Rhode Struggles: Why Rhody have faltered away from home

Photo Courtesy of URI Athletics

In three years under Archie Miller the Rhode Island Rams have won just five of 27 road contests.

Recently Miller has come under fire on social media for the team's lack of winning away from Kingston, so let’s take a look at why Rhody have struggled away matchups. 

In three seasons the Rams are 5-22 in true road games with two seasons of just a single road win, although that includes this season where the team has played just five away matchups at this point.

“Winning on the road's really about togetherness,” URI Head Coach Archie Miller said on Monday. “And it's about believing in what you do. And it's about execution on the road.”

The Rams have not executed on the road, shooting under 35% their last time away from home in a 70-64 loss against La Salle. Rhody has gone through lapses in scoring multiple times in 2024-25, most notably against Duquesne and Loyola Chicago. 

“You can't have turnovers on the road," Miller said. “You can't have lapses on the road. You have to be really, really good at what you do.” 

Turnovers have killed Rhody in games throughout the season, committing 27 in the team's loss to VCU. That game was at home though, just the teams second loss on home court. On the road this season they are giving away 14.4 possessions per game, which would place Rhode Island dead last in turnovers per game in the Atlantic 10. 

Rhody have come closer this season to getting it done away from Kingston, with their total margin on the road just -23, an average of 4.6 points per game. This number is skewed as well, the only time Rhody have lost by more than six was in the teams Atlantic 10 opener against the Dukes where they fell 67-55. 

“To get over the hump, we need some guys to make some plays,” Miller said. “We're gonna have to execute and take care of the ball in key moments.”

URI have not been able to close out games on the road, notably La Salle outscored the Rams by six from the 6:31 mark of the second half with the game tied at 53. On the contrary Rhode Island’s senior guard Sebastian Thomas has won multiple games for the Rams at home and neutral sites. The issue is Thomas has been the only Ram showing up in the clutch, with Rhody unable to come up with a double overtime victory against Brown in December as one of the many close defeats on the road. 

“When we get the next opportunity on the road, we'll have to rise up,” Miller said. 

Rhode Island will next face off against Fordham in New York on Wednesday before traveling to Fairfax, Virginia on Saturday to take on George Mason. Mason’s only defeat in A-10 play came at the hands of Rhode Island, in the Ryan Center where Thomas came up late once again. If Rhody wants a chance to have a double-bye during the A-10 tournament the next two matchups will be key. 

Wednesday's matchup is available to stream on ESPN+ with an audio broadcast available on The Varsity Network, tip off is set for 7 p.m.