The VCU Rams (2-0) travel to Brooklyn to play a neutral site game at the Barclays Center against the Arizona State Sun Devils (2-1) Wednesday at 8:30 (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the VCU vs. Arizona State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
VCU comes in after defeating Manhattan (73-56) and Morgan State (69-54) in its 1st 2 games of the season. Defense will need to continue to be a strong suit for the Rams as they look to get through the Atlantic-10 Conference and make the NCAA Tournament again. Arizona State is battling UCLA, Arizona and others in the Pac-12, something which coach Bobby Hurley has not been able to master yet during his tenure.
Coming into this game the Sun Devils are struggling a bit early in the season. A 3-point, season-opening win against Tarleton State (62-59) and an 84-68 win over Northern Arizona was followed up by a 67-66 overtime loss as 11-point favorites at Texas Southern. One of 2 Pac-12 teams (Colorado) to lose against SWAC opponents, the Sun Devils will look to get back on track before entering the meat of their Pac-12 schedule in coming weeks.
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VCU vs. Arizona State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:34 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): VCU -220 (bet $220 to win $100) | Arizona State +175 (bet $100 to win $175)
- Against the spread (ATS): VCU -4.5 (-117) | Arizona State -+4.5 (-103)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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VCU vs. Arizona State picks and predictions
Prediction
VCU 65, Arizona State 58
Moneyline
PASS.
VCU should win this game which makes the -220 ML too high to make a wager on unless adding it in a parlay wager.
Against the spread
BET VCU -4.5 (-117).
The defense of VCU will be the key here.
Wanting to keep this game low scoring and slow, VCU will clamp down on the Sun Devils in this game. Although not in a Power 5 conference, the talent of VCU is superior to that of Arizona State and it will show here as Arizona State will get its 2nd loss in a row here. Take VCU -4.5 (-117).
BET UNDER 134.5 (-115).
Defense and bad shooting. These 2 factors will lead to an Under hitting in Brooklyn. VCU will play a game of ball control and defense. Allowing only an average of 55 points per game, VCU will hold Arizona State Under 60. I do not see VCU getting Over 75 and this leads the UNDER 134.5 (-115) being my FAVORITE PLAY.
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