The twelfth seed, VCU Rams (27-7,15-3 A ten) are not any strangers to the NCAA Match. They appeared within the NCAA Match 13 instances because the 2003-2004 season. The final time the Rams made it to the Spherical of 32 was the 2015-2016 season. Saint Mary’s Gaels (26-7, 4-2 WCC) are coming off a formidable back-to again 26-win seasons. Final season, the Gaels misplaced within the second spherical of the NCAA match, and so they want to combat again with their imply protection. These two groups will play on Friday at 2:00 EDT, within the West Area, situated in Albany, New York. The matchup will air on TBS. If you’re searching for the very best betting odds, right here is info to know:
Betting Odds, Cash Line, Unfold, Beneath/Over
*All traces are taken from Draft Kings*
Cash Line
VCU: +160
Saint Mary’s: -190
Over/Beneath: 122
Over: -120
Beneath: +100
Unfold:
VCU: +4 (-105)
Saint Mary’s: -4 (-115)
Common Season Recap
VCU Rams
The VCU Rams are coming off a superb season, carrying out 52 wins within the final two seasons. The Rams come into the NCAA Match profitable 9 straight video games. VCU had key wins over Pittsburg, Dayton, George Mason, and Vanderbilt. In truth, they’re the ONLY crew to characterize the Atlantic-10 this yr. They averaged a +14-point differential in the course of the A ten Championship in opposition to Davidson, Saint Louis, and Dayton. The Rams endured a key loss to Memphis, presently the eighth seed, 62-47. VCU might have 27 wins this season, nonetheless, they’ve but to play a high 25 crew within the nation. Led by Guard Adrian “Ace” Baldwin Jr., the Rams had the 59th hardest schedule this season. The final time the Rams made the Last 4 was the 2011 season as an eleventh seed, partially as a consequence of their stellar protection. They rank twenty fourth within the nation, permitting simply over 62 points-per recreation, and held opponents to a 32 share three-point share. They’ve an unimaginable protection this yr and rank high twentieth in pressured turnovers. The Rams rank close to the underside in scoring, and sometimes depend on turnovers and protection to win video games. VCU might have gained the A ten Championship. Nonetheless, they’ve a tricky matchup in opposition to the Gaels, who’re additionally a defensive minded crew.
Saint Mary’s Gaels
Saint Mary’s had a formidable season, ending 26-7 general, and 14-2 within the WCC. Saint Mary’s had key wins over Oral Roberts, Vermont, SDSU, Vanderbilt, and an OT thriller in opposition to Gonzaga. They’re 2-3 in opposition to high 25 groups this yr, and took key loses in opposition to Houston, and Gonzaga. They began the season with 6 straight wins and ended the season profitable 17 of their final 20. As well as, that they had the twelfth hardest schedule this yr. The Gaels are high 5 within the nation in opponent factors per recreation, partially as a consequence of guard Logan Johnson averaging over 1 steal a recreation. He’s a participant with grit, has scoring functionality, and might usually seize boards. On the plus aspect, the Gaels break up the WCC title with Gonzaga, who ranks high 5 in offense. Saint Mary’s has not been scorching, dropping two video games to Gonzaga. The Gaels will closely depend on Johnson and the 3-point shot, the place they rank thirty fifth. Very similar to VCU, they aren’t robust on the free throw line, rating within the backside 270th. This recreation will come all the way down to protection and compelled turnovers.
Harm Report
VCU
Jarren McAllister (Guard)
Saint Mary’s
Matt Van Komen (Middle)
Mason Forbes (Ahead)
Key Gamers
VCU
Junior guard Adrian Baldwin Jr. is an honest scoring possibility for the Rams. Nonetheless, he’s inconsistent from the 3-point vary. Baldwin Jr. averages over 2 steals a recreation, gives playmaking capability, and dishes out 5.9 assists a recreation. Within the Convention Championship recreation in opposition to Dayton, he scored 16 factors on 33 % 3-point capturing. He showcased his playmaking talents with 7 assists. His finest recreation of the season got here in opposition to St. Louis with 37 factors, on 80 % from the 3-point, and 12-15 from the sector. Search for him to be closely concerned on this recreation.
VCU doesn’t have an elite star, moderately a mixture of gamers who can all rating in double-digits. Ahead Brandon Johns Jr is one other guard who can present scoring, and sometimes rebounds.
Saint Mary’s
Senior Guard Logan Johnson is a beloved participant for Saint Mary’s. He began his profession with Cincinnati and performed for the Gaels the previous 4 seasons. Logan just isn’t a participant who knocks down three-point pictures constantly. He averaged 30 % past the arc this season. Nonetheless, Logan performs unimaginable defense, and averages 1.5 steals a recreation. He’s constructed with tenacity, and the Gaels will closely depend on him in opposition to a high VCU protection. Johnson was purple scorching on the finish of the season, scoring 27, 29, and 27 factors. Over the past three video games of the season, he averaged 58 % from the 3-point, and 61.7 area aim share over these video games.
Freshman Guard Aidan Mahaney will probably be a key issue on this recreation. He averaged a stable 14.5 factors per recreation,and might drive to the basket whereas on ball. As well as, he averaged 41.2 % from the 3-point line this season.
Junior Middle Mitchel Saxen will present protection within the paint and is an efficient scoring possibility. Saxen averages 7.8 boards a recreation and 1.1 blocks. The Gaels have a slight benefit within the rebounding division over VCU. Search for Saxen and Ahead Kyle Bowen to maintain the boards down beneath.
Key Stats
• VCU AND Saint Mary’s are averaging 71.4 factors per recreation, tied at two hundredth and 201st.
• VCU ranks thirty fourth in factors allowed with 62.9 opponents factors per recreation.
• VCU ranks 322nd in rebounds per recreation with 33.3.
• VCU ranks thirty fifth in level differential at +8.5.
• VCU ranks thirty sixth in blocked pictures with 4.6 per recreation.
• Saint Mary’s ranks fifth in factors allowed with 60.1 opponents factors per recreation.
• Saint Mary’s ranks 171st in rebounds per recreation with 35.6
• Saint Mary’s ranks seventeenth in level differential at +11.2
• VCU Averages 34.7% from the 3-point, whereas Saint Mary’s averages 37.2 % past the arc.
LAST 10 GAMES + GAME PREDICTION
• SPREAD: VCU +4
–VCU lined the unfold in 7 of their final 10 video games.
–VCU has a 18-15-1 report ATS this season.
–Saint Mary’s lined the unfold in JUST FOUR of their final 10.
–Saint Mary’s has a 19-13-0 report ATS this season.
–VCU has gained 9 straight. Of their final three video games, the most important unfold lined was -7.5. Neither of those groups are offensive machines. I absolutely count on a detailed recreation with protection on BOTH sides.
• MONEY LINE: Saint Mary’s
–VCU gained the Cash Line 9 out of their final 10 video games
–Saint Mary’s gained the Cash Line in 7 of their final 10 video games.
–Saint Mary’s averages the actual factors per recreation as VCU. They’ve extra expertise in opposition to high 25 groups this season and slight edge in rebounding and on offense. Give me the Gaels.
• OVER/UNDER- OVER
–VCU Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -0.82
–Saint Mary’s Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -1.06
–VCU General O/U Report: 14-20-0
–Saint Mary’s general O/U Report: 16-16-0
–VCU hit the UNDER in 6 of their final 10 video games.
–Saint Mary’s hit the OVER in 6 of their final 10 video games.
122 is low for an Over/Beneath. Though each of those groups play unimaginable protection, I count on each groups to attain at LEAST 60 plus factors. I picked the over. Nonetheless, not by a lot.