SOUTH KINGSTOWN –– Not everyone might be aware of it, but the University of Rhode Island’s basketball team plays one of its most important games of the season tonight –– against another set of Rams.

With so many things going on, a start to the season that will see seven games in 16 days, including contests against Duke and Providence College, it is likely that a contest against Virginia Commonwealth University does not jump out for some fans.

But the serious basketball fan knows how good VCU is. The serious fan knows that tonight could be pivotal for Rhode Island.

VCU has been one of the best mid-major teams in the country the last two years. It has won 52 games (with only 15 losses) in the last two seasons. It has easily won its first two games this year. It is favored to win the Colonial Athletic Association this season. It visits the Ryan Center for a 7 o’clock contest.

“Every game is important, but VCU is one of the top teams in its conference,” said URI point guard Marquis Jones. “It should be a good game.”

Perhaps reflecting the difficulty both schools have scheduling games –– when a team has success, power teams tend to shy away –– this match was the last one on the URI schedule. The school, in fact, announced its schedule without it. School officials spoke about how they had one more game available and were negotiating with VCU in hopes of setting up a meeting of the Rams.

A home-and-home series was agreed to, with VCU visiting this year. It is the type of game both sides can benefit from. It is a contest that could have tournament implications in March if both teams turn out to be as good as they hope to be.

VCU has two star attractions, one on the bench and one on the court.

The coach is Anthony Grant. He came to VCU from the University of Florida, where he worked under Billy Donovan and quickly has established himself as one of the most highly regarded young coaches in the country. His name began being linked with jobs at schools from major conferences when his team beat Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament two years ago.

Grant opted to stay at VCU, and signed a contract extension through 2014.

The star on the court is point guard Eric Maynor. He is one of the best in the nation.

Two years ago, when VCU beat Duke in the NCAAs, Maynor was the hero, hitting a 15-foot jumper with 1.8 seconds left to give his team a 79-77 victory. Maynor had 22 points in that game. He averaged 17.9 points last year and was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award as the top guard in the nation.

“I haven’t seen him play yet this year, but I’ve seen him before. I know he’s good,” said URI’s Jones, who is one of the guys who will have to guard Maynor tonight.

“We’re playing a great team,” said URI coach Jim Baron. “We’re going to need the Ryan Center to be rockin’.”Tonight

URI vs. VCU

8 p.m.

pkenyon@projo.com