Rhode Island and Fordham set for Ram clash in The Bronx

Photo courtesy of URI Athletics

After a week of much needed rest, the Rhode Island Rams are back in action against Fordham in a battle for Rams supremacy tomorrow night. 

Rhode Island is coming off a win that raised some hairs on the back of some fans’ necks last Wednesday when they fended off a late comeback from UMass to win 88-82. Though the game was marked as a W, there were concerns about team maturity with poor and careless fouls allowing UMass to get back into the game, nearly collapsing a 21 point lead.

Fordham, on the other hand, is residing in the basement of the Atlantic 10, tied by record with Richmond for the last place spot. However, it has won two of its last three games, with the lone loss coming last time out to St. Bonaventure, 74-72.

Before the two Rams clash at Rose Hill, here are the keys to the game for Rhode Island and things to watch out for from Fordham, as both sides try to claw for seeding as the conference season ticks down.

Rhode Island Key Player: Jaden House

In Fordham’s last loss to the Bonnies, the Rams in maroon allowed St. Bonaventure to score 50 points inside the paint, accounting for 67.5% of their total points. With that, a clear path to success has been paved, and senior guard Jaden House can strut that path with ease.

In his return to the starting lineup for the injured freshman forward Tyonne Farrell, House has pounded the interior of the defense, more so than anyone else on the floor. With this hard-nosed approach, House has displayed success in the past few weeks, averaging 17.2 points per game in his last four appearances.

If House can match that production against Fordham, who has been outscored in the paint in all but one A-10 game so far, chances of a Rhode Island win increase dramatically.

Fordham Key Player: Jackie Johnson III

When taking on the conference’s best offense, you have to put up a respectable amount of points in your own right, painting senior guard Jackie Johnson III as the player to watch tomorrow night for Fordham.

Leading Fordham with 18.4 points per game (3rd in the A-10), Johnson III provides an excellent outlet for offensive success. 

Rhode Island Key to the Game: Play Together

Rhode Island has not performed well on the road this year, totaling a 1-4 record when serving as the visitor. In a number of factors that were covered in Zack Petrick's article about the away struggles, URI Head Coach Archie Miller spoke about the importance of playing together.

A cohesive state is imperative towards success, especially when playing fast like the Rams like to do. If you aren’t clicking with your teammates, you will turn the ball over (which the Rams have) and you will lose your offensive identity and defensive tenacity (Rhode Island has lost both). A change of mindset can play a big difference and help the Rams get back on track away from home.

Fordham Key to the Game: Use the Atmosphere

The Rose Hill Gym, which has been open for 100 years, is a foundational location in the world of college basketball. Last time Rhody was in the Bronx, the 2,850 people in attendance, which would rank around the middle of the conference for average attendance this year, brought palpable energy that you could feel regardless of which team you were rooting for.

This gym is unlike any other in the A-10: crowded, congested and full of history. For Fordham to not use that to its advantage would be a great disservice to itself.

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Rhode Island and Fordham face off for the first of two times this season tomorrow night from The Bronx. The game tips-off from Rose Hill at 7:00 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+ with an audio broadcast available with the Varsity Network.