VCU (26-9, 18-14-1 ATS) at Saint Louis (23-12, 17-12-1 ATS)
Virginia Commonwealth, which won the opener of this best-of-three series, goes for the championship sweep when it travels to Chaifetz Arena to face Saint Louis.
In Monday’s series opener, the Rams rolled to a 68-56 home victory as a hefty nine-point chalk for their fourth consecutive win and sixth in the last seven games (5-2 ATS). The one SU loss in that seven-game stretch came in overtime against Old Dominion in the Colonial Athletic Association title game. Over its past five contests – including the loss to Old Dominion – VCU is averaging 79.4 ppg and allowing 72.6 ppg, but on the road this year, the Rams have narrowly outscored opponents, putting up 73.0 ppg and surrendering 72.1 ppg.
The Billikens, out of the Atlantic 10, won their first three games (2-1 ATS) of the CBI to reach this championship series, and all three starts were as a home favorite – against Indiana State, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Princeton, with an average winning margin of 8.3 ppg. At home this season, Saint Louis has put up a modest 66.8 ppg on 46.3 percent shooting, but has gotten it done defensively, allowing just 57.8 ppg on 38.9 percent shooting, including 28.5 percent from three-point range.
The Rams have been strong at the betting window lately, carrying pointspread surges of 6-2 overall, 18-6 against winning teams (7-2 last nine), 12-5 against the Atlantic 10, 4-1 in non-conference play and 4-1 on Wednesday. Likewise, despite the Game 1 setback, the Billikens remain on ATS runs of 10-4 overall, 9-4 at home, 4-0 after a non-cover, 6-2 after a SU loss and 12-5 on Wednesday.
Monday’s contest between these two fell short of the posted total of 130 points, but VCU is on “over” sprees of 5-1 overall, 39-15-1 on the highway, 5-1 following a SU win and 13-5-1 in non-league play. Saint Louis, meanwhile, is on “over” stretches of 4-1 after an ATS defeat, 9-3 at home against teams with a losing road record and 14-5 on Wednesday.
Game 3 of this series, if necessary, is scheduled for Friday in Saint Louis.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
NCAAB News and Notes
VCU's Sanders dominated Game 1 of series (20 pts, 12 reb, four blocks, three steals); Rams are just 2-4 in last six road games, winning at George Washington/NC-Wilmington. Saint Louis was 5-20 from arc, 1-2 on line in Game 1- they were -6 (16-10) in turnovers. Billikens need to get to line more- they're 7-2 in last nine home games, losing to Xavier/Temple. VCU is now 4-0 vs Atlantic 14 teams this year, 7-2 in last nine games overall, with both losses to Old Dominion, by 3-4 points.