Mercer Bears vs VMI Keydets NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25

Betting on today’s Bears and Keydets game? Catch the action at Cameron Hall in Lexington, VA, as the Keydets hosts this showdown at 4:30 ET on ESPN+. Mercer is favored by -5.5 in this Southern conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 155.5 points.

MERCER BEARS VS VMI KEYDETS BETTING PICK

The Pick: VMI Keydets +5.5

This game will be played at Cameron Hall at 4:30 ET on Saturday, January 4th.

WHY BET THE VMI KEYDETS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Keydets.
• Not only will VMI pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +5.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 155.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.

Can the Bears Offense Score Enough in Lexington?

Mercer Bears Recent Game/Games

Mercer moved to 6-6 on the season with a 99-94 win over Chattanooga on Wednesday. The Bears were +1.5 point underdogs going into the game but managed to cover the spread with the win.

Mercer led 42-37 at halftime and scored 43 points in the 2nd half, but they allowed 48 points after the break. The combined points for the game reached 193, well over the O/U line of 154.5.

Mercer put up 99 points in their last game, with a balanced offensive effort that saw Tyler Johnson score 26 points on 66.7% shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Ahmad Robinson added 25 points and 10 assists, though he shot just 39.1% from the field. Frank Champion was efficient, hitting 9-of-15 shots for 24 points, while Bash Wieland contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds.

Cam Bryant was nearly perfect from deep, knocking down 5-of-6 threes and finishing with 17 points. As a team, Mercer hit 15-of-30 from long range, shooting 50% from three and 44.6% overall. They also dished out 20 assists and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, with Alex Holt pulling down a team-high 13 boards.

Despite Mercer holding their opponent to 40% shooting from two-point range, they couldn’t contain the three-point attack, allowing 15 threes on 50% shooting. Overall, Mercer gave up 94 points on 44% shooting from the field.

Mercer sent their opponent to the line 27 times, where they converted 18 free throws, shooting 66%. The Bears also allowed 12 offensive rebounds in the game.

Does VMI Have What it Takes at Home?

VMI dropped to 2-8 on the season after an 84-69 road loss to East Tennessee State on Wednesday. The Keydets entered the game as +16 point underdogs but managed to keep it closer than expected.

After a 38-38 tie at halftime, VMI struggled in the second half, scoring 31 points while allowing 46. The total points for the game reached 153, surpassing the O/U line of 147.

VMI put up 69 points in their last game, shooting 42.3% from the field and 41.2% from beyond the arc, hitting 7 of 17 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 50%, and they connected on 72% of their free throws, going 18 for 25 at the line.

John Buggs III was the standout performer, scoring 33 points and hitting 10 of 16 threes at a 62.5% rate. Jaden Seymour also contributed with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, shooting 72.7% from the field.

VMI’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 84 points on 48% shooting from the field. They allowed the opposing team to hit 59% of their two-point attempts, going 13/22 inside the arc.

From three-point range, VMI’s opponents shot 42%, knocking down 17 of 40 attempts. They also sent them to the free-throw line 11 times, where they made 7 free throws. VMI gave up 11 offensive rebounds in the game.