Tuesday College Basketball Odds, Picks, Predictions: Richmond Spiders vs. Rhode Island Rams Betting Preview

Richmond vs. Rhode Island Odds

Tuesday, Jan. 25

6:30 p.m. ET

CBS Sports Network

Richmond Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+2.5 -110	135.5 -110o / -110u	+120

Rhode Island Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-2.5 -110	135.5 -110o / -110u	-145

Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute college basketball odds here.

Richmond travels to the Ocean State for an Atlantic 10 clash with the Rhode Island Rams.

Richmond’s offense has started to find its rhythm, averaging 74 points per game in conference matchups. The Spiders have clawed their way back to a .500 league record after dropping their first two games.

Rhode Island has been elite when playing at home this season, owning an 8-1 record. The Rams' sole loss came to George Washington over the weekend when they laid an egg as 15-point favorites. Much of the program's early success can be attributed to one of the top defenses in the Atlantic 10.

Whether Richmond’s offense can find success against Rhode Island’s defense will be a major factor in this matchup.

Richmond Spiders

The Spiders own the fourth-ranked offense, putting up 74 points per game this season.

The group's record in Atlantic 10 play can be directly correlated with how the offense has played. In its three wins, Richmond has shot 50% from the field and is averaging 76 points per game. In the three losses, the offense converted on just 36% of its shot attempts.

Now, the Spiders will be matching up against a Rhode Island defense that ranks 13th in the nation in field goal percentage.

Richmond owns an experienced group that doesn’t turn the ball over. Chris Mooney’s squad has been efficient offensively, hitting over 53% of its field goal attempts on the season.

Forwards Grant Golden and Tyler Burton have led the way, averaging 32 points and 13 rebounds combined per contest. Both have been efficient shooting from outside and inside the arc.

Fifth-year guard Jacob Gilyard is the emotional leader for Richmond, and he rarely ever comes out of the game. The 5-foot-9 point guard has played 94% of minutes this season, which is top-10 in the country.

Gilyard exploded for 28 and 31 points against Davidson and Fordham, respectively, before being held to six last time out against La Salle.

The same cohesion seen on the offensive end hasn’t translated defensively, as Richmond allows 71 points per game. The Spiders have been poor defending the 3-point line, allowing 36% (287th), while giving up 50% on 2-point attempts (191st).

Richmond has been crushed on the inside, as opponents score over 51% of their points on 2-point attempts.

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Rhode Island Rams

David Cox has really slowed down the pace since last season. The Rams are focusing on defensive pressure and rank among the top-50 in defensive efficiency this season thanks to the Mitchell twins clogging the paint.

Makhi and Makhel Mitchell — who both stand over 6-foot-9 — have been dominant for Rhode Island. Offensively, the duo is putting up 22 points and 12 rebounds a game while shooting above 58% from the field.

Defensively, the twins play a major in role in the Rams' top-10 2-point defense. Makhel is averaging over three blocks per game, which ranks top-15 in the nation. As a team, Rhode Island has blocked 20% of opponents' shot attempts, which ranks second in the country.

The Rams' main shooting threat is Jeremy Sheppard, who is putting up 11 points per game. He has hit 35% of his 80 3-point attempts on the season.

But shooting woes have become detrimental for Rhode Island recently. The group hit 5-for-32 (16%) from beyond the arc and 24-of-53 (45%) from the charity stripe over the last two games.

Richmond vs. Rhode Island Betting Pick

I’m a big fan of this Richmond squad. The Spiders have an experienced group, and their cohesion shows on the court.

But this will be Richmond’s third consecutive Atlantic 10 matchup on the road. It will be traveling to Kingston to face a Rhode Island team that has been money at home this season, owning an 8-1 record.

Rhode Island will own a significant advantage in the paint with the Mitchell twins. The Rams own a top-10 defense on shot attempts inside the perimeter. They will need to extend that pressure to the 3-point line.

Besides the UMass debacle, the Rams have held their four conference opponents to 19-of-76 (25%) from downtown. Among those opponents was Davidson, which only hit 6-of-24.

Richmond struggled with La Salle’s perimeter defense, hitting just three of its 19 3-point attempts last game.

The Spiders' 2-point and 3-point defense have taken a massive drop-off this season, so Rhode Island should be able to manufacture a ton of clean looks offensively.

This is a good buy low spot on Rhode Island, which just had a letdown game against George Washington. I anticipate the Rams bouncing back in a big way at home while rocking new uniforms.

Pick: Rhode Island -2.5 (Play to -3.5)