Rhode Island Rams vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Preview
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Connecticut
When: Saturday, November 19, 3:00 PM ET
Line: North Carolina Tar Heels (TBA) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (TBA) – view all NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Rhode Island Rams (TBA)
With E.C. Matthews back on the court, the Rams are getting a boost in scoring production that they missed last season when the guard played in just one game because of a knee injury. Matthews leads the team with 20.0 PPG and is coming off a 17-point performance in a hard-earned 79-72 win over Brown last Wednesday.
Apart from Matthews, the Rams also have Hassan Martin healthy. Martin was hobbled with various injuries last season but is now in top form, as his averages of 13.0 PPG and 9.3 RPG suggest. Furthermore, Martin is also currently tied for seventh in the nation with 5.0 BPG. Martin’s presence in the paint is a big reason why opponents are shooting just 47.1 percent at the rim and the Rams ranking sixth in Division I ball in blocks per game with 8.3.
Cincinnati isn’t a great outside shooting team so the Bearcats could’ve problems scoring if they can’t get around Martin and Rhode Island’s frontline. Martin had 12 points, eight boards, and six rejections in the win over Brown.
Rhode Island, which is averaging 90. 0 PPG, is 3-0 ATS and 2-1 ATS in three games this season.
Betting on the Cincinnati Bearcats (TBA)
Like the Rams, Cincinnati is looking to maintain a clean slate after opening the season with back-to-back wins over Brown (84-55) and Albany (74-51). Based on those winning margins, it’s easy to tell that Cincinnati hasn’t been tested yet this season. The Bearcats, however, will get their first true challenge in the form of Rhode Island, a top 50 team per KenPom.com.
Cincinnati, however, has the talent to stave off Rhode Island. Troy Caupain is the leader of this group though he needs to do a better scoring job, as he’s putting up just 9.0 PPG this season, lower than his 13.0 PPG last campaign. Caupain doesn’t need to score lots of points to be effective, though, as he’s also posting 5.5 RPG and 5.5 APG.
Caupain stuffed the stat sheet in the Albany game, scoring eight points and adding four rebounds, five assists while playing menacing defense as shown by his four steals and one block.
Speaking of defense, it has been Cincy’s strongest suit. The Bearcats are allowing opponents to score just 53.0 PPG (#12 in Division I) on 36.2% shooting (#43). Advanced stats will also tell you that Cincinnati is ninth in defensive efficiency, surrendering just 90.0 points per 100 possessions.
Cincinnati is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Cincinnati wins, 59-53.
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