Rhode Island
Massachusetts (UMASS) vs. Rhode Island Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 1-13-2024
A pair of Atlantic 10 rivals do battle on the hardwood in search of a victory in the Ocean State. The UMass Minutemen are on the road as they make the short trip to battle the Rhode Island Rams Saturday afternoon. UMass comes in off an 81-65 home win over La Salle in their previous contest Wednesday night, covering the line as an 8.5-point favorite. Rhode Island downed Davidson 79-74 on the road Tuesday night, winning outright as a five-point underdog in their previous contest. In the all-time series between the teams, the Minutemen own an 82-46 advantage and have won the last three meetings. That includes a 69-45 road victory in the most recent meeting on February 18, 2023.
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UMass Minutemen Seeking Second Straight Win
UMass won for the fifth time in six games as they took down La Salle at home in their previous contest Wednesday night. The Minutemen improved to 11-4 overall and they are 2-1 in Atlantic 10 play on the season, leaving them tied for fourth, half a game behind the top spot. Against La Salle, UMass led by as many as six in the opening half only to see their lead trimmed to one at intermission. The Minutemen were tied early in the second half before going on a 10-2 run that put them in front 47-39 with 12:32 to play and didn’t let the Explorers closer than four the rest of the way. UMass shot 49.2% from the field, including five of 13 from three-point range, and won the rebounding battle 44-31 in the contest. Josh Cohen led the Minutemen with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.
On the season, the Minutemen are 35th in the nation in scoring offense with an average of 82 points per game on the year. UMass is collecting 39.1 boards a night while they stand 25th in assists by dishing out 17.2 dimes per contest. The Minutemen are slightly above average defensively as they are 149th in scoring defense by allowing 70.3 points per game. Josh Cohen leads the team with 17.1 points plus 6.7 rebounds per contest. Matt Cross (15.9 points, 8.3 rebounds) and Rahsool Diggins (11.8 points) each provide a good secondary scoring punch. Keon Thompson (9.5 points), Daniel Hankins-Sanford, Robert Davis Jr., Jaylen Curry, Jayden Ndjigue and Marqui Worthy provide quality depth for coach Frank Martin. UMass shoots 46.6% from the field this season as a team. The Minutemen splash 6.5 triples per night while shooting 31.6% from beyond the arc. UMass is below average at the charity stripe, converting a mediocre 68.3% of their chances this season.
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Rhode Island Rams Try to Maintain Momentum
Rhode Island won their third straight after a five-game slide as they took down Davidson on the road in their previous contest Tuesday night. The Rams improved to 8-7 overall on the season and stand tied for the top spot in the Atlantic 10 with a 2-0 mark. Against Davidson, Rhode Island led 13-4 early and held a four-point advantage at intermission. The Rams trailed by one with 13:08 to play before going on an 8-2 run to take a 58-53 lead and led the rest of the way. Rhode Island shot 51% from the field, including seven of 20 from three-point range, and controlled the boards by a 35-27 margin in the game. Luis Kortright led the Rams with 26 points and five assists in the win.
GAME. WINNER. @luiskortright2 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/obOVJVv5k1
— Rhody MBB (@RhodyMBB) January 4, 2024
The Rams put up an average of 73.5 points per game on the season, putting them 206th in the nation in scoring offense. Rhode Island is grabbing 38.9 rebounds a night while dishing out 13.7 assists per contest. The Rams have been slightly below average defensively, ranking 213th in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 72.5 points per contest. Zek Montgomery is one of four players averaging in double figures for the Rams with 11.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest. Jaden House (13.9 points) is one of three other players scoring in double figures for the team. Luis Kortright (11.3 points), David Green (12.3 points), Jeremy Foumena, Brandon Weston, Cam Estevez, David Fuchs, Tyson Brown and Always Wright all have to be better on the offensive end to help the Rams succeed. Rhode Island is 61st in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.4% from the field as a team on the year. The Rams are knocking down six triples a game while shooting 33.6% from beyond the arc. Rhode Island has been awful at the charity stripe, converting at a 61.5% mark at the free throw line this season, putting them 356th in the nation.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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UMass has been terrific offensively this season as they are led by Cohen and Cross on that end of the floor. Rhode Island has won three straight but that was coming off a stretch where they had dropped five straight and seven of nine games immediately prior to that. UMass dropped both their road games this season, falling by 10 at Towson and by four at Dayton, while Rhode Island has posted a 7-2 mark at home this season. The problem with the Rams is that they don’t have the pieces to match up with Cross and Cohen on the offensive end of the floor. Martin has the Minutemen ready to go and they earn their first road win of the season by herding the Rams.
Prediction: UMass Minutemen -3.5
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Full-Game Total Pick
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UMass comes into this game having seen the over hit in eight of their 15 games on the season. The Minutemen are 120th in effective field goal percentage (51.8%), 63rd in two-point shooting (53.9%) and 61st in turnover percentage (15.6%) this season. UMass likes to run as they are 63rd in adjusted tempo according to KenPom with an average of 71.4 possessions a game. Rhode Island has seen the over post a 9-5 mark in their 14 games with a posted total this season. The Rams are 166th in offensive efficiency, 97th in effective field goal percentage (52.3%), 257th in turnover percentage (19.6%) and 94th in offensive rebounding percentage (32.1%) this season. Rhode Island plays at an average pace, ranking 176th in adjusted tempo according to KenPom with 68.7 possessions a night. This game should be a solid offensive night that edges over the total.
Prediction: Over 150.5