Va. Commonwealth Rams vs
Utah Running UtesPredictions & Preview

Utah Utes Set to Face VCU Rams in NIT Quarter-Final Showdown at Jon M. Huntsman Center

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Utah Utes (21-14) will take on the VCU Rams (24-13) in a quarter-final NIT matchup at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Both teams are coming off recent victories, with the Rams defeating South Florida and the Utes securing a win against Iowa. The game is scheduled to start at 9:00 PM ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2. Utah is currently the betting favorite with a set point spread of -6 that has not changed leading up to the game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Rams +210 | Running Utes -255
• Spread: Rams +6 (-110) | Running Utes -6 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 145.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Utah will win straight-up is 72%.

Va. Commonwealth vs Utah Stats

Va. Commonwealth Rams

VCU put on an impressive performance on Wednesday, securing a spot in the quarter-finals of the NIT tournament by defeating South Florida with a final score of 70-65. Jackson led the team to victory with strong shooting and contributions in multiple areas, while Bairstow and Lawal also made significant impacts. The team as a whole shot 44% from the field and collected 33 rebounds and 5 steals in the win. Additionally, sophomore forward Christian Fermin had a strong showing with 10 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. VCU's leading scorer this season has been Max Shulga, averaging 14.3 points per game, with Zeb Jackson contributing 11.6 points per game and 51 steals throughout the season.

In terms of rankings, VCU is ranked 245 in offense, scoring an average of 71.43 points per game, and #34 in defense, allowing an average of 66.49 points per game to be scored against them. The team has a record of 24-13 this season. Offensively, the Rams hit 44.33% of their field goals and 78.19% of their free throws while making an average of 35.82% of their three-point attempts. Defensively, VCU allows 40.58% of field goals and 73.68% of free throws to be made, with opponents hitting an average of 30.95% of three-point attempts. The team averages 35.16 rebounds per game, 13.68 offensive assists, and 12.11 turnovers. Defensively, the Rams average 32.86 defensive rebounds, 11.00 defensive assists, and 11.08 turnovers per game.

Utah Running Utes Analysis

The University of Utah's men's basketball team, the Utah Utes, secured a 91-82 victory over No. 3 seed Iowa in the NIT second round game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Gabe Madsen led the team in scoring with an impressive 31 points, followed by Deivon Smith with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Branden Carlson with 12 points. The Utes showcased strong shooting skills with a 48% field goal percentage and also recorded 36 rebounds and 2 steals in the game. Branden Carlson has been a standout player for the Utes this season, averaging 17 points per game and leading the team in blocks and rebounds. Gabe Madsen and Keba Keita have also been key contributors to the team's success. In terms of power ranking, the Runnin' Utes are 38th and rank #60 for offense, scoring an average of 78.60 points per game. Their defensive performance ranks at #215, allowing an average of 72.97 points per game. The team has a record of 21-14 overall. On offense, the Runnin' Utes have strong stats in field goal percentage and rebounding, while on defense they have room for improvement in three-point defense and free throw percentage allowed.

Utah Utes Dominate on the Court and Against the Spread in NIT Quarter-Final Matchup

The Utah Utes have demonstrated their prowess on the basketball court this season, showcasing strong offensive and defensive capabilities. With an average of 78.6 points per game and a shooting percentage of 54%, the Utes have established themselves as a dominant scoring team. They also excel in rebounding and assists, averaging 39 total rebounds and 17.5 assists per game. Defensively, they are equally impressive with an average of 4.3 blocks and 5.9 steals per game. Despite their opponents scoring 73 points and shooting 48.6% from the field on average, the Utes have maintained a strong defense, allowing only 35.9 rebounds per game.

On the betting front, the Utah Utes have performed admirably with a record of 18-17 against the spread in all games and 12-6 against the spread in home games. With a recent trend of covering the point spread, the Utes appear to be a good bet in their upcoming quarter-final NIT match.

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