VMI Keydets vs Samford Bulldogs NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/9/25

Planning on watching today’s Keydets and Bulldogs game? Catch the action at Pete Hanna Center in Homewood, AL, as the Bulldogs hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on None. The over/under for this game is set at 158.5 points, and Samford is favored by -18.5 vs. VMI in a Southern conference matchup.

VMI KEYDETS VS SAMFORD BULLDOGS BETTING PICK

The Pick: VMI Keydets +18.5

This game will be played at Pete Hanna Center at 8:00 ET on Thursday, January 9th.

WHY BET THE VMI KEYDETS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-71 in favor of the Bulldogs.
• Even though we have Samford winning straight-up, we like VMI at +18.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 158.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 148 points.

Will the Keydets Defense Show Up on the Road?

VMI dropped to 2-9 on the season after a 70-67 loss to Mercer on Saturday. Despite being +6 point underdogs, the Keydets kept it close, covering the spread. The game’s total points of 137 fell short of the 156.5 O/U line.

VMI trailed 34-26 at halftime but rallied in the 2nd half, outscoring Mercer 41-36. However, their comeback effort fell just short.

VMI’s offense put up 67 points in their last game, shooting 40% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 27 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 47.3%, and they connected on 70% of their free throws, going 14 for 20.

Rickey Bradley Jr. and Jah Nze were key contributors, with Bradley scoring 30 points and hitting 5 of 11 threes, while Nze added 25 points, shooting 5 of 8 from deep. AJ Clark also chipped in 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

VMI’s defense held their opponent to 70 points on 40% shooting from the field, with the Keydets allowing 22 made field goals on 55 attempts. They gave up 13 two-point baskets on 28 attempts, a 46% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, VMI’s defense allowed 9 three-pointers on 27 attempts, a 33% success rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 20 times, where they converted 14 shots, shooting 70%. VMI limited offensive rebounds, giving up just 4 in the game.

Can the Bulldogs Secure a Win at Home?

Samford Bulldogs Recent Game/Games

Samford improved to 10-3 on the season with an 88-69 road win over Western Carolina on Saturday. The Bulldogs entered the game as 12-point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game ended at 157, just under the O/U line of 159.5.

Samford led 44-34 at halftime and matched that output in the 2nd half, scoring another 44 points while holding Western Carolina to 35 points after the break.

Samford put up 88 points in their last game, shooting 52.8% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 62.3%. They hit 40% of their threes (10/25) and were even better inside, knocking down 64.3% of their two-point attempts (18/28). At the free-throw line, they connected on 81.5%, going 22/27.

Jaden Brownell led the way with 23 points in just 18 minutes, shooting 72.7% overall and 60% from deep. Bernard Pelote added 22 points, hitting 69.2% from the field and 57.1% from three. Trey Fort chipped in 18 points, also shooting 60% from beyond the arc.

Samford’s defense gave up 69 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 39% from the field on 24 of 61 attempts. They held their opponents to 39% shooting on two-point shots, with 13 makes on 33 attempts.

From beyond the arc, Samford allowed 11 threes on 28 attempts, a 39% shooting rate. Their opponents also went 10 for 14 from the free-throw line, hitting 71% of their shots. Samford gave up 15 offensive rebounds in the game.