La Salle Explorers vs Rhode Island Rams Pick and Prediction for Wednesday January 7 2025
The La Salle Explorers travel to Kingston to take on the Rhode Island Rams at the Thomas M. Ryan Center on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST, with the game streaming live on ESPN+. Both teams are looking for their first Atlantic 10 conference win of the season, making this a high-stakes "get right" game for two programs hungry to climb the league standings. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of college basketball, check out the latest free college basketball picks over at Winners and Whiners.
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La Salle Explorers Struggling for Consistency
The La Salle Explorers enter this matchup with a 4-11 overall record and a 0-2 start in Atlantic 10 play. They are currently on a five-game losing streak, most recently suffering a 77-55 road loss to George Washington on January 3. While the team has struggled to stack wins, redshirt sophomore Rob Dockery has been a bright spot, coming off a career-high 23-point performance against the Revolutionaries. The Explorers have been competitive in spurts but have struggled to maintain offensive efficiency over a full 40 minutes.
Offensively, La Salle is averaging 66.1 points per game while shooting 41.5% from the field. They have been proficient at getting to the free-throw line, where graduate student Jaeden Marshall ranks among the conference leaders with a 89.7% conversion rate. Defensively, the Explorers allow 72.5 points per contest and have shown strength on the offensive glass, ranking fourth in the A-10 with 12.8 offensive rebounds per game. However, their perimeter defense has been a vulnerability, allowing opponents to shoot over 36% from deep during their current skid.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,494.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,859.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,428.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
The Explorers' rotation has been hampered by several key injuries this season. Forward Justin Archer is out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to a significant shoulder injury. Additionally, forward Noah Collier and guard Josué Grullon are both listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game with undisclosed injuries. The team did recently see the return of guard Jaden Johnson, who has provided a steadying hand in the backcourt with an elite 10-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio over his last two games.
Rhode Island Rams Defending the Ryan Center
The Rhode Island Rams come into this home contest with a 9-6 record but are also searching for their first conference win after a 0-2 start in A-10 play. They are looking to bounce back from a 61-50 road loss to George Mason on Saturday. Despite the recent setbacks, the Rams have been much more comfortable at the Thomas M. Ryan Center, where their defensive intensity typically increases. Head coach Archie Miller has emphasized defensive discipline, and the Rams currently boast a top-40 national defense in points allowed.
Rhode Island’s statistical profile is anchored by their defense, which allows just 66.5 points per game. They are particularly aggressive in passing lanes, leading the A-10 in forced turnovers during conference play so far. Offensively, the Rams average 72.3 points per game, led by redshirt junior guard Jonah Hinton, who averages 15.0 points and leads the league in made three-pointers. The Rams have struggled with shooting consistency recently, particularly from the charity stripe, which proved costly in their four-point loss to Loyola Chicago earlier this month.
The Rams are dealing with their own set of availability issues heading into Wednesday. Guard Tyler Cochran is officially listed as out with a foot injury, a significant blow to their veteran depth. Forward Mouhamed Sow also remains out indefinitely with a leg injury sustained in late November. The team is also monitoring redshirt freshman center Moek Icke, who is considered questionable with an undisclosed ailment. In their absence, the Rams will rely heavily on Myles Corey and Keeyan Itejere to provide interior scoring and rim protection.
Rhode Island Rams vs. La Salle Explorers Prediction
This game features two teams desperate to avoid an 0-3 start in conference play. While La Salle has shown they can compete on the glass, Rhode Island’s defensive pressure and home-court advantage make them the favorite. The Rams' ability to force turnovers should exploit a La Salle offense that, while improved under Jaden Johnson’s direction, still struggles with scoring droughts. If Jonah Hinton can find his rhythm early from deep, the Rams should be able to control the tempo and dictate the terms of this contest.
Rhode Island Rams vs. La Salle Explorers ATS Pick
- Pick: Rhode Island -10.5
Despite the double-digit spread, Rhode Island is the side to back at home. La Salle is 0-8 on the road this season and has lost their last five games by an average margin of 14 points. Rhode Island’s defense is the best in the A-10 at forcing turnovers, and they face a La Salle team that struggled significantly in their last road outing at George Washington. With Rob Dockery being the only consistent scoring threat for the Explorers lately, the Rams' top-40 defense should be able to key in on him and cover the spread in a bounce-back performance.
Rhode Island Rams vs. La Salle Explorers Total Pick
- Pick: Under 133.5
Both teams have struggled to score efficiently in conference play, with Rhode Island averaging just 53.5 points over their first two A-10 games. La Salle plays at one of the slower paces in the conference, and Archie Miller's defensive philosophy thrives in lower-possession games. Given that Rhode Island’s defense allows the fewest points in the league during conference play (61.0 PPG) and La Salle’s recent shooting woes on the road, this game is likely to be a defensive grind that stays well under the 133.5 total.
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