College Basketball Picks

Rhode Island was expected to struggle this season after losing former coach Dan Hurley to Connecticut, and struggle is exactly what the Rams have done. Actually, Rhode Island was in pretty solid position for a possible NIT bid five weeks ago, but the Rams have dropped seven of their past nine and find themselves needing to win three of their next four games just to ensure eligibility for the postseason. Has URI given up or is this a team whom the sportsbooks have given too many points?

To the credit of Pacific coach Damon Stoudamire, he knows exactly what he has with his team. He’s well aware that his squad isn’t any good on offense, and if it’s going to have anything resembling a chance, it has to slow down the contest and limit possessions. A virtually shorter game means a puncher’s chance. But at +24 bettors want to know if those efforts might result in a cover. DJ has the NCAA pick.