The college basketball season is starting to wind down, but there are still going to be some big conference matchups taking place this weekend. On Friday night, the VCU Rams are going to visit the Dayton Flyers for a matchup in the Atlantic-10 Conference.
VCU is coming into this game with a record of 19-11, and they are fighting for their lives in terms of the NCAA Tournament. The Rams have gone just 2-3 in their last five games, and they need to turn things around in a hurry.
Dayton is currently sitting in third place in the A-10 Conference, but they are still having a terrific season. The Flyers have gone just 2-2 in their last four games, but they bring an overall record of 23-6 into this game.
The Dayton Flyers are 8.5-point betting favorites in this matchup, and the over/under is set at 138.5 total points.
VCU Must Make Shots
The VCU Rams are shooting just 44 percent from the floor this season, and they have not been a good shooting team from the three-point line. VCU can get some easy baskets in this game with their defense, and that is going to be a major key.
Guard Max Shulga is leading the team with 15 points per game, and he will need to set the tone for VCU in this matchup. The Rams are now playing with some desperation, and that could give them a boost to be aggressive.
VCU is holding opponents to just 66.8 points per game this season, and that defensive pressure can help them take over this game.
Dayton Can Win With Defense
The Dayton Flyers have proven to be a great offensive team throughout the season, but they can set the tone on defense in this game. Dayton is holding opponents to just 65 points per game this season, and they will keep pressure on VCU in this one.
The Flyers have a team that is extremely efficient on both ends of the floor, and that has helped them take great shots on offense. Dayton is shooting nearly 49% from the floor, and they will be taking good shots every possession.
Forward DaRon Holmes II is having a huge season for Dayton as he has poured in 20 points per game this season.
Rams Battle but Flyers Win
VCU comes into this game wanting to take control of this game on defense, but it’s not going to be easy. The Rams will play extremely hard on defense in this game, but they are going to struggle to make enough shots to win.
Dayton has not been playing their best basketball of late, but this is still a team with a ton of offensive talent. The Flyers are going to get a nice boost from their home crowd in this game, and that could end up being the difference in this matchup.
Take the 8.5 points and back the VCU Rams in this game, but it will be the Dayton Flyers that come up with a big win in this game.
