VCU vs Duquesne Prediction 1/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The VCU Rams and the Duquesne Dukes meet Saturday in college basketball action from the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a VCU Rams vs. Duquesne Dukes prediction.

VCU Rams Recap

The VCU Rams come into this game looking to add on to their 89-82 win over St. Bonaventure last time out to sit at 10-4 this season. After this game, VCU will take on Saint Louis at home.

Rams Win 4 In A Row

Terrence Hill Jr. leads the Rams in scoring with 12.8 PPG while Lazar Djokovic has 11.8 PPG with 5.2 RPG. Jadrian Tracey has 11.2 PPG with 3.6 RPG and 2.3 APG and Nyk Lewis has 10.2 PPG with 3.8 RPG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for VCU so far this season. Barry Evans has 9.4 PPG with a team-high 6 RPG to lead VCU in rebounding along with 2.5 APG to lead the way in assists as well this season. As a team, VCU is averaging 83.7 PPG on 44.8% shooting from the field, 36.4% from three and 70.7% from the foul line this season. 

Duquesne Dukes Recap

The Duquesne Dukes come into this game looking to add on to their 89-83 double OT win over Davidson last time out to sit at 9-5 this season. After this game, Duquesne will head on the road for a game against Saint Joseph’s.

Dukes Win 3 In A Row

Tarence Guinyard leads the Dukes in scoring and assists with 16.4 PPG and 5.2 APG along with 3.3 RPG while John Hugley IV has 15.4 PPG with 5.6 RPG and 2.2 APG. Jimmie Williams has 14.8 PPG with 4.6 RPG and 2.4 APG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Duquesne up to this point in the year. Maxius Edwards has 8.5 PPG with 3.6 RPG and Jakub Necas also has 8.1 PPG with a team-high 6.1 RPG to lead the Dukes in rebounding as well this season. As a team, Duquesne is averaging 86.5 PPG on 49.7% shooting from the field, 36.2% from three and 70.8% from the foul line this season.

VCU Rams @ Duquesne Dukes Betting Trends: January 3, 2026

Why the Duquesne Dukes will win

• Duquesne has won 10 of its last 11 day games at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.
• The home team has won the first half in each of Duquesne’s last six games.

Why the VCU Rams will win

• VCU has won each of its last nine day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Duquesne has lost five of its last six games at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse after coming off overtime.
• VCU has won the first half in each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Duquesne’s last 23 day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 160 or fewer points.
• Seventy-seven of VCU’s last 80 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 165 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duquesne ranks 29th among Division 1 teams for effective field goal percentage this season (57.6%).
• Duquesne ranks 34th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (49.7%).
• VCU ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (18.4).
• VCU ranks T19th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (19.6).

VCU Rams vs. Duquesne Dukes Prediction

I’m on Duquesne and the points here. I think Duquesne is live to win this game as the Dukes have been a really strong team at home and looked really solid in grinding out the win over Davidson. This isn’t the same looking VCU team under Phil Martelli Jr. and I think VCU could be vulnerable on the road again here. Give me Duquesne and the points.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Duquesne +5.5