VCU Rams vs La Salle Explorers Prediction, 1/8/2022 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: VCU Rams vs La Salle Explorers

Date: Saturday, January 8, 2022

Location: Tom Gola Arena in Philadelphia, PA

TV: ESPN+

The VCU Rams (8-4) are on their way to Tom Gola Arena on Saturday where they will try to defeat the La Salle Explorers (5-6).

The VCU Rams stepped onto the hardwood against Dayton and took home the win by a score of 53-52 in their last contest. VCU ended the contest having earned a 37.3% field goal percentage (22 out of 59) and converted 7 out of their 21 shots from 3-point land. From the charity stripe, the Rams knocked down 2 of 2 attempts for a rate of 100.0%. Pertaining to grabbing rebounds, they compiled 29 with 9 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 14 assists for the contest in addition to forcing the other team into 15 turnovers and having 5 steals. In regard to defense, VCU let their opponent shoot 38.5% from the field on 15 out of 39 shooting. Dayton recorded 10 dimes and had 5 steals for this contest. Additionally, Dayton grabbed 28 rebounds (6 offensive, 22 defensive), but didn't notch a block. Dayton finished the game shooting 70.4% from the free throw line by burying 19 of 27 attempts. They made 3 of 15 shots from beyond the arc. When talking about fouls, the Rams walked away with 20 while Dayton recorded 10 fouls.

Vince Williams is one guy who came through in this game. He finished 28.6% from the floor and dished out 3 assists. He was on the court for 38 mins and also pulled down 11 rebounds. He recorded 13 points on 4 out of 14 shooting.

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VCU comes into this contest with a record of 8-4 on the campaign. They lose possession via turnover 15.9 times per game and as a basketball team they are committing 17.2 personal fouls on a nightly basis. As a team, VCU is grabbing 32.6 boards per game and is sitting with 148 assists so far this year, which ranks 289th in the country in terms of passing the ball. The Rams are hitting 29.8% on three-point attempts (61 of 205) and 64.3% from the free throw line. They average 59.9 pts per contest (346th in college hoops) while going 42.3% from the floor.

When they are on defense, the Rams are able to force 18.3 turnovers per game and they draw 18.2 personal fouls. They are currently ranked 29th in Division 1 in giving up assists with 121 relinquished for the season. The Rams defensively are giving up a field goal percentage of 36.5% (235 of 644) and they surrender 36.8 rebounds per game as a group. They surrender 23.6% on 3-pointers while they are 6th in Division 1 in opponents PPG (56.3).

For their last game, the La Salle Explorers walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 69-61 when they played Fordham. When talking about rebounds, La Salle allowed Fordham to pull down 30 in all (5 on the offensive side). They wrapped up this game 40.0% from downtown by shooting 10 of 25 and finished the contest at 11 out of 15 from the charity stripe (73.3%). The Explorers allowed Fordham to convert 24 of 57 tries from the floor which had them sitting at 42.1% in this contest. When the final whistle was blown, the Explorers went 24 for 60 from the field which had them shooting 40.0%. Regarding shooting from downtown, La Salle made 4 out of 20 tries (20.0%). They were able to bury 9 of the free throw tries for a rate of 56.3%. Fordham committed 15 personal fouls for this game which got the Explorers to the charity stripe for 16 tries. They also gave up possession of the ball 14 times, while getting 6 steals in this contest. The Explorers corralled 28 defensive rebounds and 12 offensive boards for a total of 40 for the matchup.

Clifton Moore pitched in for the Explorers for the game. He had 26 points in his 35 mins of playing time, but left the arena with no assists. He knocked down 12 of 17 in the game giving him a field goal percentage of 70.6%, and had 8 rebounds.

La Salle has a win-loss record of 5-6 on the year. The Explorers commit 18.2 fouls per game and they go 66.7% from the charity stripe. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 13.6 times per contest (166th in college hoops) and they turn the ball over 13.7 times per game. La Salle has earned 766 points on the year (69.6 per game) and they collect 39.4 boards per contest. As an offense, the Explorers are hitting on 41.3% from the floor, which has them ranked 302nd in D-1.

The Explorers on defense are ranked 248th in D-1 in PPG given up with 71.2. They are forcing 13.4 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 42.4% from the floor (190th in college hoops). The La Salle defense gives up 34.1% on 3-point attempts (89 of 261) and opponents are making 69.3% of their foul shots. They have conceded 14.1 dimes and 36.5 total rebounds per game, which has them ranked 285th and 259th in those defensive categories.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take VCU

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