What to Watch For: URI vs. Brown
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
What to Watch For: URI vs. Brown
"We lost to them the last two years, obviously don't like losing to the same team over and over so I think we are going to be energetic and ready to play," said Brown guard Tavon Blackmon.
See What to Watch For in the Slideshow Below
The Rams lead the all-time series 103-53 and have won the last three games, including an 80-60 win last season at the Ryan Center. Brown's last win in the series came four years ago when they beat Rhode Island 65-56 at the Pizzitola Center.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTURI Rams
The URI Rams come into the game with a record of 7-5 but have lost two of their last three games. This is URI's final game before A-10 play begins on Saturday.
"It's going to be a tough game for Rhode Island. They want to play well, not just for this game but going into league play," said URI Radio play-by-play man Steve McDonald.
The big question for the Rams is who will step up in the absence of Hassan Martin and Kuran Iverson.
Martin injured his ankle in URI's last game against Old Dominion and was listed as out indefinitely. However, it appears he will be a game time decision.
Brown Bears
The Bears have been led by Cedric Kuakumensah, who averages nearly a double-double per game with 13 points and 9.5 rebounds and is also the Ivy Leagues all-time blocked shots leader.
Against Bethune-Cookman, Brown really pushed the ball up the floor and it resulted in easy baskets and 22 assists on 28 made field goals in the game. Against a URI defense that can lock teams down, easy baskets will be crucial.
The Bears will also look for continued production off of their bench after,Patrick Triplett and Obi Okolie combined for 18 points, Okolie with 12 of them against the Wildcats.
The End of 2015
For both teams, this game is the final contest of the year 2015 and for URI, it's their final contest before A-10 play starts on Saturday at the Ryan Center.
The Bears play two more non conference games after this one before Ivy League play kicks off on January 16th on the road against Yale.
See What to Watch For in the Slideshow Below
What to Watch For: URI vs. Brown
Sharp Shooters
Both URI and Brown feature players that specialize in knocking down the three-point shot. However, for URI it's been a bit of a struggle.
The Rams sharp shooter Four McGlynn comes into this game only shooting 34% from beyond the arc, only hitting 10 of his last 46 shots from deep in his last six games.
"Four is an essential part of the team even if he is not making shots because they still have to go out and cover him which leaves room for the others to operate. But obviously for URI you really want four players in double-figures in every game and he is probably one of them, " said URI play-by-play man Steve McDonald.
URI as a team is shooting 34% from three-point land.
For Brown, JR Hobbie is the guy they turn to for three's, though Tavon Blackmon is a capable shooter as well.
Hobbie comes into this game shooting 45% from three-point land, including a 4 of 7 performance in Brown's win over Bethune-Cookman.
Jared Terrell
Martin is out and Kuran Iverson is also unlikely to play so guard Jared Terrell is going to have to help carry the scoring in the game for the Rams.
Terrell is averaging 11 points per game on the season for URI and has reached double figures in every game except two for URI this season.
Boost From Bench
Bench points will be a significant factor in this game because throughout the season, both benches have struggled.
With that said, Brown got a very nice boost from their bench in the form of Obi Okolie who poured in 12 points in 15 minutes of action in the Bears' win over Bethune-Cookman. If Brown can get something similar in this game, it will be a difference maker.
For URI, Earl Watson will move into the starting line up to fill iin for Hassan Martin, meaning the Rams bench is even shorter.
Off the bench, URI's key player will be Christion Thompson, who averages 4 points per game in just over 15 minutes of action.
Behind Thompson, the Rams will bring Nicola Akele, Andre Berry and Shane Plunkett who average about 14 minutes of action per game combined.
"Rhode Island's bench has been good, just getting shorter. I think they have gotten more than expected from the Freshmen (Thompson and Akele), I think Thompson is finding his way on the offensive side of the ball and Akele on the defensive side of the ball," McDonald said.
Cedric Kuakumensah
Hassan Martin is out, that means Cedric Kuakumensah has a big advantage on both the defensive and offensive end of the floor.
Kuakumensah is the Ivy-League all-time leading shot blocker and averages nearly a double-double per game with 13 points and 9.7 rebounds.
Kuakumensah recorded his 6th double-double of the season in Brown's last game against Bethune-Cookman.
URI Defense
For the Rams, it is going to start on the defensive side of the ball. We have seen at time this season and last season URI really lock down on defense.
"URI has slipped a bit on defense and that's always been Hurley's calling card. Lately they have not been hitting their numbers," McDonald said.
So far this season, the Rams are giving up 62 points per game and allowing teams to shoot 43% from the field.
The Rams have given up more than 70 points in four of their last five games, winning only one of of those games.
