Thursday afternoon features the No. 11 seed VCU Rams facing the No. 6 BYU Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Cougars currently check in at No. 17 in the AP Top 25, and my VCU vs BYU predictions are betting on them to use the elevation in Denver to their advantage.
Here are my best free March Madness picks for March 20, with tipoff at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Who will win VCU vs BYU?
The BYU Cougars have been battle-tested in the Big 12 and will come out well-rested against a tired VCU Rams squad. The Cougars also play their home games at elevation, which will be a big advantage considering this game is taking place in Denver.
Expect BYU's highly efficient offense to run-and-gun their way to a victory.
VCU vs BYU prediction
My best bet: BYU -3.5 (-110 at bet365)
BYU has caught fire down the stretch, winning nine games in a row before falling to Houston in the Big 12 semifinal. That stretch included upset victories against Kansas, Arizona, and Iowa State (twice).
VCU also enters the tourney with momentum, having won 12 of its last 13 contests. That said, the Rams haven't been playing the same level of competition, and they've covered the spread just once in their last five games.
This will be a battle between a BYU attack that ranks 11th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and a Rams squad that is 23rd in adjusted defense.
While the Rams hold foes to 30.6% shooting from deep, they sit outside the Top 250 in Open 3 Rate per ShotQualityBets, so regression could hit against a BYU squad that is 33rd in 3-point percentage (37.1%).
On the other side of the floor, the Cougars don't allow many shots at the rim (352nd in defensive rim frequency) and force foes into tough midrange shots which they defend extremely well.
Most importantly this game will take place at Ball Arena in Denver and the Cougars are used to playing at altitude in Provo. They should thrive at the elevation in the Mile High City, running the Rams off the floor in the process.
VCU vs BYU same-game parlay (SGP)
BYU -2.5
Egor Demin Under 1.5 threes
Max Shulga Over 14.5 points
BYU guard Egor Demin has seriously regressed with his 3-point shooting this season. After knocking down 2.6 threes per game at a sizzling 56.5% clip in his first five games of the season, he has shot just 20.9% from deep since. He has hit more than 1.5 threes just four times in his last 24 contests and will have a tough eclipsing that number against a stingy VCU defense.
Meanwhile, Max Shulga leads VCU with 15.1 ppg. The Ukrainian guard has dropped at least 16 points in six of his last nine starts and should see more possessions against a fast-paced BYU squad.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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VCU vs BYU odds
VCU vs BYU live odds
VCU vs BYU opening odds
- Spread: VCU +3 (-110) | BYU -3 (-110)
- Moneyline: VCU +125 | BYU -150
- Over/Under: Over 144 (-110) | Under 144 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
VCU vs BYU betting trend to know
The Cougars are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for VCU vs. BYU.
How to watch VCU vs BYU
| Region | East |
| Location | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date | Thursday, 3-20-2025 |
| Tip-off | 4:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
VCU vs BYU key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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