The Nevada Wolf Pack (1-0) welcome the Rhode Island Rams (1-0) in a matchup that pits great offense against superb defense. Nevada is a 1-point favorite on the opening line, while the games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 148 points. Tip-off is set for 11:30 p.m. ET on Monday, November 13, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Rhode Island Rams at Nevada Wolf Pack Free Preview
The Rams dismantled the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in their last game, 84-60. Stanford Robinson was the top scorer from either team with 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Rhode Island dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a turnover percentage of 17.7 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.566. UNC Asheville was 32.5 and 0.500, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Wolf Packs last matchup, they dismantled the Idaho Vandals, 88-64. With 26 points on 8-for-14 shooting, Caleb Martin was the games leading scorer. Nevada dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 12.0 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.540. For those same stats, Idaho was 20.2 and 0.414, respectively.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Nevada takes on the elite defense of Rhode Island. Since the 2016-17 season, the Wolf Pack rank 32nd in offensive efficiency, while the Rams are 47th in defensive efficiency. Ball protection should be an advantage for the Rams. They rank 44th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.7 percent). Conversely, the Wolf Pack have forced the 33rd-fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents turnover percentage of 16.3 percent).
The Rams are 25-9 straight up (SU) and 20-14 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Vegas has been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Rhode Island games since last season with 18 overs compared to 16 unders.
The Wolf Pack, on the other hand, are 29-6 SU and 24-10-2 ATS since last season. Games featuring Nevada have finished over the O/U total 52.8 percent of the time over that same period.
Rhode Island Rams vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Nevada, ATS Winner – Nevada, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Wolf Pack rank eighth in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while the Rams rank 82nd (3.0).
- Nevada ranks 64th in three pointers attempted per game (23.9) while Rhode Island ranks 256th (18.5).
- The Rams rank seventh in assists allowed per game (10.1) while the Wolf Pack rank 193rd (13.7).
- Nevada ranks 44th in rebounds per game (38.5) while Rhode Island ranks 128th in rebounds allowed per game (34.5).
