Norfolk State Spartans vs VCU Rams Prediction, 12/1/2023 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Norfolk State Spartans vs VCU Rams

Date: Friday, December 1, 2023

Location: Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond, VA

TV: ESPN+

The VCU Rams (4-3) are hosting the Norfolk State Spartans (5-3) at Stuart C. Siegel Center on Friday.

The Norfolk State Spartans faced off with William & Mary and took home the win by a score of 96-62 in their last game. When it comes to personal fouls, the Spartans left the arena with 21 and William & Mary accumulated 22 personal fouls. They buried 7 out of their 26 tries from long range. William & Mary finished the game shooting 75.0% from the charity stripe by converting 21 of 28 attempts. Additionally, William & Mary pulled down 17 rebounds (4 offensive, 13 defensive), but wasn't able to record a block. William & Mary earned 7 dimes and had 5 steals in the game. In reference to defense, Norfolk State allowed their opponent to shoot 40.5% from the floor on 17 of 42 shooting. They also dished out 17 assists in the game while forcing 17 turnovers and earning 9 steals. When it comes to grabbing rebounds, they earned a total of 31 with 12 of them being offensive. When they shot from the free throw line, the Spartans buried 24 of their 27 attempts for a rate of 88.9%. Norfolk State wrapped up the contest having earned a 53.6% FG percentage (30 out of 56) and made 12 out of their 21 shots from beyond the perimeter.

Jamarii Thomas is a guy who was a major contributor in this contest. He ended up scoring 23 points on 8 of 12 shooting. He saw the court for 28 mins played and also snagged 5 rebounds. He walked away from this one shooting 66.7% from the floor and distributed 9 assists.

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Norfolk State will enter this game with a win-loss record of 5-3 for the campaign. They currently have an average of 77.0 pts per game (141st in Division 1) while shooting 42.9% from the field. The Spartans are shooting 32.9% on three-point shots (56 of 170) and 73.2% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Norfolk State is snagging 36.8 rebounds per game and has tallied 103 assists so far this season, which ranks 120th in college hoops in terms of passing. They are turning it over 11.4 times per contest and as a squad are committing 19.5 fouls per contest.

Defensively, the Spartans are forcing 17.4 turnovers per contest while drawing 20.5 personal fouls. They are ranked 242nd in D-1 in allowing assists with 94 surrendered this season. The Spartans defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 42.6% (175 of 411) and they concede 33.5 boards per game as a group. They are conceding 34.4% from 3-point land and they are ranked 120th in college hoops in PPG allowed (67.6).

The last time they took the hardwood, the VCU Rams walked away with a victory by a final of 86-74 against Penn State. In regard to how they rebounded, VCU permitted Penn State to snag 27 in all (6 offensive). They finished 29.4% from 3-point land by shooting 5 out of 17 and ended up shooting 23 out of 35 at the charity stripe (65.7%). The Rams permitted Penn State to convert 23 out of their 52 tries from the field which gave them a percentage of 44.2% in the matchup. Overall, the Rams shot 28 out of 52 from the field which gave them a rate of 53.8%. In relation to shots from beyond the perimeter, VCU converted 8 of 15 tries (53.3%). They were able to convert 22 of them for a rate of 78.6%. Penn State earned 19 personal fouls for the contest which took the Rams to the free throw line for a total of 28 tries. They coughed it up 13 times, while recording 6 steals for the game. The Rams snagged 25 defensive boards and 6 offensive rebounds for a total of 31 for the contest.

Alphonzo Billups pitched in for the Rams for the contest. He made 8 out of 9 in the game for a field goal rate of 88.9%, but didn't pull down a rebound. He earned 23 points in his 27 mins of playing time, but wasn't able to tally an assist.

VCU has a record of 4-3 so far this year. On the offensive side of the ball, the Rams are connecting on 45.2% from the field, which ranks 166th in the nation. VCU has scored 484 pts for the campaign (69.1 per game) and they snag 35.9 rebounds per contest. They are earning an assist 12.6 times per game (231st in the country) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 14.9 times per contest. The Rams have committed 18.3 fouls every game and they connect on 77.7% from the free throw line.

The Rams on the defensive side of the court are 72nd in college hoops in PPG surrendered with 64.9. They are able to force 10.7 TO's every game and allow teams to shoot 38.9% from the field (47th in college hoops). The VCU defense allows 29.8% on shots from beyond the perimeter (39 of 131) and their opponents are making 67.7% of their free throw shots. They concede 9.4 assists and 33.0 boards per contest, which ranks 31st and 103rd in those categories.

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take VCU

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