The VCU Rams (17-6) can extend a five-game road winning streak when they match up with the Massachusetts Minutemen (9-13) at William D. Mullins Center. Action starts at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 11 and will air on ESU and ES3.
The Minutemen lost to Richmond 69-53 in their last matchup. Donte Clark finished with 23 points to lead the team. The Rams, meanwhile, are coming off a close 72-69 loss against George Washington in their last outing. JeQuan Lewis had a team-high 16 points.
Lewis has been on fire for the Rams, averaging 16.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.8 three-pointers over the past five games.
The Minutemen come into this game 9-13 Straight Up (SU) and 6-13-1 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 8-2 ATS. Massachusetts has averaged 82.3 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 74.7. The Massachusetts defense has been on fire lately, allowing an average of 68.6 points per game, well under their season average of 77.2.
As for their opponent, the Rams have records of 13-7 ATS and 17-6 SU. The Rams rank 33rd in the country in road scoring, averaging 76.9 points per game. VCU is one of the better offensive rebounding teams in Division I. The Rams average 13.0 offensive rebounds per game, making them the 41st-best team in the country for that category. The VCU defense has allowed an average of 78.2 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 67.2. Teams don’t seem to hit many three-pointers against the Rams, who are 42nd in the country in terms of three-point field goals allowed at 137 this season. Teams with weak ball handling have not fared well against the Rams, who rank fifth in the nation with 9.7 steals per game.
This game marks the season’s first head-to-head clash between the conference foes. Their previous game was a Rams victory, moving their SU record against Massachusetts to 3-1. At 2-2, they are even ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – VCU, ATS Winner – VCU
Notes
Massachusetts scores an average of just 74.7 points per game (ranked 119th). VCU ranks 59th in points allowed, giving up 67.2 points per game.
Massachusetts scores just 78.9 points per home game (ranked 107th). VCU ranks 87th in points allowed on the road, giving up 71.9 points.
In its last game, VCU lost by a margin of three points. Massachusetts is 0-1 in games decided by a margin of three points or less. VCU has a 1-2 record in close games.
Ranked 76th, the VCU Rams have an offensive rating of 110.8. The Massachusetts Minutemen rank 256th with a defensive rating of just 106.5.
The Massachusetts Minutemen average a field goal percentage of 42.9% this season. The VCU Rams have a solid 9-4 record in games where opponents have a FG% of 42.9% or greater.
The Massachusetts Minutemen average 22.0 three point attempts per game and have a subpar 5-9 record when attempting at least 20 in a game. The VCU Rams average 20.0 attempts and have an exceptional 9-1 record when attempting 20 or more.
The VCU Rams rank 41st in offensive rebounds. The Massachusetts Minutemen rank 144th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Massachusetts averages a forced turnover rate of 17.1% this season. VCU has a 6-4 record when it suffers a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
