Game 16, 2023-24: at Rhody (1/13)

[MikeUMA]

A couple weeks ago, Rhody was languishing at 5-7, coming off a double-digit home loss to New Hampshire.
Last week, they handed a decent Saint Joe's team a loss.
On Tuesday night, they won at Davidson, and are now 8-7.

I've seen chatter from a few UMies that are going to the Ryan Center for this one.
If you're not, ESPN+ has it. No other TV.

[eldonabe]

I remain skeptical but this game will push me in one direction or the other. It sucks that Cross will probably be out, but to me that makes this one the ultimate test.

- On the road
- Our primary rival
- Missing the best player (or at the very least he is not 100%)

KenPom favors us by 4, but I do not think that factors Cross from of the equation.

[thecaptain]

If you want to be taken seriously, you have to win on the road.

[Upstate10]

This is the kind of game you need to win if you want to be a serious double bye contender. Need to split Saturday and at Loyola, at the very least.

[LS71]

UMass at URIne always reminds me of this:

https://youtu.be/LYSDWvemADU?si=WYiECufYh-dAl7nL

[WillHerndonFan]

UMass at URIne always reminds me of this:

https://youtu.be/LYSDWvemADU?si=WYiECufYh-dAl7nL

Loved doing the URIne chant at the old cage as I think the URI players actually enjoyed hearing that chant!

[WillHerndonFan]

We will beat Rhody if we control the game like we have been. Looking forward to seeing Hankins start if Cross is out and also if Curry can finally string 3 good games together.

[eldonabe]

This is and interesting game - Rhody is coming of of 2 upset wins (upset may be strong, but they were not favored). Looking at their overall schedule they lost by double digits to everyone sub 100 rated except for Joe's - I might qualify that as an anomaly based on the rest of their performances. It was at home and in conference which does matter as we know all to well.

This is a favorable matchup for Umass and losing to Dayton may push them a little more. I am not a huge fan of the line which looks like it will be around -3.4 or -4 But i think they can pull this one off.

As some else mentioned, they absolutely have to go 1-1 (RI and Loyola) if they are going to have any chance at top 4.

[MikeUMA]

I asked the Rhody Vault dude what has turned the Rams around in the last 3:
- David Green. 2 time transfer.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/pl ... een-2.html
https://bustingbrackets.com/2023/05/04/ ... vid-green/

- Also got Fuchs (fooks) back who was out for 3 games.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/pl ... chs-1.html

- Better defense.

Vault produced a video preview with some good insight:
https://twitter.com/RhodyVault/status/1 ... 2469676143

[69MG]

2 weeks ago I would have said this was a pretty easy game. URI was on a 5 game losing streak and not playing very well. Now they have won 3 in a row, including the road win at Davidson. Add in the Cross injury and this is now a toss-up.

I just saw a URI stat that shocked me. They shoot free throws at 61.5%. We're up to 68.3%.

[bobolink]

they have been a much better team lately in every way, including FT%. As you were saying, weeks ago this looked easy with their 5-game losing streak. Now they're the A10 undefeated first place team. Like just about everyone in the A-10, they played a tougher OOC schedule than UMass. 1 common opponent: They beat CCSU by 11, UMass beat them by 29. Useless comparison now. These are 2 very good coaches coming off disappointing first seasons and improving. It would be an incredible win if this can be done without Cross. Going to be tough even if by some miracle he can play.

[Uminuteman]

The question is who takes Hankins place as the big off the bench? Is Mason ready? I hope so, but 7'3" can change a game as well. Maybe a little of both.

[69MG]

^ Frank said he might use either or both.

[Floyd]

Love DHS and I expect him to have a big game if Cross is out or is limited. I think Rahsool and RobD come in hot and hit a bunch of threes in this one
Minutemen by 9

[Worcester_To_Amherst]

Idk how big URI is, but I’d expect Jayden to get some minutes at the 4 if Worthy is in one of the guard spots. Hard to trust mason or majok in this one.