Saint Mary’s (CA) vs. VCU Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – NCAA Tournament Round First Round

The No. 5 seed Saint Mary’s Gaels (26-7) and the No. 12 seed VCU Rams (27-7) will meet on Friday at 2:00 PM in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Saint Mary’s (CA) is a 4-point favorite in the contest, which airs on TBS. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this 5-12 matchup in the West Region bracket. The point total is set at 123 for the matchup.

Saint Mary’s (CA) vs. VCU Odds

• Saint Mary’s (CA) odds to win: -186
• VCU odds to win: +156
• Spread: Saint Mary’s (CA) (-4)
• Total: 123

Saint Mary’s (CA) vs. VCU Promo Codes

Game Time and Information

• Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
• Time: 2:00 PM ET
• TV: TBS
• Where: Albany, New York
• Venue: MVP Arena

Who Will Win Saint Mary’s (CA) vs. VCU?

Saint Mary’s (CA) and VCU Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

Saint Mary’s (CA) has a 14-11-2 record against the spread in games it was favored by 4 points or more this season.

VCU is 1-1 against the spread when an underdog by 4 points or more this year.

These two teams average 142.8 points per game combined, 19.8 more than the total of 123.

Opponents of the two teams average a combined 123 points per game, which equals this matchup’s total of 123 points.

The average over/under Saint Mary’s (CA) has had set in matchups this year is 8.5 more points than this outing’s point total.

The average point total for the Rams this season is 11.4 points higher than this game’s over/under.

The Gaels are 17-13-2 against the spread this season.

So far this year, the Rams have put together a 19-15-0 record against the spread.

Saint Mary’s (CA) Stats & Insights

Saint Mary’s (CA) has a +371 scoring differential, topping opponents by 11.3 points per game. It is putting up 71.4 points per game to rank 184th in college basketball and is allowing 60.1 per outing to rank fifth in college basketball.

Saint Mary’s (CA) wins the rebound battle by 6.4 boards on average. It collects 32.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 131st in college basketball, while its opponents grab 26.1 per outing.

The Gaels make 7.8 three-pointers per game (125th in college basketball), 2.5 more than their opponents (5.3).

Saint Mary’s (CA) ranks 31st in college basketball by averaging 100.1 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively is 24th in college basketball, allowing 84.3 points per 100 possessions.

In home games, the Gaels are averaging 4.8 more points per game (74.8) than they are away from home (70).

VCU Stats & Insights

VCU has a +290 scoring differential, topping opponents by 8.5 points per game. It is putting up 71.4 points per game, 184th in college basketball, and is giving up 62.9 per outing to rank 24th in college basketball.

VCU is 257th in the nation at 30.5 rebounds per game. That’s similar to the 30.1 its opponents average.

VCU knocks down 6.1 three-pointers per game (311th in college basketball) at a 34.7% rate (154th in college basketball), compared to the 6 its opponents make, shooting 32.3% from deep.

VCU ranks 170th in college basketball averaging 94.2 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively is 10th, allowing 83 points per 100 possessions.

At home, the Rams average 73 points per game. On the road, they score 68.7.

Saint Mary’s (CA) Key Players to Watch

Logan Johnson leads the Gaels in points and assists per game, scoring 14.6 points and distributing 3.7 assists.

Mitchell Saxen is Saint Mary’s (CA)’s best rebounder, pulling down an average of 7.8 boards in each contest while scoring 11.6 points per game.

Alex Ducas leads the Gaels in three-point shooting, knocking down an average of 2.5 shots per game from beyond the arc.

Johnson is Saint Mary’s (CA)’s leader in steals, averaging 1.5 steals per game, while Saxen leads them in blocks with 1.1 per contest.

VCU Key Players to Watch

Adrian Baldwin Jr. collects 12.7 points and tacks on 5.9 assists per game, putting him at the top of the Rams’ leaderboards in those statistics.

Jalen DeLoach grabs seven rebounds per game (he also scores 10 points per game and adds 1.1 assists per game) which puts him at the top of the VCU rebounding leaderboard.

David Shriver averages 1.7 three-pointers per game, the most on the Rams.

VCU’s leader in steals is Baldwin with 2.2 per game, and its leader in blocks is DeLoach with 1.4 per game.

Saint Mary’s (CA) vs. VCU Prediction

• Pick ATS:

  Saint Mary’s (CA) (-4)
  

• Pick OU:

  Over (123)
  

• Prediction:
  Saint Mary’s (CA) 68, VCU 64

How to Bet on Saint Mary’s (CA) vs. VCU

And for more CBB game previews, NCAA basketball picks or even how to bet on college basketball check out the latest NCAAB lines on Betsperts.