Rhode Island is quietly putting together one of the best seasons in women’s college basketball but the fan support is practically nonexistent. Head coach Tammi Reiss questions the reason why.
She is prepared for the professors on campus to hate her as she promotes her program.
There are two home games left in the women’s college basketball regular season. Surely the students can afford to put down their books for a few hours and support one of the winningest teams in the country!
Rhode Island is the most French team in women’s college basketball.
The University of Rhode Island competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. It hired Reiss as the ninth head coach in women’s basketball history on April 18, 2019.
She led the Rams to three-straight seasons with 20 wins or more from 2021 through 2024. They made two-straight WNIT appearances in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Those were good years.
This year is great.
Rhode Island currently sits at 22-2, just outside the top-25. Its only losses were by four points to Rutgers and by eight points to Princeton in a huge letdown spot after a defining road win over No. 16 N.C. State. There are five games left in the regular season before the A-10 championship. It would be surprising if the Rams do not win the conference but they have all-but guaranteed an at-large bid if they don’t.
Six different players who play more than 23 minutes per game shoot 40% or greater from the field. Four different players average more than five rebounds per game. They’re legit.
Interestingly enough, Rhode Island is also the only school in the country with more French players than Americans. Reiss rosters four natives of France, one native of Finland, one native of Chile and five natives of the United States. But that is neither here nor there. URI is good!
Tammi Reiss wants fans to show up.
The Rams struggle to fill their arena despite the historic season. Not even the students go to games.
Tammi Reiss would like to change that.
She made a passionate plea to students at the University of Rhode Island, questioning whether they are too wrapped up in their studies to watch basketball. She knows they’re not… We all know they’re not.
Full @TReiss32 answer on the lack of students at games:
— Kevin Moore (@KMooreTV) February 12, 2026
“I may have to go from classroom to classroom and say, ‘Are we scholars? Is that what we are? We don’t like sports here? Maybe I’ll do a free hot dog night if I can’t do a free beer night. We’ve got to get 500, 700 students… https://t.co/r1Q7StlspL pic.twitter.com/NIysB5IXlm
Reiss would like to do a free beer night. If not beer, than hot dogs.
Dan Hurley used to storm into the dining hall at the University of Rhode Island to get students to games. He would effectively guilt them into showing up. He created a rowdy atmosphere.
Reiss is prepared to do the same thing.
Professors are gonna hate me🙅🏼♀️
— Tammi Reiss (@TReiss32) February 12, 2026
Some of the professors are already on board with her efforts!
“You’re welcome to visit our class any time, Coach Reiss,” said professor Nick Coit. “Think this calls for an extra credit assignment…🤔”
There are only two home games left for the Rams this season. Get to the Thomas M. Ryan Center!