VMI Keydets vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/1/25

Betting on today’s Keydets and Buccaneers game? Catch the action at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, TN, as the Buccaneers hosts this showdown at 12:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this Southern conference contest is set at 147.5 points, with East Tennessee State being favored by -16.5 at home against VMI.

VMI KEYDETS VS EAST TENNESSEE STATE BUCCANEERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: VMI Keydets +16.5

This game will be played at Freedom Hall Civic Center at 12:00 ET on Wednesday, January 1st.

WHY BET THE VMI KEYDETS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-71 in favor of the Buccaneers.
• Even though we have East Tennessee State winning straight-up, we like VMI at +16.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 147.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.

Can the Keydets Grab a Win on the Road?

VMI Keydets Recent Game/Games

VMI fell to 2-7 on the season after a 78-71 road loss to Richmond on Saturday, December 21st. The Keydets were +12 point underdogs going into the game but managed to keep it closer than expected.

VMI trailed 41-29 at halftime but showed some fight in the 2nd half, outscoring Richmond 42-37. The game’s total points of 149 went over the pre-game O/U line of 142.5.

VMI’s offense put up 71 points in their last game, shooting 42.4% from the field and 31% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 50.8%, with a strong 53.3% shooting on two-point attempts.

Rickey Bradley Jr. led the way with 26 points, hitting 10 of 16 shots, including 3 of 5 from three. Dusan Neskovic added 23 points, connecting on 3 of 8 from deep, while DeLonnie Hunt contributed 16 points, making his only three-point attempt.

VMI’s defense gave up 78 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field. They allowed 62% shooting on two-point attempts, as the other team went 15/24 inside the arc.

From three-point range, VMI’s defense held the opponent to 30% shooting, with 10 made threes on 33 attempts. The other team also shot 81% from the free-throw line, hitting 18 of 22. VMI gave up 12 offensive rebounds.

Can the Buccaneers Deliver Being Favored at Home?

East Tennessee State’s season record fell to 5-6 after a 73-66 road loss to Kansas City on Saturday. The Buccaneers, who entered the game as -2.5 favorites, didn’t cover the spread, and the total points of 139 fell just short of the 141.5 O/U line.

ETSU trailed 35-33 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap, scoring 33 points in the 2nd half while allowing 38.

East Tennessee State’s offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 39.3% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc, finishing with 66 points. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.4%, but they did hit 81.2% from the free-throw line, going 13-for-16.

Quimari Peterson led the way with 30 points, shooting 56.2% overall and 37.5% from three. Jamar Brown added 22 points, hitting 60% from the field and 50% from deep, while Jayson Petty knocked down 4 threes at a 57.1% rate.

East Tennessee State’s defense couldn’t slow down their opponent, giving up 73 points on 46% shooting. They allowed 21 made field goals, including 11 threes on 21 attempts, a 52% clip.

They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 22 times, where they converted 20 for 90%. The Buccaneers gave up 9 offensive rebounds in the game.