UCF Knights vs. VCU Rams Free Prediction 03/22/19

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The No. 9 UCF Knights (23-8) go head-to-head against the No. 8 VCU Rams (25-7) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Colonial Life Arena. The Rams opened as a 1-point underdog. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 127 points and it is scheduled to start at 9:40 p.m. ET on Friday, March 22, 2019.

UCF Knights vs. VCU Rams ATS Odds

Both teams were beaten in their last matchup. The Rams were beaten by the Rhode Island Rams, 75-70, while the Knights were blown out by the Memphis Tigers, 79-55.

UCF had a better effective field goal percentage (0.415 vs. 0.526) while VCU had an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.5 (above their season average of 30.8). VCU received a boost from Marcus Santos-Silva, who had 26 points and 22 rebounds. Meanwhile, Tacko Fall had a solid performance for UCF, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Knights games have gone over the O/U total 48.4 percent of the time. UCF heads into the contest with records of 23-8 straight up (SU) and 18-12-1 against the spread (ATS).

Vegas tends to place the total high when the Rams are involved, as 18 of their 31 games have ended under the O/U total. Moreover, VCU owns records of 25-7 SU and 19-11-2 ATS.

This showdown figures to be low-scoring as a pair of the NCAA’s premier defenses clash. VCU currently ranks second in defensive efficiency (89.3) and UCF is 32nd (96.0). Moreover, the Knights rank eighth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.300), while the Rams rank 269th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.256).

UCF Knights vs. VCU Rams ATS Pick

Free Pick: SU Winner – VCU, ATS Winner – VCU, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • VCU ranks 26th in steals per game (8.0) while UCF ranks 185th (5.7).
  • The Rams rank 30th in assists allowed per game (10.8) while the Knights rank 114th (12.5).
  • VCU ranks 29th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while UCF ranks 55th (2.8).
  • The Rams rank 13th in three pointers allowed per game (18.4) while the Knights rank 164th (22.4).
  • UCF averages 36.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 97th in the nation. VCU ranks 185th in rebounds allowed per game (35.5).

Bettings Trends:

  • During their last five games, the Knights have scored an average of 63.8 points per game (8.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.6 points per game (1.3 above their season average).
  • The Rams’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.2, up from 9.8 for the season.