The No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners (18-13) go head-to-head with the No. 7 Rhode Island Rams (25-7) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. The game gets underway at 12:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Rhode Island opened as a 2-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 157.5 points.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Rhode Island Rams Free Prediction
In the , the Sooners were topped by the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 71-60. Oklahoma State won the rebounding battle. The Cowboys had more offensive rebounds (18 vs. five), defensive rebounds (35 vs. 22) and total rebounds (53 vs. 27). Trae Young was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 7-for-21 shooting.
The Rams lost a tough one against the Davidson Wildcats in the , 58-57. Converting at the free throw line was one of Davidson’s biggest strengths. They were 14-16 (87.5 percent), while the Rams were just 9-17 (52.9 percent). E.C. Matthews had a good game for Rhode Island, leading both teams in scoring with 20 points on 7-for-16 shooting.
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).
Oklahoma holds records of 18-13 straight up (SU) and 10-20 against the spread (ATS). Of the Sooners’ 30 games that accepted bets, 17 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island is 25-7 SU and 15-13-2 ATS. Vegas has been spot on when setting the O/U total of Rams games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Rhode Island Rams Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Oklahoma, ATS Winner – Oklahoma, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Rhode Island ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (15.9) while Oklahoma ranks 287th (25.2).
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).
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 averages 3.5 blocks per game, which ranks 114th in the NCAA. Oklahoma ranks 209th in blocks allowed per game (4.4).
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).
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