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Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2009 > February > 24 > Entry
Rhode Island looks to get into NCAA picture
Rhode Island isn’t getting much love from those who put together those mock NCAA tournament brackets, but that could change with a victory over Dayton.
The Rams are 20-8 overall and 9-4 in the league, and a victory would keep them in the title chase. They’re 67th in the RPI, five spots ahead of Notre Dame.
Rhode Island has beaten Penn State and two highly regarded mid-majors, Virginia Commonwealth and Northeastern, among others. And when a reporter suggested that his team seems to be getting overlooked in the NCAA discussions, Rams coach Jim Baron said: “We’ve just got to keep working to improve and be as competitive as we possibly can in the league. You’re right, as I look across the board and look at some of these teams … we’ve played a tough schedule — at Duke and at Oklahoma State and Villanova and Penn State. We’ve played a lot of BCS schools.
“We just have to do the things we can control leading into the conference tournament. That’s the most important thing for us.”
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Comments
By Joe
February 24, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this
I think Temple is the only team other than XU and UD that could get an at-large bid but URI can get the 4th bye and that will give them a real chance at winning the A-10 tourney.By Glen
February 24, 2009 6:15 PM | Link to this
If you think that RI is in the NCAA picture, I have some swamp land to sell you. They are NIT material at best.By AK
February 25, 2009 4:57 AM | Link to this
Glen, how many times have you seen URI play? I bet you could pick Kaheem Seawright out of a lineup.By Glen
February 25, 2009 8:07 AM | Link to this
Take a look at the ESPN bubble watch. RI is no where to be found. They have no chance of getting into the NCAA tournament unless they win the conference tournament. They simply are not that good. We should win this game pretty easily.By Jeff
February 25, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this
Glen, Pretty Easily??? Did you watch the game last saturday? We will be lucky to win this one especially on the road. Rhode Island is a tough team who had a very tough non conference. Obviously I want UD to win but to say pretty easily with our bunch is ridiculousBy Jim
February 25, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
Dayton, like every team in the Atlantic 10 struggles on the road. If this game were at UD Arena, Dayton would win by 10, but given the fact that it is in RH, they will more than likely lose by 6.By Joe
February 25, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
Dayton hasn’t won a game in front of a big, hostile crowd yet this season. Their best wins away from UD Arena has been in front of small crowds in places that aren’t well known for having tough crowds. @URI and @XU will be big, hostile crowds so UD has a chance to take a step forward as a team and win one of those. I think part of the problem in those settings is the refs get intimidated and call the game tighter (which negatively effects a team like UD that is so dependent on aggressive defense). UD can afford some fouls because they have a deep bench but they really need CW and MJ to stay on the floor (and that won’t happen if they get early fouls). Tonight will be great test to see if UD can take a step to the next level (and Thursday will be a great test for XU to see if they can return to that level when they are @SJ).By Boxter
February 25, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this
Spin, spin, spin. No matter how you spin it, UD plays a weak schedule and RI is not a power. It is laughable the Harris plays these games up.By billg
February 25, 2009 6:15 PM | Link to this
Geez, I don’t see anyone arguing over UD’s seeding in the Big Dance anymore!! Pretty soon the Flyers will be asking why their going to the NIT again!!By Steven
February 25, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
Well, they lost again. You cannot lose to St. Louis and Rhode Island .. And expect to go to the big dance.. Team falling apart..By RunninRams
February 25, 2009 11:23 PM | Link to this
Boxter and Glen: SUCK IT! 93-91