BYU vs VCU Prediction, Preview & Odds: NCAA Tournament First Round

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Mar 19, 2025 2:12 AM ET

It won’t get the national attention of other first round games, but even as a 6-11 matchup, this might be the best Thursday game. At the very least, it’s one to go out of your way to watch.

BYU was the hottest team going in the Big 12 until Houston had enough of that in the conference tournament. The Cougars ripped off nine wins in a row including two wins ver Iowa State and a total destruction of Kansas.

VCU has lost just two games in 2025. It might not be all that exciting, but that defense has teeth. What it doesn’t have is any impressive big wins under its belt - blasting Boston College in early November doesn’t count.

The winner had better be ready to crank it up if Wisconsin gets by Montana.

BYU vs VCU Game Preview

BYU vs VCU How To Watch

Date: Thursday, March 20
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Time: 4:05 pm ET
TV: TNT
Teams: (11) VCU (28-6), (6) BYU (24-9)
Region: East
NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions, Previews

Why VCU Will Win

It’s the type of 3, D and Free team no one wants to play in the tournament.

The Rams are excellent from the outside hitting 37% from three. They move the ball around extremely well and have a knack for nailing the big shot at the right time

The defense is terrific at forcing turnovers and great at clamping downs and keeping games at its pace. And on the free throw line, it’s brilliant making close to 77% of its tries.

On the flip side, BYU isn’t great from the free throw line, but …

Why BYU Will Win

The Cougars are even better defensively than the Rams.

Most who saw BYU this season saw the offensive explosions, but it led the Big 12 in both field goal and scoring defense - no, it wasn’t Houston - and it attacks the ball even more than VCU.

Usually the D helps the O when there are problems, but if the threes are falling early, look out.

BYU vs VCU: Who Will Win?

Don’t fall for it.

You’ll hear plenty about how VCU has the right makeup, the right veterans, and the right type of team to make a big run, but it wins on defense, and BYU does it better.

It’ll be a bit of a grind for a while, but the little things - the key rebound, the big three, the timely steal - will all tend to go BYU’s way.

BYU vs VCU Prediction, Betting Lines

Prediction: BYU 71, VCU 65
BYU vs VCU Betting Lines
BetMGM Line: BYU -2.5, o/u: 145.5
DraftKings Line: BYU -2.5, o/u: 146.5
FanDuel Line: BYU -2.5, o/u: 146.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5

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