VCU vs. #25 Dayton Prediction, Picks & Betting Odds Today, 3/8 on ESPN2
Friday nights aren’t typically synonymous with college basketball, but countless mid-major conference tournaments flood a schedule headlined by the #25-ranked Dayton Flyers’ regular-season finale. The Atlantic 10, or A-10, men’s basketball conference doesn’t always get the attention or national spotlight its quality often warrants, and this year is no different. Luckily, tonight’s VCU-Dayton game is on ESPN2 for the masses to see.
In this article, I shed light on A-10 basketball with a game preview and betting analysis, delivering an official VCU vs. Dayton prediction with odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook. All prospective Caesars members located in AZ, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, TN, WV or WY can seize the chance at a $1,000 first-bet bonus.
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VCU VS. DAYTON PREDICTION: VCU +7 (-110 at Caesars Sportsbook)
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VCU vs. Dayton Prediction for Today's College Basketball Game on ESPN2
College basketball is great, in part, because of the more niche, consistent programs like VCU and Dayton. Neither program descends from a big state university and neither program recruits nor regularly competes against blue bloods. But despite their coaches often getting picked off to move up to higher levels, programs like these two persist with deep-rooted culture and passion for success in men’s basketball.
While VCU sits firmly outside the NCAA Tournament bubble looking in entering tonight, following two straight crucial losses, enough can’t be said about the job Ryan Odom has done in his first year with the program, sitting 19-11 (11-6 in A-10 play).
On the other side, Dayton sits firmly in the field, pegged as a #6-seed on Bracket Matrix. Interestingly enough, Dayton isn’t even top two in A-10 Conference play, as Richmond, currently a #11-seed on Bracket Matrix, and Loyola Chicago own the top ranks while Dayton sits in third. To be ranked in the AP Top 25 but sit third in the A-10 speaks volumes about the quality of this conference, which is why I am so thrilled to discuss this game and deliver my VCU vs. Dayton prediction.
Before we reach the betting angle with two VCU vs. Dayton picks, including the VCU vs. Dayton spread, my vague VCU vs. Dayton prediction sees Dayton emerging victorious after a hard-fought battle at home, led by a dominant performance from one of the most underrated forwards in America, DaRon Holmes II.
VCU vs. Dayton Picks & Best Bets Featuring VCU +7
Dayton is a perfect 14-0 at home this year, and we are not going against that fact in the final game, however, this VCU team is battle-tested and a lot older than Dayton, and they will bring their best spoiler attempts to the table for 40 minutes tonight.
VCU +7 (-110 at Caesars) is the winning play because Dayton doesn’t have a single rotation senior to showcase on senior night, and VCU has been just as efficient away from home – a rarity in 2023-24. The status of leading scorer Max Shulga is critical for VCU’s chances, as he was unable to play last time out in a 10-point home defeat due to back spasms. Still, with additional veteran guards in Sean Bairstow, Zeb Jackson and Joe Bamisile, who can all knock down three-pointers and defend, VCU can play and match Dayton’s methodical, three-point-reliant brand of basketball.
When these teams met the first time around, back on Friday, February 9, VCU won a 49-47 rock fight, as both teams went completely cold from deep, despite each ranking top 60 in three-point attempts and three-point percentage this season. The difference in this matchup regarding the spread is that VCU guards the three-point line exceptionally well, which makes life tough for a Dayton team that hardly scores inside the arc.
Not only that, but both defenses force opposing offenses to grind the shot clock. We don’t believe tonight’s game features the same scoring woes as the first meeting, but the pace of the game and VCU’s three-point defense can keep them in this one until the end.
VCU vs. Dayton Predictions: Why Will Dayton Still Win the Game?
Dayton owns the best player on the floor, 6’10” junior do-it-all forward DaRon Holmes II. Holmes II is a shoo-in for A-10 Player of the Year, carrying 20.1 PPG, 8.2 REB and 2.6 AST into tonight. He shoots 55.3% from the field, 38.7% from deep and also posts 2.2 blocks per game.
Holmes II had one of his lowest-scoring outputs of the season against VCU, highlighted by an abysmal 5-13 effort from the free-throw line. Since his 12-point outing against the Rams, Holmes has posted five 20+ point games in the six outings since, four times scoring 24+. Look for Dayton to force-feed Holmes II against an inferior VCU interior, opening up three-point attempts for his teammates. Dayton is 37-66 from deep in the last three games.
Take DaRon Holmes II O22.5 Points (-110 at Caesars) to close out these VCU vs. Dayton picks, completing my VCU vs. Dayton prediction.
Bet on DaRon Holmes II & VCU +7 With Caesars Sportsbook & Get $1,000 in Betting Bonuses
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- Click here to register with Caesars 👈🏼 the Caesars promo code SI1000 should be filled in
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- Browse the sports menu on the Caesars homepage
- Select ‘Basketball’ - ‘College Basketball’ - ‘NCAAM’
- Navigate to VCU vs. Dayton odds and select the VCU vs. Dayton spread or click the matchup to view DaRon Holmes II player props
- With odds selected, enter your bet slip and wager $10-$1,000
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VCU vs. Dayton Betting Odds, Lines & Spreads at Caesars
Below, see the VCU vs. Dayton odds at Caesars Sportsbook covering the markets tied to my VCU vs. Dayton prediction:
- Point Spread: VCU +7 (-110) vs. Dayton -7 (-110)
- Money Line: VCU (+265) vs. Dayton (-180)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 131 (-110) vs. Under 131 (-110)
- DaRon Holmes II points: Over 22.5 (-110) vs. Under 22.5 (-133)
A $110 bet on the VCU vs. Dayton spread in favor of VCU profits $100 if VCU loses the game by six points or fewer or wins outright.
Probable Lineups for VCU vs. Dayton Today, 3/8
VCU Starting Lineup:
- Max Shulga (questionable)
- Sean Bairstow
- Zeb Jackson
- Christian Fermin
- Kuany Kuany
Dayton Starting Lineup:
- Koby Brea
- Kobe Elvis
- Enoch Cheeks
- Nate Santos
- DaRon Holmes II
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