Time:<\/strong> 7:00 PM ET \/ 4:00 PM PT
Broadcast:<\/strong> ESPN2
Location:<\/strong> Siegel Center in Richmond, VA
Spread:<\/strong> VCU -8.5 | Total: 142.5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dayton vs VCU Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
VCU has already clinched a share of the A-10 title, but the Rams can keep it to themselves with a home win over Dayton on Friday night. Since the calendar flipped to 2025, VCU has gone 15-1 straight-up, 12-2-2 against the spread. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rams have lived on the proverbial “last four in” bubble for a large chunk of the season because of their poor non-conference schedule, but most bracketologists now believe that VCU has done enough to secure an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament regardless of how the A-10 Tournament shakes out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We tip our cap to how well the Rams have been playing over the last two months, but we’re still struggling to lay this many points against the Flyers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When these teams met in Richmond last season, Dayton closed as a two-point road favorite. That means there has been a 10-11 point adjustment from last year to this year. We’re not saying that is wrong, necessarily, but we are saying it’s steep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When these teams met in Dayton four weeks ago, VCU closed as a one-point road favorite. That means that flipping home court advantage in this matchup is worth roughly 7-8 points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We’re not saying that is wrong, necessarily, but we are saying it’s steep. VCU won that game 73-68, and neither team held a lead of more than seven points at any time during the contest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dayton held a five-point lead with under four minutes remaining but could not hold on. The Flyers committed a whopping 19 turnovers in that contest, turning the ball over on 27.5-percent of their possessions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dayton is top-75 in the country in turnover rate this season, so even though the Rams’ defense is known for generating steals, we would be very surprised if Dayton turns the ball over like that again on Friday.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dayton vs VCU Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Flyers’ point guard Malachi Smith did not start in that contest. He missed the previous game against Davidson and tried to come off the bench against the Rams, but only scored three points and turned the ball over four times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith is now fully-healthy, and the Flyers’ offense has responded accordingly. Dayton has won five of its last six games. Need a little more evidence that VCU might be a little over-valued on Friday? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dayton participated in the Maui Invitational against UConn, Iowa State and North Carolina. VCU is laying a bigger number against Dayton on Friday than the two-time defending national champs were back in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dayton vs VCU Prediction: Dayton +8.5<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoldSheet Top Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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