Men's Basketball 1/20/2012 12:00:00 AM

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RHODE ISLAND VERSUS LA SALLE

Rhode Island takes on La Salle in the lone regular season matchup between the two schools.
URI holds an 21-5 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to the 1976-77 season.
The Runnin' Rams have won their last four visits to Tom Gola Arena.
Last year, the Explorers captured a 76-75 victory at in Kingston on a late put-back.
Head coach Jim Baron holds an all-time 12-6 record vs. the Explorers.

RHODE ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

Since its inaugural season in the conference during the 1980-81 season, Rhode Island has posted a 228-272 (.457) all-time record in Atlantic 10 play.
Last season, Rhody finished with a 9-7 mark in conference play, good for sixth place in the league standings.
Since the 2006-07 season, URI is 47-37 (.560) in league play.

TODAY'S RUNNIN' RAM FACT(S) THAT YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

Today's game marks Rhode Island's 501st as a member of the Atlantic 10; game #500 was last time out at Fordham.
Last year, Rhody faced La Salle on Jan. 22, 2011 in the 19th game of the season.
This year, it is the Rams' 20th game of the year and is being contested on Jan. 21.
In five of the last six meetings, the margin of victory has been in the single-digits. The lone double-digit outcome came in overtime (URI 98, LAS 88, Jan. 31, 2009).
Dating back to the 2006, the average margin of victory in Rhody/La Salle games is 5.0 points.

CLEANING THE GLASS WITH A SPONGE

Jonathan Holton pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds at Fordham on Jan. 18.
It tied for the highest single-game rebounding total in the A-10 this season (Chris Gaston, Fordham, 18 vs. UMass)
Among freshmen nationally, it ranks tied for the second-highest total. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky had 19 rebounds in a game, while his teammate Anthony Davis had 18.
The 19 boards were the most by a Rhody player since Kahiem Seawright had 19 at home against Houston on Nov. 13, 2006.
The last Rhody freshman with 18 or more rebounds in a single game was Antonio Reynolds-Dean, who pulled down 19 caroms vs. Dayton on Jan. 14, 1996.
Holton's rebounding total was split - nine on the offensive glass and nine on the defensive end. The nine offensive boards are an A-10 high this year.
The newcomer from Miami, Fla. ranks third in the Atlantic 10 (thru Jan. 20) in rebounding, at 7.4 per game.

LAST TIME OUT - FORDHAM 66, RHODE ISLAND 64 (JAN. 18)

Jonathan Holton pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds – including nine offensive boards. The 18 rebounds were the most in a game by a Rhode Island player since Kahiem Seawright grabbed 19 at home against Houston on Nov. 13, 2006.
Holton's 18 rebounds rank tied for second-most by a freshman this season. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky had 19, while his teammate Anthony Davis also had 18.
Billy Baron scored a game-high 22 points but also dished out a career-high six assists.
As a team, Rhode Island posted 17 assists – the second-highest total in a game this year. URI had 18 assists in the win over Hofstra.
Orion Outerbridge narrowly missed his fourth double-double of the season, tallying 15 points and nine boards. He also blocked two more shots, giving him 39 on the season and 84 for his career. He needs nine more to crack Rhody's all-time career top 10 list.
Mike Powell took an elbow to the chin early in the first half. He required 12 stitches at the half and finished with seven points and six assists.
Rhody took three charges tonight – two by Orion Outerbridge and one by T.J. Buchanan
After allowing the Bronx Rams to shoot 54.8% from the floor, Rhody's defense held Fordham to just 29.2% shooting from the floor. Fordham did not tally its first field goal of the second half until 12:05 left in regulation.

BARON HOT FROM THE FREE THROW LINE

Billy Baron has connected on his last 22 free throw attempts, dating back to the Dec. 29 game versus James Madison.
Included in the streak was a 10-for-10 performance from the charity stripe at Boston College on Jan. 2.
The sophomore guard ranks first on the team in free throw percentage, connecting on 87.1% from the line (27-31).

HOLTON EARNS SECOND ATLANTIC 10 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK AWARD

On Jan. 16, Jonathan Holton earned his second A-10 Rookie of the Week award of the season.
Sponge averaged 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks for the Rams last week
The Miami, Fla., native scored a career-high 21 points on 9-of-15 (60 percent) shooting while grabbing 12 rebounds (eight offensive) against Duquesne.
It marked the second time the A-10 selected Holton as its top rookie of the week. He also earned the award on Nov. 28.
Classmate Mike Powell was named A-10 Rookie of the Week each of the previous two weeks - the first time since the 1995-96 season that two different Rhody freshman earned weekly rookie honors from the A-10.
That season, both Antonio Reynolds-Dean and current URI assistant coach Preston Murphy were recognized by the conference.
It is the first time in program history that two different URI players earned A-10 Rookie of the Week honors twice in the same season.

MALONE SHAKING OFF THE RUST

After a slow start, junior transfer Andre Malone tallied three double-digit scoring games in his last four outings.
On Jan. 14 versus Duquesne, Malone scored a season-high 17 points (7-14 FG; 3-8 3FG).
He also had 14 points at George Washington and 10 versus Richmond on Jan. 7.
Over the last four games, the 6-6 guard has connected on 20-for-46 from the floor - including nine 3-pointers
The transfer from Auburn had struggled from the floor (6-32 FG; 2-13 3FG) in his first four games after becoming eligible to compete on Dec. 23.

POWELL NAMED CO-ATLANTIC 10 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK AGAIN

For the second straight week, the Atlantic 10 selected Mike Powell as its Co-Rookie of the Week on Jan. 9
Powell averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 assists in a 1-1 week for Rhode Island.
He matched his career-high of 21 points in a 78-72 double overtime win at Boston College on Jan. 2. He also added seven rebounds and three assists versus the Eagles.
Powell also earned weekly rookie honors from the A-10 on Jan. 2, averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in a 1-1 week for Rhode Island.
He becomes the second Ram to earn A-10 Rookie of the Week honors, as Jonathan Holton was honored by the league on Nov. 28.

MIKE POWELL, FOR STARTERS

In his last eight starts, freshman PG Mike Powell is averaging 12.5 points - second-most on the team during that span.
He posted back-to-back career-highs of 21 points at UCF on Dec. 30 and at Boston College on Jan. 2.
Over the eight-game span, Powell is also averaging 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals per contest.
Powell was named Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Week on consecutive weeks (Jan. 2 and Jan. 9).

BILLY BALL

Billy Baron has scored in double-figures in six of his last seven games - including a team-high 22 points last time out at Fordham.
Baron had a collegiate-high 24 points at Boston College - besting his previous high of 19, set last year at Virginia (vs. William & Mary, Nov. 12, 2010).
The sophomore guard also connected on four 3-pointers and 10-of-10 from the charity stripe vs. the Eagles.
Baron's 10-for-10 free throw shooting performance was the best by a Ram in a single game since Brian Woodward was 16-for-16 versus Yale on Jan. 7, 2004.
In his eight games played this season, Baron is averaging 14.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

DEFENSIVE WOES

The Runnin' Rams rank 312th out of 339 in scoring defense, allowing 75.2 points per game.
Rhode Island is also 327th in defensive field goal percentage, allowing opponents to shoot 48.6% from the floor
URI is 233rd in defensive 3-point FG percentage, as the opposition is connecting on 35.5% from the perimeter
Rhody opponents have scored 80 or more points five times, 90+ three times, and 100 once.
Rhody has allowed an opponent to shoot 50.0% or better in a single half of play in 15 of its 19 games

FRESHMEN MAKING AN IMPACT

Jonathan Holton ranks 11th among all frosh nationally in rebounding, pulling down 7.4 boards per game
Holton is also tied for 31st among all freshmen in blocked shots (1.1 bpg).
Mike Powell is 25th among all frosh in assists per game (3.6).
Rhody's newcomers account for 38% of the team's scoring, 38% of rebounding, and 58% of assist totals.

OVERTIME

With the Jan. 2 double-overtime win at Boston College, Rhody has played in three overtime games (four total OT periods) so far this season - the most since the 2008-09 campaign.
In all three OT contests this season, a freshman has scored the game-tying points in regulation.
Last time out at Boston College, Mike Powell connected on a free throw with 21 seconds left to tie the game at 59-59.
In the other two OT tilts, Powell (vs. Maine) and Jonathan Holton (at George Mason) tied the game in regulation with a 3-point field goal.
During the 2008-09 campaign, Rhody opened A-10 play with a triple-overtime loss at Saint Joseph's, before winning a double OT game on the road at George Washington.
The Rams played two other OT games that season - at home against La Salle and Dayton - for a total of four OT games (seven total OT periods).

NOW TRENDING: ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO

Through the Runnin' Rams first 19 games, they have posted more assists than turnovers three times - at George Washington (Jan. 11), vs. Providence (Dec. 23) and vs. Hofstra (Nov. 25).
On the season, URI has a 0.75:1 assist/turnover ratio (213 assists/284 turnovers)
URI is averaging 14.9 turnovers, while dishing out 11.2 assists per game.
Last season, in games with a positive assist/turnover ratio, Rhody was 12-3.

CLOSING THE BOOK ON THE NON-CONFERENCE SLATE

Rhode Island closed out its 2011-12 non-conference schedule with a 78-72 double OT win at Boston College on Jan. 2.
11 of the 15 Rams' opponents have posted a winning record and seven of the 15 have 10 or more victories.
The combined win-loss record of the teams on Rhody's non-conference slate is 122-84 (as of Jan. 5).
According to RealTimeRPI.com, Rhody's non-conference strength of schedule ranking is 75 - sixth-best in the A-10.
Since joining the Eastern 8 in the 1980-81 season, URI has posted a 247-198 mark in non-conference play.
Dating back to the 2006-07 season, the Rams have posted a 64-36 record versus out-of-conference opponents.
Rhody' s six opponents in the month of November - George Mason, Texas, Nebraska, Hofstra, Boston Univ., and Cleveland State - combined for 143 wins and six postseason appearances (3 NCAA, 2 NIT, 1 CBI) last year.
Nine of the 15 teams the Runnin' Rams will face in the non-conference slate won 21 or more games a season ago.
10 of the 15 made postseason appearances (3 NCAA, 4 NIT, 3 CBI) in 2010-11.

TRANSFERS MAKE RHODY DEBUTS

Andre Malone and Billy Baron each played their first games in a Rhode Island uniform on Dec. 23 vs. Providence
Malone earned the start and added four points, two rebounds and two steals in 15 minutes
Baron played 26 minutes, tallying three points, four boards, four assists and a steal
Both players showed a little rust after close to a year off from competition, combining to shoot 1-for-14
David Fox of Rivals.com picked Malone, a 6-6 guard from Atlanta, as the Atlantic 10's Newcomer of the Year.
Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com highlighted Baron, a 6-2 guard and son of head coach Jim Baron, among his top 25 impact transfers nationally

WILSON DISMISSED FROM TEAM

On Dec. 27, head coach Jim Baron announced that senior guard Jamal Wilson has been dismissed from the Rhode Island men's basketball team due to a violation of team rules
Wilson had been the team's leading scorer, averaging 16.4 points in 11 games played.
He poured in a career-high 38 points in the season opener at George Mason on Nov. 11 and was named A-10 Player of the Week on Nov. 14
The Norristown, Pa. native was suspended prior to the Dec. 18 Yale game - also for a violation of team rules

THE FRANTIC FIVE - RHODY'S FIVE FRESHMEN

Rhody's five-player freshman class had its regular season debut on Nov. 11 at George Mason.
Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal dubbed them the "Frantic Five" due to the Runnin' Rams uptempo style
Powell became the first true freshman to start for the Rams as a pure point guard since Tyson Wheeler in 1994-95.
Holton's 14 boards tied the highest rebounding total in a URI debut since Lamar Odom had 14 vs. TCU (Nov. 9, 1998)
Additionally, Holton and Odom are the only two Rhody players to record a double-double in points and rebounds in their Rhody debuts. Holton had 12 points and 14 boards; Odom 19 points and 14 rebounds.
In seven of the last eight games, the Rams have featured three frosh in the starting five; six games with Powell, Holton, and Buchanan and, once with Powell, Buchanan and McKoy.

A-10 PRESEASON POLL: RAMS PICKED 10TH

Rhode Island was picked to finish 10th among the 14 teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference, according to the league's annual preseason poll.
The poll, voted on by A-10 head coaches and media, was released during the conference's annual Media Day conference on October 13.
Xavier tops the poll, followed by Temple, Saint Louis, St. Bonaventure, and Richmond.

20 YEARS IN A-10 FOR BARON

This season marks the 20th for Jim Baron as a head coach in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Baron served as head coach at his alma mater – St. Bonaventure – from 1992-2001, before arriving at URI
During that span he has been named A-10 Coach of the Year four times.

NEXT UP: ST. BONAVENTURE (JAN. 25)

Rhode Island returns home to host St. Bonaventure on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Thomas M. Ryan Center.
The game will be aired live locally on Cox Sports Television (ch. 3/1003 HD) as part of the A-10's CBS Sports Network syndicated package.
Tom McCarthy and Vince Curran will call all the action live.
Rhody fans can listen to the game live on the Beltone Hearing Aid Centers Rams Radio Network (B101 101.5 FM), with Steve McDonald and Don Kaull.
This - and all Rhody games on radio - can be heard on the internet or your iPhone/Blackberry/Android device with the iHeartRadio app. Download the app at: iHeart.com

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