Men's Basketball
URI Opens 2009-10 Season with 151st Meeting Versus Brown
Nov. 17, 2009
KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island kicks off the 2009-10 regular season against Brown on Nov. 18. The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. at the Pizzitola Center in Providence.
The Rams' most common opponent, Wednesday night will mark the 151st meeting between the two schools on the hardwood. URI holds a 98-52 lead in the all-time series. Rhode Island has captured the last seven and 13 of the last 14 meetings.
Last year, the Rams narrowly defeated the Bears, 76-74, last year on Nov. 14, 2008 at the Thomas M. Ryan Center. Since the 1903-04 season, Rhode Island has faced Brown in season opening games on 12 occasions, posting a 10-2 mark in those games.
Head coach Jim Baron and the Rams played two preseason exhibition games - a 93-54 victory over Concordia (Que.) on Nov. 6 followed by a 101-76 win against Rhode Island College on Nov. 10.
Rhody returns two of its top four scorers from a season ago. Keith Cothran - a 2009-10 Preseason All-Atlantic 10 third team selection - averaged 13.2 points per game last season, while Delroy James, the 2009 Atlantic 10 Sixth Man of the Year, led all reserves in conference play with averages of 9.9 points and 6.1 rebounds.
Brown, under second-year head coach Jesse Agel, has compiled a 1-1 record so far in 2009-10. The Bears captured a 68-64 victory at St. Francis (N.Y.) on Nov. 13 before dropping a 69-55 loss at Virginia Tech on Nov. 15.
The Bears posted a 9-19 record in 2008-09 and return first team All-Ivy senior center Matt Mullery. Brown's top returning scorer, the 6-8 forward recorded 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, four steals and six blocked shots in the win at SFNY. Also returning for Brown is honorable mention All-Ivy selection forward Peter Sullivan and junior guard Adrian Williams.
In the 102 previous season openers, the University of Rhode Island has posted an outstanding 82-20 (.804) winning percentage. Under head coach Jim Baron, the Rams have a 7-1 (.875) mark in season openers.
Tonight's game marks the first time in seven years that Rhody has opened regular season play on the road. On Nov. 22, 2002, URI traveled to Northeastern, earning a 95-82 victory over the Huskies.
Steve McDonald and URI Hall of Famer Don Kaull will call all the action live on the Beltone New England Rams Radio Network, powered by B101 (WWBB 101.5 FM). Tune in for the Cox pre-game show, beginning at 7 p.m.
