Bombs away: Rhode Island’s game plan backfires

By Tom Keegan     Nov 27, 2014

KANSAS 76, RHODE ISLAND 60

Nick Krug
Kansas guard Brannen Greene (14) pulls up for a three from the corner during the first half on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014 at the HP Field House in Kissimmee, Florida.

Box score

? Rhode Island, coached by Danny Hurley, came into Thursday’s Orlando Classic game against Kansas University with a game-plan based on the Jayhawks’ dismal three-point shooting in the first three games of the season. The Rams dared them to shoot.

“We felt like if they shot it the way they shot it the first couple of games that we might have a chance to be there late in the game,” Hurley said. “Obviously, the way they shot it in the first half, I think was a little demoralizing because our game plan was to try to make them make perimeter shots. They made shots in the first half and that’s what caused the separation. A couple of those things don’t go down and it’s a 10-point game at halftime. Who knows?”

Then again, that wouldn’t have enabled Rhode Island to keep Kansas from executing its defensive game plan. URI’s 6-foot-5 sophomore guard E.C. Matthews is a big-time talent from Detroit, a player who can score in a variety of ways, most of those ways starting with a quick first step and a preference for heading left. Wayne Selden Jr. defended him well on the perimeter and when Matthews reached the paint, either Landen Lucas, Perry Ellis, Cliff Alexander or Jamari Traylor was there waiting for him.

“Like coach said they have NBA length,” Matthews said. “He wanted us to attack the paint and kick it out, but shots would look good for a minute and then get blocked. It was a lesson learned. I think I’ll be better for it the next couple of games.”

It looked a little like KU guards trying to score on Kentucky’s big men, except that the height disparity wasn’t nearly as great. Matthews scored 20 points, but also had four turnovers and made just 6 of 18 field goal attempts.

At the other hand, KU’s hot first-half shooting (7 of 14 from three) kept growing the Rams’ deficit. Kansas brought a .262 three-point shooting percentage into the game and made 8 of 17 threes.

Rhode Island (3-1) had upset then-No. 21 Nebraska earlier this month.


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