The VCU Rams take on the New Mexico Lobos in Albuquerque, NM. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Mountain West Network.
New Mexico is favored by 3 points on the spread with a moneyline of -142. The total is set at 152.5 points.
Here are my VCU vs. New Mexico predictions and college basketball picks for December 18, 2024.
VCU vs New Mexico Prediction
My Pick: New Mexico -2.5 (Play to -4)
My VCU vs New Mexico best bet is on the Lobos spread, with the best odds currently available at Caesars. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
VCU vs New Mexico Odds
| VCU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -115 | 152.5 -110 / -110 | +120 |
| New Mexico Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -105 | 152.5 -110 / -110 | -142 |
- VCU vs New Mexico spread: New Mexico -3
- VCU vs New Mexico over/under: 152.5 points
- VCU vs New Mexico moneyline: New Mexio -142, VCU +120
- VCU vs New Mexico best bet: New Mexico -2.5 (Play to -4)
Spread
I'm taking the Lobos on the spread up to 4.
Moneyline
I'm staying away from the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm avoiding the total.
My Pick: New Mexico -2.5 (Play to -4)
VCU vs New Mexico College Basketball Betting Preview
Since a disappointing trip to the Charleston Classic that resulted in losses to Seton Hall and Nevada, the Rams have won five straight games, including one against New Mexico's fellow Mountain West team Colorado State.
The Rams have an elite backcourt made up of Joe Bamisile, Max Shulga, former Michigan guard Zeb Jackson and Phillip Russell.
But the Rams haven't beaten anyone of significance this season (Colorado State is outside the top 100 of KenPom), and now they have to travel to The Pit to face an angry New Mexico team.
New Mexico lost to in-state rival New Mexico State on its home floor two games ago and then allowed Western New Mexico to score 70 points on the same floor in its most recent matchup.
Richard Pitino's team desperately needs to turn things around before Mountain West play, and this stands as a get-right spot and an opportunity for the Lobos' second quality victory of non-conference play (the first was UCLA).
The Lobos have advantages beyond just intangibles, though.
The Rams don't have much experienced size in their rotation beyond Jack Clark (6-foot-11) and Christian Fermin (6-foot-10). VCU second-leading rebounder is Bamisile, who stands at 6-foot-4.
Meanwhile, the Lobos are 44th in the country in rebounds per game and have Mustapha Amzil and Nelly Junior Joseph to anchor the interior. New Mexico should win the battle in the paint.
Also, the stylistic matchup favors the Lobos. They love to run (fourth in adjusted tempo, per KenPom) while the Rams focus on forcing turnovers and defense (seventh in adjusted defensive efficiency). New Mexico only turns the ball over 11.9 times per game, and it also has no problem being pressured with their plethora of guards.
With this game being played at The Pit, I think Donovan Dent and the Lobos will be able to push the pace and control the tempo, resulting in a track meet that the Rams won't prefer to play in — especially considering the game is being played at altitude.
The Rams are acclimated to the West Coast after spending time in Vegas, but playing Colorado State at a neutral site is entirely different than a true road game in The Pit against an angry team that is desperate for another marquee win before league play.
