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University of Rhode Island

Men's Basketball

Rhody Travels To Xavier for Wednesday Game on CBS Sports

Gamenotes: Rhode Island/Xavier (.pdf)

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RHODE ISLAND VERSUS XAVIER

  • Rhode Island and Xavier meet today in the lone regular season matchup between the two programs.  
  • The Musketeers hold a 17-3 lead in the all-time series, which began in the 1995-96 season.  
  • Last season, Xavier downed the Rams, 72-45, on Jan. 9, 2011 in Kingston.
  • URI has dropped its last four and 16 of the last 17 meetings against the Musketeers.
  • Rhody's last victory over Xavier came in the A-10 Tournament (79-71, March 9, 2007).  The last regular season victory came on Feb. 24, 1998 - a 69-68 decision at the Providence Civic Center.  

RHODE ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

  • Since its inaugural season in the conference during the 1980-81 season, Rhode Island has posted a 230-275 (.455) 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.

CLEANING THE GLASS WITH A SPONGE

  • Over the last seven games, Jonathan Holton has a total of 86 rebounds - good for 12.3 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. 6) in rebounding, at 8.2 per game and is first in the league in conference games only, with a 10.2 rebounds per game average.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE, DOUBLE-DOUBLE YOUR FUN

  • A Rhody player has registered a double-double in points and rebounds in each of the last five games.
  • Last time out vs.  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).

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

  • More notables about double-doubles...
  • 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 third 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 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.

LAST TIME OUT - TEMPLE 73, RHODE ISLAND 56 (FEB. 4)

  • Jonathan Holton registered his seventh double-double of the season, with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
  • Holton connected on all three of his 3-point attempts.  Entering the game, he was just 10-of-68 on the season – including 2-of-16 in A-10 contests.
  • Two others also reached double-digits in the scoring column – Nikola Malesevic (12) and Billy Baron (11).
  • Baron also had four rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes.
  • For the first time in three games, a Rhode Island player did not take a charge.
  • Temple shot 51.8% on the afternoon, marking the 10th time in 24 games that a Rhody opponent shot better than 50.0% in a game.
  • T.J. Buchanan added five points and four rebounds off the bench.  In his last three games, the 6-3 freshman is averaging 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds off the bench.
  • The Rams committed a season-low seven personal fouls.
  • URI held a 12-5 edge on the offensive glass, converting those boards into 10 second-chance points.

THE OTHER GUYS

  • Freshmen Dominique McKoy and T.J. Buchanan played key roles in two of the biggest plays of the UMass win.
  • With 2.5 seconds left in the first half, McKoy forced a steal and found Buchanan on an out-pattern as he went the length of the floor for a buzzer-beating layup at the half.
  • In the second half, McKoy scored four points in a 7-2 scoring push that cut the UMass lead from six to just one - 60-59 with 5:04 left.  Buchanan hit a go-ahead 3-pointer at the 2:45 mark, giving URI a 63-62 edge.  

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 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.  

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.

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.

FRESHMEN MAKING AN IMPACT

  • Jonathan Holton ranks fifth among all frosh nationally in rebounding, pulling down 8.2 boards per game
  • Holton is also tied for 25th among all freshmen in blocked shots (1.2 bpg).
  • Mike Powell is 18th among all frosh in assists per game (3.9).
  • Rhody's newcomers account for 38% of the team's scoring, 41% of rebounding, and 61% of assist totals.

BARON HOT FROM THE FREE THROW LINE

  • Billy Baron has connected on 37 of his last 41 free throw attempts, dating back to the Dec. 29 game vs. James Madison.
  • Last time out at Dayton, 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 82.0% from the line (41-50).

MIKE POWELL, FOR STARTERS

  • In his last 12 starts, freshman PG Mike Powell is averaging 11.3 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds.
  • He posted back-to-back career-highs of 21 points at UCF on Dec. 30 and at Boston College on Jan. 2.
  • Powell was named Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Week on consecutive weeks (Jan. 2 and Jan. 9).
  • On Jan. 28 at Dayton, Powell dished out a career-high eight assists.

BILLY BALL

  • Billy Baron has scored in double-figures in nine of his last 12 games and leads the team in scoring (13.5 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.
  • In his 13 games, Baron is also averaging 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

DEFENSIVE WOES

  • The Runnin' Rams rank 321st out of 339 in scoring defense, allowing 75.5 points per game.
  • Rhode Island is also 329th in defensive field goal percentage, allowing opponents to shoot 48.6% from the floor
  • URI is 239th 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 seven 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 19 of its 23 games.

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.
  • 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, Jan. 16, and Jan. 23.

NOW TRENDING: ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO

  • Through the Runnin' Rams first 24 games, they have posted more assists than turnovers four times - at Dayton (Jan. 28), at George Washington (Jan. 11), vs. Providence (Dec. 23) and vs. Hofstra (Nov. 25).
  • On the season, URI has a 0.76:1 assist/turnover ratio (274 assists/359 turnovers)
  • URI is averaging 15.0 turnovers, while dishing out 11.4 assists per game.
  • Last season, in games with a positive assist/turnover ratio, Rhody was 12-3.

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.

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.
  • The Rams have featured three frosh in the starting five on several occasions; 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 A-10's annual Media Day on October 13.  
  • Xavier tops the poll, followed by Temple, Saint Louis, St. Bonaventure, and Richmond.  

NEXT UP:  CHARLOTTE (FEB. 11)

  • Rhode Island travels to Charlotte on Saturday afternoon.
  • Tipoff time against the 49ers is set for 2 p.m. at Halton Arena.
  • 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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