VCU vs. Syracuse Prediction and Odds: Fade Rams Stagnant Offense

The VCU Rams and Syracuse Orange will face-off in the Bahamas today in the opening round of the the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis.

Both teams will be looking to bounce back from what should have been easy wins against inferior opponents, but both results in heart breaking losses. VCU fell 56-54 to Chattanooga while Syracuse was beat up on by Colgate, losing 100-85.

One of the two teams will get back in the win column tonight, and the victor will take on the winner of Baylor vs. Arizona State tomorrow.

Let's take a look at the odds for this neutral site game, courtesy of WynnBET.

VCU vs. Syracuse Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

• VCU: +5 (-110)
• Syracuse: -5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• VCU: +175
• Syracuse: -220

Total:

• 130 (Over -110/Under -110)

VCU vs. Syracuse Prediction and Pick

As has been the tradition for VCU in recent history, the Rams are stellar on their own side of the court. They rank 10th in defensive efficiency and fourth in opponent effective field goal percentage. Where they struggle is on offense, and their issues on that side of the court are very real this season.

VCU ranks 286th in effective field goal percentage, 344th in offensive efficiency, and 352nd in turnovers per possession. The Rams will find it tough to keep up with the Syracuse offense that ranks 12th, 18th, and 17th in those statistics, respectively.

Having a good defense is certainly a good asset to have, but you can't win games if you rank near the bottom in almost every offensive category. I'll take the Orange to win and cover tonight.

Pick: Syracuse -5