Game: (601) LSU Tigers (1-0) vs (602) VCU Rams (2-0)
Time: Wed. 11/13/2019 6:00 PM EST at Stuart Siegel Center
Spread: VCU -2.5 ML: -NATotal: 142.5 at 5Dimes
Tools: Public Consensus | View Matchups | Bet This Game
The No. 23 LSU Tigers (1-0) take on the VCU Rams (2-0). LSU’s Coach Will Wade returns to Richmond, VA, to take on his former team, VCU. LSU is 1-0 on the season, while the VCU 2-0. The two teams last met on Nov. 25, 2016, when the Rams beat the Tigers, 85-74.
LSU opened its season with an 88-79 victory over Bowling Green on Friday night as Emmitt Williams and Javonte Smart each scored 21 points. The Tigers shot 47.4% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range. They brought down 46 rebounds as well. LSU should continue to have good offensive and defensive rebounding ability this year.
The LSU defense kept Bowling Green to only 32% shooting from the field. The Tigers had 5 players in double figures but LSU committed 16 turnovers which is a big area of concern especially going into this VCU game. They also had 17 turnovers in an exhibition against Louisiana Tech T
VCU ranked 6th in defensive field goal percentage (38.7) and 10th in scoring defense at 61.9 points per game in 2018-19. The Rams had four players score in double figures last year and they are all back this season. VCU reached the NCAA tournament last season and finished 25-8, and finished just outside of the Top 25 in the preseason USA Today coaches poll for 2019.
In VCU’s last game, Marcus Evans led the way with 13 points and De’Riante Jenkins finished with 12 points by hitting 4 three’s. Jenkins leads the team with 14 points per game and Santos-Silva leads in rebounds 12.5 per game and assists 3 per game.
The Rams have averaged only 65.5 points per game (277th nationally), they have been strong on defense at 57 points allowed (50th). VCU turned the ball over 18 times in each of its past two games. LSU is 167th in effective field goal percentage dating back to last season. VCU is struggling offensively shooting 43.6% through its first two games and only 66.7% (30-45) from the free-throw line.
Tigers rank 11th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.5 percent), while the Rams rank 290th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.1 percent).
If LSU out-rebounds VCU on the offensive glass they will have a shot to win outright. Teams that dominate the offensive glass can beat anyone. Also, Wade will be bringing his VCU knowledge into this one and you can expect a hard-fought game from a well-prepared team.
Considering the amount of turn-overs each team makes and the defensive pressure that VCU will be bringing at their rowdy home court that is ready to give Wade a hard time. This could be a sloppy low scoring game.