Game 30: GMU (18-11 / 7-9) at Rhode Island (11-18 / 5-11) on Wednesday, March 6, at 7:00 PM.

[Patriotsince81]

The game is on ESPN+.

KenPom: Gives us a 63% chance of winning.
GMU - 104
Rhode Island - 211
NET:
Mason - 95
Rhode Island - 198

We are now 7-7 (.500) against Rhode Island all-time. We have won 3 straight against the Rams.

We won the first meeting this season at EBA 92-84. Darius Maddox (24 points), Keyshawn Hall (22 points), Amari Kelly (17 points), and Baraka Okojie (18 points off the bench) led the way. David Green led a balanced RI attack with 29 points and 6 rebounds before fouling out. We trailed by 2 at halftime but scored 52 points in the 2nd half to earn the win. It was not a stellar defensive effort on either part as both teams shot over 50% for the game.
Box score: https://gomason.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2023-24/rhode-island/boxscore/12643

Rhode Island is currently 11-18 on the season and 5-11 in A10 play. They are 9-7 at home, 2-8 on the road, and 0-3 at neutral sites.

Wins: Central Connecticut St. (81-70), Fairfield (93-80), Wagner (69-63), Johnson & Wales (97-59), Yale (76-72), Northeastern (82-71), St. Joe’s (78-74), Davidson (79-74), UMass (89-77), La Salle (71-69), GW (88-65),
Losses: Northwestern (72-61), Washington St (78-57), Providence (84-69), Brown (67-64), College of Charleston (85-70), Delaware (67-56), New Hampshire (81-71), St. Bonaventure (99-64), Dayton (96-62), Fordham (71-68), GMU (92-84), Duquesne (85-71), UMass (81-79), Loyola Chicago (77-67), Richmond (85-77), La Salle (84-61), vcu (88-67), St. Louis (94-91)

Schedule: https://gorhody.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
Roster: https://gorhody.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster
Stats: https://gorhody.com/documents/2023/12/2/2023-24_Combined.pdf

Probable Starters: The Rams have started 10 different guys this season so don’t be surprised by any changes to the starting 5. David Green was out with a knee injury but has returned to action. He scored 16 against vcu on 2/28/24.
6’7” David Green (14.4 ppg) - Junior
6’4” Jaden House (14.6 ppg) - Junior
6’3” Luis Kortright (10.3 ppg) - Junior
6’5” Brandon Weston (5.6 ppg) - Redshirt Sophomore
6’9” Tyson Brown (4.1 ppg) - Junior

Reserves averaging double figure minutes:
6’6” Zek Montgomery (9.8 ppg) - Junior
6’9” David Fuchs (8.1 ppg) - 23 starts - Freshman
6’3” Cam Estevez (7.2 ppg) - 10 starts - Freshman
6’11” Jeremy Foumena (5.5 ppg) - Redshirt Freshman
6’3” Always Wright (2.2 ppg) - 4 starts - Sophomore

Team Stats:
Rhode Island averages 73.9 points per game while giving up 77.6.

The Rams shoot 46.6% from the floor and 36.2% from 3.
Opponents are shooting 45.9% from the field and 36.5% from 3.

The Rams shoot 64.8% from the free throw line.

They have out rebounded opponents to the tune of 2.7 boards per game and average 13.1 turnovers per contest.

Thoughts: This is probably our last real shot at a conference win. I hope we can pull it out. Highly doubt we're beating Richmond next Saturday so any hope of 9-9 in conference rests on this one.

Discuss.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

It seems like the basketball team has lost its audience some. No replies since Saturday!?

 

[Verdad]

It seems like the basketball team has lost its audience some. No replies since Saturday!?

I'll be at the URI game, but am more interested in New England lobster rolls then the game now

 

[hoopsjunkie75]

Well, if the players don't show dedication, why should the fanbase?

Sucks that one to two guys can bring the whole ship down and ruin it for the rest of the team.

We lose in embarassing fashion, as the locker room is demoralized.

What's left of Mason 55
The other other other Rams 62

 

[phoenix-arizona]

I'll be at the URI game, but am more interested in New England lobster rolls then the game now

I can't blame you for that. Even when the team is doing well food is a powerful distraction.

 

[mkaufman1]

I'm going to stay optimistic. URI has been struggling and we already beat them once. Baraka will shred their defense again. We get a W.

Mason 74
URI 69

 

[GMU79]

Well, if the players don't show dedication, why should the fanbase?

Sucks that one to two guys can bring the whole ship down and ruin it for the rest of the team.

We lose in embarassing fashion, as the locker room is demoralized.

What's left of Mason 55
The other other other Rams 62

Yes. But for the sake of the other guys and coaches, I still hope we win.
How cool would it be for us to go on a tear, win out, and blister the tourney...WITHOUT Key.

 

[gmujim92]

Yes. But for the sake of the other guys and coaches, I still hope we win.
How cool would it be for us to go on a tear, win out, a blister the tourney...WITHOUT Key.

To borrow a line from the great Norman Dale, “My team is on the floor.”

Hopefully the guys who are still bought in rally around each other because there’s enough talent to make some noise over the next couple weeks.

 

[gmubrian]

This feels like a must win game...

...must win to help ensure we don't play on Tuesday.

 

[hoops10]

You know they say everything happens for the best. For me, in spite of KH leading the scoring he never came across as a team player. He halfheartedly participates in time outs, his passing needs help, his dribbling the same. Look I am sure he is like most better athletes, thinking about NBA, professional $, etc. so I get it, he has a unique talent set and I assume a likeable guy. To his credit he is an amazing free throw shooter, Never saw a player who throws line drives at the hoop and they go in. I wish him the best and we move on.
This is where TS has to dig deep and go find us some great players. He now knows what its going to take to be relevant. I'll stick with Mason, we are going to be fine. Can't wait to see Jalen Haynes move some bodies.
Begg to nail 3s.

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

I'll hope we win because the guys who are out their busting it in practice and games deserve it.

 

[FlPatriot]

Yes. But for the sake of the other guys and coaches, I still hope we win.
How cool would it be for us to go on a tear, win out, and blister the tourney...WITHOUT Key.

Buy lotto tickets and bet horses if that happens.

 

[Patriotsince81]

I'll hope we win because the guys who are out their busting it in practice and games deserve it.

It would be sweet justice to win the A10 tourney and dance with just the guys left!

 

[PDGL Hoops]

Today's college basketball isn't the game that I fell in love with so I don't get too bent out of shape about things out of our control. I will always try to support my alma mater and cheer for the players who want to be here, no matter the result. I still think we can win a few games this season and that Tony is the right person to captain this ship.

Mason: 65
URI: 61

 

[Jack Strop]

"Admirable character is measured by
how one faces and overcomes adversity."
~ J. Strop

 

[Pablo]

You definitely need to include this Rhode Island reserve on the All-Name team:

6’3” Always Wright (2.2 ppg) - 4 starts - Sophomore

I don't know if it was mentioned previously, but Hall of Famer Ray Allen's son is on Rhode Island's roster - https://gorhody.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/ray-allen-iii/7603

 

[GMU79]

You definitely need to include this Rhode Island reserve on the All-Name team:

6’3” Always Wright (2.2 ppg) - 4 starts - Sophomore

I don't know if it was mentioned previously, but Hall of Famer Ray Allen's son is on Rhode Island's roster - https://gorhody.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/ray-allen-iii/7603

Mama had big plans for her baby, but can you imagine the grief that poor guy has had to suffer through!?

 

[Verdad]

Mama had big plans for her baby, but can you imagine the grief that poor guy has had to suffer through!?

If he misses a shot I’m gonna yell “the price is wrong bitch!”

 

[psyclone]

Mama had big plans for her baby, but can you imagine the grief that poor guy has had to suffer through!?

Actually, poor strategy for a mother trying to raise a child when the kid can say..."But I'm Always Wright!"

 

[Where's the party?]

Is Ronnie going to play? Missing Hall's points is somewhat (I'm saying "somewhat", so don't everyone get all pissy at me) offset by Hall's errant passes, dribbling, and disappearing in big games. We can beat RI without Hall, but last game showed how helpless we are on offense without Ronnie AND Hall. If Ronny plays, I think we win. If not, I can't see it being anything more than a repeat of the last game.

I'm really more upset that we now have no chance to beat UR at home, which I thought was a great bet before all this transfer S&*^ started.

Us with Ronnie - 68
Us without Ronnie - 58
Them either way - 62