Duquesne vs VCU Prediction & Best Bets (Atlantic 10 Championship): Will the Dukes’ Long Tournament Drought End?

Brown’s improbable run to the championship game of the Ivy League tournament could see one NCAA Tournament drought come to an end this afternoon. But an even longer one could also end today if Duquesne can defeat VCU for the Atlantic 10 title.

The Dukes have five all-time NCAA Tournament appearances, but the most recent one was in 1977. That was the first season of the Atlantic 10’s existence, and Norm Nixon and the Dukes defeated Villanova to claim the conference title before losing to VMI in the NCAA Tournament.

For much of this season, it certainly didn’t appear that the drought could end in 2024. After losing their first five conference games, the Dukes (23-11, 10-8 Atlantic 10) did somewhat right the ship by winning six of nine games. But with four games left in the regular season, they were still only 6-8 in A-10 play.

However, they finished with four straight wins to secure the sixth seed in the conference tournament, where they have defeated #14 Saint Louis, #3 Dayton, and #7 St. Bonaventure to reach the title game for the first time since 2009 and just the fourth time in conference history.

To take the title will require defeating a foe that is in a rather familiar situation. Fifth-seeded VCU (22-12, 11-7 Atlantic 10) is vying for the conference title for the eighth time since 2013, with a fourth different head coach in that stretch. Ryan Odom’s first season with the Rams has had its ups and downs, but it could end with VCU becoming the first team since Temple (2008-10) to win consecutive A-10 titles.

Duquesne vs VCU Odds

Odds are via BetOnline, a longtime fixture in the sports betting industry. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then grab yourself a nice sign-up bonus to bet on today’s NCAA basketball action.

Spread

• Duquesne +2 (-105)
• VCU -2 (-115)

Over/Under

• Over 127.5 (-108)
• Under 127.5 (-112)

Moneyline

• Duquesne +115
• VCU -135

Looking for more men’s college hoops picks? Our NCAA basketball picks page features moneyline, spread, and total (over/under) picks for all of the top games each day.

Duquesne vs VCU Betting Analysis and Prediction

During Duquesne’s season-ending four-game win streak, the Dukes equaled the number of road wins (two) they had in their first seven road games in A-10 play.

One of those two late-season wins was at VCU, a 69-59 win on March 5.

While it was part of a surge by the Dukes, it was part of a skid by the Rams, who dropped their final three regular season games to miss out on a top-four seed for the tournament.

That made VCU have to navigate one extra game, but that could prove to be a positive for the Rams. After opening with a 69-62 win over #12 seed Fordham, VCU knocked off #4 seed UMass, who had beaten them by 22 in the regular season, by 14 before upending #9 seed Saint Joseph’s, who was coming off an upset of #1 seed Richmond.

VCU came through as a small favorite against the Hawks, and they have been decent against the spread overall this season. For the season, they are 18-5 SU and 13-9-1 ATS as a favorite. But in A-10 play, they have done especially well. Since falling at home to St. Bonaventure and George Washington, they are 11-1 SU and 9-3 ATS as a favorite.

The lone SU loss is the loss to Duquesne, who is on a solid run as an underdog. The Dukes are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five games as a dog, losing only at Dayton on February 13.

But whose run will continue this afternoon? Over the years, lower seeds have had a lot of championship game success. Since VCU joined the A-10, the lower seed has won seven times in 10 conference tournament championship games. After ending some bubble team’s hopes with their upset of Dayton, the Dukes might as well take that bid for themselves, right?

Prediction: Duquesne to cover and win

Duquesne vs VCU Best Bets

Duquesne +2 & Duquesne/VCU under 127.5

The under has hit eight times in Duquesne’s last ten games, and it has hit four times in VCU’s last five games, including all three of their conference tournament contests.

Also, the A-10 title game has finished under 127 four times in the last five editions and nine times in the last 13, including VCU’s 68-56 win over Dayton last season.

Other NCAA Basketball Betting Information

Where Can You Bet on NCAA Basketball?

Throughout the college basketball season, you can find NCAA basketball odds at the top online sports betting sites. That includes prominent names like BetDSI, BetOnline, BetUS, and Bovada.

Along with game odds, many sportsbooks offer men’s and women’s March Madness futures odds, Final Four odds, Wooden Award odds, and more.

If you are unfamiliar with any of these sites, check out our sportsbook reviews to learn more about them. Our reviews analyze available betting options, deposit and payout options, mobile and live betting, and the sportsbook sign-up bonuses and other promos offered.

• BetDSI Sportsbook Review
• BetOnline Sportsbook Review
• BetUS Sportsbook Review
• Bovada Sportsbook Review
• MyBookie Sportsbook Review

Interested in Learning More About Betting on NCAA Basketball?

If you are interested in learning more about betting on NCAA basketball, check out our college basketball betting guide. It covers the basics of wagering on the action from the Mountain West to the MAAC and beyond.

• College Basketball Betting Guide: How to Bet on NCAA Basketball in 2024

Also, check out our March Madness guide, and learn valuable March Madness betting tips, where you can find the best March Madness bracket challenges, who the Final Four favorites are, and much more.

• March Madness Guide

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Will the Dukes or Rams represent the Atlantic 10 in the tournament field for the $200,000 Bracket Madness contest at BetOnline? Selection Sunday and the start of the contest aren’t until Sunday, March 17, but the contest is now open for entry fees. In the meantime, you can take advantage of their 100% cryptocurrency welcome bonus and build your bankroll for March Madness.