It will be a battle between A10 opponents when the VCU Rams (10-6, 2-1 A10) welcome the Duquesne Dukes (12-4, 3-0 A10) to Stuart Siegel Center. The game gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.
VCU is a 9.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 144.5 points.
Duquesne Dukes at VCU Rams Free Prediction
In the Dukes’ last contest, they blew out the Fordham Rams, 64-41. The Dukes knocked down 12 of their 13 free throws (92.3 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 50.0 (above their season average of 35.8). With 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting, Rene Castro was the top scorer from either team.
The Rams were victorious over the La Salle Explorers in their last outing, 80-74. The Rams made 19 of their 22 free throws (86.4 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.517 vs. 0.484). With 13 points and 10 rebounds, Justin Tillman put together a solid game for VCU.
VCU could have difficulty getting to the foul line in this battle. The Rams currently rank 283rd in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.203, while Duquesne ranks 55th in FTA rate allowed (0.190).
Duquesne heads into the game with records of 12-4 straight up (SU) and 5-3 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Dukes tend to finish under the total (87.5 percent).
Meanwhile, VCU is 10-6 SU and 6-6 ATS. Vegas is highly accurate when predicting totals of Rams games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Tillman has averaged 22.4 points and 11.4 rebounds over the last five games for VCU.
After the Rams won the only game against the Dukes last season, 94-87, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Rams’ offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over the Dukes. VCU had a rate of 34.4, while Duquesne posted a mark of 27.0.
Duquesne Dukes at VCU Rams Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – VCU, ATS Winner – Duquesne, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Duquesne is 2-2 ATS with 4 unders and 0 overs.
VCU is 4-2 ATS at home with 4 unders and 2 overs.
Duquesne ranks 13th in three pointers allowed per game (17.2) while VCU ranks 127th (22.1).
The Dukes rank 17th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Rams rank 128th (7.1).
Duquesne ranks 45th in blocks per game (4.6) while VCU ranks 120th (3.0).
The Dukes average 38.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 74th in the nation. The Rams rank 132nd in rebounds allowed per game (35.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Duquesne is 4-1 ATS with 5 unders.
VCU is 2-2 ATS with 2 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Dukes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.0, down from 10.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rams have scored an average of 76.2 points per game (1.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.8 points per game (5.5 below their season average).
