#11 VCU vs #6 BYU: NCAA Basketball Odds & Best Bets

The VCU Rams have had plenty of success as an 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and now they face off as such once again against the #6 BYU Cougars of the Big 12. VCU went to the Final Four from the First Four back in 2011 during the first edition of play-in games as an 11 seed under Shaka Smart. Can they create some March Magic again?

VCU is the lone representative out of the Atlantic-10, while BYU finished 4th in the Big 12 regular season, losing in the conference semifinals to Houston. They will need their shooting to get by this Rams defense, but I’m not sure they have it in them.

#11 VCU Rams vs #6 BYU Cougars Round of 64

Matchup Information – VCU vs BYU

• Venue & Location: Ball Arena (Denver, CO)
• Date: Thursday, March 20th, 2025
• Tip Off: 4:05pm Eastern
• Broadcast: TNT

Betting Odds

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Spread

• VCU +2.5 (-110)
• BYU -2.5 (-110)

Money Line

• VCU +120
• BYU +140

Total

• Over 147.5 (-119)
• Under 147.5 (-101)

Cougars are Short Favorite in Round of 64

BYU relies heavily on their three point shooting, and I think that could be an issue against VCU. We saw how cold the Cougars were shooting the ball against the other Cougars in the conference tournament, and the struggle is real when things aren’t falling from downtown. That doesn’t happen too often, as BYU is Top 15 in 3P Rate and Top 32 in 3P%, shooting over 37% as a team from downtown. But they certainly lose games against good perimeter defenses, which VCU has.

The Rams are 25th overall defensively in the country, 2nd in eFG% defense and 30th in turnovers forced. BYU is 62nd in 3P Rate Defense and 22nd in 3P% Defense, so I trust them to keep the Cougar shooters at bay. They are certainly equipped to take down this BYU team, as they also snag plenty of offensive boards (11th nationally) and rank 43rd overall offensively.

I once leaned with BYU, as VCU has only been an underdog twice this season, losing and failing to cover both times as they find themselves in unfamiliar territory. However, big time players make big time plays in big time games, and I’m backing a certain Rams player to show up in the Big Dance.

#11 VCU Rams vs #6 BYU Cougars Best Bets

VCU vs BYU Prediction: BYU Wins & Covers, Over 147.5

Best Bets: Max Shulga (VCU) Over 14.5 Points (-120) BetOnline

The total in this game has been bought up, so Vegas is expecting plenty of back and forth despite the Rams lack of pace. BYU will push for plenty of offensive possessions, because their defense doesn’t win them games. The Cougars 51st ranked defense has dropped to 147th over their last 10 games, and VCU will take advantage.

Max Shulga plays 33 minutes per game, contributing 15.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4 assists. He is always on the court and always involved. Shulga shoots and scores more away from home on average, and has cleared 15+ in 18/33 games, along with 5 games with 14 points.

He really shows up against top competition, clearing 15+ in 7/11 vs Top 100 teams with 14+ twice as well. Shulga does not waste points as he shoots 44% from the field, 38% from deep and 79% from the line. Give me Max to have a big game tonight.

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