Brown, Bryant carve out their own RI basketball rivalry. Bears and Bulldogs clash Friday.

[ad_1]

SMITHFIELD — The men’s basketball rivalry between Brown and Bryant is something different from its more storied counterpart in the state.

Providence and the University of Rhode Island share more than a century of history. The temperature between those two is like that of the ocean æ warmer in some bays and coves, generally steady and a touch cooler in the open water. It’s consistent and seemingly endless when looking at the horizon.

The Bears and Bulldogs have wasted no time percolating since Bryant transitioned up to Division I for the 2008-09 season. Their series, by comparison, could fit in a 4-foot pool above ground in your backyard. It only takes a couple of warm days in the summer sun to feel like hot bath water, and that’s where we find the two programs entering Friday’s 6 p.m. tip at Chace Athletic Center.

More: Brown men’s basketball enjoyed a magical run late last season? Can they do it again?

Phil Martelli Jr., Bryant men’s basketball coach

Brown and the Bulldogs have played 10 games decided by single digits since renewing the series, including five games decided by three points or less. One of those was played last season on the East Side, a 69-66 thriller that featured three technical fouls and a flagrant foul. The Bears rimmed out a pair of late 3-pointers that could have tied it, and the road team prevailed for the fourth straight time.

“I just think both programs operate with an edge that we both feel is necessary to compete for championships in our respective conferences,” Brown coach Mike Martin said. “I love that about our team and I respect that about Bryant.”

“It’s what college basketball should be,” Bryant coach Phil Martelli Jr. said. “You should play your local teams. You should play as many of those local games as you possibly can.”

Martin and former Bryant coach Jared Grasso agreed to carve out a unique platform for this game coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual buildup to Friars-Rams on the first Saturday in…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/brown-bryant-carve-own-ri-095637833.html

Author : The Providence Journal

Publish date : 2024-12-06 09:56:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.