Saint Joseph’s vs Rhode Island 3/5/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Rhode Island Rams will travel to Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena to take on the Saint Joseph’s Hawks this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The Rhode Island Rams dropped to 14-14 on the season after being defeated by the Saint Louis Billikens, 80-74, this past Wednesday. Rhode Island struggled on the defensive end against Saint Louis and could not fight back after the Billikens took a 74-69 lead with 3:01 left in regulation. Rhode Island shot 46.0% from the field & 37.5% from beyond the arc while allowing Saint Louis to shoot 44.4% from the field & 47.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Rams was Jeremy Sheppard who had 16 points, 5 rebounds, & 1 assist.

On the season, Rhode Island is averaging 67.2 ppg on 46.1% shooting from the field. The Rams are averaging 5.2 three-pointers per game on 33.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Rhode Island has been led by Makhel Mitchell (10.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 2.5 bpg), Jeremy Sheppard (10.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.4 spg), Makhi Mitchell (9.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.0 spg), & Ishmael Leggett (8.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.1 spg).

Defensively, Rhode Island is holding their opponents to an average of 64.4 ppg on 38.5% shooting from the field. The Rams have a rebound margin of 1.7 and a turnover margin of -0.8.

The Saint Joseph’s Hawks lost their 7^th straight game and dropped to 10-18 on the season after being defeated by the La Salle Explorers, 49-48, this past Wednesday. Saint Joseph’s led by a 39-24 margin early in the 2^nd half, however, the Hawks struggled on the offensive end down the stretch and La Salle was able to secure the victory after Clifton Moore hit a game-winning FT with just :47 seconds left in regulation. Saint Joseph’s shot just 27.4% from the field & 29.2% from beyond the arc while allowing La Salle to shoot 32.8% from the field & 21.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Hawks was Ejike Obinna who had a double-double with 14 points, 18 rebounds, & 1 steal.

On the season, Saint Joseph’s is averaging 67.9 ppg on 422.1% shooting from the field. The Hawks are averaging 8.9 three-pointers per game on 33.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Saint Joseph’s has been led by Jordan Hall (14.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 1.2 spg), Taylor Funk (13.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.8 apg), Ejike Obinna (12.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg), & Erik Reynolds II (11.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.2 apg).

Defensively, Saint Joseph’s is allowing their opponents to an average of 69.6 ppg on 43.1% shooting from the field. The Hawks have a rebound margin of 2.1 and a turnover margin of -3.9.

The Rams are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games & 0-5 straight up in their last 5 road games. The Hawks are 7-8 ATS in their last 15 road games & 2-6 ATS in their last 8 March games.

Rhode Island comes into this game losing 10 of their last 12 games and has had trouble scoring points this season as the Rams come into this game ranked just 269^th in scoring offense & 332^nd in three-pointers made per game. Saint Joseph’s had also struggled picking up wins as of late, however, the Hawks have been competitive as of late, which includes a 2-point loss at home vs. St. Bonaventure, and between the fact that Rhode Island is just 3-8 on the road this season and that I think the Hawks defense will be able to give Rhode Island trouble on their home court, I’m taking Saint Joseph’s win this pick-em. Good Luck!