First Month of College Hoops Is Over - How Have PC, URI Brown and Bryant Performed
Thursday, November 25, 2021
The first month of the college basketball season is over and there is a lot to celebrate — first, there has been a season, and, second, the teams have yet to postpone games due to COVID.
That alone is a win.
Here are the highs and lows of how the four Division I teams in Rhode Island have performed so far this season.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTLet's take a look at PC (5-1), URI (4-2), Brwon (4-3), and Bryant (2-3}.
The Biggest Win
Providence College’s at the University of Wisconsin — 63-58. A win at a Big 10 opponent is a quality win. The Badgers are 5-1 — their loss to the Friars is their only defeat of the season to date.
Best Loss
The Brown loss at then-#19 UNC in the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill before 15,000 by a score of 94-87 was an early indicator that this Bears team can legitimately compete for the Ivy title. Remember, Brown has only won one Ivy title in its history — 1986.
Worst Loss
The Rhode Island loss to FGCU was a bad loss. The Rams were the better team and had an 11-point lead.
Worst Shooting Performance
PC against the University of Virginia — 23% from the field and 13% from behind the 3-point line. That game tape should be burned.
Overachievers
PC and Brown stand out. If the Friars could have thrown a rock in the ocean, they could have beaten UVA and that is their only blemish. The Friars are 5-1.
Brown’s performance against the Tar Heels was one of the greatest performances by a Bears team in the program’s history. And the win over Bradley this past week is the first by an Ivy team against the Braves in the League's history.
Disappointment
Bryant had an outstanding season last year and much was expected this season. To date, the Bulldogs have looked unimpressive. We will find out more on Friday when they play at Brown.
Best Player
Makhel Mitchell — the sophomore center at URI is leading the team in scoring 12.2 points per game and has 22 blocks in just 6 games — 3.6 blocks per game. He is 10th in the country.
Surprise Performer
Freshman Kino Lilly, Jr. at Brown is tied for scoring leader (with transfer Paxson Wojcik) at 11.4 PPG — no one saw that one coming.
