URI Picks Up Game With #13 Wisconsin Wednesday

(Photo courtesy: Drew Adames, Rhode Island Athletics)

University of Rhode Island Press Release

KINGSTON, R.I. – Any opponent, any time continues to be the mantra for Rhode Island this season, as the Rams will travel to No. 13 Wisconsin Wednesday. The game will be played at 4:30 p.m. EST and air on the Big 10 Network.

The Badgers (3-1) were without a home game against Louisville due to a COVID-19 program pause for the Cardinals that was announced Thursday night. The pause for Louisville left the game – which was part of the ACC/Big 10 Challenge in limbo. Rhode Island (3-2) was looking for a game after its contest at Boston College for Dec. 5 was called off due to schedule shuffling.

“We knew going into the year that this season would be unlike any other,” Rhode Island Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn said. “This is a fantastic opportunity that came together quickly, and we are grateful to Wisconsin for its willingness to work together to make it happen. Our basketball and administrative staffs are continuing to work tirelessly to explore every possibility, and it shows in the strength of our schedule.

“The University of Rhode Island cares about its fans and about the state of Rhode Island. We have a responsibility to play as competitive a schedule as possible. I continue to be impressed with David Cox and his desire to play the best teams in the country any time, any place. He is not afraid to play anyone. His approach and belief in the program is allowing us to build something special here.”

Rhode Island – which has won three straight – catches Wisconsin coming off a tough loss in its rivalry game against Marquette. The Badgers fell to Marquette, 67-65, Friday night on a buzzer-beating tip-in.

With the Badgers on the schedule, Rhode Island will be playing its sixth game in the first 15 days of the season. Of the first six opponents for the Rams, Arizona State, San Francisco and Wisconsin were not on the URI schedule less than a week before the season began. A fourth opponent, South Florida, was not on the slate until Oct. 23.

Despite the challenges, Rhode Island has pieced together one of the top non-conference schedules in the nation. URI was ranked No. 33 nationally in non-conference strength of schedule before the game against No. 13 Wisconsin was added.

Rhode Island still has a game at Western Kentucky on Dec. 13. The possibility remains for a late December non-conference game to be included as well.