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Dayton at Rhode Island: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Adam Bernstein

Mar 4, 2021; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Rhode Island Rams guard Malik Martin (12) shoots the ball over Dayton Flyers forward R.J. Blakney (23) in the first half in the second round of the 2021 Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Stuart C. Siegel Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2021; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Rhode Island Rams guard Malik Martin (12) shoots the ball over Dayton Flyers forward R.J. Blakney (23) in the first half in the second round of the 2021 Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Stuart C. Siegel Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Although NCAA Basketball around the country might be frustrating lately with cancelations, we will soon start to see some upside. Atlantic 10 conference play is set to return on December 30th, including Dayton vs Rhode Island.

Game time: Thursday, December 30, 7:00 p.m. ET
TV schedule: CBS Sports Network
Location: Thomas M. Ryan Center, Kingston, RI

This has been an interesting season for college basketball. With several programs in COVID protocols, many teams are forced to forfeit games during conference play.

The Atlantic 10 is scheduled to open up conference play on December 30th. Many teams will be preparing to defend themselves from this COVID outbreak over the next few weeks.

We have seen instances where it could alter the outcome of a game. For example, the Georgetown Hoyas had to forfeit their Big East rivalry game against the Providence College Friars due to positive cases within their program.

Rhode Island is one of many teams currently dealing with positive cases. In fact, they were forced to cancel their last two games against the College of Charleston and Brown. The Rams will not be charged with a loss to either of those games because both schools are not a part of the Atlantic 10 conference. Rhody is expected to be cleared to play their conference opener at the Ryan Center against Dayton.

The Rams enter this game 8-3 as they wrap up their non-conference schedule. They are yet to lose at home so far this season. However, they have not seen the court since December 13th in a road victory against Milwaukee.

The team has seen major strides from both Makhi and Makhel Mitchell who lead the Rams’ frontcourt. Makhel is currently 14th in the nation in blocked shots per game with thirty-three on the season. His brother Makhi is leading the team in rebounds averaging 6.8 per game.

Coach Cox has also shown a significant amount of confidence in true freshman point guard Sebastian Thomas. The Providence-native played twenty-six minutes off the bench in a win over Sacred Heart.

The Dayton Flyers have had an impressive non-conference schedule finishing with an 8-5 record. They racked up some monumental wins over Miami, No.4 Kansas, and Virginia Tech despite their lack of experience. Their roster shows twelve freshmen and just one senior.

Although there is a lot against the Flyers this season, they exceeded many expectations during the ESPN Events Invitational a couple of weeks back. Dayton entered the tournament on a three-game losing skid. However, they went on to win three games in four days and take home their first championship since 2011.

Toumani Camara, Daron Holmes II, and Malachi Smith have led the Flyers in all categories. Camara leads the team in points with 10.4 and averaging 6.8 rebounds per game, Holmes is leading in blocks with 2.3 per game, and Smith is leading in assists with 4.7 and averaging 2.0 steals per game.

Next. Latest top-25 power rankings. dark

Both of these teams always put on an exciting battle. Rhode Island is favored to take this game but, Dayton can surprise a lot of people. However, I believe the Rams will take the first of their two meetings with the Flyers this season on Thursday night.