THE BASICS
Rhode Island (11-2, 0-1 A-10) vs. George Mason (10-4, 1-0 A-10)
Tip-Off: Saturday, Jan. 4, 2:05 p.m. EST
Coverage: Watch: USA Network | Listen: Varsity Network | Live Stats | Game Notes

RHODE ISLAND VS. GEORGE MASON - SERIES NOTES

• Rhode Island and George Mason are meeting for the 16th time, with the Patriots holding an 8-7 edge. 
• George Mason has won four straight in the series, including both meetings last season.
• Last year, Rhode Island fell 92-84 at George Mason on Jan. 27 and then again 69-51 in the Ryan Center on March 6.
• Rhode Island is 4-5 when hosting George Mason.
• Four of the first seven meetings between the schools were decided by three points or less. Five of the last eight contests have been decided by double digits, with none of the games being decided by fewer than seven points.
• The Patriots enter the weekend on a three-game winning streak, and have won eight of their last nine overall. The lone loss was a 68-47 defeat to then No. 5 Duke. 
• George Mason is one of the toughest defenses to shoot against. The Patriots lead the Atlantic 10 and rank fourth in the country in field goal defense, as opponents shoot just 35.6 percent.
• Rhode Island is fourth in the A-10 in the category, as opponents shoot just 40.0 percent against the Rams.
• This game features the top two Atlantic 10 teams in terms of rebounding margin. George Mason outrebounds opponents by an average of 6.9 boards per game, while Rhode Island is +5.2 per game.
• George Mason is last in the A-10 in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.04. The Patriots average just 13.5 assists per game and give it away 13.0 times per game.
• Rhode Island is middle-of-the-pack in the A-10, ranking seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.29) with 15.8 assists and 12.3 turnovers per game.

GAME TO AIR ON USA NETWORK

• Saturday will mark Rhode Island's third national television appearance of the season, as the USA Network will broadcast the game.
• Jack Benjamin will handle play-by-play with Tim McCormick as the color analyst.
• Steve McDonald and Chris DiSano have the audio call on the Varsity Network. 

RAMS AIM TO STAY PERFECT AT HOME

• Rhode Island is unbeaten in the Ryan Center this season, winning all eight of its home games.
• The Rams already are just one win away from last season's home win total, when they were 9-8.
• The last time URI won nine straight home games was a stretch from the 2020-21 season into the 2021-22 season. Rhody started that run with a 91-89 double-overtime win over Dayton in its home finals of the 2020-21 season, then won its first eight home games the following season.
• The last time Rhode Island won its first nine home games was the 2017-18 season.
• That year, the Rams were 15-1 at home, with the lone loss being a 78-48 defeat against Saint Joseph's in the home finale.
• Overall, URI won 17 straight home games from the end of 2016-17 through 2017-18.

THOMAS TOPS 20 POINTS FOR FIFTH TIME

• Point guard Sebastian Thomas has scored 20 or more points in three straight games, and four of his last five games overall.
• He has at least 18 points in his last six games played.
• Thomas has five 20-point performances this season, with his season high being 23 against Lafayette.
• He leads Rhode Island with 17.8 points per game, which ranks fifth in the Atlantic 10.
• Last season at UAlbany, Thomas led the America East with 19.6 points per game.
•  He has 1,090 career points.