or just regular Rhody Hoops fans in general and Bjorn says none of them are to blame. The student crowds have been decent this year but of course could be better because the more the students at a college basketball game, the better the environment. 

    

“We love to have the students out, they create the environment, they create that buzz around a program that then makes alumni and locals more apt to come out,” Bjorn said. 

    

Bjorn feels that having the students at the games is very important and that it builds great pride within the school and alumni base but when you are losing it is difficult to build that buzz around a program. 

    

It can be very easy to get college kids to come to a game, it is as easy as winning, something URI has not done in recent years and many of the students recognize that as one of the main reasons they do not attend the games. 

   

Grace Thomas, a junior and Wildlife Biology major, just doesn’t think they are that good. 

    

“The last time I went to a game was my freshman year because they always lose,” she said. “I’ve only seen one game where they won.”

    

Thomas has not attended this year yet either citing their 2-7 record as the key reason. Other students like freshman Ethan Flynn already know of the poor play.

    

“I think no one goes because of the low expectations at the games,” he said. 

    

Some students have faith, like junior journalism major Connor McCollum. 

   

“I go to the games because I actually have faith in this team this year,” he said, adding, “It’s a new team, new coach, I think they could perform decently in the A-10.” 

   

The key to the hopeful future success of the team is the new coach Dan Hurley, it is students like McCollum who believe in the future of this team and believe Bjorn made the right decision. 

    

“I think we made the right decision by making the change of hiring Dan,” Bjorn said. “I think that is really important and we are trying to provide the resources he needs to be successful here.”

    

Hopefully the rest of the URI fan base believes in the future as well and maybe soon all 7,657 seats at the Ryan Center will be filled.