The 2023-24 college basketball season continues to heat up, and there are a number of games on the calendar on Friday night. In one of the more interesting games it will be the VCU Rams traveling to take on the Saint Louis Billikens in an A-10 matchup.
VCU is coming into this game with an overall record of 16-8, and they are also coming into this game with some momentum. The Rams have rattled off three straight wins, and they have put together some impressive performances.
Saint Louis has had a miserable season up to this point as they have gone just 9-15 through the first 24 games of their career. The Billikens have also lost four of their last five games, and things appear to be trending in the wrong direction.
VCU is coming into this game as a 4.5-point betting favorite over the Saint Louis Billikens.
Rams Looking to Defend
Most college basketball teams are looking to take over a game on the offensive end of the floor, but that’s not the case with VCU. This Rams team is allowing just 65 points per game, and they have shown the ability to completely shut down an opponent.
The Rams are not going to sit back and wait for Saint Louis to attack them though, as they are trying to ramp up the pressure whenever. VCU has been able to get some easy scores thanks to the defense and that has helped them average 71.5 points per game.
Guard Max Shulga is leading the team with 14.5 points per game this season, but there are a number of players on this team that can really score.
Saint Louis Can’t Get Stops
If the Saint Louis Billikens are going to turn their season back around then this team will have to find a way to get some stops. Saint Louis is coming into this game allowing 77.6 points per game, and that has simply created too many problems this season.
The Billikens are a team that doesn’t have much size, and it has been too easy for their opponents to rack up points in the paint against them. Saint Louis has been scoring over 73 points per game this season, but they don’t want to see this game turned into a shootout.
Guard Gibson Jimerson is leading the team with 14.2 points per game, and he is going to have to set the tone for Saint Louis if they want to win this game.
Rams Roll to Big Win
Playing at home should give the Billikens a slight edge in this matchup, but that’s about the only advantage that they will have. Saint Louis is coming into this game with some serious issues on defense, and that will hurt them in this matchup.
Not only will VCU find some easy scoring opportunities in this matchup, but they should also be able to put a low number on the board. The Rams have been playing some great basketball of late, and they are going to take control of this game in a big way.
Bet the VCU Rams -4.5 as they are going to come away with a big win over the Saint Louis Billikens on Friday night.
