Rhode Island visits Loyola Chicago for a Wednesday night outing in a crucial Atlantic 10 matchup.
The Rams enter this one 13-3 overall and 2-2 in league play while the Ramblers are 10-6 and 1-2. Loyola has also lost five of its last six games, including a 93-57 defeat to Saint Joseph’s on Saturday.
URI defeated Richmond in overtime 67-64 its last time out but has gone 4-3 since its 9-0 start. The Rams haven’t been playing as well as they were early in the season, so a win here could help them get back on track.
This is only the third-ever meeting between these two programs. The visiting team won the first two games. I think the visiting team might be the team to back again in this matchup.
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Rhode Island at Loyola Chicago Betting Odds
Loyola Chicago is a five-point college basketball odds favorite on BetMGM against Rhode Island while the Over/Under is at 145.5.
The Moneyline for Loyola is at -190 and at +168 for URI.
Rhode Island at Loyola Chicago On TV
The matchup between Rhode Island and Loyola Chicago will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Tonight’s game tips off at 9 p.m. ET.
Rhode Island at Loyola Chicago Prediction
I predict Rhode Island to cover the five-point spread as a road underdog. I also predict this game will go under 145.5 points.
The Rams lead the A-10 in scoring, averaging 79.9 points per game. However, we’ve seen a much different URI team in the past three weeks than we saw early on. It scored at least 80 points in 10 of its first 12 games. Since then — and since conference play started — they’ve failed to score over 67.
During that stretch, the first halves have been sluggish for the Rams. They’re only averaging 24 points in the first half of their last four games. They averaged 40.5 PPG in the first half in their first 12 games.
According to KenPom, the Rams’ offensive efficiency during league play is at 90.6, the worst in the A-10.
Perhaps defenses in league play have started to clamp down on URI’s offense, but perhaps they have gotten a little out of sync on the offensive side of the ball. I think it’s a little bit of both that are making an impact.
I have to think the offense remains in this slump until we see otherwise, especially when traveling to play at one of the tougher places to play in the conference. However, Loyola’s defensive efficiency in A-10 play is a league-worst 121.0, so this is something to consider when betting on the total.
The Rams are also dealing with two key injuries in the frontcourt with David Green and David Fuchs being sidelined the last two games. Green has a “serious” shoulder injury while Fuchs is battling a toe injury. Green is likely to be out for this meeting against the Ramblers, which is a big loss. He is averaging 15 points and 5.8 rebounds per night. Fuchs’ presence will be critical, as he cleans up the boards.
Despite its offensive hiccups, the Rams’ defense has been solid this season. Per KenPom, the Rams are allowing an effective field-goal percentage of 45.3%, which is 22nd-best in the country. They’re also allowing teams to shoot just 25.8% from the 3-point line, which ranks second-best in Division I.
Loyola has averaged just 65.2 points per game over its last four contests and I don’t anticipate the Ramblers finding much more of an offensive rhythm here than what they’ve had. They shoot 46% from the field and 35% from outside.
With the way both of these teams have scored the ball lately, and the fact that the Rams have one of the better defenses in the league, I don’t expect this to be a track race, but a game that’ll end in the mid-to-high 60s.
I’m not worried about Loyola’s big men taking advantage of Green being out, and I think Rams senior guard Sebastian Thomas will make enough plays down the stretch to will his squad to a victory. Thomas has been one of the best players in the conference this season and is averaging 18.7 points per game, which is second in the A-10. He also leads the league in assists (5.9/game).
Loyola is just 4-11 against the spread this season and 2-8 at home. The Rams are 2-0 ATS as an underdog, while the total has gone Under in both of those games.
