VCU Rams vs Saint Louis Billikins Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/20/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, February 20, 2026

Venue:  Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, MO

Where to Watch:  ESPN2

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  VCU +8.5, Saint Louis -8.5; Over/Under:  165.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  VCU +8.5, Saint Louis -8.5; Over/Under:  165.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  VCU +8.5, Saint Louis -8.5; Over/Under:  165.5 points

VCU Rams:  21-6 (12-2) (2nd place, Atlantic 10)

Saint Louis Billikins:  24-2 (12-1) (1st place, Atlantic 10)

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VCU Rams:  5-0  last 5

Saint Louis Billikins:  4-1  last 5

Virginia Commonwealth is entering this game with a 21-6 record overall, a 12-2 record in conference games, and they are 6-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the George Washington Revolutionaries in their last game. Tyrell Ward led the team in points in that game with 15 while Lazar Djokovic, Nyk Lewis, and Brandon Jennings each were next on the team with 14. Terrence Hill Jr. led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Barry Evans led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 51.9% from the field, 39.1% from 3-point range, and 74.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 83.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.6 PPG against them. Virginia Commonwealth has an ATS record of 13-14 this season and their O/U record is 14-13.

Saint Louis is entering this game with a 24-2 record overall, a 12-1 conference record, and they are 16-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Rhode Island Rams in their last game. Robbie Avila led the team in points in that game with 21 while Dion Brown was next on the team with 19. Amari McCottry led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Quentin Jones and Dion Brown each led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 44.4% from the field, 38.1% from 3-point range, and 76.9% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 90.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.8 PPG against them. Saint Louis has an ATS record of 15-8-2 this season and their O/U record is 14-11.

The current betting odds have VCU listed as an 8.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. VCU has looked great in their games this season with their 21-6 record overall and their 12-2 conference record which has them right near the top of the A10. They have been a good road team too with their 6-2 road record this year. Meanwhile, Saint Louis has looked great in their games this season with their 24-2 record overall and their 12-1 conference record which has them right at the top of the A10. They have looked great on their home court too with their 16-0 home record this season. Saint Louis is ranked inside the top 25 and they have looked like a solid tournament team in their games. They have been rolling over opponents in their conference all season, but they just picked up their first conference loss of the year. They are off a loss to Rhode Island in their last one and lately they have cooled off a bit as they haven't been blowing teams out by double digits the way they have been doing for most of the year. Now they are back at home and will be looking to bounce back, but this is no easy game for them. VCU has also been one of the best teams in the conference this year and they have been rolling in their games lately too. They have a ton of momentum on their side with 10 wins in a row now and they are going to bring their best effort here to try and get a statement win on the road. Even when they have lost in the conference, it hasn't been by much, and that includes a single digit loss to Saint Louis earlier this year. The best way to place a bet here is on VCU to cover the spread in this game. 

VCU Saint Louis Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, February 20, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Saint Louis 79 VCU 72.

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VCU Rams: 14-5 ATS off a home win against a conference rival. 29-18 ATS after playing a home game. 21-12 ATS versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game. 32-16 OVER vs. good free throw shooting teams - making 72% of their attempts or more.

Saint Louis Billikins: 7-14 ATS off a loss against a conference rival. 12-20 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses. 17-24 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 5-1 OVER off an upset loss to a conference rival as a favorite.

VCU Rams:  O. Okafor (F) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Fermin (F) Out - Personal.

Saint Louis Billikins:  K. Anya (F) Out - Redshirt.

“Those last 15 minutes we guarded well enough to go win the game and stretch the game open.” - Phil Martelli Jr after his team’s win against George Washington in their last game. 

“It’s hard when you win 18 in a row to maybe maintain the humility and hunger it takes to play your best. But at the end of the day, that’s what championship teams are able to do. They’re able to continue to improve while they win. Maybe this is what we needed to reset ourselves and get back to the team that we’ve been for most of the season.” - Josh Schertz after his team’s loss against Rhode Island in their last game. 

L. Djokovic 

B. Evans 

B. Jennings 

N. Lewis 

J. Tracey

R. Avila 

D. Brown 

T. Green 

Q. Jones 

A. McCottry

PPG: Terrence Hill Jr. (14.6)

APG: Terrence Hill Jr. (2.9)

Reb/G: Lazar Djokovic (5.7)

PPG: Robbie Avila (12.7)

APG: Robbie Avila (4.3)

Reb/G: Dion Brown (5.7)

Coaches:

VCU Rams: Phil Martelli Jr. (1st season)

Saint Louis Billikins: Josh Schertz (2nd season)