The VCU Rams will look to register their first win over an AP Top 25 team this season when they battle the No. 18-ranked Dayton Flyers on Friday night in a key Atlantic 10 Conference matchup. The Rams (15-8, 7-3 Atlantic 10), who already have wins over two of the top three teams in the conference, have the chance to make it 3-for-3 when they face Dayton, which leads the league. VCU handed second-place Richmond its only conference loss 63-52 on Saturday, and had defeated third-place Loyola Chicago 74-67 on Jan. 23. The Flyers (19-3, 9-1) have won three in a row since losing at Richmond 69-64 on Jan. 27.
The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET at Siegel Center in Richmond, Va. Dayton is averaging 75 points per game, while VCU averages 72.4. The Flyers are 1.5-point favorites in the latest Dayton vs. VCU odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 134. Before making any VCU vs. Dayton picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 14 of the 2023-24 season on a 124-82 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 20-9 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Dayton vs. VCU and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for VCU vs. Dayton:
- Dayton vs. VCU spread: Dayton -1.5
- Dayton vs. VCU over/under: 134 points
- Dayton vs. VCU money line: Dayton -126, VCU +106
- DAY: The Flyers have won 24 of their last 30 games (+12.95 units on ML)
- VCU: The Rams have hit the team total over in 16 of their last 23 games at home (+7.75 units)
- Dayton vs. VCU picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Dayton can cover
Junior guard Koby Brea plays a big part for the Flyers off the bench. Despite not starting any games, he has played in all 22 and is one of three Dayton players averaging double-figure scoring. In 27 minutes of action per game, he is averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He is connecting on 50.6% of his field goals, including a blistering 48.4% from 3-point range, and 85.7% from the free throw line.
Junior guard Kobe Elvis is coming off a double-double in the win over Saint Joseph's with 21 points and 10 assists, In 22 games, all starts, Elvis is averaging 9.8 points, 3.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds. He has reached double-digit scoring in 11 games, including a 27-point effort in an 82-68 win over Cincinnati on Dec. 16. He scored 24 points with two rebounds in an 82-70 win over Troy on Dec. 9. See which team to pick here.
Why VCU can cover
Senior guard Max Shulga, who is in his first season with the program after three years at Utah State, is having the best season of his career. In 23 games, all starts, he is averaging 15.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and one steal in 32.9 minutes. He recorded a double-double in Tuesday's win over Fordham with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while adding seven assists. It was his first double-double of the year.
Senior guard Zeb Jackson, who is in his second season with the program after spending two years at Michigan, has played in 21 games with 20 starts for the Rams. He has reached double-digit scoring in 13 games, including a season-high 22 with seven rebounds and six assists in an 86-74 win over Penn State on Nov. 26. He is coming off a nine-point, four-assist and three-rebound effort at Fordham on Tuesday. Jackson is averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 30 minutes of action. See which team to pick here.
How to make VCU vs. Dayton picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 141 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time. You can see the picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Dayton vs. VCU, and which side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 20-9 roll on top-ranked college basketball spread picks.