College Basketball Betting Preview: Dayton at Rhode Island
College Basketball Odds: Dayton -4
When: Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Where: Ryan Center, Kingston, RI
Time and Watch: 9:00 EST on CBS Sports Network Get more college basketball picks daily at Doc’s Sports. Doug Upstone is a top sports analyst for Doc's Sports and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Find more from Doug and other top handicappers at DocSports.com
No. 3 Dayton is chasing Atlantic 10 history tonight when they visit Rhode Island. The Flyers are attempting to become the second A-10 basketball program to complete an 18-0 regular season. Back in the 1980s, Temple did it twice, in 1983-84 and four years later in 1987-88 under legendary coach John Chaney.
For those who caught the Maui Classic right before Thanksgiving, Dayton (27-2 SU, 17-12 ATS) took Kansas to overtime before losing 90-84 in the title game, which was our first real look that coach Anthony Grant might have something special. Since, the Flyers are 22-1 SU, with there only other loss also in OT in Chicago on Dec. 21 to Colorado on a three-point buzzer-beater 78-76.
If you are less familiar with Dayton, sophomore forward Obi Toppen is one of the best players in the country, averaging 19.8 PPG and 7.8 rebounds. He looks NBA-ready and has a versatile offensive game. Point guard Jalen Crutcher is the Flyers second-leading scorer (14.8) and top assist man (4.9) and is a clutch performer who is terrific at the end of games. Dayton is 8-0 on the road (4-4 ATS), winning by 9.1 PPG.
Rhode Island (20-8 SU, 14-13-1 ATS) got off to a sluggish 8-5 start and did not look like a team that was supposed to finish in the Top Four of the A-10. After losing to Richmond at home to open conference play, the Rams began to defense with far greater passion and went on a 10-game winning streak, permitting just 62.5 PPG, posting a 9-1 ATS record that thrilled backers for college basketball picks.
Since, Rhode Island has lost that edge and has alternated losses and wins and is 2-3 and has a 1-3-1 ATS mark.
For the Rams to engineer the upset, the excellent guard trio of Fatts Russell, Jeff Dowtin and Tyrese Martin, who combined to average 46.5 points a game of their team’s 73.4 PPG, will have to reach into the 50s combined for points to reach their goal.
What Basketball Bettors Should Expect
If you are looking to beat the college basketball odds, Rhode Island has the most appealing value. Dayton’s mission was to win the A-10 and having a perfect record is less important than winning next week’s Atlantic 10 tourney.
Look for Rhode Island to be extra ready to play, especially after a home loss upset by St. Louis last Saturday 72-62 as six-point favorites. The Rams are 8-4 SU after a spread setback and figure this outcome to be a one basket game either way.
