The No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners (18-13) battle against the No. 7 Rhode Island Rams (25-7) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. The Sooners opened as a 2-point underdog. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 157.5 points and action begins at 12:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Rhode Island Rams Betting Odds
Both teams fell in their last game. The Rams lost a winnable game to the Davidson Wildcats, 58-57, while the Sooners lost to the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 71-60.
Oklahoma forced Oklahoma State into a turnover percentage of 19.8 (above their season average of 15.9) while Rhode Island held Davidson to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.8 (below the 27.6 mark opponents have averaged against Rhode Island this season). E.C. Matthews had a solid performance for Rhode Island, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds. Oklahoma rallied around Trae Young, who finished with 22 points and five assists.
Rhode Island should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Rhode Island ranks 22nd in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.6 percent), while Oklahoma forces the 83rd-fewest turnovers (17.2 percent).
Games featuring the Sooners have a tendency to go over the total (56.7 percent). Oklahoma comes into the contest with records of 18-13 straight up (SU) and 10-20 against the spread (ATS).
There does not appear to be a trend for Rams games in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Moreover, Rhode Island owns records of 25-7 SU and 15-13-2 ATS.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Rhode Island Rams Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Rhode Island, ATS Winner – Rhode Island, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Rhode Island ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (15.9) while Oklahoma ranks 287th (25.2).
- The Rams average 7.5 steals per game, which ranks 35th in the NCAA. The Sooners rank 183rd in steals allowed per game (6.8).
- Rhode Island ranks 114th in blocks per game (3.5) while Oklahoma ranks 209th in blocks allowed per game (4.4).
- The Rams rank 43rd in assists allowed per game (11.4) while the Sooners rank 224th (14.7).
- Rhode Island ranks 107th in rebounds allowed per game (33.8) while Oklahoma ranks 286th (38.8).
Bettings Trends:
- The Sooners have been outscored by an average of 6.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Oklahoma has defeated opponents by an average of 3.5 points.
- During their last five games, the Rams have scored an average of 66.4 points per game (9.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.6 points per game (2.7 above their season average).
