VMI vs East Tennessee State Prediction College Basketball Picks 2/21/24
East Tennessee State (13-14) vs VMI (4-23)
Game Info: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Freedom Hall)
Betting Odds: East Tennessee State Buccaneers -17 -- Over/Under: 144.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The VMI Keydets and the East Tennessee State Buccaneers meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Freedom Hall Civic Center. VMI is currently 4-23 and riding a lengthy losing streak—most recently versus the Citadel. As for East Tennessee State, they’re 13-14 overall and coming off a loss to Western Carolina. Let’s get into our VMI vs. East Tennessee State prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Pick Dawgz.
VMI Keydets
The Keydets managed just three wins in their first 13 games this year. VMI has won just once since December 22 (a 70-63 result versus the Citadel on January 20). They’ve fallen to East Tennessee State, Western Carolina, UNCG, Mercer, Chattanooga, Samford, Furman and the Citadel since then.
In the rematch with the Citadel on Saturday, the Keydets fell behind 34-30 in the first half. VMI didn’t end up getting any closer on a 42-21 deficit in the second and lost 76-51. Taeshaud Jackson led the team in scoring with 13 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes.
East Tennessee State Buccaneers
Over on the Buccaneers’ side, their year started out on a rough 9-10 run. East Tennessee State would win four of the next five over VMI, Mercer, the Citadel and Wofford (with a loss to Samford), but since then it’s been losses to Furman, Chattanooga and Western Carolina.
Matched up against Western Carolina on Saturday, the Buccaneers were up by five points by halftime. East Tennessee State lost the lead in the second on a 45-35 run however and fell in the end 70-65. Ebby Asamoah was the team’s top performer on 20 points with 11 rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE VMI VS EAST TENNESSEE STATE PREDICTION
I’ll stay with East Tennessee State. There’s not much intrigue here if you’re not a fan of either team, though. The Buccaneers didn’t shoot all that well in their latest loss to a decent Western Carolina team, hitting 40.3 percent from the field and 20 percent (4-of-20) from outside. The rebounding (39) was pretty good, though. ETSU has scored more than 65 points just once (71) in the last six outings.
If there’s good news, it’s that the Buccaneers posted a 74-73 road win the last time these teams met up back on January 24. Coming back home after a two-game road swing should do East Tennessee State some good, and I like them to pick up the cover. I’m probably not going near it, though. The line's just a little too thick.
Andrew’s Pick East Tennessee State Buccaneers -17
AUTHOR: Andrew Jett
Follow Andrew Jett on Twitter @PickDawgzAndrew