The Yale Bulldogs take on the Rhode Island Rams in Kingston, RI. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Rhode Island is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -142. The total is set at 155.5 points.
Here’s my Yale vs. Rhode Island predictions and college basketball picks for December 2, 2024.
Yale vs Rhode Island Prediction
My Pick: Under 156
My Yale vs Rhode Island best bet is on the under, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Yale vs Rhode Island Odds
| Yale Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -112 | 155.5 -110o / -110u | +120 |
| Rhode Island Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -108 | 155.5 -110o / -110u | -142 |
- Yale vs Rhode Island spread: Rhode Island -2.5
- Yale vs Rhode Island over/under: 155.5 points
- Yale vs Rhode Island moneyline: Rhode Island -142, Yale +120
- Yale vs Rhode Island best bet: Under 156
Spread
It's a pass on the spread.
Moneyline
I'm passing on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm targeting the total.
My Pick: Under 156
Yale vs Rhode Island College Basketball Betting Preview
Yale has had a full week to reset, sitting on the sidelines during Thanksgiving week. That gave legendary coach James Jones the chance to fix some issues with the Bulldogs' defense, which is currently lagging well behind the offense analytically.
Yale is fouling at a rate far above the best Jones teams; an inexperienced big man rotation is an obvious culprit.
Of course, the biggest issue with Yale’s defense is opponents’ shot-making. Yale foes have hit 36.5% of their 3s and 77.1% of their free throws, rates that land the Bulldogs 305th and 336th in the country, respectively.
Both numbers are far above the national average and should trend down in the future.
Rhode Island’s catalyst is point guard Sebastian Thomas, a boomerang transfer who returned to Kingston after a year of evolution at Albany.
Fortunately, Yale has Bez Mbeng, a ferocious on-ball defender who is the reigning Ivy Defensive Player of the Year. If he can bother Thomas, the Rams’ offense will struggle.
On the other end, Rhode Island’s defense has looked great this season, albeit against a soft schedule.
Javonte Brown has dominated inside, and the 7-footer ranks 33rd nationally in block rate. That has helped URI rank 34th in 2-point percentage defense, typically a sustainable defensive measure.
With a combination of expected shooting regression, a great matchup with Mbeng on Thomas, and a stout URI interior defense, the under stands out to me.
