Preview: A Thrilling Quarterfinal Clash Between VCU Rams and St. Bonaventure Bonnies
The action-packed quarterfinals of the A-10 Tournament set the stage for an exciting showdown between the top-seeded VCU Rams (25-6) and the eighth-seeded St. Bonaventure Bonnies (22-10) this Friday morning. The Rams recently saw their impressive nine-game winning streak end with a narrow 79-76 loss to Dayton on March 7. In contrast, the Bonnies are riding high on a three-game winning streak, having recently defeated Duquesne 64-59 in the tournament’s second round on Thursday.
Fans and bettors alike will tune in at 11:30 a.m. ET from the Capital One Arena, with the latest odds from SportsLine consensus slotting the Rams as 11.5-point favorites. The over/under for the game stands at 132.5 points. Before locking in any bets on the VCU vs. St. Bonaventure matchup, it’s crucial to consider the predictions and expert advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model rigorously simulates each Division 1 college basketball game 10,000 times, entering the conference championship week on a remarkable 225-165 betting streak (+1873) for all top-rated college basketball picks since 2023. For those following the model’s insights, there have been significant gains.
As the model focuses on the St. Bonaventure vs. VCU matchup, its picks and forecasts have just been released, available exclusively on SportsLine. Here’s a quick glance at the betting lines and trends for the game:
- Spread: Rams -11.5
- Over/Under: 132.5 points
- Money Line: Rams -781, Bonnies +539
- Picks: Check SportsLine for full predictions
- Streaming: Catch the game on FuboTV for free
Why VCU can cover
The Rams boast a balanced attack with four players scoring in double digits. Leading the charge is senior guard Max Shulga, who contributes an impressive 15.5 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Shulga is in fine form, posting at least 16 points in five of his last six appearances, highlighted by a standout 22-point effort with four rebounds and three steals against Duquesne on March 4.
Senior guard Joe Bamisile adds another dynamic scoring threat, averaging 15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and two assists per outing. Bamisile showcased his talent with an 18-point, eight-rebound performance in his most recent game, marking his 14th game with 18-plus points this season.
Why St. Bonaventure can cover
Senior guard Melvin Council Jr. is known for his explosive first step and adept finishing abilities near the hoop. Leading the team with 14.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, the New York native played a key role in the quarterfinal victory against Duquesne, tallying 18 points, two assists, two blocks, and four steals.
Senior guard Chance Moore is a force in the paint, known for his scoring and rebounding prowess. Moore contributes 12.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, and he shone in their January 24 matchup against VCU with 21 points and eight rebounds, notching his fourth 20-plus point game of the season.
How to make St. Bonaventure vs. VCU picks
The SportsLine model leans toward an Over on the total, forecasting 138 combined points. It also backs one side of the spread in more than 60% of its simulations. To see which team to bet on, head over to SportsLine for the model’s full pick.