The Samford Bulldogs (9-20, 5-11 SoCon) will attempt to put an end to their six-game road losing streak in a matchup against the VMI Keydets (8-19, 3-13 SoCon) at Cameron Hall. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 23, 2018.
Samford is a 1.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 151.5 points.
Samford Bulldogs vs. VMI Keydets ATS Prediction
The Bulldogs are trying to rebound after their 94-79 loss to the Furman Paladins in their last contest. Furman’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Paladins had more offensive rebounds (13 vs. five), defensive rebounds (27 vs. 24) and total rebounds (40 vs. 29). Eric Adams put together a solid outing for Samford, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
In the Keydets’ last matchup, they were blown out by the Furman Paladins, 76-54. Furman’s 0.616 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over VMI, who had a mark of 0.385. The Paladins’ mark was above their season average of 0.554, while the Keydets’ was below their season average of 0.467. With 10 points on 4-for-12 shooting, Jordan Ratliffe was VMI’s leading scorer.
VMI could have difficulty getting to the free throw line in this showdown. The Keydets rank 288th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.204, while Samford ranks 60th in FTA rate allowed (0.201).
Samford holds records of 9-20 straight up (SU) and 8-15 against the spread (ATS). Bulldogs games have a tendency to finish over the O/U total (69.6 percent).
Meanwhile, VMI is 8-19 SU and 9-11 ATS. Unlike Samford, games involving the Keydets tend to finish under the total (70.0 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Triston Chambers scored a game-high 34 points and the Bulldogs beat the Keydets 93-79, covering as 8.5-point favorites. He also put up seven rebounds. The game finished with a total of 172 points, which was 24.5 points above the projected point total of 147.5 points. Samford made good use of their 28 trips to the charity stripe, making 25 of them (89.3 percent). VMI, on the other hand, was just 7-8 (87.5 percent).
Samford Bulldogs at VMI Keydets Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Samford, ATS Winner – Samford, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Samford is 3-11 ATS with 9 overs and 5 unders.
At home, VMI is 4-3 ATS with 6 unders and 1 over.
Samford ranks 26th in assists per game (16.5) while VMI ranks 222nd (12.1).
The Keydets rank 108th in three pointers attempted per game (23.2) while the Bulldogs rank 280th in three pointers allowed per game (27.2).
Samford ranks 52nd in steals per game (7.3) while VMI ranks 174th in steals allowed per game (7.0).
The Bulldogs rank 28th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the Keydets rank 101st (3.3).
VMI ranks 235th in rebounds per game (33.5) while Samford ranks 291st (30.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Samford is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
VMI is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Bulldogs’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.4, up from 4.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Keydets have scored an average of 60.6 points per game (3.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.2 points per game (0.8 above their season average).
