VCU vs St. Joseph's Prediction 1/17/25 College Basketball Picks
St. Joseph's (11-6) vs VCU (13-4)
Game Info: Friday, January 17, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Michael J. Hagan '85 Arena)
Betting Odds: St. Joseph's +2.5 -- Over/Under: 141.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPNU
The VCU Rams and the Saint Joseph’s Hawks meet Friday in college basketball action from Hagan Arena. Here’s a VCU vs Saint Joseph’s prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best VCU vs Saint Joseph’s pick. We will examine:
The VCU Rams' recent form and player performance
The Saint Joseph’s Hawks' recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the VCU Rams
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Saint Joseph’s Hawks
Recent betting trends in games played between VCU and Saint Joseph’s
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the VCU vs Saint Joseph’s game
VCU Rams Betting Preview
The Rams have had a couple of instances of spotty play for brief periods so far this year, but overall it’s been quite the consistent run. VCU opened on four straight wins over Bellarmine, Boston College, Merrimack, and Loyola Maryland, then took consecutive losses versus Seton Hall and Nevada. The Rams got back to business with wins over Miami, Elizabeth City State, Georgia Southern, Penn, and Colorado State, then took a 1-2 run. The lone win in that trio was over William & Mary. Otherwise, it was losses to New Mexico and St. Bonaventure. Since then it’s been three straight wins over Loyola Chicago, Fordham, and Saint Louis for the Rams though, giving them a nice 13-4 overall record through the first 17 games of the season.
In the Saint Louis game on Tuesday, the Rams entered the second half sporting a 47-42 edge. VCU posted a 31-20 run from there to stay out in front and cruised to the victory in the end 78-62. Joe Bamisile put up 23 points with three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes to lead the team. Jack Clark added 12 points with four rebounds and five assists, while Max Shulga chipped in 11 points with nine assists and four steals.
Saint Joseph’s Hawks Betting Preview
On Saint Joseph’s side, they’ve got a couple of very nice runs so far this year, but there are also some spurts of choppy efforts in the record column. The Hawks hit a 6-4 run out of the gate with losses to Central Connecticut, Texas, Princeton, and Charleston. The wins in that time were over Navy, Villanova, Penn, Texas Tech, Coppin State, and La Salle. Following four straight wins over American, Virginia Tech, Delaware State and UMass, Saint Joseph’s fell to Saint Louis and Duquesne before another win over Loyola Chicago, resulting in an 11-6 record so far.
In the Loyola Chicago matchup last weekend, the Hawks held a nice 53-29 edge by halftime. Saint Joseph’s kept it going in the second with a 40-29 effort and powered out the blowout victory 93-57 in the end. Xzayvier Brown led the team with 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Derek Simpson added 19 points with six boards and four assists, while Erik Reynolds held 18 points, two assists, and one rebound in 31 minutes of work on the court.
Why the Saint Joseph's Hawks will win
- Saint Joseph's has won each of its last six games against Conference opponents at Michael J. Hagan Arena.
- VCU has lost each of its last three road night games against Conference opponents.
- VCU has lost the first half in each of its last three road games.
Why the VCU Rams will win
- VCU has won eight of its last nine games against Saint Joseph's.
- Saint Joseph's has lost each of its last five Friday night games against the Atlantic 10 Conference.
- Saint Joseph's has lost the first half in three of its last four night games against Conference opponents.
VCU vs Saint Joseph’s Prediction
I’m staying with Saint Joseph’s. This should be a pretty fun matchup regardless, though. The Hawks blitzed a decent Loyola Chicago team in their last outing, posting 54.8 percent shooting with 54.5 percent (18-of-33) from 3-point range and a 41-36 rebounding edge. The foul shooting (7-of-11) could have been a little better, but that’s splitting hairs. The important thing is that Saint Joseph’s got back into the win column after a couple of road losses, and they’ve now scored 75 or more points in eight of the last nine games.
As for VCU, they’ve scored 71 or more points in seven straight games (a 5-2 run) and will serve as a formidable opponent in this one. So long as Saint Joseph’s keeps that shooting percentage up however, I like them to power one out at home. Should be a good one.
Andrew’s Pick St. Joseph's Hawks +2.5
AUTHOR: Andrew Jett

Follow Andrew Jett on Twitter @PickDawgzAndrew