Projo College Hoops

There is a big-time feel here at the Mullins Center tonight.

A big crowd is filing into the Mullins Center for the URI-UMass game. It is ``black out’’ with all students being given black t-shirts.

A television crew from CSTV is doing the game. The officials are Jim Burr, Tim Higgins and Mike Stephens, three guys usually seen doing prime-time games involving the Big East, Big 10 or ACC.

URI coach Jim Baron, who has been battling flu-like symptoms, rejoined his team today and is here, ready to go. They have me sitting in the last season at the end of the press table next to Baron, so I'll get a first-hand view on how well he is feeling. Rhody forward Will Daniels is going to go, too, despite his sprained left ankle.

There even is some real news. URI has announced a lineup change. Forward Delroy James will get his first collegiate start in place of Jason Francis.

There is a good sized delegation of URI students sitting in the upper arena. They have been doing some URI chants, which has gotten the big UMass student section to respond. It's fun already and game time is 15 minutes away.

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