Rams Host Duquesne in Coaches vs. Cancer Game

THE BASICS
Duquesne (15-2, 5-0) at Rhode Island (12-5, 4-1)
Tip-Off: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 7:04 p.m. EST
Live Coverage: Stats | Audio | TV/Stream: Cox/YurView/ESPN+ 
Game Notes 

RHODE ISLAND VS. DUQUESNE - SERIES NOTES

• Wednesday will be the 60th meeting between Rhode Island and Duquesne, with the Rams holding a 33-26 edge.
• Rhody has won four of the last five meetings, although Duquesne has the most recent win, beating the Rams, 75-72, in Pittsburgh last season. In that game, the Dukes rallied from a 19-point halftime deficit to pull off the victory.  
• Four of the last five games in the series have been decided by three points or less.
• The Rams are 19-11 when hosting Duquesne.
• Rhode Island has a four-game winning streak, its longest of the season. Duquesne comes to the Ryan Center on a five-game win streak.
• The Dukes have played two true road games this year, winning at George Washington (Jan. 11) and Saint Joseph's (Jan. 8).
• Duquesne is one of the best shot-blocking teams in the country, ranking fifth among all teams with 6.4 blocks per game.
• Michael Hughes is fifth in the nation and second in the Atlantic 10 with 3.18 blocks per game.
• The Dukes lead the Atlantic 10 in field goal defense (.399).
• Duquesne and Rhode Island are two of the least whistled teams in the league. The Dukes are called for 14.5 personal fouls per game, while Rhody gets called for 16.2. Those figures rank first and fourth, respectively, in the A-10.

COX OFF TO A STRONG START THROUGH 50 GAMES

• Rhode Island head coach David Cox coached his 50th game with Rhode Island in Saturday's win over La Salle. Through 50 games, he has an overall record of 30-20, giving him the fourth most wins amonng URI coaches with at least 50 games to their credit. Only Tom Penders (37-13), Jim Harrick (34-16) and Bob Haire (35-15) had more. 
• After starting his career 19-31 through 50 games, Dan Hurley was 30-20 over his second 50 games with the Rams. 
• Cox has shown significant improvement against Atlantic 10 competition. After going 5-9 in his first 14 games against A-10 opponents, Cox is 10-2 in his last 12 games against the league.
• Overall, Cox is 18-6 (.750 winning percentage) since snapping a five-game losing streak last February. 
• While he helped establish the team culture over Hurley's final four seasons, Cox also inherited a team that had lost six players who went on to play professional basketball. Jared Terrell, E.C. Mattthews, Stanford Robinson, Jarvis Garrett, Andre Berry and Nikola Akele all left for the professional ranks following the 2017-18 season. 

COACHING STAFF TO WEAR SNEAKERS FOR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

• During Wednesday's game against Duquesne, Coach David Cox and the Rhode Island men's basketball coaching staff - along with the Duquesne coaching staff - will be wearing sneakers on the sidelines.
• Fans are encouraged to wear sneakers to the game as a reminder of the importance of healthy lifestyle choices, including eating right, exercising, and following screening guidelines in reducing the risk of cancer.
• The first 1,000 students will receive a FREE Coaches vs Cancer t-shirts courtesy of South County Health Cancer Center
• Cancer survivors and caregivers are able to receive two free tickets to the game and family and friends can purchase additional tickets for only $12. Survivors and caregivers can claim their tickets at www.gorhody.com/cvc.
• Make a contribution toward our Suits And Sneakers campaign to help the American Cancer Society lead the fight for a world without cancer.
• The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of nearly two million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle.
• For additional information, please visit www.cancer.org.