VCU Rams vs Dayton Flyers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/08/2024

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, March 8, 2024

Venue:  University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, OH

Where to Watch:  ESPN2

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  VCU +8.5, Dayton -8.5; Over/Under:  138.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  VCU +8.5, Dayton -8.5; Over/Under:  138.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  VCU +8.5, Dayton -8.5; Over/Under:  138.5 points

VCU Rams:  19-11 (11-6) (4th place, Atlantic 10)

Dayton Flyers:  23-6 (13-4) (3rd place, Atlantic 10)

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VCU Rams:  2-3  last 5

Dayton Flyers:  3-2  last 5

VCU is entering this game with a 19-11 record overall, an 11-6 record in conference games, and they are 5-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Duquesne Dukes in their last game. Joe Bamisile led the team in points per game in that game with 18 while Toibu Lawal was next on the team with 11. Jason Nelson led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Sean Bairstow, Zeb Jackson, and Toibu Lawal each led the team in rebounds with 5. They were 42.9% from the field, 36.4% from 3-point range, and 64.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 71.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66.8 PPG against them. VCU has an ATS record of 17-11-2 this season and their O/U record is 14-16.

Dayton is entering this game with a 23-6 record overall, a 13-4 conference record, and they are 14-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Saint Louis Billikens in their last game. DaRon Holmes II led the team in points in that game with 25 while Koby Brea and Kobe Elvis each were next on the team with 21. DaRon Holmes II, Enoch Cheeks, and Kobe Elvis each led the team in assists with 5 in that game while DaRon Holmes II led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 55.4% from the field, 54.5% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 74.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 65.7 PPG against them. Dayton has an ATS record of 15-13-1 this season and their O/U record is 17-11-1.

The current betting odds have Dayton listed as an 8.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Dayton has looked really good in their games this season with their 23-6 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country. They have looked great in the A10 with their 13-4 conference record which has them right near the top of the conference and they have also looked great on their home court with their 14-0 home record. Meanwhile, VCU has also looked good in their games this season with their 19-11 record overall and their 11-6 conference record. They were in the top 3 of the A10 for a majority of the conference schedule but lately they haven't been at their best and have been slipping down the standings a little. They have been a decent road team with their 5-3 road record but they are only 2-3 in their last 5 games and haven't looked great. They just lost their last one at home to Duquesne while Dayton is coming off a nice road win against Saint Louis. Dayton did lose to VCU earlier this season in a road game, but now they are back on their home court to get their revenge and that game was not long ago either. Dayton will be motivated to bring their best effort in this game and try to finish the regular season tied at the top of the conference. The best way to place a bet here is on Dayton to cover the spread in this game. 

VCU Dayton Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, March 8, 2024 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Dayton 86 VCU 71.

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VCU Rams: 36-20 ATS against conference opponents. 12-4 ATS after 1 or more consecutive unders. 12-5 ATS after playing a home game. 11-6 UNDER when the total is 130 to 139.5. 8-4 UNDER off a home loss. 23-15 UNDER off an upset loss as a home favorite. 

Dayton Flyers: 1-7 ATS off a win by 10 points or more over a conference rival. 3-9 ATS after a win by 10 points or more. 4-10 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 9-5 UNDER off a road win against a conference rival. 8-4 UNDER off a road win by 10 points or more. 

VCU Rams:  M. Shulga (G) Ques Fri - Back.

Dayton Flyers:  J. Bennett (G) Ques Fri - Thumb. M. Smith (G) out for season - Knee.

“Really, from the start of the night, we have to be at our best tonight.” - Ryan Odom on his team’s upcoming game against Dayton.

“Great to see the ball go in. I think we’ve got guys that are really good shooters, and it’s basketball. Some nights, your shots are going to fall and the shots fell tonight. We hit some tough ones.” - Anthony Grant after his team’s win against Saint Louis in their last game on Tuesday.

S. Bairstow 

C. Fermin 

Z. Jackson 

K. Kuany 

M. Shulga

J. Bennett 

E. Cheeks 

K. Elvis 

D. Holmes II 

N. Santos

PPG: M. Shulga (15)

APG: S. Bairstow (4.4)

Reb/G: T. Lawal (5.9)

PPG: D. Holmes II (20.1)

APG: K. Elvis (3.6)

Reb/G: D. Holmes II (8.2)

Coaches:

VCU Rams: Ryan Odom (1st season)

Dayton Flyers: Anthony Grant (7th season)