VMI Keydets vs Citadel Bulldogs Betting Pick & Prediction 2/17/24

The Keydets and Bulldogs are set to face off at 1:00 ET on ESPN+. The Bulldogs will host the game at McAlister Field House in Charleston, SC. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 150.5 points, and Citadel is favored by -12 to win at home against VMI.

VMI KEYDETS VS CITADEL BULLDOGS BETTING PICK

The Pick: VMI Keydets +12

This game will be played at McAlister Field House at 1:00 ET on Saturday, February 17th.

WHY BET THE VMI KEYDETS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-70 in favor of the Bulldogs.
• Even though we have Citadel winning straight-up, we like VMI at +12.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 150.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 145 points.

Does VMI Stand a Chance on the Road?

Despite being the underdog, VMI has struggled mightily on the road this season, going 0-12 with an average margin of defeat of -20.1 points per game. The Keydets have lost 12 straight games on the road and have not won a game away from home all year.

VMI comes into this game on a seven-game losing streak after falling to Furman, 75-62, in their most recent contest. Over their last 10 games, the Keydets have gone 0-10 on the road.

As the underdog, VMI has gone 9-14 against the spread this season, including a 2-1 mark in their last three games as the underdog. On the road, the Keydets are 4-8 ATS this year and just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games. Overall, VMI has an ATS record of 9-14 this season.

On the season, the over/under record for VMI games is 10-13 and today’s line of 150.5 is lower than the average over/under line in their games (152.1). Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 157 points and their OU record in their last 10 games is 5-5.

In contrast to their season average of 71 points per game, the VMI had a below average performance. They scored 62 points against Furman and had a field goal percentage of 35.3%. Leading the team in scoring is Tyran Cook, who is averaging 13 heading into today’s matchup. Additionally, Brennan Watkins also maintains a PPG average of 15.1 heading into game.

As they prepare for the upcoming game, VMI is focused on shoring up their defense, as they are currently allowing an average of 81.9 points per game (330th). In terms of field goal percentage allowed, VMI’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 42.2% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 31.4% this season.

Can the Bulldogs Hold Strong at Home?

At home this season, Citadel has gone 4-6, and they have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games at home. Overall, the Bulldogs are 9-17, and they have lost six straight games. In their last game, they lost to UNCG by a score of 76-61.

So far, Citadel has been an underdog in 17 of their games, and they have gone 1-16 in those games. When they have been favored, they have gone 5-1. Today, they are favored by 12 points, and their record in Southern Conference play is 1-12.

As the favorite this season, Citadel has a 4-2 record vs. the spread. Overall, their ATS mark is 11-11-1. At home, the Bulldogs are 5-4-1 vs. the spread and in their last 10 games as the favorite, they are 5-5.

On the season, the over/under record for Citadel games sits at 9-12-2 and today’s over/under line of 150.5 is higher than the average over/under line in their games (139.7). So far, 18 of their games have finished with less points than today’s line. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 with an average scoring total of 137 points.

The Citadel offense, in their latest game, managed to score just 61 points versus UNCG. During the game, they attempted 15 three-point shots and had a field goal percentage of 39.1%. AJ Smith led the team in scoring, putting up 20 points. Additionally, Quentin Millora-Brown contributed 14 points for the Bulldogs.

Coming into today’s game, the Citadel defense is giving up an average of 70.5 points per contest. The Citadel defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 76 points and allowed UNCG to connect on 4 threes.