The Davidson Wildcats (15-14, 9-8 A10) and VCU Rams (18-12, 8-9 A10) bring the regular season to an end when they go head-to-head at Belk Arena. The game can be seen on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, 2020.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 136.5 points with Davidson opening as a 3.5-point favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook.
VCU Rams vs. Davidson Wildcats Free Prediction
The Rams were unable to cover as 5.5-point favorites in their 80-77 loss to the Duquesne Dukes in their last contest. The game’s combined points (157) finished well over the projected point total of 137.5. One of Duquesne’s biggest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 26 trips to the line, while VCU went 21 times. Marcus Santos-Silva was the game’s leading scorer with 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
The last time the Wildcats played, they lost to the Richmond Spiders, 80-63. They failed to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (143) came in just over the O/U total of 140.5. Richmond’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Davidson. The Spiders had a rate of 31.0 (above their season average of 22.0), while the Wildcats posted a mark of 15.6 (below their season average of 24.7). With 21 points on 8-for-15 shooting, Kellan Grady was the top scorer from either team.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, De’Riante Jenkins recorded 15 points, seven rebounds and five steals and the Rams defeated the Wildcats 73-62, covering as 9-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 135 points, which was just 1.5 points below the projected point total of 136.5 points. The Rams’ 12.1 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Wildcats, who had a rate of 27.1.
VCU has a respectable 18-12 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 10-20 against the spread (ATS). Rams games have a slight tendency to go under the total (53.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Davidson owns records of 15-14 SU and 12-17 ATS. Vegas tends to set the total high when the Wildcats are involved, as 16 of their 30 games have finished under the total.
This matchup pits one of the country’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Davidson currently ranks 48th in offensive efficiency and VCU ranks 32nd in defensive efficiency.
VCU at Davidson Odds Pick
Free Prediction: ATS Winner – Davidson, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
VCU is 3-9 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 5 unders.
At home, Davidson is 8-3 ATS with 6 unders and 5 overs.
VCU ranks 11th in steals per game (9.1) while Davidson ranks 197th (5.4).
The Rams rank 40th in blocks per game (4.4) while the Wildcats rank 158th (2.7).
VCU ranks 43rd in three pointers allowed per game (18.7) while Davidson ranks 98th (20.4).
The Rams rank 219th in rebounds per game (33.8) while the Wildcats rank 236th (33.3).
In its last five games, VCU is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Davidson is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Rams have been outscored by an average of 2.0 points in their last five games. For the season, VCU has defeated opponents by an average of 6.1 points.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 70.6 points per game (2.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.8 points per game (4.2 above their season average).