Rhode Island vs. Arizona State: 2020-21 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
The Rhode Island Rams and Arizona State Sun Devils face off to start the 2020-21 season.
TV Schedule: Wednesday, November 25th, 7:00 pm ET, ESPN
Arena: Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Even with precautions taken this season, fans could not be more excited about college basketball. After a disappointing finish to last season, the NCAA is hoping for a successful year. Although most programs have limited the attendance of fans, many will be watching safely from home.
The Rhode Island Rams were heading to Uncasville when they received news on the big upgrade to their schedule. The Rams were scheduled to play Stephen F. Austin and Towson. They will now slide into the Empire Classic in place of Baylor and play Arizona State followed by Villanova or Boston College.
Baylor head coach Scott Drew tested positive for COVID-19, and the nationally second-ranked Bears withdrew themselves from the event.
For both Arizona State and Rhode Island, the tournament atmosphere will start what shapes up a shortened sprint to March Madness.
Arizona State is led by coach Bobby Hurley who called URI home for one season, in 2012-2013, as an associate coach under his brother, Dan. The Sun Devils finished last season winning eight of their final 11 games to push for a bid to the tournament. Last season, they averaged 73.2 possessions per game.
The Sun Devils are among the preseason favorites in the Pac-12. Senior guard Remy Martin is a national Player of the Year and All-American candidate. Last season, he averaged 19.1 points (second in Pac-12), 4.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game, and he led the Pac-12 with a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. Martin was also named to the first-team All-Pac-12.
The Rhode Island Rams are bidding for a third NCAA tournament appearance in five years behind a returning star Fatts Russell. Russell is a nominee for the Naismith Trophy. He has already received recognition after being named to both the 2019-20 postseason first team and the 2020-21 preseason first-team All-Atlantic 10.
Last season, he averaged 18.8 points and 2.9 steals per game, second in Division I. Russell’s experience could carry the Rams who are essentially a brand-new team this season. After three players transferred and two starters graduated, coach David Cox and his staff were forced to bring in eight new players via the transfer portal and recruitment. We can expect Fatts to be a mentor and lead this program to success down the line.
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Arizona State leads this series against Rhode Island, 3-0. Although the Sun Devils may be picked as the true favorites to win, the Rams should put up a good fight. This should be an exciting matchup and a great way to kick off the 2020-21 season.