RF1

Looks that way. URI however was playing all the other New England state universities outside Vermont well before the Yankee Conference. Obviously since the Yankee Conference ended, the number of games URI has played against the New England state universities has greatly been reduced with the exception of UMass given they have been conference partners for most of that time. The Minutemen will soon pass UConn and are within 13 games of Brown for the most played opponent for URI. I believe that Rhody is still far and away the most played opponent for both UConn and UMass.

Aceinthehole

Just wondering, but how many times have URI played Maine, UNH, UVM, and UConn since the YC stopped sponsoring basketball after the 1975-76 season?

RF1

There wasn't a category in the records which specifically listed this. I had to look over season records. By my count URI has played the other New England state universities since the end of the Yankee Conference as thus:

UMass 74
UConn 17 (but only 3 times since 1985)
UNH 16
Maine 8
UVM 1

The UMass number is obviously a result of the fact that URI and UMass have been in the same conference for nearly the entire period the YC ended and typically have always played twice per season.

The low number of games for UVM and Maine is probably impacted by the distance between the schools. My guess would be that URI has played closer schools such as BU and Northeastern much more frequently than them since the end of the Yankee Conference.

UVM Hoop Cat

Coach Becker on Chris Villani radio show said something about his OOC scheduling philosophy and they try to schedule as many New England/northeast games as they can. Reasons it gives its fans ability to get to the games easily, players get to play in front of their families, and players do not miss as much class having to travel far to games.

I'm all for it- really like how close in proximity the OOC games have been on this years schedule. He said there are enough quality programs in the area, and I agree. Challenge is not everyone wants to play them- but looks like they are making it work.

Love the emphasis on New England/northeastern OOC opponents- add in an exempt tourney (for more games) every once in a while and I'm happy. It's great seeing UConn, URI, Harvard, Northeastern...etc

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

uvm4life20

I agree UVM Hoop Cat. Playing schools you are close too is great for the variety of reasons mentioned. I would like to see UVM play Dartmouth, URI, UCONN, UMASS, Siena, Northeastern, and Harvard every year. I'll add BU to that list as well since they are leaving. I guess part of the problem is getting the school to play at UVM. URI, UMASS, and UCONN prolly dont and wont play at UVM. It would be great if we could get some 2-1 with these schools. The other schools we can play home and home. I dont see a reason not to play these schools. Great for fans, great for players, great for exposure in New England. I really like the Idea of setting up rivalries with these schools by playing them every year. Not necessarily big time rivalries but getting something there with the fellow New England schools.

UVM Hoop Cat

There's a bunch of schools we can play in addition to those- Providence, Brown, Boston College, Holy Cross, UMass.

BU is going to be an OOC team next year as well- hopefully we can continue to play them.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

uvm4life20

I forgot about BC but I did mention BU and UMass.

Personally I like
BU
BC
Northeastern
Harvard
UConn
URI
Umass
Siena
Dartmouth

I would love to see all those schools on the schedule every year. All the NE state schools. All the boston schools. Dartmouth is our closest D1 school. Siena is close and a maac school. The other schools in new england and new york I'm vanilla on. I think that is enough New england schools. The rest of the schedule should be filled with Maryland, New jersey, New York city, and Pennsylvania schools for recruiting reasons.

NotDeadYet

The first h in Darthmouth is usually silent.

RF1

URI Athletics pregame release with link to game notes:

http://www.gorhody.com/sports/m-bask...201211301xo1ib

THE802

UVM playing very well on the road. I give the Rams the edge of having players that are more athletic and a very good rebounder on the team. I think that IF the Cats limit the turnovers but more importantly limit foul trouble and not have to reduce playing time for Apfeld and O'Day, then the UVM bench of going 9-10 deep will wear down RI. Best guess is - pickem,its a 50\50 game

lbvterp

Score 60+ and the Cats should win. This one could be in the upper 40s or 50s the way both teams emphasize defense. Looking forward to the game. I've never been to the Ryan Center.

Blakely4Prez

Anyone know if this CoxSportsOnline is going to be worth $9.95, I'm assuming we have to pay for the monthly? - http://go.coxsportsonline.com/

Old_Cat_Fan

I'm going to try this free funky feed:

http://www.vipboxsports.eu/sports/basketball.html

UVM Hoop Cat

Ethan is a very, very, very good shot blocker. The downside of that I'd he tries to block a lot of shots, and being a frosh hasn't exactly gotten benefit of the whistle. He's been in foul trouble in pretty much every game.

We're obviously deep, but I think we're pretty dangerous when he's on the court. I'm hoping he can avoid foul trouble more consistently.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

Blakely4Prez

Elbaum is killing us in every facet of the game