URI Hasn’t Beaten PC in Providence Since 2002, Here Is What They Need to Do to Win

Saturday, December 02, 2023

Jim Malachowski, Sports Columnist

URI Coach Archie Miller PHOTO: GoLocal

The question asked of URI Coach Archie Miller was very specific. “What will it take for URI to beat PC in Providence this Saturday night? The last time URI celebrated a victory on their bus ride back to Kingston was in December 2002, over 20 years ago. This was three URI coaches ago (Jim Baron was the last to score a victory), and the arena’s name has changed since the Rams last won in Providence.

Miller initially gave a pat answer, saying to win on the road, you need to take care of the ball and hold serve on the backboard. When pressed further, he said, “The early part of the game is critical for us. We will take a few punches, but we need to respond. You can’t let it steamroll you.”

This will be the first time this URI team plays before a packed house and in a hostile environment. Providence will deploy the most formidable defense the Rams have seen this year. If URI falters and falls behind early, it will be extremely difficult to make up ground in the environment they will be playing in. Miller is well aware of this and said, “We need to start the game with a more intense approach. This has not been a team that has started out strong. We need to flip this mindset. We must be ready.”

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The URI players are unaware of the futility of playing PC in Providence, nor are they aware of the intensity of this intrastate rivalry. Only three current URI players have played against PC - Josaphat Bilau, Brandon Weston, and Rory Stewart. That was in an 88-74 loss at the Ryan Center last year. No URI player has played in front of the boisterous Friar fans on PC’s home court.

When asked about this, Bilau said, “I know it will be a tough game, and I try to feed off the environment.” Zek Montgomery said, “The big crowd affects some people but not me. I have played in some big games, and I am used to it.” Montgomery further said, “There is a buzz about the game on campus. People are talking about it and asking me for tickets.”

In addition to getting off to a good start, the other keys for URI are:

PC has a thin frontcourt. URI will gain an advantage if they can get the PC big men in foul trouble.
URI must find a way to contain Devin Carter, who is averaging 15 points and can take over a game.
PC plays tight defense, which can include a variety of presses that URI must be ready for.
URI must not let the crowd and hostile environment affect their play.
The Rams will be the underdogs and need a mega performance. Pulling off a strategic or lineup surprise would be helpful.

There have been 133 games played between the two teams. PC holds a 75 to 58 advantage. Interestingly, URI claims the record for the most recent games is PC leads 17 to 7 (GoRhody.com). PC claims the record is 18 to 6 (Friars.com). It is an intense rivalry when the two schools cannot agree on the won/lost record!

Providence leads 8 to 2 during the last 10 games. The only times URI has been competitive was when the games were played in Kingston, where it has a recent home record of 6-5 against PC.

In only his second year, Miller displayed a keen sense of the rivalry when he said, “It’s a big deal. In Rhode Island, you cross paths with everybody. It’s a really cool place and so tight it is like one city. Basketball is important in the state. This is a chance for everyone to go at it with each other for bragging rights. As a coach, you need to be aware of this. Embrace it. Have fun with it. Be ready. I like it.”

Rhode Island is blessed to have so many fine institutions of higher learning within its borders, including these two schools. PC, the private secular school, and URI, the public land-grant institution, both add significantly to the fabric of our state. Saturday’s game will bring great passion to both fan bases as this rivalry continues.

James Malachowski is the former Chairman/Managing Partner at RDW Group. He previously served as the chair of the Public Utilities Commission. He is a graduate of URI and PC.

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URI Hasn’t Beaten PC in Providence Since 2002, Here Is What They Need to Do to Win

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URI Hasn’t Beaten PC in Providence Since 2002, Here Is What They Need to Do to Win

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