Rhody Travels to Texas on Nov. 15 in Legends Classic First Round

July 26, 2011

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Beginning on July 25, GoRhody.com will announce the 2011-12 non-conference schedule for the men's basketball team.

Regular season opponents and dates will be revealed on a daily basis and will include tentative game times when possible. The Atlantic 10 conference slate, as well as the television lineup, will be announced at a later date.

Rhode Island may also add a game to the non-conference schedule for the upcoming season. Opponent and game information will be provided at that time.

On Nov. 15, Rhode Island will hit the road for the first time, taking on Texas in the opening round game of the 2011 Legends Classic.

The Longhorns and Rams last met on the hardwood on Nov. 27, 1996 in Austin, dropping an 86-79 decision. UT holds a 4-1 record in the overall series between the two teams.

2011-12 Non-Conference Schedule 

Rhode Island College

2010-11 overall record: 21-8
2010-11 conference record/finish: 11-3/First (Little East Conference)
Head Coach: Bob Walsh (Hamilton, 1994)
Leading returning scorer: Mike Akinrola, Sr., 6-6, C (14.4 ppg)

Walsh has compiled a 135-43 record over the last six years, transforming Rhode Island College into one of the top programs at the NCAA Division III level. Local products Mike Akinrola (Woonsocket, R.I./Woonsocket) and Mason Choice (Newport, R.I./Rogers) are the Anchormen's top returning scorers, at 14.4 and 12.1 points per game, respectively.

Ryerson University

2010-11 overall record: 14-12
2010-11 conference record/finish: 11-11/fourth (Ontario University Athletics/OUA/East)
Head Coach: Roy Rana
Leading returning scorer: Jahmal Jones, So., 6-0, G (17.2 points per game)

Roy Rana is entering his third season as the head coach of Ryerson University in Toronto. Last season, the Rams advanced to the OUA Quarterfinals, falling 97-73 to Carleton - Canada's top university team. Prior to joining the staff at Ryerson, he was the head coach of Eastern Commerce H.S. in Toronto, coaching the likes of Jamaal Magloire and several other NCAA Division I players.

Three of Ryerson's top four scorers from a season ago return this year, including Jahmal Jones (17.2 ppg), Ola Adegboruwa (13.2 ppg), and Jordon Gauthier (12.2 ppg). Ryerson is currently renovating the old Maple Leaf Gardens, converting it into 150,000 square feet of athletics and recreation space, while also serving as the new home to the Rams' hockey, basketball and volleyball teams.

Maine

2010-11 overall record: 15-15
2010-11 conference record/finish: 9-7/fourth (America East)
Head Coach: Ted Woodward
Leading returning scorer: Gerald McLemore, Sr., 6-3, G (13.7 points per game)

Maine is Rhody's sixth most-common opponent, as the two teams have met on 98 previous occasions. URI holds an 85-13 all-time mark, but the Black Bears captured the last meeting (47-44, Nov. 26, 2004) at the Thomas M. Ryan Center. The win was the first as a head coach for Ted Woodward, who will be entering his eighth season at the helm of the men's basketball program at UMaine.

The Black Bears return Gerald McLemore, a 6-3 senior guard from San Diego, Calif. A second team All-America East selection a season ago, he averaged 13.7 points per game and led Maine with 74 3-point field goals made. Boston native Raheem Singleton is the team's top returning assist man, dishing out 3.7 helpers to go along with 8.6 points per game.

Texas

2010-11 overall record: 28-8
2010-11 conference record/finish: 13-3/second (Big 12)
Head Coach: Rick Barnes
Leading returning scorer: J'Covan Brown, Jr., 6-1, G (10.4 points per game)

Texas, much like Rhody, enters the 2011-12 with a reshaped roster. The Longhorns lost their entire starting five - as three underclassmen went to the NBA Draft and five others exhausted their eligibility. UT's top returning scorer - J'Covan Brown, a 6-1 guard from Port Arthur, Texas - saw 21.5 minutes of action off the bench in Texas' 36 games last season.

Head coach Rick Barnes, now in his 14th season at Texas, has amassed a 322-123 record at the helm of the Longhorns. He has guided Texas to 13 straight 20-win seasons and 13-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He is 4-2 all-time versus Rhode Island, with all six meetings occurring during his time at Providence (1988-94).