Villanova (18-15) vs VCU (22-13)
Game Info: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 9:00 pm (Finneran Pavilion)
Betting Odds: Villanova -6.5 -- Over/Under: 131.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN2
The Villanova Wildcats and the VCU Rams will meet this Wednesday in the NIT Round of 32 at the Finneran Pavilion on ESPN2. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a VCU vs Villanova Prediction.
- The VCU recent form and recent player performance
- The Villanova recent form and recent player performance
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving VCU
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Villanova
- Recent betting trends in games played between VCU vs Villanova
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between VCU vs Villanova.
Virginia Commonwealth Preview: Can the Rams Come Thru As Road Underdogs?
Virginia Commonwealth comes in at 21-13 after falling to Duquesne in the Atlantic 10 Championship, 57-51. The Rams had their rally cut short by the Dukes, and they’ll seek different results here in Philly versus the Wildcats. VCU is scoring 71.5 points per game, on 44.4% shooting, and allowing 66.7 ppg, they’re 5-5 over their last ten games.
VCU’s Impact Players
- Utah State transfer Max Shulga leads VCU in scoring (15.0) and assists (3.6), but he missed the Duquesne matchup, and his status for this matchup should be monitored.
- Chesterfield native Joe Bamisile has scored 16 points or more in four of the last six games, and he’s second on the team at 14.0 ppg.
- Former USU guard Sean Bairstow recorded 16 points in the win over URI, and he’s posting a solid line of 10.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, and 4.4 apg.
Villanova Preview: Will the Wildcats Come to Play?
Villanova enters at 18-15 after losing to Marquette in the Big East Quarterfinals, 71-65. The Wildcats were outclassed in overtime by the Golden Eagles, and they’ll look to capitalize on their high seeding here in the NIT. Villanova is scoring 70.5 points per game, on 42.5% shooting, while allowing 65.5 ppg, and they’re 6-4 over their previous ten games.
Villanova's Impact Players
- Veteran forward Ed Dixon has hit the 20-point mark in five of the last seven games, and he leads Villanova in scoring (16.3), while grabbing 6.3 rpg.
- Wazzu transfer TJ Bamba struggled in the DePaul matchup, but he’s still second on the team at 10.3 ppg.
- Former Richmond forward Tyler Burton leads the Wildcats in rebounding (6.3), while scoring 8.3 ppg.
- Longtime Nova guard Justin Moore has scored 14 points or more in three of his last five outings, and he’s up to 10.3 ppg.
More College Basketball Picks: Colorado vs Boise State Prediction!
VCU Rams Team Facts
- VCU have covered the Spread in 14 of their last 20 games
- VCU has hit the Game Total Under in 11 of their last 16 games
Villanova Wildcats Team Facts
- Villanova has hit the Game Total Under in 19 of their last 25 games
- Villanova has hit the Team Total Under in 18 of their last 26 games
Virginia Commonwealth vs Villanova Trends
- VCU is 20-14-1 against the spread, with a 15-20 O/U record
- Villanova is 17-16 ATS, with a 17-16 over/under record.
VCU vs Villanova Prediction: Spread
I faded my home state last night in UVA’s First Four matchup, but VCU actually has a chance of sticking around with Villanova here on the road, as their scrappy styles of play mirror each other. The Rams turned a corner over the second half of the season, and despite coming up short in the A-10 Final, they should come out motivated with an opportunity to beat a Power 6 school on the road. Villanova has underwhelmed over the last two months, and after nearly falling to a poor DePaul team in the first round of the Big East tourney, I like testing them with my alma mater this Wednesday. Spot VCU the points versus Villanova for this NIT matchup.
VCU vs Villanova Prediction: Total
I mentioned how both schools lean on their stiff defensive units, and with the magic number rising by a whopping 11.5 points, it opens up another angle for this contest. This game should be physical and possession-heavy, so there’s a good chance of it being close, and that should reflect on the scoreboard. Give the Under a look, as the VCU/Villanova matchup could be a low-scoring bout.
Corey’s Pick VCU TO COVER
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
