The La Salle Explorers try to snap a five-game losing streak when they take on the Rhode Island Rams in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament on Tuesday afternoon. La Salle dropped five straight to end the regular season, which came after a five-game winning streak, and finished tied with Richmond for 11th place in the Atlantic 10 college basketball standings.
Rhode Island has lost eight of the last nine contests on its NCAAB schedule, though it did get a win over Loyola (Chicago) last Wednesday. This should be one of the tighter NCAA basketball games today, so let’s take a closer look at the contest so we can put together some Rhode Island Rams vs La Salle Explorers betting picks.
Rhode Island Rams vs. La Salle Explorers Odds
The college basketball odds for this contest aren’t putting much difference between the teams’ chances, as La Salle is just a one-point favorite. You can get -110 odds on either side of a point-spread wager.
If you prefer your Rhode Island Rams vs La Salle Explorers betting picks to include a moneyline wager, you can get La Salle at -120 or Rhode Island at even odds. The NCAA college basketball odds for the over/under are set at 138 points, with -110 odds on either side of that wager.
Rhode Island Rams vs. La Salle Explorers Information
Rhode Island Rams vs La Salle Explorers
Location of the Game: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY.
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 4:30 PM ET.
How to Watch: ESPN+
Rhode Island Rams vs. La Salle Explorers Analysis
Rhode Island Rams Performance Recap and Analysis
The Rhode Island Rams have been one of the least successful NCAA basketball teams in the Atlantic 10 this season, finishing the regular season with just five wins in conference play and nine wins overall. One of those wins did come against La Salle, however, so there is a hope that the Rams can repeat that effort on Tuesday.
Sophomore guard Ishmael Leggett has been the team’s top point producer, averaging 16.6 points per game along with 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Leggett averaged 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the two meetings with the Explorers this season.
Junior guard Jalen Carey has been inconsistent, but when he’s on his game, he can be one of the more explosive college basketball players for the Rams. Carey is averaging 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds on the season, but he’s had recent performances of 17 and 13 points, alternating with single-digit scoring efforts.
Rhode Island Rams Key Injuries
There are no recent entries onto the Rhode Island NCAAB injury report, so the Rams should be ready to go for this one.
Rhode Island Rams Betting Trends to Know
- Rhode Island is 5-21 against the spread in its last 26 games against a team with a losing record.
- The over is 7-2 in the Rams’ last nine games following a straight-up loss.
- Rhode Island is 4-0 against the spread in its last four Tuesday games.
La Salle Explorers Performance Recap and Analysis
The La Salle Explorers have been the epitome of up and down this season, with multiple five-game losing streaks and a five-game winning streak comprising the team’s last 15 contests. If the team wants to be one of the March Madness bets to choose, it will need to get back on that hot streak and in a hurry.
Sophomore guard Khalil Brantley is the team’s leading scorer at 14.0 points per game. Brantley is also averaging 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per contest while recording 1.6 steals per contest.
Senior guard Josh Nickelberry can light it up from the perimeter when he gets hot. Nickelberry is averaging 11.6 points per game and shooting 40.3% from 3-point range, though he’s struggled a bit against Rhode Island, averaging just 9.5 points in the two meetings.
La Salle Explorers Key Injuries
The Explorers are fully healthy for the conference tournament.
La Salle Explorers Betting Trends to Know
- La Salle is 0-4 against the spread in its last four games.
- The over is 5-0 in the Explorers’ last five games against a team with a losing record.
Rhode Island Rams vs. La Salle Explorers Betting Picks
Moneyline
This will be one of the more difficult college basketball predictions to make, as both teams have had success against the other this season. Still, we like La Salle to come out on top in this one, as it has been playing some close games and is due for a breakthrough.
Spread
When you’re making your Rhode Island Rams vs La Salle Explorers betting picks, this bet is pretty much a moneyline bet, considering the small point spread. With that in mind, we like La Salle as your choice in this one.
Over/Under Total
Your college basketball picks should also include the over, as both teams will be playing with nothing to lose and likely lighting up the scoreboard.
Rhode Island Rams vs. La Salle Explorers Score Predictions
- Atlantic 10 Pick: La Salle Explorers 80, Rhode Island Rams 76
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