Providence vs Rhode Island 12/4/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Rhode Island Rams and the Providence Friars meet Saturday in college basketball action from Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Rhode Island is 6-2 so far this year and coming off a win over Harvard in their last game. As for Providence, they’re 7-1 on the season and took out Texas Tech in their last appearance. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Rhode Island put up a 3-1 run in their first four games this season, beating Boston U, Bryant and Boston College in that time. Another 3-1 stretch came after that, featuring wins over Boston College (again), Georgia State and Harvard. 

In the matchup versus Harvard on Wednesday, the Rams jumped out to a 38-22 edge at the break and ultimately took the game 64-57. Rhode Island’s lead scorers were Makhel Mitchell and Malik Martin, each with 13 points and a combined 16 rebounds. 

Over on the Providence side, they won their first five games of the year over Fairfield, Sacred Heart, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Northwestern before a loss to Virginia. Since then it’s been two wins over Saint Peter’s and Texas Tech. 

On Wednesday versus Texas Tech, Providence faced a 30-28 deficit coming into the second half. The Friars posted a 44-38 edge from there in a tight 72-68 win. Aljami Durham was the team’s top scorer with 23 points, three rebounds and two assists. 

Providence is 5-2 ATS in their last seven overall and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 after an ATS win. The under is 5-1 in the Friars’ last six after an ATS win. 

Meanwhile, the Rams are 1-4 ATS in their last five Saturday games and 1-4 ATS in the last five road games. Rhode Island is 6-2 ATS in their last eight overall. 

PICK: I’m probably going to stick with Providence. The Friars had one of their toughest battles of the year in their last game and emerged victorious even with a tepid 37.3 percent shooting and a 37-35 rebounding deficit. Providence has now scored 72 points or more in three of their last four games. 

As for Rhode Island, they’ve been good on the defensive side lately with 67 or fewer points allowed in each of their last four. I’m not sure if the Rams will be able to tamp down Providence’s offense well enough to cover here, though.