On Friday evening, the VCU Rams are set to face the Saint Joseph’s Hawks at the Michael J. Hagan ‘85 Arena, both teams vying for dominance within the Atlantic 10 Conference. With VCU entering the game with momentum from their recent decisive victory against St. Louis, coach Mike Rhoades's squad is eager to maintain the winning streak against the Hawks, who are also fresh off a strong performance.
The Rams (13-4, 3-1 A-10) recently achieved what can only be described as their most significant win of the season, defeating St. Louis by 16 points, 78-62. Notably, VCU's Joe Bamisile led the charge with 23 points, helping VCU outscore their opponents significantly, particularly with their defensive prowess, holding St. Louis to just 20 points in the second half. The Rams also showcased their rebounding strength, achieving an incredible 38-26 advantage on the boards.
Meanwhile, the Hawks (11-6, 2-2 A-10) are aiming to replicate their performance from Saturday, when they crushed Loyola Chicago 93-57, showcasing their capability of scoring and their depth of talent. Xzayvier Brown shone during this game, leading the scoring for Saint Joseph’s with 20 points, and fellow player Derek Simpson was not far behind with 19 points. The Hawks' home court advantage could also play a pivotal role, as they improved their home record to 7-3 during the season.
The game is set for 7 p.m. ET and televised on ESPNU, with VCU holding the status of slight favorites by 1.5 points against the Hawks. The betting line reflects the close nature of what is expected to be an exciting contest, especially with both teams averaging high scores, VCU at 77.6 points per game and Saint Joseph’s at 76.8.
The two squads possess contrasting styles of play: VCU's aggressive defensive strategy leads the Atlantic 10 with the best three-point shooting defense (.313), and they also rank high with a .781 free throw percentage. On the other hand, Saint Joseph’s is known for their dynamic offense, led by their scoring leader Rasheer Fleming, boasting impressive averages of 16.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He is also noted for his three-point shooting, making him as pivotal for the Hawks' success against VCU’s staunch defense.
Considering the current statistics, both teams rank similarly across various performance metrics such as three-point shooting percentages, with VCU hitting 35.3% and Saint Joseph’s closely trailing at 35.2%. With both teams capable of scoring from the perimeter, the effectiveness of their defenses will likely determine the game's outcome.
Prediction enthusiasts are eyeing the under on the total points, currently set at 142, due to both teams' defensive capabilities matched against their high-scoring offenses. Analyzing the odds, it's discernible how pivotal the battle will be on both sides of the court.
Historical data favors VCU, who leads the series against Saint Joseph’s with 12 wins out of 16 total matchups, indicating their consistent success against them. The last meeting played out during the A-10 tournament, where VCU narrowly bested the Hawks 66-60. With significant stakes and rivalry on the line, this matchup is one fans won’t want to miss.
Friday night’s clash promises to be filled with excitement as these two Atlantic 10 teams—the Rams and the Hawks—fight for conference supremacy and aim to boost their standings. Will VCU extend their winning streak or will Saint Joseph’s leverage their home advantage to reclaim dominance? Fans will find out soon enough!