VCU comes in at 15-5 overall and 7-0 in league play. They are 11-4 ATS this year and 6-2 ATS in away games. VCU ranks fourth nationally in defensive turnover percentage (24.4) and fifth in turnover margin (+5.4). The Rams have also manufactured second chances via the offensive rebound. VCU is rebounding 34.1 percent of its misses, 58th nationally and up from last year’s 31.8 percent mark, which ranked 137th in the country. VCU is shooting .483 from the field and is averaging 84.2 points per game during its 10-game win streak. VCU has topped 90 points four times this season.
Davidson enters with a record of 12-6 overall and 4-3 in league play. They are 5-11-1 ATS this year and 2-6-1 ATS at home. The Wildcats have won 15 straight at home and 30 of their last 31 dating back to the 2013-14 season. As a team, Davidson ranks sixth nationally in assist-turnover ratio (1.63), 10th in free-throw shooting (.760) and 17th in 3-point field goals per game (9.9).
I hate to buck that home court trend but I like the Rams of VCU to come away with the win in this one. The Wildcats have played 9 lined home games this year. They were favorites in every one and in all but two by double digits. So they were supposed to win all those home games. This is their first home game as an underdog. In conference stats only surprisingly VCU is the #1 team in the conference in offensive efficiency, Davidson #5. VCU is #2 in defensive efficiency and Davidson #9. Shaka Smart isn't coaching any more but these are still his tough in your face players. I look for the Rams to break this home winning streak of the Wildcats so I'm taking them on the ML.
2* #871 VCU ML -125