Boston College vs. Rhode Island Odds
| Boston College Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -105 | 134.5 -110 | +210 |
| Rhode Island Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -114 | 134.5 -110 | -260 |
Boston College has surprised with a 3-0 start under new head coach Earl Grant. The Eagles have balanced returning veterans with a solid group of transfers that has impressed in three straight home wins.
Led by four returning starters, Rhode Island has won both of its games. The Rams have discovered a commitment on the defensive end, tallying 19 steals in two games.
The two New England rivals face off in Kingston, R.I., on Wednesday night. Which team should we back?
Boston College Eagles Get Boost Under Grant
Boston College has started off scalding hot from 3, shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc. DeMarr Langford Jr. (17.3 PPG) and Makai Ashton-Langford (13 PPG) have led the way in scoring, as both are averaging more than 32 minutes per game.
Grant has brought the high level of offensive efficiency he established at the College of Charleston. The Eagles rank 38th in effective field goal percentage and 47th in 2P field goal percentage. Boston College is also shooting a blistering 39% from 3P.
Grant’s deliberate offensive style also carries a slow pace, as the Eagles rank 324th in adjusted tempo, per KenPom.
The one concern on offense is the Eagles' woeful free throw shooting. Boston College is only shooting 63.9% from the foul line, which could be a problem late in games.
Defensively, the Eagles have been strong at defending the 3, allowing opponents to shoot just 26.9% from deep. However, that has been against far inferior opponents in Dartmouth, Holy Cross and Fairfield.
In addition, the Rams don’t rely heavily on the 3 for offense. Last season, they ranked just 319th with only 24% of their points coming from deep. This season, that number has fallen to just 13.4%.
Rhode Island Rams Led By Solid Backcourt
Rhode Island has a balanced offensive attack led by second-year freshman Ishmael Leggett (15.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.0 SPG).
The Rams' interior is manned by twins Makhi and Makhel Mitchell, who combine for 22 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks per game. The Mitchell brothers are such a force inside that they have limited opponents to just 32.8% from inside the arc (fourth-best in the nation).
Head coach David Cox entered this year with high expectations, but needed a stronger commitment to defense. The early returns have been strong so far, as the Rams rank 23rd in effective field goal percentage defense, per KenPom.
The Rams have a solid backcourt with Leggett and senior Ishmael El-Amin, both of whom shot better than 75% from the free throw line last year. As a team, Rhode Island shoots a solid 72% from the foul line and is due for some negative regression from its opponents.
In two games this year, opponents are shooting 76% from the charity stripe, an average that is unlikely to be matched by Boston College.
Boston College vs. Rhode Island Betting Pick
Boston College has enjoyed a shocking 3-0 start under Grant, but hasn’t played a road game or faced defensive pressure like Rhode Island will bring. The Eagles generate 60% of their offense from inside the arc, the exact strength of the Rams’ defense.
I’m laying the number with Rhode Island at home, banking on the hot shooting of Boston College to struggle to translate in a tough road environment.
