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University of Rhode Island

Men's Basketball

Quick Turnaround for Rhode Island; Travels to Auburn on Sunday Afternoon

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RHODE ISLAND VS. AUBURN

  • Tonight's game marks the first time the Rams and Tigers meet on the hardwood.

RHODE ISLAND IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY

  • Since joining the Eastern 8 in the 1980-81 season, URI has posted a 247-203 mark in non-conference play.
  • Dating back to the 2006-07 season, the Rams have posted a 64-41 record versus out-of-conference opponents.

RHODE ISLAND VERSUS SEC OPPONENTS

  • Rhode Island has posted a 4-11 record all-time versus teams from the Southeastern Conference.
  • The Rams fell at Florida (84-59) on Jan. 2, 2012
  • URI's most common SEC opponent is South Carolina, with the two teams meeting on seven occasions.  
  • Rhody's last win over an SEC opponent came on Nov. 10, 1998, when the Rams downed Vanderbilt, 82-69, at the Providence Civic Center.

LAST TIME OUT - LOYOLA (MD.) 58, RHODE ISLAND 54 (NOV. 23)

  • Jordan Hare put forth the best effort of his young career, grabbing 16 rebounds to go along with eight points and seven blocks.
  • Rhody had three score in double-figures, with Nikola Malesevic's 16 points leading the way.  The senior from Serbia was 6-of-12 from the floor (4-5 2FG; 2-7 3FG), but struggled from the line (2-6 FT).
  • As a team, Rhode Island converted just 10-of-20 from the charity stripe.  It was the lowest FT% performance of the season and lowest since last season's game at George Washington (12-28; 42.9%).
  • Andre Malone recorded his fourth double-digit scoring game of the season, with 11 points.  He also added a career-best three blocked shots.
  • As a team, Rhody blocked 12 Loyola shots - the most in a game since the Rams recorded 12 swats vs. Yale on Dec. 18, 2011.
  • The Rams committed a season-high 13 turnovers on the night (11 in regulation).
  • Rhody's defense held Loyola to just 34.3% shooting from the floor (23-67 FG; 4-20 3FG).  It's a season-low defensive FG% mark for Rhode Island.

JORDAN HARE - THE SHOT BLOCKER, NOT THE STADIUM

  • Jordan Hare put forth one of the top efforts by a freshman during the 2012-13 season.
  • The 6-10 newcomer pulled down 16 rebounds and blocked seven shots last time out against Loyola (Md.).
  • The 16 rebounds rank as the second-highest single-game total by a freshman this year (Jordan Reed, Binghamton, 18 reb.)
  • Hare's seven blocked shots is also second-best by a frosh in 2012-13 game (Chris Obekpa, St. John's, 8 blk.)
  • Additionally, Hare is just one of two players nationally to have a 16 rebound/7 blocked shot performance this year (Martin Seiferth, Eastern Washington).
  • He ranks seventh nationally among freshmen in blocked shots per game (2.4 bpg)
  • Hare's seven blocks were the most by a Rhody player since Chris Scotti also swatted seven shots against Bryant on Dec. 13, 1984.
  • He also added a season-best eight points in the Loyola game.
  • The Saginaw,  Mich. native was named to the Atlantic 10's Preseason All-Rookie Team.

TODAY'S RHODE ISLAND BASKETBALL FACT(S) YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

  • Today's theme:  Dan Hurley's emphasis on Rhody's defensive effort
  • Last season, Rhode Island was one of the worst defensive teams in the country.
  • The Rams ranked 321st out of 339 in scoring defense (75.5 points/game) and 324th in FG% defense (47.5%).
  • URI allowed its opponents to score 80 or more points 11 times, 90+ three times, and 100 once.
  • Rams' opponents shot 50.0% or better from the floor in a full game on 13 occasions last season.
  • So far this season, the Rams are allowing almost 11 fewer points per game, and have lowered their FG% defense number to 41.4%.

A SORT OF HOMECOMING - ANDRE MALONE RETURNS TO AUBURN

  • Andre Malone has tallied double-figures in the scoring column in four of five games this season.
  • He scored 11 points (5-12 FG) last time out against Loyola (Md.).
  • Malone tallied a season-high versus Norfolk State with 13 points (6-7 FT) and four rebounds in 36 minutes.
  • The 6-6 senior from Atlanta had 11 points (3-4 3FG) against Ohio State and 12 points against Seton Hall.
  • In 42 games with the Tigers from 2009-11, Malone scored 206 points (4.9 ppg) and knocked down 36 3FG.  
  • As a sophomore in 2010-11, Malone started 10 of the 11 games in which he appeared, averaging 11.7 points while connecting on 44.4% of his 3-point attempts (24-54).

RAMS FACING ONE OF THE TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULES IN NATION

  • Rhode Island is embarking on a difficult and challenging non-conference schedule in 2012-13.  
  • Through games of Nov. 23, the combined record of teams URI has played is 20-5.
  • The 2011-12 win-loss record of Rhode Island's non-conference slate is: 290-182 (.614).
  • Nine of the Rams 13 non-league opponents won 21 or more games.
  • Eight played in the postseason, including five NCAA Tournament teams and a Final Four participant (Ohio State).
  • Three teams - Norfolk State, Loyola (Md.), and Vermont - won their conference tournaments in 2012.
  • URI will play true road games at Virginia Tech (ACC), Auburn (SEC), Providence (Big East), and Saint Mary's (WCC).
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