Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
7:00PM
Media
TV: YurView
Online: ESPN+
Radio: 101.5 FM (B101) or Tune In Radio App
Previews:
VCU’s Fan Forum
The Rhody Rams head home after a loss in Dayton to take on the VCU Rams. David Cox needs to lobby the A10 for us to play 4 games a season against VCU because they are officially our bitch. URI has owned VCU, winning 9 of the last 10, including at VCU a few weeks ago. I sure as hell don’t understand it, but let’s keep this train rolling. We are somehow living rent free in their heads, lets make the most of it. As I stated in the preview when these two teams last played, for some reason VCU fans have a borderline unhealthy hatred for both our team as well as Coach Cox. Maybe it is jealousy as URI is the only team VCU has a losing record against in the A10. Or maybe it is because we are 3-0 against them in the A-10 tournament. Yeah, that would probably do it. VCU is coming off an extended break as they have had 2 of their last 3 games postponed, resulting in one game over their last week & a half. Since playing URI, VCU has won 3 of 4 including destroying Dayton by 20+. Sophomore Bones Hyland is having a hell of year, averaging 22 in ’21. He is only scoring 15 per game on the road & averaging 3 turnovers a game. Rhody will need to force turnovers against him. To beat this team again, Fatts needs to get to the line like he has routinely been doing against VCU. Combine that with quality shooting from their guards (Shep, Betrand, & Ish shot a combined 16 for 25) & they should get the win again. The starting big men struggled last game, scoring only 5 points. Will need more out them Wednesday night. URI can’t expect to get 19 turnovers again & win like before. This is not some sort of revelation but keep better control of the ball. Last game they finally did but couldn’t score for the first 6 minutes of the 2nd half. This team is just so painfully inconsistent. Oddly, the only thing consistent about this team is their ability to beat VCU. So, I will pick the Rhody again to win this one 73-69. Wear a Mask & Go Rhody!
Opponent
Record:
12-4, 5-2 in the Atlantic 10
Last season: 18-13, 8-10 in the Atlantic 10
Rankings (URI):
RPI: 52 (109)
KenPom: 59 (70)
NCAA NET: 43 (76)
BPI: 71 (75)
Sagarin: 64 (76)
Leaders:
Points – Bones Hyland 18.9 (Soph., G)
Rebounds – Vince Williams Jr 4.9 (Jr., F)
Assists – Adrian Baldwin Jr 4.6 (Fr., G) (2.3 TO per game)
Historical
Series: 11-7
H: 5-1, A: 3-6, N: 3-0
Most Recent Matchup: 1/9/21 83-68 W at VCU
Most Recent Win Streak: 3 – URI
Match-up Predictor: 58.6% Chance of URI Winning