The 10-seed VCU Rams (19-7) meet the 7-seed Oregon Ducks (20-6) Saturday in the first round of the West Regional at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:57 p.m. ET and the game is airing on TNT. Below, we analyze the VCU-Oregon odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.
Oregon won the Pac-12 regular-season championship but had its six-game win streak and five-game against the spread winning streak snapped after getting trounced by Oregon State 75-64 as an 8.5-point favorite in the conference title game.
The Ducks are making their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in head coach Dana Altman’s 11th season on the job. They were a lock to make it last year before the COVID-19 cancellation.
VCU finished its regular season 5-2 straight up and 4-3 against the spread in the final seven games of the regular season and then advanced to the Atlantic 10 Tournament championship where it lost 74-65 to East Region 9-seed St. Bonaventure as a 3.5-point underdog.
This is VCU’s second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and ninth in 10 tournaments dating back to former head coach Shaka Smart’s (now at Texas) run to the Final Four in 2011.
Oregon vs. VCU: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Oregon -240 (bet $240 to win $100) | VCU +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
- Against the spread/ATS: Oregon -5 (-110) | VCU +5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
March Madness betting promotions
Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:
Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Bet now!
Bet $1 on any team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer that day. Bet now!
Offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.
Oregon vs. VCU: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Oregon 76, VCU 66
Money line (ML)
PASS because I like the Ducks to cover the spread, but I’m not willing to risk two-and-a-half times my investment for an outright Oregon victory.
Altman is one of the most underrated coaches in the country and he has guided Oregon to at least the Sweet 16 in each of its previous six appearances.
Also, the Rams haven’t advanced past the first round in their previous two tournament appearances. While this is VCU’s second Big Dance under fourth-year head coach Mike Rhoades, it’s unclear if Rhoades has the big-game coaching chops of former coach Will Wade (now with LSU) and Smart.
Play our new, free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
This number is too low and it’s easy to foresee how OREGON -5 (-110) creates enough margin against VCU to cover this spread given the matchup.
Oregon’s defense is 1st in the Pac-12 in turnover percentage and VCU commits the most turnovers in the A-10, according to Ken Pom.
The Rams are also the worst defensive rebounding team in the A-10 so there’s a solid chance the Ducks can pile up extra possessions, putbacks, and/or second-chance points.
Plus, Oregon has a significantly lower defensive FTA/FG rate and is 27th in 3-point shooting percentage.
GIMME OREGON -5 (-110) for 1.5 units.
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN OVER 137.5 (-110) for a half-unit because the matchup and trends point to this being a high-scoring game.
The Over has cashed in VCU’s previous six NCAA Tournament games and Oregon has an 8-1-2 O/U record in its last 11 games on a neutral site and 6-0-2 O/U as a favorite on a neutral court.
Want some action on this game or others? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @Geoffery_Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
More college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]