The No. 19-ranked Dayton Flyers (20-3) will attempt to keep their eight-game winning streak alive when they meet the Rhode Island Rams (14-10) at Thomas M. Ryan Center. The game gets underway at 7:00 pm ET on Friday, Feb. 12 and will air on ES2 and ES3.
The Rams come into this game hoping to repeat their last performance, blowing out George Mason 81-63 on Tuesday. Four McGlynn was the game’s high scorer with 25 points on 9-for-15 shooting. The Flyers, meanwhile, are coming off a 76-74 win against Duquesne on Tuesday. Charles Cooke shot 8 for 15 and led in scoring with 22 points.
Jared Terrell and Jarvis Garrett have played well over the last five games for the Rams. During that stretch, Terrell has averaged 22.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.2 three-pointers, while Garrett has recorded 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.0 three-pointers a game. Cooke has also been on a tear in the same span, averaging 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks, and 1.6 three-pointers while leading the Flyers.
The Rams enter the game with records of 14-10 Straight Up (SU) and 9-13 Against The Spread (ATS). Rhode Island has averaged 76.2 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 70.4. Turning to the defensive side, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score on the Rams. The 64.0 points that Rhode Island’s defense allows per game makes them the 20th-ranked defense in the country. The Rams prevent teams from making three-pointers, ranking fourth in the nation with 115 total three-pointers allowed (4.0 per game).
In the other locker room, the Flyers have records of 13-10 ATS and 20-3 SU. The Flyers are shooting lights out so far, with a .472 field-goal percentage that ranks 42nd in Division I. The Dayton defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking 19th in Division I with only 64.0 points allowed per game. Teams seem to consistently miss shots against the Flyers, who are the 37th-best team in the nation in terms of opponent field goal percentage allowed at .399. They average 4.8 blocks per game, good for 50th in the nation.
This is the first meeting of the season for Rhode Island and Dayton. The last time they played, Dayton came out on top, but Rhode Island still leads the head-to-head record, 7-3 SU, over their most recent matchups. Additionally, with a 7-3 record, Rhode Island has the advantage ATS. Rhode Island held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once, while Dayton was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – URI, ATS Winner – URI
Notes
Rhode Island scores an average of just 70.4 points per game (ranked 185th). Dayton ranks 19th in points allowed, giving up 64.0 points per game.
Rhode Island scores just 72.2 points per home game (ranked 201st). Dayton ranks seventh in points allowed on the road, giving up 63.2 points.
In its last game, Rhode Island won by a margin of 18 points. Dayton is 6-1 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Rhode Island also has a 6-1 record in blowouts.
The Dayton Flyers have a defensive rating of 94.4 (ranked 14th), while the Rhode Island Rams have an offensive rating of 107.8 (ranked 127th).
Dayton beats Rhode Island in both possessions per game and points per possession. The Flyers average 67.8 possessions and 1.099 points per possession, while the Rams average 65.3 possessions with 1.078 points per possession.
Rhode Island has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.6%. Dayton is a superb 6-1 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Dayton ranks 73rd in assists, recording 15.4 per game. Rhode Island performs worse at 274th with 11.9 assists per game.
Rhode Island ranks 29th in blocks per game with 5.2 and Dayton ranks 50th with 4.8 blocks per game.
Rhode Island ranks 152nd in offensive rebounds, while Dayton ranks 27th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Rhode Island forces a turnover rate of 19.8%. When Dayton turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a stellar 9-2 record.
