The set-up: It's A-10 action tonight from Philly, as the 17-9 Rhode Island Rams take on the 14-11 La Salle Explorers at the Tom Gola Arena. (if you don't know Gola's name, you are way too young!). The Rams have won seven of 10 and are 9-5 in conference play (tied with Richmond), three games back of 12-2 VCU and Dayton. The Explorers are 8-6 in league games and come in having won six of their last eight home contests.

Rhode Island: More was expected out of the Rams this year, as the Blue Ribbon Yearbook listed them at No. 25 before the season. The Rams haven't ever looked like a top-25 team this year. The starting-five is guards Matthews (14.8 & 4.2), Terrell (12.6) and Dowtin (5.6), joined up front by the 6-7 Martin (13.8 & 6.1) and the 6-9 Iverson (9.4 & 7.5). Guards Garrett (7.5) and Robinson (6.1) are the top reserves.

La Salle: The Explorers top-five scorers are all listed as guards, with Robinson (18.0 & 6.3), Price (16.5 & 4.3) and Powell (13.1 & 4.2) scoring in double digits. The team gets very production from its frontcourt, as the biggest contributors are the 6-9 Henry (5.9 & 4.0) and the 6-10 Washington (5.1 & 4.1).

The pick: I noted earlier that La Salle has played well at home recently. However, the Explorers are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a home underdog, while the Rams are 7-0-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings at La Salle. That makes sense, as the road team is 13-3-1 ATS in the last 17 meetings in this series. Make Rhode Island a 10* play.