The Wichita State Shockers close out their non-conference schedule on Saturday with a trip to Richmond to take on a VCU Rams team trending in the right direction.
These two squads represent two of the best mid-major programs in recent history though each are in the midst of a rebuild of sorts and the early season results for both teams back that up. Still, these two should provide an interesting game with neither team scoring a ton of points early in the year and both exhibiting a bit of inconsistencies, making this one hard to pin down.
The Shockers are coming into this game off a couple wins while VCU is trying to overcome back-to-back losses. Can the Rams get back on track in this home game or will Wichita State capture the road win in its lone, true, road contest of the non-conference schedule?
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Wichita State Shockers vs. VCU Rams
Date and Time: Saturday, December 22, 2018, 4 p.m. ET
Location: Stuart C. Siegel Center, Richmond, Virginia
College Basketball Odds: Check Back Later
Shockers vs. Rams TV Coverage: ESPN2
The Rams are 7-4 on the year, but they will head into this game following back-to-back losses, dropping a game to Virginia two weeks ago and then a much more concerning loss to the College of Charleston last weekend.
Temple, Hofstra and Texas represent the biggest wins so far for VCU while losses to St. John’s and Old Dominion—as well as those to Virginia and Charleston—taint the season so far.
As a whole, the Rams aren’t a powerhouse offense. The team is shooting a meager 38.9-percent from the floor and have been a poor team from the perimeter, too. Through 11 games, VCU has 68 PPG. They’ve eclipsed 72-points in a game just three times and one of those game in the overtime loss to St. John’s.
It’s another rebuilding year for the VCU program after a decade run of success before last season. Head coach Mike Rhodes has made some strides forward with this year’s team, but there’s still a long ways to go.
The team looks a bit better at stopping teams in the half court—at least against the lower-level opposition. But the team needs to shoot a lot better. And they need more consistency that’ll come with experience, but doesn’t help for this contest.
For now, the VCU team is led in the backcourt by junior guards Marcus Evans and De’Riante Jenkins. Neither are great shooters. Still, they’re first and third on the team in scoring with 12.9 PG and 11 PPG respectively. Fellow junior Mike’L Simms is the best shooter outside though his shooting percentage from three is still only 34.9-percent and he’s only getting a few shots per game.
Inside the paint, Issac Vann, Marcus Santos-Silva and Corey Douglas don’t bring a lot of size. It’s an undersized frontcourt that’s been okay rebounding despite a height disadvantage and respectable defensively, but Vann at 11.4 PPG is the only double-digit scorer inside. He’s taking too many low percentage shots outside and has a shooting percentage in line what the dismal team average.
The Shockers are a better shooting team, but not by much. Wichita State is sinking 40.7-percent of its shots and 31-percent outside.
The marginal improvements offensively have led to a few more points per contest, but the defense isn’t as strong. The Shockers are just 6-4 with losses to Louisiana Tech, Davidson, Alabama, and Oklahoma. They have, however, beaten Providence and Baylor. They’ve also won back-to-back games going into Wednesday night, albeit against Jacksonville State and Southern Miss. The latter of the two came in a game that the Shockers squandered a 17-point advantage.
Like VCU, this is a rebuilding team. They’ve got nine new faces since last year with six freshman and three transfers, leaving Markis McDuffie with a whole new team around him.
The senior forward is one of a few bright spots for Wichita State. He’s really stepped up his game as the leader of the team. He’s got 18.4 PPG and is shooting well inside and out. He has 5.4 RPG as well.
Jaime Echenique is the team’s leading blocker and rebounder and adds height inside that’s a differentiator in this game.
The backcourt features Samajae Haynes-Jones leading the way with 12.2 PPG. He’s the only other player on the court aside from McDuffie averaging double-digit points. He’s also tops on the team in assists. Erik Stevenson and Dexter Dennis have shown flashes at times though Dennis may be unavailable for the contest as he goes through the concussion protocol. His availability has a clear impact on the Shockers’ ability to compete outside.
Live Betting
This one comes down to defense for two teams that don’t shoot the ball all that well inside the paint or on the perimeter. Watch to see if one of the two teams can go on a run in the game, shooting better than normal, but aside from that, this comes down to which team can get enough stops to win it.
The offensive woes have impacted VCU’s defense lately as the team tries to get a bit more aggressive and has failed to really take care of the ball. That should change and the Rams should get back on course, but watch closely to see if the Rams have truly learned their lesson after a tough loss in their last game.
In any case, this won’t be a high scoring affair. Neither team can compete in a shootout. Instead look for a lower scoring game and back a low spread and total in the live betting opportunities at BookMaker.eu.
Key Player
Wichita State is committed to a small-ball four this season, leaving McDuffie as the lone forward on the floor much of the night against a VCU team that started a three forward frontcourt—albeit all undersized forwards—in their previous contest.
As a results of the structures of these two rosters, McDuffie becomes the key player in this contest. He’s the team’s leading scorer and the main threat inside while also proving to a solid shooter on the outside.
It’s crucial for McDuffie to have a big game if the Shockers are to get the win and at the same time, the strong VCU defense will need to focus on the senior forward as well.
Shockers vs. Rams Live Betting
These are two rebuilding teams trying to find their way. They’re rather balanced overall. Look for a close game.
While VCU has struggled shooting the ball, this is a team that’s been working on the offensive end to improve play. They were strong inside the paint against Charleston in their last game, but ultimately struggled outside and didn’t play as well defensively as they’re accustom to playing. Look for this team to bounce back on Saturday, eager and motivated to put the bad loss against Charleston in the rearview mirror.
Meanwhile, look for the loss of Dennis to impact Wichita State. The height Echenique provides gives the Shockers an edge inside, but the shorter forwards for VCU bring enough athleticism and talent to the floor. Playing at home VCU should be able to secure the win.
Be sure to check out all of the live betting at BookMaker.eu for this weekend’s college basketball action.
NCAA Basketball Score Prediction: VCU 67, Wichita State 63
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