Rhode Island at UMass: 1/13/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction
Photo by Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
UMass Minutemen (3-3) vs Rhode Island Rams (6-6)
Game Info: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 7:00 pm (William D. Mullins Center)
Betting Odds: UMass Minutemen +3 -- Over/Under: 151.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Rhode Island Rams will travel to the William D. Mullins Memorial Center to take on the UMass Minutemen this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.
The Rhode Island Rams improved to 6-6 on the season after defeating the VCU Rams, 83-68, this past Saturday. In arguably the Rams best offensive performance of the season, Rhode Island was able to pull away in the 2nd half after a 17-2 run gave the Rams a 71-56 lead with 7:05 left in regulation. Rhode Island shot 48.1% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the arc while VCU shot 38.9% from the field and 30.4% from beyond the arc. Rhode Island outrebounded VCU by a 41-26 margin and forced 16 turnovers in the victory. Leading the way for the Rams was Fatts Russell who had 23 points, 9 rebounds, & 2 steals.
On the season, Rhode Island is averaging 73.8 ppg on 46.2% shooting from the field. The Rams are averaging 5.7 three-pointers per game on 32.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Rhode Island has been led by Fatts Russell (15.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.3 spg), Jeremy Sheppard (10.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg), Antwan Walker (8.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.3 apg), & Makhel Mitchell (6.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.4 bpg).
Defensively, Rhode Island is allowing their opponents to average 71.2 ppg on 40.4% shooting from the field. The Rams have a rebound margin of 2.2 and a turnover margin of -1.7.
The UMass Minutemen snapped their 2-game losing streak and improved to 3-3 on the season after defeating the La Salle Explorers, 83-67, this past Saturday. UMass overwhelmed La Salle from the start of the game and had no trouble securing the victory after taking a 45-21 lead into halftime. UMass shot 46.4% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc while La Salle shot 41.2% from the field and 29.2% from beyond the arc. UMass outrebounded La Salle by a 43-33 margin and forced 12 turnovers in the victory. Leading the way for the Minutemen was Carl Pierre who had 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, & 1 steal.
On the season, UMass is averaging 86.2 ppg on 43.9% shooting from the field. The Minutemen are averaging 9.2 three-pointers per game on 34.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UMass has been led by Tre Mitchell (20.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.5 bpg), Carl Pierre (15.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 spg), Noah Fernandes (12.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.8 spg), & Javohn Garcia (11.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 spg).
Defensively, UMass is allowing their opponents to average 79.3 ppg on 48.0% shooting from the field. The Minutemen have a rebound margin of 0.8 and a turnover margin of 3.3.
The Rams are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games and 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Minutemen are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record and 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 home games.
Rhode Island has won 3 of their last 4 games and is coming off an outstanding win, however, I think that is pushing this line in a direction that favors the Minutemen. UMass can struggle defensively, however, they are loaded on the offensive end as they come into this game ranked 12th in scoring offense and as I think their offense will have success at home in this one, I think the play here is to take UMass and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick UMass Minutemen +3
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
