State Bragging Rights Are On The Line (once again) as URI Visits Providence on Saturday
Billy Ricci writes about the upcoming PC/URI game, and what the rivalry means to native Rhode Islanders.
The University of Rhode Island and Providence College Men’s Basketball teams will tip-off for the 133rd time Saturday night at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. PC does lead the all-time series 76-56, but as a native Rhode Islander I am here to tell you that this rivalry may be one of the last of its kind in all of college sports.
As you may know, either from attending PC or spending some extended time in Lil Rhody, Rhode Island is…pretty unique and pretty passionate, to say the least. Rhode Island also happens to be very small (but mighty), so when fans say this game really is for THE state bragging rights, it really is. I honestly doubt when Kansas and Kansas State, for example, or UCLA and USC tip off, they are thinking about the possible ramifications of losing state bragging rights. Whereas when PC and URI play it is evident (especially in recent years) that both teams know what’s on the line for them and their fan bases.
It certainly helps that college basketball is the main attraction within state lines here in Rhody, and both the AMP and the Ryan Center serve as our largest arenas in the state. But what really makes this PC/URI rivalry what it is, has to be the moments of passion you don’t just see on any other rivalry night.
Now I know what you’re thinking, the first moment that comes to mind for many that showcased the heat of the rivalry was the infamous Ed Cooley/Dan Hurley “square up” at half court at the Ryan Center back in 2013. But Friar Fans (and URI fans reading this), that was a Saturday afternoon nap compared to the brawl back in 1990! A fight for the basketball, and even hockey, ages with karate kicks and a moment where the players fought each-other into the lower seats behind the basket at the Providence Civic Center. While I don’t condone fighting of any kind, it’s hard to not think back to that moment or seeing a URI and a PC fan square up in the balcony levels of Kingston or downtown Providence when talking about the dislike these teams have for each other.
Twenty years later, I can still almost see and feel Ryan Gomes’ always calm demeanor lit into fire when he had 20 of his 25 points in the second half against URI back in 2004.
That Dwight Brewington dunk late in regulation? Electric.
Tuukka Kotti’s 17 and 10 from that game is the perfect example of how the Ocean State rivalry game could take a career six point per game guy and make him memorable.
I can still see and feel Ben Bentil’s energy after making the tip-in to beat the Rams at the buzzer in 2015 — and his teammates surrounding him as he high-stepped across the Rams’ floor. Bentil went 9-12 that night in enemy territory. Kris Dunn’s spin move layup and high flying dunk late in the second half as he stared down the URI fans always sticks with me to this day as well.
I certainly remember witnessing a disappointed Jimmy Barron when he lost to PC by one in 2008, because back then he made a lot of kids growing up in Rhode Island think about becoming a URI fan.
Back to 2004 for a second… When URI took PC to overtime they were 1-4 on the season when that game took place. Season stats and records don’t matter as much when the ball is tipped for Rhode Island versus Providence. What matters is who respects the history of this great rivalry enough, that they are going to bring the best version of themselves to play basketball that night no matter what stats or team record they come in with.
So this leads us to tomorrow’s meeting. URI, in my estimation, has two central points of focus to slow down on the offensive end, and they are guards Zek Montgomery and Jaden House. Montgomery, a Bradley transfer, is a strong finisher around the rim and is good for a couple threes on any given night. He’s hitting at a near 43% clip from beyond the arc this year. House (a 17 point per game scorer at High Point last year) plays above his size and has a nice jump shot that allows him to convert over bigger defenders — but a matchup against Devin Carter should lessen his ability to score the basketball.
I am confident if the Friars can attack the interior, and can get Bryce Hopkins and Josh Oduro going early as they did against Lehigh that the Rams don’t have enough interior depth to give the Friars enough of a worry as the game moves to the second half. As far as backcourt scoring, this is the same Rams team that gave up 22 points on 6-10 shooting from three to former Friar Brycen Goodine.
But all things can change when the ball is tipped at the AMP Saturday night. URI is coming off a decent win over Yale, who was competitive against Gonzaga earlier this season.
For all the fans out there, whether you prefer The Abbey or Mew’s Tavern, Haven Brothers or Iggys, a gondola ride on the Providence River or taking a kayak out on the narrow river, you make the PC/URI rivalry as great as it is. And even though we don’t love Keaney blue in our state's capital, we also wouldn’t have it any other way.