VCU vs Dayton Picks and Odds (Jan. 5)

• The Dayton Flyers are two-point home favorites over the VCU Rams in an NCAA men’s basketball game scheduled for Wednesday, January 5
• VCU is playing for the first time since December 15 following a pair of COVID-19 postponements
• The Flyers have won four straight games at home

Thanks to COVID-19 postponements, the Dayton Flyers and VCU Rams will be opening the Atlantic 10 Conference facing each other. Both teams saw their first two games of slated conference action for the 2021-22 NCAA men’s basketball season postponed as a result of COVID-19 protocol.

The Flyers are an impressive 7-2 straight up in their last nine games. That’s including a 74-73 upset at the #3 Kansas Jayhawks.

VCU has won four in a row. The Rams are 5-2 SU over their past seven games, with losses to Connecticut and the #1-ranked Baylor Bears.

It’s the hometown Flyers that oddsmakers are picking to take this game. Dayton is being set as the 2-point home chalk. Dayton is 2-5 against the spread as a home favorite this season.

VCU vs Dayton Odds

Odds as of January 4th at FanDuel.

Tipoff for Wednesday’s game is set for 7pm ET at UD Arena. The CBS Sports Network is broadcasting the contest.

VCU Rams Betting Trends

The 7-4 Rams are a perfect 2-0 on the road this season. They’re all about defense. VCU is seventh in the nation in scoring defense (56.7 ppg) and sixth in the country in defensive field goal % (36.36).

Offensively, it’s a much different story. The Rams are 337th in scoring offense (60.5 ppg), 309th in 3-point field goal % (29.35) and 247th in field goal % (42.78).

LOCK DOWN DEFENSE 🔒#ThisIsRamNation #LetsGoVCU pic.twitter.com/0xu8kooluv

— VCU Basketball (@VCU_Hoops) January 5, 2022

Senior forward Vince Williams is the scoring leader for the Rams. He’s averaging 10.7 ppg. Freshman guard Jayden Nunn and Sophomore guard Adrian Baldwin Jr are also averaging in double digits. Each is hitting for 10.0 ppg.

Williams is also VCU’s top rebounder, pulling down 5.6 boards off the glass each game, and leads the team with 29 assists. Nunn (.355, 11-for-31) is the best 3-point shooter for the Rams. His 23 steals also top the club.

Dayton Flyers Betting Trends

In Dayton’s most recent game, the Flyers downed Southern 69-60 on December 21. Redshirt freshman guard Kobe Elvis posted career-highs with 15 points and four assists to pace the Flyers attack. Sophomore forward Toumani Camara went for 13 points and 12 rebounds, collecting the second double-double of his Dayton days. Freshman forward DaRon Holmes added 10 points, pulled down six rebounds and blocked four shots.

A deep bench and a balanced offense are key elements to Dayton’s success. There are 10 Flyers who are averaging at least 7.5 minutes per game. Nine players have produced at least one game of 10 or more points. Eight players are averaging a minimum of 6.0 points per game, with four averaging 10+ ppg.

𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 ✈️🏀
DaRon Holmes II #GoFlyers // @DaRonagon pic.twitter.com/mktzoCAgCS

— Dayton Basketball (@DaytonMBB) December 27, 2021

KenPom is listing the Flyers as the youngest team in NCAA D1. The 11 freshmen or redshirt freshmen suiting up for the Flyers are the second-most in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, behind only Arizona (13). A Dayton player was named Atlantic 10 rookie of the week during each of the first five weeks of the season.

Holmes is third in the nation among freshmen with 23 dunks. He also leads the Atlantic 10 in FG% (.651, 56-for-86).

Flyers vs Rams Prediction

VCU has proven to be the dominant presence in this rivalry over the years. The Rams won the previous meeting from Dayton by a 73-68 count. VCU has won seven of the past 10 games between the two schools and 11 of 17 all-time. The Rams have won three in a row from the Flyers and taken two of the last three games at Dayton.

Next stop Dayton 🛫#ThisIsRamNation #LetsGoVCU pic.twitter.com/YJ18jJGc8z

— VCU Basketball (@VCU_Hoops) January 4, 2022

Dayton’s win over #3 Kansas was the first by the Flyers over a top five team since beating #3 DePaul 72-71 on February 18, 1984. The 8-5 Flyers are 5-3 SU at home this season and 4-3 as a betting favorite. Overall, Dayton is 6-7 ATS.

VCU is 6-1 ATS over the past seven games. The Rams are also 7-2 ATS in the last nine games against Dayton.

Pick: VCU Rams +2 (-110)