Men's Basketball 12/5/2012 12:00:00 AM

Rhody Looking to #RunTheDunk; Faces Providence on Thursday Night

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RHODE ISLAND vs. PROVIDENCE

For the 125th time, Rhode Island and Providence will face each other on the hardwood tonight in the Capital City.
URI's fifth most common opponent, the Friars hold a 68-56 lead in the all-time series, which began on Dec. 7, 1920.
Last year, URI dropped an 80-61 decision at the Thomas M. Ryan Center on Dec. 23, 2011
Providence has won the last four meetings between the two teams at the Dunkin Donuts Center.

RHODE ISLAND VS. PROVIDENCE - VENUES AND RECORDS
Record at URI: The Rams lead 38-26

In games played at the Ryan Center, Rhody is 4-1; at the Providence Civic Center as its home court, the Rams were 8-9.

Record at Providence: The Friars lead 40-17

Neutral Court: The Friars lead 2-1

RHODE ISLAND VERSUS THE BIG EAST

Rhode Island is 20-50 all-time versus Big East opponents.
Dan Hurley is 1-3 all-time coaching against Big East schools, dropping a 60-55 decision to Seton Hall on Nov. 18 at Mohegan Sun Arena in the Hall of Fame Tipoff Classic.
Hurley was 1-2 versus Big East foes while at Wagner, including a 59-54 win at #15 Pittsburgh last year (Dec. 23, 2011).

RHODE ISLAND IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY

Since joining the Eastern 8 in the 1980-81 season, URI has posted a 249-204 mark in non-conference play.
Dating back to the 2006-07 season, the Rams have posted a 66-42 record versus out-of-conference opponents.

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

Today's Theme: Rhody's lack of playing experience in the Providence Series
Seniors Ryan Brooks and Nikola Malesevic are the only two Rams that have played in more than one URI/PC game.
Graduate transfer Alwayne Bigby faced Providence twice while at Northeastern, averaging 6.5 points and 2.5 boards.
Only Malesevic (10 points, Dec. 4, 2010) and Mike Powell (13 points, Dec. 22, 2011) have tallied double-figures in a single game against Providence.
Transfer forward Gilvydas Biruta played against Providence on three occasions during his two seasons at Rutgers, averaging 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds.
As a Ram from 1995-99, assistant coach Preston Murphy played the Friars three times, averaging 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. He missed his senior year matchup due to a sprained ankle.
During his playing career at Seton Hall, head coach Dan Hurley faced Providence twice a year in conference play.

MUNFORD LEADS ATLANTIC 10 IN SCORING

Junior guard Xavier Munford ranks first in scoring in the Atlantic 10 (through games of Dec. 3).
The Hillside, N.J. native checks in at 18.9 points per game, which also ranks him 53rd nationally.
Munford is tied for fifth in the A-10 in 3-pointers made (21 3FG; 2.6 3FG/g).
He has registered four of Rhody's top five scoring performances this season, including a 33-point effort at Auburn.

JORDAN HARE: RANKS AMONG NATION'S BEST IN BLOCKED SHOTS

Jordan Hare ranks second in the Atlantic 10 and is tied for 22nd overall nationally in blocks (2.6 bpg) -- thru Dec. 3.
Hare also ranks as the fifth-best shot blocker among all freshmen nationally.
He blocked a career-high seven shots against Loyola (Md.) and followed that up with six swats against George Mason - two of the top four single-game shot blocking performances by a freshman this season.
The 6-10 newcomer is averaging 18.5 minutes of play per game - which translates to a block every seven minutes.
Hare's seven blocks were the most by a Rhody player since Dec. 13, 1984 (7, Chris Scotti vs. Bryant).
He also had one of the top rebounding performances this season by a freshman, with 16 against Loyola (Md.).
The 16 rebounds is tied for the second-highest single-game total by a freshman this year.
He is one of just two players to have a 16 rebound/7 blocked shot performance this season.

EXTRA BASKETBALL

Rhody has played in two overtime games this season - Loyola (Md.) on Nov. 23 and a double OT win at Auburn (Nov. 25).
Last year, Rhode Island played in five OT games (six total OT periods) - the most since the 1985-86 campaign.
That year, URI played in six overtime games (seven total OT periods).
Over the last five seasons, the Rams have played in 15 overtime games and are 7-8 in those contests.

TURN AROUND ON TURNOVER COUNT

Through their first eight games, the Rams are averaging just 10.6 turnovers per contest - tied for 16th nationally.
A season ago, Rhode Island averaged 14.5 turnovers per game, which ranked 247th nationally.
The Rams registered a season-low six turnovers against George Mason on Nov. 28.
That was the lowest TO mark since Rhody committed a program record-low two turns against Nevada (March 22, 2010).
Rhody committed a season-high 13 turnovers vs. Loyola (Md.).
Last season, Rhode Island had just eight games with 11 or fewer turnovers.

IMPROVED DEFENSIVE EFFORT IN 2012-13

A major point of emphasis for head coach Dan Hurley is improving Rhody's defensive effort from last season.
Last season, Rhody was one of the worst defensive teams in the country, ranking 321st out of 339 in scoring defense (75.5 points/game) and 324th in FG% defense (47.5%).
In 2012-13, the Rams are allowing 11.0 fewer points per game and have lowered their defensive FG% to 41.3%.
Through eight games this season, Rhode Island has allowed 70 or more points once, which came in the double-overtime win at Auburn (72 points allowed).
Last year, Rhody gave up 70 or more points 23 times in 31 games and allowed its opponents to score 80+ points 11 times, 90+ three times, and 100 once.