The VCU Rams will take on the BYU Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 20 at Ball Arena in Denver. VCU enters as the No. 11 seed with a 28-6 record, while BYU holds the No. 6 seed at 24-9. VCU is looking to win its first NCAA Tournament game since 2016, while BYU is back in the tournament for the second straight year.
VCU is coming off an Atlantic 10 Conference title, while BYU finished fourth in the Big 12 before losing to Houston in the conference tournament semifinals. Both teams have played well down the stretch, with VCU winning 9 of its last 10 games and BYU winning 9 straight before falling to Houston. This matchup will feature a strong defensive team in VCU against a balanced BYU offense.
VCU Preview – Defense Setting the Tone
VCU has built its success on defense, allowing just 62.4 points per game. The Rams have held opponents to 42.9% shooting from the field and excel at forcing turnovers. VCU’s strong defensive play has been the key to their Atlantic 10 title run.
On offense, the Rams average 77.1 points per game and rely heavily on their backcourt. Max Shulga and Joe Bamisile both average 15.1 points per game, while Phillip Russell and Zeb Jackson add additional scoring depth. VCU’s guard play has carried the team all season, and their ability to score inside and outside will be important against BYU’s size.
VCU has performed well on neutral courts this season and will need to keep the pace slow to maximize their defensive strengths. Their ability to force turnovers and create transition opportunities will be critical in this matchup.
BYU Preview – Balanced Offense Ready for the Test
BYU averages 77.1 points per game and relies on multiple scoring options. Richie Saunders leads the Cougars with 16 points per game, while Egor Demin chips in 10.3 points. BYU also has six players averaging over 7 points per game, giving them solid depth.
BYU’s size and rebounding have been strengths all season. The Cougars rank among the top teams in rebounding margin and limit second-chance points well. BYU’s ability to score inside and from the perimeter makes them tough to defend.
Defensively, BYU allows 70.9 points per game and forces opponents into difficult shots. They will need to manage VCU’s backcourt and force the Rams into tough perimeter looks. BYU’s balanced attack will test VCU’s defense throughout the game.
Betting Prediction
BYU enters as a slight favorite, with the spread set at -2.5 points. Both teams are capable of strong defensive efforts, but BYU’s deeper scoring options could give them the edge. VCU’s ability to force turnovers may disrupt BYU’s rhythm, but the Cougars’ scoring balance makes them a tough matchup.
BYU has covered the spread in 20 of its last 34 games, while VCU has covered in 21 of 36. The total is set at 145.5 points, and both teams’ recent trends suggest the under may be a strong play. Expect BYU to control the tempo and win a low-scoring battle.
Pick: BYU Cougars -2.5
