VCU at Rhode Island Expert NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread 1/23/2019

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Ryan Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The VCU Rams travel to Ryan Center to play the Rhode Island Rams on Wednesday, January 23, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Rhode Island as 1 point favorites.

VCU comes into this game with an overall record of 13-5. They currently have a point differential of 6.9 as they are averaging 69.4 points per game while giving up 62.6 per contest. Rhode Island has an overall record of 10-7. They are averaging 71.1 points per game and surrendering 66.4, good for a point differential of 4.8.

Valuable VCU Rams Betting Trends

The VCU Rams are 10-7-1 against the spread

The VCU Rams are 5-13-0 against the over/under

Important Rhode Island Rams Betting Trends

The Rhode Island Rams are 7-10-0 against the spread

The Rhode Island Rams are 10-7-0 against the over/under

Key VCU Rams Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Rhode Island Rams Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Marcus Evans comes into this contest averaging 13.4 points per game while playing 25.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. De'Riante Jenkins averages 11.7 points per game in 28.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.9 assists per contest and 3.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 38% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Player Spotlight

Jeff Dowtin averages 16.7 points per game while playing 35.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per game and has 4.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Fatts Russell averages 15.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.0 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 33% and his free throw percentage is 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

VCU averages 69.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 281st in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 6.9 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 285th. Behind the arc they shoot 30% which is good for 326th in the nation. They average 36.9 rebounds per game and 12.9 assists per game, which ranks them 115th and 220th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 70th with 14.8 per game. The Rams allow 62.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the country. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 27% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 37.3 rebounds a game which ranks 287th and they give up 10.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 38th place in Division 1. They force 16.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 323rd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Rhode Island is 245th in the country with 71.1 points per game this year. They are 256th in Division 1 in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is 4.8. They shoot 27% from 3-point range, which is good for 347th in the nation. They are 49th in the NCAA in rebounding with 38.9 boards per game, and 297th in assists per contest with 11.8. The Rams are 206th in turnovers per game with 13.0. The Rams surrender 66.4 points per contest, which ranks them 54th in D-1. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 62nd and 43rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 60th with 11.4 assists allowed per contest and 159th with 34.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rams are 235th in country in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rams have an offensive rating of 98.3, which is ranked 285th. They are 210th in college basketball in pace with 69.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 284th. As a unit they are 275th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 88th in D-1. VCU is 54th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Rhode Island is 225th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.7 times per 100 possessions. The Rams have an offensive rating of 100.3, which is ranked 256th. They are 137th in D-1 in pace with 70.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 309th. As a unit they are 306th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 295th in the country.

Who will win tonight's VCU/Rhode Island college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Rhode Island -1

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