Rivalry (finally) renewed: PC, URI ready to battle after two-year absence

Bill Koch, The Providence Journal
·4 min read
Cyril Langevine, left, of URI and Nate Watson of PC battle for a rebound during a game that the Rams won, 75-61, on Dec. 6, 2019.
Cyril Langevine, left, of URI and Nate Watson of PC battle for a rebound during a game that the Rams won, 75-61, on Dec. 6, 2019.

PROVIDENCE — The Rams' Malik Martin has watched this game from the stands. The Friars' A.J. Reeves, Nate Watson and Andrew Fonts came off the bench the last time it was played.

That’s the extent of the roster experience when it comes to the Providence-University of Rhode Island rivalry, and it highlights modern college basketball in a nutshell.

Martin’s older brother, Hassan, was a four-year standout with the Rams. He had graduated by the time URI dealt the Friars a 75-61 setback in the 2019-20 edition, with Reeves struggling to 2-for-9 from the field and Watson working his way back from a knee injury with 10 points.

David Duke left Providence early for the NBA Draft while Fatts Russell completed his tenure with the Rams and transferred to Maryland. Tyrese Martin and Jacob Toppin, the potential foundation for this current URI team, opted to move on to Connecticut and Kentucky, respectively. It’s left both programs a bit uncertain about how players will handle what is certain to be a charged atmosphere at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Saturday afternoon.

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“We want to put on for the fans — I'm sure Providence plans on doing the same,” URI coach David Cox said. “We’re excited about the great atmosphere and we hope to have a great outing on Saturday.”

PC's Emmitt Holt tries to drive past URI’s Jacob Toppin, center, and Mekhi Long during their 2019 matchup at the Ryan Center.
PC's Emmitt Holt tries to drive past URI’s Jacob Toppin, center, and Mekhi Long during their 2019 matchup at the Ryan Center.

The opening of the Ryan Center in the early 2000s has given the Rams a bit more level ground. The state capital is certainly no kind host to them, with Providence winning the last eight meetings downtown. The Friars grinded to a 59-50 triumph in 2018-19, Cox’s first season on the sidelines against Ed Cooley.

“These games are close every single year,” Cooley said. “It never disappoints.”

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The Rams (6-2) held on in the second half to notch a true road win on Wednesday, a 64-57 victory at Harvard. URI saw a 21-point lead melt all the way down to three before correcting course. The Rams were unable to stem the tide in a similar situation at Florida Gulf Coast, squandering a 14-point advantage in a loss.

“We hit a lull offensively,” Cox said. “But we took the punches. We stayed together. We made some big plays down the stretch — some winning plays.”

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URI has shown some extreme strengths and weaknesses this season. The Rams are the top shot-blocking team in the nation, play elite defense inside the 3-point arc and connect at 39.1% from deep. They also commit turnovers on 22.9% of their possessions — such mistakes eventually figure to be punished if repeated each time out.

“We’ve got to just stay levelheaded and expect adversity and fight through it,” Martin said. “We did that last game. They kind of came back and we dealt with adversity the right way.”

Providence (7-1) took down a third Power 5 opponent on Wednesday in its 72-68 rally past Texas Tech. The Friars faced a 14-point deficit in the opening half before cutting it to something manageable at the break. Al Durham took command down the stretch with his 23 points, including a 12-for-13 effort at the foul line.

“This just was a game where you couldn’t be in Romper Room,” Cooley said. “You had to grow up quick. I like the fact we’ve been battle-tested.”

URI’s Fatts Russell is defended by PC’s Nate Watson during their annual rivalry game on Dec. 6, 2019. The teams have not played each other since then. Last year's game was canceled because of COVID-19 concerns.
URI’s Fatts Russell is defended by PC’s Nate Watson during their annual rivalry game on Dec. 6, 2019. The teams have not played each other since then. Last year's game was canceled because of COVID-19 concerns.

Providence gets to the foul line more frequently than any team in the nation and plays one of the oldest lineups — an average of 2.70 years of experience is 11th in the country per KenPom.com. The Friars also drain the shot clock on opposing offenses, forcing them to use nearly 20 seconds per possession. Providence can be left exposed against teams who keep them away from the rim — Virginia gave future foes a blueprint in a 58-40 stinker at the Legends Classic.

“We feel like we can make the right plays,” Durham said. “We’re a veteran group.”

URI’s last road win in the series occurred in 2002-03, as the Rams outlasted the Friars in a 73-71 thriller. Dustin Hellenga and Brian Woodward combined for 41 points to cancel out Ryan Gomes, who totaled 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Providence holds a 74-58 all-time advantage, and URI has won three times in four meetings only once in the last 40 years.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25

Associated Press

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence College, URI will battle in men's basketball