If last season in the Atlantic 10 is any indication, the University of Rhode Island will be in for a challenging start to its conference schedule in 2025-26.
The Rams take on Loyola Chicago, George Mason and VCU within their first five league games. Those are three of the top four teams from a year ago, all 20-game winners overall who reached double figures in the conference.
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The Ramblers visit the Ryan Center for the league opener on New Year’s Eve and URI travels to battle the Patriots on Jan. 3. VCU comes to Kingston for a Jan. 14 matchup, a game that follows what should be lighter meetings against La Salle and at Davidson.
More: Here’s a look at Rhode Island basketball’s 2025 nonconference schedule
Drissa Traore, URI basketball
Loyola Chicago closed in fourth place last season while George Mason ended in second place. VCU won both regular-season and tournament titles while reaching its latest NCAA Tournament. Rams coach Ryan Odom departed for Virginia and was replaced by Phil Martelli Jr., who spent the last two seasons at Bryant and led the Bulldogs to March Madness in 2024-25.
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The Rams complete their home-and-home engagement with the Patriots when they host a Jan. 24 game at the Ryan Center. URI grinded to a 62-59 victory over George Mason at home last season, one of just two losses they suffered between Nov. 16 and Feb. 22. The other came in a blowout at Duke, who reached the Final Four behind top NBA Draft selection Cooper Flagg.
A trip to Dayton on Jan. 27 will represent another homecoming for Rams coach Archie Miller, who led the Flyers to four NCAA Tournament appearances and an Elite Eight during his six seasons in charge. URI follows with eight games in February – four at home, four on the road. Saint Louis visits on Feb. 17, a date with a potential conference favorite and a return for state native and assistant coach Antone Gray.
Three of the first five games for the Rams will be national broadcasts – George Mason and Davidson on USA Network, VCU on CBS Sports Network. URI will also visit Duquesne on Feb. 1 for a USA Network tip. The Rams expect to play conference tournament games in Pittsburgh on national networks or streaming outlets.
URI closed 18-13 overall and 7-11 in league play last season. The Rams improved their overall win total by six and their conference victories by one, but that wasn’t enough to avoid a sour taste in March. Fordham dished out an 88-71 thumping in the opening round of the conference tournament, and URI returns just Drissa Traore from its rotation.
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The Rams are banking on a transfer class that includes former league foes Jahmere Tripp (Fordham) and Jonah Hinton (St. Bonaventure) to approach at least the top half of the standings. URI also could debut redshirts Damone King and Moek Icke, who both joined the program for the 2024-25 season. They host Stetson on Nov. 3 to begin a nonconference slate that also includes Tulsa, Yale, Brown, Providence, McNeese State and a Thanksgiving trip to the ESPN Events Invitational.
Specific game times and broadcast information will be available at a later date. Visit gorhody.com for additional information.
Rhode Island basketball Atlantic 10 Schedule
Dec. 31 – Loyola Chicago
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Jan. 3 – at George Mason
Jan. 7 – La Salle
Jan. 10 – at Davidson
Jan. 14 – VCU
Jan. 21 – at Richmond
Jan. 24 – George Mason
Jan. 27 – at Dayton
Feb. 1 – at Duquesne
Feb. 7 – Richmond
Feb. 10 – at George Washington
Feb. 14 – Fordham
Feb. 17 – Saint Louis
Feb. 21 – at La Salle
Feb. 25 – at St. Bonaventure
Feb. 28 – Saint Joseph’s
March 4 – Duquesne
March 7 – at Fordham
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island men’s basketball 2025-26 Atlantic 10 schedule
