The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (4-20, 0-11 A10) and the Rhode Island Rams (18-6, 10-2 A10), who both like to play fast, will clash at Thomas M. Ryan Center. The game starts at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 15, 2020, and will air on CBS Sports Network.
Saint Joseph’s Hawks vs. Rhode Island Rams ATS Prediction
In the Hawks’ last game, they were blown out by the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 74-56. St. Bonaventure’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Saint Joseph’s. The Bonnies had a rate of 0.582 (above their season average of 0.492), while the Hawks posted a mark of 0.417 (below the 0.486 mark opponents have averaged against St. Bonaventure this season). Ryan Daly was the game’s leading scorer with 21 points on 6-for-17 shooting.
The Rams were beaten by the No. 6 Dayton Flyers in their last outing, 81-67. Dayton’s 0.546 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Rhode Island, who had a mark of 0.311. The Flyers’ mark was below their season average of 0.598, while the Rams’ was below their season average of 0.484. With 10 points and 13 rebounds, Rhode Island’s Cyril Langevine had a good performance.
There could be plenty of transition action in this matchup that features two of the NCAA’s more up-and-down teams. Rhode Island ranks 59th in possessions per game (72.0) and Saint Joseph’s is 56th (72.1). Additionally, the 305th-ranked offense of the Hawks (offensive efficiency of 96.5) will face off against the 52nd-ranked defense of the Rams (defensive efficiency of 94.3).
This will be the second game of the season between these two squads. Langevine recorded 14 points and 15 rebounds in the first matchup, in which the Rams defeated the Hawks 71-61. The Rams had a much better turnover percentage (7.0 vs. 17.6) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (39.6 vs. 37.2).
Saint Joseph’s Hawks at Rhode Island Rams ATS Pick
Basketball Tip: ATS Winner – Saint Joseph’s, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Saint Joseph’s ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (30.5) while Rhode Island ranks 267th (17.5).
The Rams rank 34th in rebounds per game (39.3) while the Hawks rank 272nd in rebounds allowed per game (39.0).
Rhode Island ranks 19th in steals per game (8.7) while Saint Joseph’s ranks 223rd (4.7).
The Rams average 3.8 blocks per game, which ranks 67th in the country. The Hawks rank 156th in blocks allowed per game (4.1).
Rhode Island averages 12.7 assists per game, which ranks 168th in the country. Saint Joseph’s ranks 215th in assists allowed per game (14.5).
The Hawks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 14.2, up from 11.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rams have scored an average of 77.4 points per game (2.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 67.6 points per game (0.7 below their season average).