Coming off its most convincing win of the year, VCU looks to continue its big scoring ways when the Rams host La Salle in Tuesday’s Atlantic 10 contest.
VCU (17-5, 7-2) is coming off Saturday’s 90-49 home victory over Richmond. The 41-point win is the largest margin of victory in the 94-game history of its series with Richmond.
The Rams shot 33 of 51 from the field (.647), including 16 of 29 from three-point range (.552). VCU bounced back from a 78-69 loss at St. Louis during its previous game. The other Atlantic 10 loss for VCU was a 77-75 defeat at St. Bonaventure, a team the Rams beat 75-61 in their rematch at home.
La Salle (12-10, 4-5) defeated visiting George Washington, 73-67, on Saturday as each member of the starting five scored in double figures.
VCU is in second place in the Atlantic 10, one game behind George Mason. La Salle, which was picked to finish 15th and last in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, has exceeded expectations. The Explorers had the longest odds to win the Atlantic 10 regular season title according to BetMGM, but are currently tied for eighth with several teams.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
La Salle at VCU Odds
VCU is an 18.5-point college basketball odds favorite on BetMGM against La Salle with the Over/Under at 144.5.
The moneyline for VCU is -2500 while it is +1050 for La Salle
La Salle at VCU On TV
The game between La Salle and VCU will be televised on CBS Sports Network
Tipoff is shortly after 7 p.m. ET
La Salle at VCU Prediction
Maybe it’s recency bias, but I like VCU laying the points after the last game winning by 41 points at home. According to teamrankings.com, VCU is 13-8 against the spread but La Salle is a respectable 11-11. VCU entered its last game a 19.5-point favorite over Richmond and easily covered.
The biggest obstacle for La Salle is attempting to win a game or even cover at VCU’s Siegel Center, where the Rams are 11-0 this season. The Explorers, meanwhile are 2-5 on the road.
It’s easy to see why VCU is battling for first place in the conference. The Rams are second in the Atlantic 10 in scoring (77.8 PPG) and scoring defense (62.5). La Salle averages 75 points and allows 74.6 PPG. Both teams have been below-average shooting the three. VCU’s three-point percentage is .328 while La Salle’s is .327. The two are comparable from the foul line, with VCU at .720 and La Salle at .710.
Both teams go deep to their bench. The Rams have nine players who are averaging 13 or more minutes. La Salle has 10 players averaging 14 or more minutes.
VCU 6-foot-4 graduate student Joe Bamisile averages a team-high 16.2 points while 6-foot-5 senior Max Shulga averages 15.4 points and shoots a team-best .404 from three-point range.
Graduate student guard Corey McKeithan, a transfer from Rider, leads La Salle with a 15.7 scoring average and assists (2.72 per game), while freshman guard Deuce Jones averages 11.8 points. Jones had a career-high six assists in Saturday’s win over George Washington. He is second in assists (2.6).
Where VCU truly excels and should be key in the game is a 3.95 turnover margin, which leads the Atlantic 10 and is 20th nationally. La Salle has a 1.41 turnover margin, which is fifth in the Atlantic 10. How La Salle handles VCU’s defensive pressure will be a key for the Explorers.
