ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE MATCHUP
GEORGE WASHINGTON COLONIALS VS VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH RAMS (-13)
Tonight at 7:30PM EST we see Virginia Commonwealth (20-5) welcome George Washington (11-11) into the Stuart Siegel Center. The Rams are looking to extend their lead within the Atlantic 10 while the Colonials are hoping to bounce back after losing at home against #14 ranked Butler. For this matchup I like VCU to stomp all over the Colonials and beat the -13 spread.
Virginia Commonwealth enters this game with only two losses at home this season. The major matchup I will be watching is how the Colonials defend against the Rams offense. George Washington is 79th in the nation giving up only 62.3 points per game, but they will have their hands full in this one. The Rams are one of the highest scoring teams in the country, putting up 77.8 points per game (14th). While they are even better under their own roof, in their last 4 games at home they are averaging 80 points offensively.
If George Washington has a shot of staying in this game they will have to control the pace of the game, take care of the ball when its in their possession, and rebound. Three things that are going to be extremely difficult to accomplish since VCU shins in these area’s. I expect the Rams to control the pace of this game on puppet strings, home court advantage is all they need to accomplish that. Secondly, VCU is the sneakiest team in the country. They average 12.1 steals per game and have quick hands that is sure to make it difficult for the Colonials to retain possession. Lastly, VCU enters this game averaging 14.7 offensive rebounds per game, ranking them 9th in the nation. They are great at getting second chance opportunities and should have plenty tonight against the Colonials.
VCU is ranked just outside the associated press top 25 teams. Playing in front of their home crowd combined with George Washington’s 0-3 record this season against ranked teams. I expect the Rams to win tonight, and win big. Take VCU -13.
TRENDS
George Washington
- 1-5 against the spread when playing with 5 or 6 days of rest the last 3 seasons
- 8-14 against the spread versus good defensive teams allowing 64 PPG or less the last 3 seasons
- 8-17 against the spread after allowing 60 points or less the last 3 seasons
Virginia Commonwealth
- 4-1 against the spread versus good defensive teams allowing 64 PPG or less this season
- 2-0 against the spread versus George Washington since 1997
- 13-0 straight up at home as a favourite of 13 points or more the last 3 seasons
FINAL – Colonials 62 – Rams 79