Reviewing the 2017-2018 Rhode Island MBB Non-Conference Schedule
Game by game, I am going to review each team that was scheduled by the Rhode Island MBB team for the non-conference portion of their schedule. Obviously, the Atlantic 10 mandated who the Rams were paired and scheduled with for the 18 games of the conference portion of their schedule.
Friday, November 10: The 2017-2018 Big South favorites and eventual Big South regular season champions proved to be no match for the Rhody Rams. Beating the UNC-Asheville Bulldogs was a good win but it was nothing resume-changing.
Monday, November 13: The seven-point road loss to the Nevada Wolfpack caused some concerns but the result was more about just how good Eric Musselman's team was.
Sunday, November 19: As always, Holy Cross had trouble staying in the game against URI, even with E.C. Matthews not playing in the game. Holy Cross needs to never play URI in men's basketball again.
Thursday, November 23: In arguably the best result of their non-conference schedule, Dan Hurley's team looked like they turned a corner when they used a little luck (a backcourt violation on Angel Delgado) and late-game heroics from Jared Terrell to beat Seton Hall by one, in the Barclays Center.
Friday, November 24: In what turned out to be the number one team in men's college basketball in the 2017-2018 regular season, the Virginia Cavaliers suffocated Rhody with their tremendous defense and Isaiah Wilkins used his size to dominate the post all night.
Tuesday, November 28: Watching URI destroy Brown in the Ryan Center literally put me to sleep on that Tuesday night. If only URI could play Princeton or Yale from the Ivy League instead.
Saturday, December 2: Daron "Fatts" Russell announced his presence on the national scene when he carried Rhode Island over Providence in the Ocean State rivalry game and gave Dan Hurley and the senior class the win that they have always lacked.
Wednesday, December 6: Fresh off of a monumental win over PC, the Rams had a letdown at Coleman Coliseum due to a terrible shooting night against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Saturday, December 16: In what proved to be one of their best non-conference wins of the seasons (along with their wins over Seton Hall and PC), Rhody escaped with a home victory over the College of Charleston.
Thursday, December 21: Dan Hurley's team was plagued by a slow start versus Iona but they pulled through thanks to 23 points from Jared Terrell and a clutch and-one basket by Jeff Dowtin at the end of the game.
Wednesday, December 27: Vintage E.C. Matthews showed up and balled out versus the 2018 Atlantic Sun regular season champions, Florida Gulf Coast.
