Photo by Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
VCU Rams (17-6) vs Dayton Flyers (14-8)
Game Info: Friday, March 5, 2021 at 3:30 pm (Stuart Siegel Center)
Betting Odds: VCU Rams -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Dayton Flyers and the VCU Rams will square off at the Stuart C. Siegel Center in the Quarterfinals of the A-10 Championship this Friday afternoon.
The Dayton Flyers finished their regular season with an overall record of 13-8 and earned the 7-seed in the A-10 Championship after finishing conference play with a 9-7 record. Dayton was able to advance to the Quarterfinals after defeating the 10-seed Rhode Island Rams, 84-72, this Thursday afternoon. Dayton led by a 40-31 margin and was able to pull away in the 2nd half after taking a 78-64 lead with 3:41 left in regulation. Dayton shot 50.9% from the field and 52.2% from beyond the arc while Rhode Island shot 50.9% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc. Dayton outrebounded Rhode Island by a 35-30 margin and won the turnover battle by a 11-9 margin. Leading the way for the Flyers was Ibi Watson who had 25 points, 2 rebounds, & 3 assists.
Coming into their game against Rhode Island, Dayton was averaging 69.6 ppg on 47.8% shooting from the field. The Flyers were averaging 7.8 three-pointers per game on 36.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Dayton had been led by Jalen Crutcher (18.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.9 apg), Ibi Watson (15.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 apg), Mustapha Amzil (10.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.3 apg), & Jordy Tshimanga (6.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg).
Defensively, Dayton was holding their opponents to an average of 67.2 ppg on 41.5% shooting from the field. The Flyers had a rebound margin of -01 and a turnover margin of -2.7.
The VCU Rams finished their regular season with an overall record of 14-6 and earned the 2-seed in the A-10 Championship after finishing conference play with a 10-4 record. VCU was solid on both ends of the court this season, however, the Rams were led by their defense that ranks 54th in scoring defense, 54th in defensive FG%, 5th in steals per game, & 5th in blocks per game. VCU was able to pick up some quality non-conference wins against Utah State & Memphis and finished the regular season winning 7 of their last 9 games, including a 67-64 win against the top-seed, St. Bonaventure Bonnies.
On the season, VCU is averaging 72.3 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Rams are averaging 6.6 three-pointers per game on 33.1% 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. (11.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg), Adrian Baldwin Jr. (6.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.2 spg), & Hason Ward (6.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 2.3 bpg).
Defensively, VCU is holding their opponents to an average of 65.2 ppg on 41.0% shooting from the field. The Rams have a rebound margin of -0.0 and a turnover margin of 2.3.
Trends will be provided when released.
Dayton has been a hard time to get a read on this season as we have seen the Flyers suffer some tough losses against the likes of La Salle, Fordham, & Saint Joseph’s, however, we have also seen Dayton look outstanding in wins against Mississippi State, Saint Louis, & St. Bonaventure. Dayton has been led by their defense, however, their offense has had trouble at times finding ways to get points on the scoreboard and come into this game ranked just 219th in scoring offense. VCU is a team that has the talent to pull off a few upsets if they can make the NCAA Tournament and as I think their defense is going to give Dayton some trouble, as it did in the Rams 66-43 win earlier this season, my initial lean is to take VCU to cover what should be a mid-range spread.
Brett’s Pick Please Check Back When The Line Is Released (Initial Lean Towards VCU)
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
