The March Madness first-round matchup between #11 VCU Rams (28-6) and #6 BYU Cougars (24-9) tips off at 4:05pm ET at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. BYU enters as 3.5-point favorites, with the game airing on TNT.

Key Team Stats:

• VCU hasn't advanced past first round since 2015-16
• BYU's last second-round appearance was 2013-14
• VCU ranks 8th nationally in defense (62.4 points allowed)
• BYU lost their last game 74-54 to Houston

Top Players: VCU:

• Max Shulga: 15.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.0 APG
• Joe Bamisile: 15.1 PPG

BYU:

• Richie Saunders: 16.0 PPG
• Egor Demin: 10.3 PPG, 5.4 APG (potential 2025 NBA lottery pick)

Betting Analysis:

• BYU is 17-6 as favorites this season
• VCU is 0-2 as underdogs
• Public betting: 73% on BYU moneyline (-162)
• Over/Under: 145.5 points (69% betting over)
• VCU has won 12 of last 13 games
• BYU has won 9 of last 10 games

Expert Pick: VCU +3.5 (-112) Reasoning: VCU's elite defense can contain BYU's key scorers, particularly Demin who struggled in the Big 12 tournament (9 points total, 3-13 FG). The Rams' defensive prowess should keep this game close and potentially lead to an upset.

The betting model predicts VCU to cover the spread and win outright, with the total going over 145.5 points.

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