The VCU Rams (5-3) will be at home in Stuart Siegel Center when they go head-to-head against the Texas Longhorns (5-2). Texas is a 5-point favorite on the opening line, while the games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 144.5 points. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN2.
Texas Longhorns at VCU Rams Odds Preview
In the Longhorns last contest, they had no trouble getting past the Florida A&M Rattlers, 82-58. Dylan Osetkowski led Texas in scoring with 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting. Texas played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 13.7 (worse than their season average of 13.3) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 44.1 (above their season average of 30.4). Florida A&M put up marks of 22.5 and 32.4, respectively, for those same stats.
The Rams will look to maintain momentum after topping the Old Dominion Monarchs in their last contest, 82-75. VCU received a boost from Justin Tillman, who was the games leading scorer with 28 points on 10-for-13 shooting. VCU dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.377 (above their season average of 0.176) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.6 (below their season average of 32.0). Old Dominion was 0.094 and 17.6, respectively, for those same stats.
When looking at effective field goal percentage, VCU figures to have a significant edge. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, the Rams defense ranks 95th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.485), while the Texas offense ranks 252nd in effective field goal percentage (0.493).
Of Texas 3 games with betting action, two have finished over the O/U total, while 3 of VCUs 6 games have finished over the projected point total. The Longhorns hold the sizable advantage straight up (SU) (5-2 vs. 5-3), but the Rams have been superior against the spread (ATS) (3-3 vs. 1-2).
Texas Longhorns vs. VCU Rams ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Texas, ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Rams rank 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (18.2) while the Longhorns rank 123rd (20.5).
- VCU ranks 125th in rebounds per game (36.6) while Texas ranks 201st in rebounds allowed per game (35.9).
- VCU ranks 74th in assists per game (15.1) while Texas ranks 276th (11.6).
- The Longhorns average 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 35th in the nation. The Rams rank 189th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
- VCU ranks 50th in steals per game (7.4) while Texas ranks 189th (6.0).
