Boston College Eagles vs
Va. Commonwealth RamsPredictions & Preview

Exciting Non-Conference Matchup Between Boston College Eagles and VCU Rams Set for Friday night at the Veterans Classic

The college basketball season has begun, with a notable non-conference matchup set for Friday night at the Veterans Classic between the Boston College Eagles and the VCU Rams. Both teams are 1-0 and will face off at a neutral site in Annapolis, MD. Va. Commonwealth is the favorite with a current line at -11. I will discuss each team's expectations and opening games, as well as provide my picks and predictions for the game. Tip-off is at 6:00 ET.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Eagles +473 | Rams -650
• Spread: Eagles +11 (-110) | Rams -11 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 140.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Va. Commonwealth will win straight-up is 87%.

Boston College vs Va. Commonwealth Stats

Boston College Eagles

Coach Earl Grant is entering his fourth season with the Boston College Eagles men's basketball program, with a record of 49-53 (23-37 ACC) so far. While the team has not made the NCAA tournament under his leadership, they did reach the NIT second round last year with a 20-16 (8-12 ACC) record. This was the first winning record for the team under Grant. Despite being projected to finish last in the ACC this season, the Eagles did secure a win against The Citadel in their opening game. Boston College is currently ranked 256 in offense and 42 in defense, with an average of 70.97 points scored per game and 66.68 points allowed. Their statistics show strengths in free throw shooting and defensive rebounds, but weaknesses in field goal percentage and turnovers. The team has a lot of work ahead of them to improve their performance this season.

Va. Commonwealth Rams Analysis

The VCU Rams are entering the new season with high expectations after a successful run in the previous year under head coach Ryan Odom. The team is favored to win the Atlantic 10 Conference, with strong performances in their opening game against Bellarmine. Individually, players like Max Shulga and Jack Clark showed their prowess on the court. In terms of statistics, the Rams rank #158 for offense and #174 for defense, averaging 74.08 points per game and giving up 71.86 points per game. On the defensive end, VCU allows opponents to shoot at 43.94% from the field and 74.96% from the free-throw line. Overall, VCU has a power ranking of 41 and is currently 1-0 (0-1 ATS) in the season.

VCU Favored to Cover Point Spread Against Boston College in College Basketball Matchup.

The upcoming matchup between VCU and Boston College presents a significant point spread, reflecting the notable reputation of both programs in the college basketball realm. In light of the current performance outlook for each team this season, such a spread seems appropriate. My prediction is in favor of VCU to cover the points on Friday evening. Boston College's recent offensive struggles, exemplified by their meager 69 points against The Citadel with a 38.9% field goal percentage, raise concerns about their ability to generate scoring against VCU's formidable defense, which ranked 40th in adjusted efficiency last season. Conversely, VCU displayed balanced scoring in their season opener, with four of their five starters reaching double digits. This depth in scoring leads me to anticipate a double-digit victory for VCU. Therefore, I am selecting VCU as the favored team in this upcoming matchup.

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