Saint Louis at VCU: 2/23/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction
Photo by Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
VCU Rams (16-5) vs Saint Louis Billikens (11-4)
Game Info: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 6:00 pm (Stuart Siegel Center)
Betting Odds: VCU Rams -2 -- Over/Under: 137 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Saint Louis Billikens will travel to the Stuart C. Siegel Center to take on the VCU Rams this Tuesday night in College Basketball action.
The Saint Louis Billikens had their 4-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 11-4 on the season after being defeated by the Dayton Flyers, 76-53, this past Friday night. Saint Louis had no answers on the offensive end against the Dayton defense and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 43-23 margin. Saint Louis shot just 27.1% from the field and 22.6% from beyond the arc while Dayton shot 50.0% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. Saint Louis outrebounded Dayton by a 45-38 margin, however, lost the turnover battle by a 15-12 margin. Leading the way for the Billikens was Javonte Perkins who had 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, & 1 block.
On the season, Saint Louis is averaging 76.9 ppg on 46.5% shooting from the field. The Billikens are averaging 6.9 three-pointers per game on 34.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Saint Louis has been led by Javonte Perkins (17.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.1 apg), Jordan Goodwin (14.6 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.9 spg), Gibson Jimerson (9.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.1 apg), & Hasahn French (7.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.2 bpg).
Defensively, Saint Louis is holding their opponents to average 64.4 ppg on 40.6% shooting from the field. The Billikens have a rebound margin of 8.4 and a turnover margin of 2.9.
The VCU Rams had their 6-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 16-5 on the season after being defeated by the George Mason Patriots, 79-76 in OT, this past Saturday. VCU allowed George Mason to fight back and force OT after holding a 36-26 halftime lead and the Rams could not fight back after the Patriots took a 75-70 lead with just under a minute left in OT. VCU shot 45.6% from the field and 29.4% from beyond the arc while George Mason shot 45.3% from the field and 17.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Rams was Vince Williams Jr. who had 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, & 1 steal.
On the season, VCU is averaging 73.2 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The Rams are averaging 6.7 three-pointers per game on 33.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, VCU has been led by Nah’Shon Hyland (19.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg), Vince Williams Jr. (10.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.1 spg), Adrian Baldwin Jr. (6.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.2 spg), & Hason Ward (6.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.3 bpg).
Defensively, VCU is holding their opponents to an average of 65.2 ppg on 40.6% shooting from the field. The Rams have a rebound margin of 0.1 and a turnover margin of 2.3.
The Billikens are 5- ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Tuesday games. The Rams are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
Saint Louis did not look good in their recent game against Dayton, but this is still a very good Billikens team that comes into this matchup with the 64th ranked scoring offense & 41st in scoring defense. VCU is also a talented team on both ends of the floor, however, the Rams can struggle offensively at times which we saw earlier this season in games against Rhode Island & St. Bonaventure. This should be a fun game to watch, however, I think Saint Louis is the better team in this one and as I expect the Billikens to bounce back behind a strong defensive effort, I think the play here is to take Saint Louis and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Saint Louis Billikens +2
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
