The URI vs UMass Rivalry Is Dying

The URI vs UMass Rivalry Is Dying

The URI versus UMass rivalry in basketball is dying. At one point, these two schools dominated the Yankee Conference, and at times, the basketball games between these neighboring states were intense. That is no longer the case, as these contests are now just another game on the schedule.  

 

Long History

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The first basketball game between the two schools occurred on October 14, 1903, with UMass recording a comfortable 32-14 victory. Sunday’s game will be the 164th meeting between the two. UMass holds a 94-69 advantage. 

UMass has faced URI more than any other opponent in their program’s history. UMass is second on URI’s list, as the Rams have played Brown 165 times.  With two UMass games per year, they will soon become the opponent URI has faced the most in their program’s history.

 

 

Programs need rivalry games

Every program needs a rivalry game. Rivalries create interest and excitement and draw attention and fans to the program. A major reason for the demise of the rivalry is both teams have struggled over the past few years. When the teams are not very good, people lose interest overall, and the rivalry suffers. The rivalry may have been at its strongest during the 1990s when John Calipari coached at UMass and made a run of five consecutive NCAA appearances. Players like Marcus Camby, Harper Williams, and Lou Roe lead the way.

During most of the 90s, URI was coached by former UMass star Al Skinner and had players like Carlton Owens, Tom Garrick, Tyson Wheeler, Cuttino Mobley, and Antonio Reynolds-Dean. The teams were good, the coaches were excellent, the programs had stability, and the rivalry was intense.

URI has a major rivalry game with its annual contest with Providence College. UMass has no natural rival on its schedule. Starting in 1905 and continuing for the next 90 years, UMass played Boston College in the “Commonwealth Classic.” Twenty-nine years ago, BC terminated the Classic, ending the rivalry, and has refused to play UMass since.

 

 

Four ways to bring energy to the UMass vs URI rivalry

When asked about the game’s diminished significance, UMass coach Frank Martin said, “Let’s get this rivalry going! You know it’s good for the league; it’s good for our schools.”

Here are four things that can be done to infuse some energy into the rivalry.

Both teams need to rebuild and get good. Coach Martin said it best, “I hope for the good of basketball in our part of the world up here that Archie can build it, and I hope we can build it and we can sustain it. It’s good for the A-10. It’s good for the region. It’s the history of these two schools playing each other in basketball, so I think it’s awesome!” 

Often, rivalries have a name for a prize they compete for. Here is a sample: The Little Brown Jug, Paul Bunyon Trophy, Chancellor’s Spurs, Shillelagh, Jeweled Shillelagh, Keg of Nails, The Old Wagon Wheel, Silver Spade, The Milk Can and the highly prestigious Platypus Trophy. URI-UMass needs a prize to compete for. I suggest the “Freedom and Independence Cup,” which reflects the history of both states. If your taste is for something edgier, play for the “Lobster and Quahog Trophy.” Picture a gaudy, over-the-top trophy.

Playing twice a year diminishes the value of the prize, but because of the strong gate, two games every year will continue. To avoid hauling the prize back and forth and to promote the games, two identical cups/trophies could be made. Each school would display the coveted award in its arena. It would be more prominently displayed for the rivalry game and presented to the winning team. After each game, a plaque could be placed on the display stating which school had the honor at that time. The plaque would remain in place until the next game.

 

Trash-talking is always effective in spicing things up. Here are some comments URI alums offer to get things going.

Keith from Coventry said, “We have a rival; it’s PC.”

Steve, a pharmacist, said, “Zoo Mass is the perfect nickname for that school.”

Jon, who now lives in Sudbury, MA, and played football during the Yankee Conference days, said, “In basketball, it’s just another game on the schedule. When I played football, our biggest rivalry was Brown.”

Bill from Exeter said, “UMass gets lost in the shadow of the Boston schools and pro teams. They got noth’en. The best thing they ever did was provide Rhody with one of our most beloved head coaches, frighting Al Skinner!” 

 

Perhaps the most sur-fire way to heat up a rivalry is to steal a player (or recruit) from the other school. Matt Cross is UMass’ best player and is referred to as the spirit and personality of the team. URI should steal him, perhaps by offering him a car. When this idea was suggested, officials with the URI athletic program said they had no recollection of past events or knew how to do that. I have a call into Sly Williams* to get the details on how it’s done.

 

Let’s get this rivalry going!

*Sly Willaims was a highly talent player raised fatherless in the projects of New Haven, Connecticut, one of 16 children. In the mid-1970s, he committed to play for PC. On the day of class registration, he signed up for classes at URI without informing PC he had changed his mind. Rumors immediately swirled that URI had given Williams a car to convince him to switch to the Rams. URI officials vehemently denied the claim. This incident greatly intensified an already intense rivalry between URI and PC.

COVER PHOTO: Markus Spiske, Unsplash