Memphis vs VCU Odds
| Memphis Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | -145 |
| VCU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | +120 |
Below, we have Memphis vs VCU odds and a pick for Wednesday.
Memphis heads on the road to VCU hoping to put an end to its two-game losing streak. The Rams could also use a win here, as they need to bounce back from a disappointing three-point home loss to Norfolk State.
Memphis looked the part of a contender at a national level after the Battle 4 Atlantis, as it picked up key victories over Michigan and Arkansas before falling short to Villanova in the title game.
VCU has been up and down this season, as it enters this game with four wins in eight games and still seeking its first victory against a team ranked inside the KenPom top 100.
This will be a contrast in styles — Memphis loves to run in transition while VCU will slow this down and try to grind out a win in the half court.
Memphis Tigers
Memphis has one of the oldest teams in all of college basketball this season. Its starting lineup features five players who are now playing at their third school in their careers. This has led to the Tigers ranking 37th in the nation in Division I experience, but just 342nd in minutes continuity from last season.
The Tigers earn their keep on the defensive end, where they rank 32nd in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. They rank that high despite allowing teams to make 36% of their 3-point shots, which speaks to how good they're defending inside.
They won't enter this game with a ton of confidence, as the Tigers are coming off of back-to-back unimpressive performances. They got blown out by a Villanova team that's now struggling, and then dropped a game on the road to Ole Miss.
VCU presents them with a great opportunity to get back on track.
VCU Rams
VCU has struggled against the best opponents on their schedule this season. The Rams have lost all three games they've played against KenPom top-100 opponents — McNeese State, Iowa State and Boise State.
They took things a step worse their last time out, losing at home to a woeful Norfolk State team.
Ryan Odom has leaned on Zeb Jackson and Max Shulga to carry the offense this year, receiving mixed results in return. VCU ranks just 173rd in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency entering this game.
It's hard to see the Rams finding much success against a defense as tough as Memphis.
VCU's best hope here is to slow the game down and cause some problems for a Memphis team that loves to play fast. It's always easier to control tempo at home, and that will be the key for the Rams to come away with a win.
Memphis vs. VCU
Betting Pick & Prediction
KenPom predicts a 73-70 Memphis victory here, and I like the road team to emerge victorious as well.
VCU doesn't have an offense that's capable of exploiting Memphis' weakness of guarding the 3-point line. The Tigers will be able to get stops and get their transition game going.
Pick: Memphis -1.5
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