UBS Arena, Elmont, NY
Saturday, December 16, 2023
4:30PM
Media
TV: N/A
Online: FloHoops
FREE YOUTUBE LINK: YouTube
Radio: Tune In Radio
App: Varsity Network
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Previews
Delaware Fan Forum
Rhody, losers of three straight, look to breakout of this early season slump by heading to Long Island to take on the University of Delaware in the Holiday Hoopfest. This will be back-to-back games against a CAA conference team as the Rams lost to the College of Charleston by fifteen the week before. Delaware, who was picked 5th in the preseason CAA poll, comes in with a seven & three record. They have an impressive win at Xavier this season. Prior to that Xavier win they had three double digit losses in a row. They beat Brown at home, sadly something the Rams could not do.
This is the first ever matchup between the two smallest states’ universities. The focal point of this Blue Hens team is Delaware native Jyare Davis. This All-CAA Preseason 2nd Team player, averaging 18/7/3, transferred from Providence after missing the entire season due to a concussion prior to the 2020-21 season. He is a big athletic forward who has been held to single digits in scoring just once this season. La Salle transfer Christian Ray is leading this team in rebounding with almost 9 per contest. North Dakota Transfer Jalun Trent is leading the team in assists. He isn’t a threat from deep (0 for 7 from three), so the Rams can play off him & dare him to shoot. Guards Cavan Reilly and Gerald Drumgoole Jr, who transferred from Pitt & then Albany, are both averaging 12 per game & they are the Blue Hens best three-point shooters. Another shooter to keep an eye on in his limited minutes is Tyler Houser. Houser is playing the roll Ram fans thought Rory could do for us. Plays 8 or 9 minutes a game, an efficient three-point shooter giving you 1 or 2 per game. The obligatory free throw shooting statistic has Delaware shooting it over 10% better than the Rams.
Speaking of the Rams, they do have some question marks entering this game. Will Fuchs be back? If he is back, will they start with a four-guard lineup? I am assuming Brandon Weston will be back for this one. The Rams will need him in this contest. Rhody was extremely sloppy & lackadaisical with the ball in their last game, compiling 17 turnovers. On the defensive side of things, well it was not good at all. The Rams defense was about as structurally sound as the Washington Bridge. Hello Folks! Hopefully Archie lights a fire under their asses. They need to find their identity in this one game neutral site game. Get a victory here & then take care of business at home against New Hampshire & Northeastern to finish up out of conference play & who knows will happen come the new year.
When I looked at the schedule before the season, I had this game as a win for the Rams. Now 10 games into the season, I don’t see how it will happen with the way this team is currently playing. After last weekend’s debacle, I hope you didn’t cancel those FloSports subscriptions yet as this game will be on FloHoops. My prediction, Delaware 72 – URI 67. Go Rhody!!
Opponent
Record:
7-3, 0-0 in the CAA
17-16, 8-10 in the CAA (Last Season)
Rankings (URI):
NCAA NET: 92 (237)
RPI: 90 (211)
KenPom: 132 (207)
BPI: 127 (242)
Barttovik: 125 (168)
Leaders:
Points – Jyare Davis 18.0 (Sr., F)
Rebounds – Christian Ray 8.8 (Sr., G)
Assists – Jalun Trent 3.2 (Sr., G) (2.7 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: 29.1% Chance of URI Winning