What to Watch For: #21 URI vs. Providence
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What to Watch For: #21 URI vs. Providence
For the 129th time, the Providence College Friars and the University of Rhode Island Rams men's basketball programs renew their rivalry on Saturday, December 3 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
See What to Watch For in the Slideshow Below
"I think it is good for our state and I think it is good for college basketball. It's good when they are good and we are competitive. It should be a fun game, I think everyone will be dialed into it and hopefully we are successful when we play, but i'm excited to play the game," said Providence head coach Ed Cooley.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Friars have won six straight and seven of the last eight games against Rhode Island with URI's last win in Providence coming in a 73-71 thriller in December of 2002.
Tip-off for Saturday's game is set for 4:30 p.m.
Providence
The Friars enter the contest with an overall record of 5-2 following a win over New Hampshire earlier in the week.
"I think that the loss of the two draft picks (Kris Dunn, Ben Bentil) caused everyone to say 'oh rebuilding year for PC, we won't hear from them.' I don't think Ed Cooley is going to finish 9 out of 10 in the conference. The Friars have been competitive in every game, they have some talented kids. They are a lot better than advertised," said URI radio play-by-play man Steve McDonald.
Rhode Island
"You look at them, they were picked really high and are nationally ranked, we were picked really low. We will have our hands full, we will be the underdog in our building in that game. They are coming off a loss so they will play with a lot of energy. They are a very very good basketball team and they are very well coached," said Cooley.
Rivalry Renews
While the game may not make or break the season for either program, there is no question this game is considered one of the biggest of the season.
"To say that these two programs don't pay close attention to this game is wrong, they definitely do. Other than conference play, this is the biggest game of the season," McDonald added.
The rivalry renews at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
See What to Watch for in the Slideshow Below
5 Things to Watch For: #21 URI vs. PC
E.C. Matthews
After getting off to a hot start this season, double figures scoring in each of the first four games, Matthews has cooled off significantly, only scoring a total of 21 points (9,6,6) in the Rams last three games. URI has lost two of those games.
"I think we have to remember that he was out of basketball for essentially two years. He got off to such a hot start, usually, a guy who takes a year off needs a half year fully come back, for him it was instantaneous. I think it is just the ebbs and flows of the season," said URI play-by-play man Steve McDonald.
In URI's last three games, Matthews has gone 3 of 7, 1 of 6 and 3 of 9 against Duke, Belmont and Valparaiso respectively. His shots have gone down as well, Matthews averaged 12 shots per game in the first four games and now only averages seven shots per game over the last three games.
"Next growth step in EC Matthews game is optimizing how to play off the ball and be more productive. Returned to a team with multiple creators," added A-10 basketball analyst Chris Disano on Twitter.
Look for Matthews to get going early by driving to the basket, getting to the free throw line and then getting his jump shot going from there.
Rodney Bullock
Bullock is the key to any success the Friars have in this game and this season.
As the focal point of the PC offense, Bullock has averaged 22 points and six rebounds per game for the Friars, including a 36 point performance in PC's last game against UNH.
The 6'8" junior is entering his second PC-URI showdown of his career, but his first one at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
"I treat every game the same, I'm excited about every game, it is a big game, but I treat every game the exact same," said Bullock.
When Bullock is scoring, the offensive confidence of the entire team grows, expect him to get a lot of early looks, both in the paint and from three.
Cooley vs. Hurley
Dan Hurley comes into Providence with a nationally ranked team, two star players in Matthews and Hassan Martin and high expectations for the season.
Sound familiar?
Last season, Ed Cooley took a nationally ranked Providence team with two star players in Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil, and high expectations on the season into URI. The Friars won the game on a tip-in by Bentil at the buzzer.
Hurley has yet to beat Providence in his career, and this might be the best opportunity that he has had.
PC's Youth
In what is easily the biggest game of the season so far for the Friars, the play of the freshmen and the newcomers will be something to watch as they experience the rivalry and the atmosphere that comes with it for the first time.
In the Friars two losses (Ohio State & Virginia), both of which were close games in the second half, coach Cooley played his veteran players almost exclusively in the half. The only exception being Alpha Diallo against Virginia who played 21 minutes in the game.
When asked what he has seen from the freshmen so far this season prior to the game against Memphis, Cooley said “how far they have to go on just preparation, emotion, knowledge, how to be on a college basketball court, we have a long way to go."
If the game is close in the second half, Ed Cooley's rotation will be someting to watch, but expect veterans to play most of the minutes.
URI defense
The Rams defense is not quite where coach Hurley would like it to be, giving up 69 points per game, but McDonald says, "its getting there."
Forward Hassan Martin averages four blocked shots and seven rebounds per game, while guard Jared Terrell averages 1.4 steals per game.
Off the bench, the Rams bring another defender in University of Indiana transfer Stanford Robinson, who is in his first season of play with URI.
"He's the first player off the bench for Rhody. He is so long and so good defensively and he's not a little guy so he can pretty much match up with anyone. I think he is the best sixth man in the conference," McDonald said.
Expect URI's defense to key in on three Friars, Kyron Cartwright, Bullock and Jalen Lindsey. If they can do that, PC could struggle to create offense, giving URI a big advantage.
