lilly Jr 2.7 (Jr., G) (2.6 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 109-55
H: 67-15, A: 41-39, N: 1-1
Most Recent Matchup: 12/7/22 59-58 L at URI
Most Recent Win Streak: 2 - Brown
Match-up Predictor: 58.6% Chance of URI Winning