Men's Basketball 2/17/2012 12:00:00 AM

Rams Hit The Road To Take on St. Bonaventure

Gamenotes: Rhode Island/St. Bonaventure (.pdf)

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RHODE ISLAND VERSUS ST. BONAVENTURE

The Rams play the second of two regular season games against St. Bonaventure.
Earlier this season, the Bonnies earned 72-66 overtime win at the Thomas M. Ryan Center on Jan. 25.
Rhody holds a 34-25 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to 1960-61 season.
URI has won six of the last 10 meetings between the two schools and split the season series last year, with each team winning on its respective home court.
Since coming to Kingston after serving in the same capacity at Bonaventure from 1992-2001, head coach Jim Baron is 10-6 versus his alma mater.

RHODE ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

Since its inaugural season in the conference during the 1980-81 season, Rhode Island has posted a 230-278 (.453) 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.
On Jan. 18 at Fordham, Rhode Island played its 500th Atlantic 10 game all-time.

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

Billy Baron - the Rams' leading scorer at 14.1 points per game - is averaging 17.6 points on the road this year.
Mike Powell became the first true freshman since Tyson Wheeler to register at least 100 assists in a single season.
Wheeler dished out 135 helpers in his first season with the Rams in 1994-95.
Lamar Odom is the last Rhody newcomer with 100 or more assists; he had 122 dimes in his lone season in Kingston.
Jonathan Holton's 7.9 rebounds per game average is the highest by a Rhody freshman since Antonio Reynolds-Dean's 8.7 boards per game average in 1995-96.
Holton is also on pace to become the first Rhody frosh to lead the team in rebounding since ARD in 1995-96.

OUTERBRIDGE MOVES INTO TOP 10 ON RHODY'S CAREER BLOCKS LIST

With his two blocks vs. Saint Joseph's on Feb. 15, Orion Outerbridge moved into URI's top 10 career blocks list.
The 6-9 senior now has 94 career blocks, putting him in 10th place. Delroy James sits in ninth place, with 104 swats.
Outerbridge has 49 blocks on the season - which also ranks 10th on Rhody's top 10 single-season record book.
He needs just one more block to become the first Rhody player since Antonio Reynolds-Dean to block 50 or more shots in a single season.
AR-D had 50 blocks during the 1996-97 campaign.
Outerbridge ranks fourth in the Atlantic 10 and 61st nationally in blocked shots, averaging 1.8 swats per game.

LAST TIME OUT - SAINT JOSEPH'S 89, RHODE ISLAND 69 (FEB. 15)

For just the fifth time this season, Rhode Island had a positive assist/turnover ratio. The Rams dished out 12 assists while committing just 10 turnovers.
The 10-turnover total ties a season-low. Rhody also committed just 10 turns at BC on Jan. 2.
Jonathan Holton narrowly missed his eighth double-double of the season, tallying 11 points and nine rebounds. Six of his nine boards were on the offensive glass.
The Rams had 19 offensive rebounds on the night.
Orion Outerbridge led Rhode Island with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting.
Nikola Malesevic added 12 points off the bench in his return from a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules.
T.J. Buchanan saw significant action in the second half – 16 minutes – and scored seven points during the period. He finished the game with four rebounds, three assists and a steal in 28 total minutes.
Mike Powell became the first Rhody freshman since Tyson Wheeler in 1995 to register 100 assists.
Powell led the Rams with six assists – his fifth game with six or more assists this year.

CLEANING THE GLASS WITH A SPONGE

Over the last 10 games, Jonathan Holton has a total of 102 rebounds - good for 10.2 boards per game during the span.
Included in that total was a season-high 18 rebounds at Fordham on Jan. 18, which tied for the highest single-game total in the A-10 this season (Chris Gaston, Fordham, 18 vs. UMass).
Among freshmen nationally, the 18 boards is tied for the second-highest single-game total. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky had 19 rebounds in a game, while his teammate Anthony Davis had 18.
The 18 boards were the most by a Rhody player since Kahiem Seawright had 19 versus Houston (Nov. 13, 2006).
The last Rhody freshman with 18+ rebounds was Antonio Reynolds-Dean - 19 rebounds vs. Dayton on Jan. 14, 1996.
During the seven-game span, Holton has registered five of his team-high seven double-doubles, including a 13-point/13-rebound performance last time out versus Temple.
The newcomer from Miami, Fla. ranks second in the Atlantic 10 (thru Feb. 16) in rebounding, at 7.9 per game and is second in the league in conference games only, with a 9.3 rebounds per game average.

FRESHMEN MAKING AN IMPACT

Jonathan Holton ranks fifth among all frosh nationally in rebounding, pulling down 7.9 boards per game
Holton is also 25th among all freshmen in blocked shots (1.1 bpg).
Mike Powell is 21st among all frosh in assists per game (3.7).
Rhody's newcomers account for 38% of the team's scoring, 41% of rebounding, and 59% of assist totals.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE, DOUBLE-DOUBLE YOUR FUN

A Rhody player registered a double-double in points and rebounds for five straight games - from Jan. 21-Feb. 4.
Versus Temple, Jonathan Holton had 13 points and 13 rebounds - his team-best seventh double-double.
On Feb. 1, Orion Outerbridge registered his fourth double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds against UMass.
Holton began the double-double streak with 18 points and 17 boards at LaSalle on Jan. 21.
He also had 16 points and 11 rebounds vs. St. Bonaventure (Jan. 25) and 16 points and 11 boards at Dayton (Jan. 28).
Rhody's streak of five straight games with a player registering a double-double is the longest since the 1995-96 season.
That season, the Rams had at least one player tally a double-double in six straight games, from Jan. 20 through Feb. 6.
Jonathan Holton ranks tied for fourth among all freshmen nationally with seven double-doubles. Kentucky's Anthony Davis tops the list, with 11.
Holton's seven double-doubles is the most by a Rhody player since Luther Clay had seven during the 1999-2000 season.
Dating back to the 1995-96 season, it ranks as the third-most double-doubles by a Rhody newcomer.
Lamar Odom had 17 in his lone year in Keaney Blue (1998-99), while Antonio Reynolds-Dean tallied 14 in his rookie season in 1995-96.

BARON HOT FROM THE FREE THROW LINE

Billy Baron has connected on 51 of his last 58 free throw attempts, dating back to the Dec. 29 game vs. James Madison.
Last time out at Charlotte, Baron made 7-of-8 from the foul line.
His streak of 23 straight made FT was snapped at La Salle on Jan. 21.
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 82.1% from the line (55-67).
While under the minimum for games played, Baron's season percentage would rank him sixth overall in the A-10.
He ranks 10th in A-10 games only, with an 82.6% (38-46).

HOLTON EARNS FOURTH OVERALL ATLANTIC 10 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK AWARD

On Jan. 30, Jonathan Holton earned his third straight - and fourth overall - A-10 Rookie of the Week award
He averaged a double-double - 16.0 points and 11.0 rebounds - over a two-game span for the Rams this past week.
Sponge had 16 points and 11 rebounds at home against St. Bonaventure on Jan. 25.
At Dayton on Jan. 28, Holton filled out the stat sheet with 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Through games of Jan. 30, Holton ranks second in the A-10 in rebounding, averaging 8.2 boards per game.
Holton was also named A-10 Rookie of the Week on Nov. 28, Jan. 16, and Jan. 23.
It is the fifth straight week a URI rookie earned A-10 accolades. Mike Powell was Rookie of the Week on Jan. 2 and Jan. 9.
It also marks the first time since the 1995-96 season that two different Rhody frosh earned A-10 Rookie honors That season, 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.

OVERTIME

With the Feb. 1 overtime win over Massachusetts, URI has played in five overtime games (six total OT periods) so far this season - the most since the 1985-86 campaign.
That year, the Rams played in six overtime games (seven total OT periods).
Rhody is 2-3 in overtime games this season; the lone win coming in double OT at Boston College.
In the first three OT contests this season, a freshman scored the game-tying points in regulation.
At Boston College, Mike Powell connected on a FT 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.
Orion Outerbridge forced the extra frame in the last two - a putback layup with 1:10 left vs. St. Bonaventure and a jumper with 29 ticks remaining against UMass.

BILLY BALL

Billy Baron has scored in double-figures in 11 of his last 15 games and leads the team in scoring (14.1 ppg)
The 6-2 guard had a collegiate-high 25 points at Dayton, connecting on 7-of-12 from the field.
He was also 4-5 from 3-point land, including 3-of-3 in the second half, and 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
Baron leads the Rams with five 20+ scoring games and third on the team with 11 double-digit scoring games.
In his 16 games, Baron is also averaging 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

DEFENSIVE WOES

The Runnin' Rams rank 323rd out of 339 in scoring defense, allowing 75.9 points per game.
Rhode Island is also 332nd in defensive field goal percentage, allowing opponents to shoot 48.9% from the floor
URI is 228th in defensive 3-point FG percentage, as the opposition is connecting on 35.4% from the perimeter
Rhody opponents have scored 80 or more points nine 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 23 of its 27 games.
Rams' opponents have shot 50.0% or better from the floor on 12 occasions this season.

POWELL NAMED CO-ATLANTIC 10 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK AGAIN

The Atlantic 10 selected Mike Powell as its Co-Rookie of the Week on Jan. 9 - his second such honor of the season.
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 OT win at Boston College on Jan. 2.
The Chicago native also added seven rebounds and three assists versus the Eagles.
Powell also earned weekly rookie honors from the A-10 on Jan. 2.

NOW TRENDING: ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO

Through the Runnin' Rams first 26 games, they have posted more assists than turnovers five times - vs. Saint Joseph's (12/10), at Dayton (17/12), at George Washington (9/8), vs. Providence (14/11) and vs. Hofstra (18/12).
On the season, URI has a 0.75:1 assist/turnover ratio (283 assists/375 turnovers)
URI is averaging 15.0 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.
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.

MALONE OUT DUE TO ACADEMICS

Junior guard Andre Malone has been ruled ineligible due to an unresolved academic matter. His status remains under review.
Due to Federal student privacy laws, URI is not able to comment or provide any further details at this time.
Malone, a transfer from Auburn, joined the Rams on Dec. 23 and has appeared in 10 games for Rhode Island, earning the start in seven. He is averaging 9.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest.

BROOKS TO MISS REMAINDER OF SEASON DUE TO ACADEMICS

Junior Ryan Brooks will miss the remainder of the season due to academics.
Brooks was ruled academically ineligible prior to the Dec. 29 game versus James Madison.
The 6-7 forward averaged 0.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in seven games this season.

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

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 A-10's annual Media Day on October 13.
Xavier tops the poll, followed by Temple, Saint Louis, St. Bonaventure, and Richmond.

NEXT UP: SAINT LOUIS (FEB. 25)

After a week off from competition, Rhode Island returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 25 to host Saint Louis at the Thomas M. Ryan Center.
Tipoff time is set for 2 p.m. and the game that can be seen live as part of the Atlantic 10's regional syndication package with the CBS Sports Network.
Locally, the game will be cleared by Cox Sports. Other clearances: Comcast Sportsnet New England; Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia; Comcast Sportsnet Southeast; Charter Communications (St. Louis).
Rhody fans can listen to the game live on the Beltone Hearing Aid Centers Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM; The Wolf 102.3 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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