East Tennessee State Buccaneers (6-5) vs VMI Keydets (7-6)
Game Info: Monday, January 18, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Freedom Hall Civic Center)
Betting Odds: East Tennessee State Buccaneers -8 -- Over/Under: 143 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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VMI faces East Tennessee State on Monday, January 18th at Freedom Hall Civic Center for an NCAA basketball SoCon matchup.
VMI is coming off a 110-103 win over The Citadel in its last game on January 16th at home. The two military schools put on an offensive show on Saturday, as both teams easily soared over the total of 167 and scored triple digits each. Neither team was known for its defense, and that was seen from start to finish of that one. VMI is now 7-6 on the year and 2-2 in conference play this season. VMI has won two of its last three games overall and has managed to keep many games close due to its prolific offense. VMI's leading scorer so far this season has been G Greg Parham, who has scored 18.4 points per game for the Keydets. VMI as a team has scored 82.1 points per game and has shot the ball at a 47.2% clip from the field. VMI has also allowed 75.9 points per game to its opponents as well.
East Tennessee State is coming off a 78-66 loss to Furman in its last game on January 16th on the road. East Tennessee State kept things close for a while, but the Paladins were able to break away near the end. East Tennessee State snapped its two-game conference win streak with the loss to Furman. East Tennessee State is now 6-5 on the year and 2-1 in conference play so far this season. East Tennessee State's leading scorer so far this season has been G Ledarrius Brewer, who has scored 16.3 points per game for the Buccaneers. East Tennessee State as a team has scored 67.8 points per game and has shot the ball at a 42.7% clip from the field. East Tennessee State has also allowed 64.9 points per game to its opponents as well.
East Tennessee State opens as an 8-point favorite and the total is set at 143. Here we have a clash of styles, where VMI is the offensive juggernaut and East Tennessee State relies on the defense. It is usually tough for these defensive teams to cover these large spreads, as VMI has the ability to score against almost everyone. I will take the points with the Keydets in VMI.
Ron’s Pick VMI +8
AUTHOR: Ron Romanelli
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