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Virginia vs. Rhode Island: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jared Terrell
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jared Terrell

It’s the championship of the NIT Season Tip-Off between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Rhode Island Rams. Who will bring home the trophy and a quality win for their resume?

TV schedule: Friday, Nov. 24, 9:30 p.m. ET. ESPNEWS

Arena: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York

Dan Hurley and the Rhode Island Rams (3-1) pulled off a massive win for both themselves and the Atlantic Ten Conference in general, by beating No. 20 Seton Hall 75-74.

In my preview for the Seton Hall-Rhode Island game, my concern for the Rams was how were they going to replace the lost production of star E.C. Matthews, who is out for a while after fracturing his wrist in a loss at Nevada.

But for at least one night, it was Jered Terrell, who dropped 32 points, including the game-winning shot with just seconds left in the game. He scored in all kinds of ways, including hitting 4/6 threes, as well as making all ten of his free throws for the game.

Stanford Robinson was the other double-digit scorer with 15, as Rhode Island staved off another double-double effort by Angel Delgado. It was an impressive win for a good defensive team in Seton Hall, but their next opponent is truly one of the best.

Under head coach Tony Bennett, the Virginia Cavaliers (5-0) have become one of the best defensive teams in all of college basketball. It hasn’t seemed to matter who’s on the court, as opponents just haven’t been able to score on this team.

Vanderbilt became the latest victim, scoring only 42 points in the game, as well as shooting just 23% for the game. Not one player made more than three field goals for the Commodores, sending the Cavaliers to the finals.

Kyle Guy lead all scorers with 18, and Ty Jerome contributed with 14. The biggest takeaway was Mamadi Diakite, who had 12 off the bench. If he can be a reliable factor on offense, then Virginia becomes all the more dangerous in March.

Next: Winners and losers of the week (Second edition)

It took Terrell a career-high night to pull off the upset, and it’ll take another kind of game to keep the Rams in contention. Problem is, Bennett and Virginia specialize in taking a player out of a game. If the Cavaliers haven’t gotten your attention yet, then this game should.

Prediction: Virginia 75 – Rhode Island 62