By: Phil Kasiecki in: Columns
21 Jan 2010Rhode Island has pulled out a lot of close games this season thanks to their play late in the game. At some point, that can add up to something, and one has to wonder if that’s the case with this team.
Sometimes a team wins because it knows how to do it. Not from defense, not from offense, not from a physical advantage, but from knowing how to win. That’s how Xavier pulled out Thursday’s 67-65 win at Rhode Island, and it underlies the early success this team has had.
Today’s task was to evaluate Rhode Island’s Ryan Center and UConn’s Gampel Pavilion. In addition, I was hoping to get enough material to write some kind of game story.
This was what a rivalry game is supposed to be. It looked like, felt like, and was a rivalry game all the way through. You could feel it right away, with the sold-out crowd’s energy in the Dunkin’ Donuts Center even before the game started. That included the visiting team’s own student section and cheerleaders.
While NJIT’s losing streak gets plenty of attention, Monmouth also entered Saturday’s game without a win. They were 0-6, albeit against a very difficult schedule, so they were happy to get a win. The least difficult opponent they had played before Saturday is probably FIU, and that was a road game against a team not lacking in talent that has been hit by injuries.

Follow Hoopville on Twitter and Facebook for bonus coverage, breaking news and discussion.

Managing Editor Phil Kasiecki spent Friday (3/20) discussing NCAA first-round action on ESPN 1040 in Tampa. Download the broadcast! (5.7 MB)