UMass vs Rhode Island: 2022-23 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

While Rhode Island has dealt with the growing pains in year one of the Archie Miller era, they’ll look to get back in the win column against UMass at home.

TV schedule: Saturday, February 18, 2:00 pm ET. ESPNU

Arena: Thomas M. Ryan Center in Kingston, RI

With URI and UMass rebuilding under first-year head coaches, both programs have faced challenges this season. While both teams sit toward the bottom of the conference standings, it is always exciting when both schools meet because of the matchup’s history.

These two teams faced off on January 14 at the Mullins Center earlier this year. The Minutemen were led by Matt Cross, who posted 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. UMass was victorious 75-65.

The Rams are yet to win on the road and are 0-9 in games on the road this season, so they’ll be looking forward to the home-court advantage on Saturday.

The Ring of Honor ceremony is scheduled for this Saturday’s game during halftime, which will honor three Rhode Island Rams 1987-88 Sweet Sixteen team members: Carlton ‘Silk’ Owens, Tom Garrick, and Kenny Green.

This game is also essential for seeding, with just five games remaining and the 2023 Atlantic 10 Championship approaching on March 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

The Rhode Island Rams will be short-handed as guard Brayon Freeman was dismissed from the program earlier in the week by Coach Archie Miller. The George Washington transfer averaged 14.3 points per game and was a crucial part of the Rams’ backcourt this season.

This decision impacts Rhode Island’s rotation and will be affected by in-game situations regarding foul trouble and injuries. We can expect sophomore guard Sebastian Thomas and redshirt junior Jalen Carey to take on a more prominent role and get more opportunities down the stretch. The Rams will continue to rely on their leading scorer Ishmael Leggett, who is averaging 15.9 points per game.

The Minutemen are looking to snap a five-game losing streak after dropping their most recent game to the Loyola Chicago Ramblers. They will be looking to senior guard Noah Fernandes or junior forward Matt Cross to open up the scoring against Rhode Island.

UMass’s key to the game will be attacking the glass and rebounding. The Minutemen have to play bigger than Rhode Island and fight for second-chance points. We can expect Coach Frank Martin to allow Dyondre Dominguez or Wildens Leveque to play significant minutes inside the paint on both ends of the floor.

I expect this to be an exciting battle between both mid-major programs and for this to be a close and competitive game that may be decided in the final possessions.