VCU Rams vs. St. Bonaventure Bonnies Predictions, Picks, Odds

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Friday night college betting action in the Atlantic 10 features a matchup between the VCU Rams and the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. Game time from the Reilly Center is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET) with ESPN2 carrying the national broadcast.

SCORE PREDICTION

VCU 72, St. Bonaventure 66

BEST BETS

VCU +1.5 (+100) at DraftKings

VCU RAMS VS. ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES PREDICTIONS

The Rams opened up conference play with an impressive one-point upset over Dayton as 4.5- point road underdogs. This is part of the team’s current straight-up seven-game winning streak. VCU has turned things around following a shaky 3-4 SU record in its first seven games of the season. This past Tuesday’s 27-point romp over George Washington was one of its most dominant wins of the year.

St. Bonaventure has only played one game since mid-December after beating La Salle by four points on Tuesday in it’s Atlantic 10 opener. The Bonnies are 9-3 SU overall with losses coming against Northern Iowa as 9.5-point favorites along with Connecticut and Virginia Tech as underdogs.

ESPN power index ratings give the Bonnies a clear 57% edge in Friday night’s matchup. However, I like the Rams in a SU win. The home team has won the last four meetings between these two teams, but I am riding the hotter hand. Comparing similar opponents, VCU just hammered La Salle on the road by 19 points. Right now, the Rams’ recent playing form is just too strong of an edge to ignore.

VCU RAMS VS. ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES BETTING ODDS

VCU +1.5 (+100)
St. Bonaventure -1.5 (-120)
Over 130.5 (-110)
Under 130.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

VCU RAMS VS. ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES BETTING RESOURCES

Matchup: A-10
Date: Friday, January 14, 2022
Venue: Reilly Center
Location: Saint Bonaventure, New York
TV-Time: ESPN2 - 7:30 p.m. ET

VCU RAMS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 10-4
ATS: 10-4
O/U: 6-8

Along with winning their last seven games SU, the Rams have covered against the spread in their last six outings as part of a 9-1 record ATS in their last 10 games. They gave Baylor a good fight in an eight-point loss as 13.5-point favorites back in November. The total has gone OVER in three of VCU’s last five games.

Forward Vince Williams Jr. has been the big story for this team all season long. His average playing time is 31.7 minutes across all 14 games. He also leads the team across the board in points (11.3), rebounds (6.0) and assists (3.2).Guard Adrian Baldwin Jr. has only played in six games this season with an average of 10.8 points per game. Guard Jayden Nunn (9.8 points) is also a big part of an offensive effort that is scoring 63.4 PPG.

VCU is shooting 43.5% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range. It is converting on 64.7% of its shots from the free throw line. Out of a team average of 33.6 rebounds, 9.4 have been on offense. The Rams’ biggest strength has been at the other end of the court with a defensive effort that is holding opposing teams to just 57.1 PPG.

ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 9-3
ATS: 3-9
O/U: 7-5

The Bonnies have been a continual nightmare for bettors this season. After covering in three of their first five games, they have gone 0-7 ATS ever since. They closed as favorites in five of those seven contests while going just 4-3 SU. The total has gone OVER in six of the last seven games.

Despite missing numerous games this season, only two reserve players remain questionable for Friday due to Covid issues. With five players averaging at least 10 PPG, scoring has not be an issue. Guards’ Jaren Holmes and Kyle Lofton are each averaging 15.9 points a game as the top two players on that list.

Guard Jalen Adaway (13.5 points) is the team’s most consistent shooter at 46.9% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range. He also leads the way in rebounds with 7.5 a game. Lofton is the leader in assists with 5.8.

St. Bonaventure is averaging 72.3 PPG and connecting on 44.8% of its shots from the field and 33.9% of its shots outside the three point line. It is pulling down an average of 36.6 rebounds with 9.8 on offense. This team’s points-allowed average stands at 69.2.

**St. Bonaventure has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last 10 games when playing as the favorite.(AP)**

INSIDE THE STATS - VCU RAMS

Record: 10-4
VI Ranking: 68
PS/G: 63.4 (325th)
PA/G: 57.1 (6th)
ORtg: 92.1 (327th)
DRtg: 82.09 (4th)

INSIDE THE STATS - ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES

Record: 9-3
VI Ranking: 79
PS/G: 72.2 (179th)
PA/G: 69.2 (198th)
ORtg: 104.6 (145th)
DRtg: 100.1 (236th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

VCU: Vince Williams - G (11.3 ppg, 6 apg)
VCU: Jayden Nunn - G (9.8 ppg)
BONN: Jaren Holmes (15.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.4 apg)
BONN: Kyle Lofton - G (15.9 ppg, 5.8 apg)

VCU RAMS VS. ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES BETTING CONCLUSION

Over the last 10 meetings in this A-10 clash, VCU has the slight 6-4 edge SU. St, Bonaventure gets the slight nod ATS at 5-4-1. As mentioned, the home team is 4-0 SU and 2-1-1 ATS over the last four meetings. The total has gone OVER in three of the last five games between the two.

VCU has been able to score at least 75 points in three of its last five games to pick up the pace on offense. During that same span of games, it has held true on defense with just 57.4 points allowed. Look for the Rams to keep their SU winning streak alive with the SU road win on Friday.

VCU RAMS VS. ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES BETTING TRENDS

St. Bonaventure has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last 10 games when playing as the favorite.
St. Bonaventure has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 12 games.
VCU has covered the spread in 10 of its last 14 games.
VCU has covered the spread in six straight games.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson