The No. 20 Seton Hall Pirates (4-0) and the Rhode Island Rams (2-1) clash in the Preseason NIT at Barclays Center. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 23, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Rhode Island Rams vs. Seton Hall Pirates Odds Preview
In the Rams last matchup, they easily got past the Holy Cross Crusaders, 88-66. Jared Terrell was the games high scorer with 25 points on 10-for-16 shooting. Rhode Island dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.2 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3. Holy Cross had marks of 22.6 and 22.6, respectively, for those same stats.
The Pirates hope to maintain momentum after blowing out the NJIT Highlanders in their last outing, 82-53. With 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting, Desi Rodriguez was the top scorer from either team. Seton Hall dominated every stat category in the game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.250 (above their season average of 0.228) and a turnover percentage of 14.9 (better than their season average of 16.4). NJIT was 0.093 and 23.6, respectively, for those same stats.
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Seton Hall offense. Since last season, Seton Hall ranks 251st in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.7 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Rhode Island has forced the 88th-most turnovers in the NCAA (20.3 percent).
Rhode Island Rams vs. Seton Hall Pirates Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Rhode Island, ATS Winner – Rhode Island, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Rams rank 11th in assists allowed per game (10.3) while the Pirates rank 69th (11.9).
- Rhode Island is seventh in the nation with 16.1 three pointers allowed per game while Seton Hall is 60th with 19.3 three pointers allowed per game.
- Rhode Island ranks ninth in blocks per game (5.5) while Seton Hall ranks 224th (2.6).
- The Rams rank 50th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while the Pirates rank 206th (6.8).
- Seton Hall ranks 21st in rebounds per game (39.6) while Rhode Island ranks 119th in rebounds allowed per game (34.4).
