VCU vs Dayton Basketball Prediction & Best Bets: Will the Flyers Soar Past the Rams in Rivalry Renewal?

Almost a month ago, VCU and Dayton played one of the ugliest games of the college basketball season as the Rams held off the Flyers in Richmond. What is in store for tonight’s rematch at UD Arena? Read on for our VCU vs Dayton prediction and best bets.

VCU vs Dayton Game Information

• Matchup: VCU Rams (19-11, 11-6 Atlantic 10, 17-12-1 ATS, 14-16 ATS) vs #25 Dayton Flyers (23-6, 13-4 Atlantic 10, 16-13 ATS, 17-11-1 O/U)
• Date: Friday, March 8, 2024
• Time: 7:00 pm ET
• Broadcast: ESPN2

In that matchup at the Siegel Center on February 9, there were no points in the final three minutes as the Rams held on for a 49-47 win over Flyers, who were ranked 18^th in the AP poll at the time. After pulling within two with 3:04 left thanks to two Nate Santos free throws, Dayton had four cracks at tying the game or taking the lead, but VCU was instead able to close out the victory.

Numerous games over the final few days of the NCAA basketball regular season will have a matchup will have a bearing on the March Madness picture, but this will not be one of them.

VCU’s only chance to be in the Big Dance is to win the automatic bid, while Dayton is a tournament lock even though the Flyers will only be the #3 seed in next week’s Atlantic 10 Tournament, with Richmond and Loyola Chicago the top two seeds.

Still, it’s a matchup worth watching and betting on, as many rivalry games are.

VCU vs Dayton Basketball 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 tonight’s NCAA basketball action.

Spread

• VCU +8.5 (-105)
• Dayton -8.5 (-115)

Over/Under

• Over 135.5 (-105)
• Under 135.5 (-115)

Moneyline

• VCU +345
• Dayton -425

Looking for more men’s college hoops picks for tonight’s schedule? Our NCAA basketball picks page features moneyline, spread, and total (over/under) picks for all of tonight’s top games. That includes this matchup, two Missouri Valley Conference tournament quarterfinal matchups (Evansville vs Drake and Illinois Chicago vs Bradley), and Boise State vs San Diego State.

VCU vs Dayton Prediction and Best Bets

VCU vs Dayton Betting Analysis and Prediction

Should the Flyers be on upset alert tonight? The Rams have been solid on the road in conference play, going 5-3 SU and 6-2 ATS with wins at George Mason, LaSalle, Davidson, Fordham, and Saint Louis.

But while all five of those teams are below .500 in A-10 play, Dayton is one of the best teams in the conference and is a perfect 8-0 at home (4-4 ATS) in A-10 play.

That includes wins over UMass, St. Bonaventure, and Duquesne, who, like Dayton and VCU, are over .500 in A-10 play.

But the Flyers are 13-0 SU and 7-6 ATS this season when favored by eight or more points, including 7-0 SU and 5-2 ATS in conference play. The only misses were against Saint Louis (70-65 as a 12-point favorite) and Fordham (78-70 win as a 13-point favorite).

So, if you are backing Dayton to cover—which is what yours truly is doing—you have plenty of positives in your corner.

VCU vs Dayton Best Bets

Dayton -8.5 & VCU/Dayton under 135.5

The Rams laid a massive egg in their home finale on Tuesday, falling 69-59 to Duquesne, and they have given up 79 and 74 points in losing their last two road games (at Richmond and St. Bonaventure).

I think they will be up for this one since it’s a rivalry game, but I think Dayton will put the clamps on defensively and get the cover.

Bonus Pick: DaRon Holmes over 31.5 points + rebounds (-106 at Bovada)

In the first meeting with VCU, Holmes had a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds), but he was limited to just eight shots from the field (a low in conference play), and his eight missed free throws (in 13 attempts) made a major difference in the outcome.

In what is likely to be his final home game at Dayton, look for Holmes, who is averaging 21.1 PPG and 8.9 RPG at home, to show out. He has 22 or more points nine times in A-10 play, including five times in eight home games. Also, of his eight double-doubles in A-10 play, five have come at home.

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

Also, follow Betting News on X/Twitter, Twitch, and TikTok to get more daily NCAA basketball betting insight from myself and the rest of our team.

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Selection Sunday and the start of the $200,000 Bracket Madness contest at BetOnline 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 all of the upcoming March Madness action.