College hoops betting interest focuses on the Providence vs Rhode Island battle Thursday at Dunkin Donuts Center as the Friars look to defend home court and cover the NCAA basketball point spread.

The Friars sport records of 6-2 and 3-2 ATS heading into this battle, while the Rams have 2-6 and 4-2 ATS marks on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 1-2 for the Friars and 0-1 for the Rams.



View Rhode Island vs Providence Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as 9.5-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total was set to open a bit later (check out Sportsbook for the latest situation(.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Friars sit at No. 88 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Rams sit at No. 147 on the same chart. The computers running our scores simulations have concluded that the Friars will win this game 73-58.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Providence's No. 179-ranked offense, averaging 68 PPG, against a Rams defense that ranks No. 142 at 64.5 PPG. The Friars field goal percentage has averaged 44.7% so far, more than the Rams marksmen have achieved on the year, 37.5% per game.

Defensively, Rhode Island features the nation's No. 123-rated defense on the road, allowing 67 points per game. Providence, meanwhile, comes in at No. 248 nationally in scoring at home.

Rhode Island won its last outing, a 76-66 result against Vermont on December 1. The Rams got a terrific 25-point effort from Xavier Munford as Rhode Island defeated Vermont 76-66 on Saturday at Thomas Ryan Center.

Providence was a 73-63 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Mississippi State. They failed to cover the 12-point spread as favorites. The Friars used a 32-point performance from Kadeem Batts to help Providence smack Mississippi State 73-63 on Saturday at Dunkin Donuts Center.


Rhode Island Rams Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
After playing Vermont are 0-1
After a win are 2-8

Providence Friars Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Colgate are 1-0
After a win are 5-5

A few Rams at Friars trends to consider:
Rhode Island is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Rhode Island is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Providence
Providence is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Providence is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Rhode Island
Providence is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Providence is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Rhode Island


Next up:
Rhode Island home to Southern Methodist, Saturday, December 15
Providence home to Colgate, Tuesday, December 18