Offense meets defense when the St. Bonaventure Bonnies (19-6, 9-4 A10) welcome the No. 16 Rhode Island Rams (21-3, 13-0 A10) to Reilly Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 16, 2018, and will air on ESPN2.
Rhode Island is a 1-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 150 points.
Rhode Island Rams vs. St. Bonaventure Bonnies ATS Prediction
The Rams will be looking for a similar outcome after thoroughly outplaying the Richmond Spiders in their last game, 85-67. Rhode Island’s 11.1 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Richmond, who had a rate of 25.5. The Rams’ mark was better than their season average of 13.7, while the Spiders’ was above their season average of 15.6. Jeff Dowtin led the way for Rhode Island, putting up 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
In the Bonnies’ last game, they defeated the La Salle Explorers, 79-68. St. Bonaventure’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over La Salle. The Bonnies had a rate of 25.0 (below their season average of 30.3), while the Explorers posted a mark of 15.6 (below their season average of 25.5). Matt Mobley was the top scorer from either team with 30 points on 11-for-20 shooting.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of St. Bonaventure (54th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 112.3) takes on the elite defense of Rhode Island (26th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 96.5).
Rhode Island holds records of 21-3 straight up (SU) and 13-7-2 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Rams’ games have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, St. Bonaventure is 19-6 SU and 11-11 ATS. Bonnies games also have finished over the total 54.5 percent of the time.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. E.C. Matthews scored a game-high 20 points in the first matchup, in which the Rams defeated the Bonnies 87-73, covering as 7-point favorites. He also had nine rebounds. The game finished with a total of 160 points, which was 15.5 points above the projected point total of 144.5 points. The Rams’ offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over the Bonnies. Rhode Island had a rate of 31.4, while St. Bonaventure posted a mark of 25.0.
Rhode Island Rams vs. St. Bonaventure Bonnies Free Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Rhode Island, ATS Winner – Rhode Island, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Rhode Island is 5-4-1 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 3 unders.
At home, St. Bonaventure is 5-4 ATS with 5 overs and 4 unders.
Rhode Island ranks first in three pointers allowed per game (14.8) while St. Bonaventure ranks 175th (22.7).
The Rams rank 29th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while the Bonnies rank 116th (13.1).
Rhode Island ranks 104th in blocks per game (3.5) while St. Bonaventure ranks 171st in blocks allowed per game (4.1).
The Rams rank 31st in steals per game (7.7) while the Bonnies rank 61st (7.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Rhode Island is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
St. Bonaventure is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Rams’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.8, down from 10.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bonnies have scored an average of 84.8 points per game (7.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.4 points per game (2.8 above their season average).
