VCU at Oregon Preview and Betting Pick

The final game of the First Round of the NCAA Tournament will feature the VCU Rams taking on the Oregon Ducks on Saturday night. VCU enters the tournament as the number 10 seed in the West Region, while the Oregon Ducks are the number seven seed.

Both of these teams have had some recent success in the NCAA Tournament, and this is one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The winner of this game will advance to take on the winner of Iowa-Grand Canyon on Monday.

VCU suffered a loss to St. Bonaventure in the A-10 Championship Game, but the Rams did enough to earn an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. VCU comes into this tournament with a record of 19-7 but have gone just 3-3 in their last six games.

Oregon has won 13 of their last 15 games, and they enter the NCAA Tournament with a ton of momentum. The Ducks failed to reach the Pac-12 Championship Game, but this team will be ready to begin a run in the NCAA Tournament.

The Oregon Ducks are five-point favorites over the VCU Rams on Saturday night.

VCU vs Oregon Preview and Betting Pick: Hyland Has to Be a Hero

Guard Nah’Shon is scoring 19.5 points per game for the VCU Rams this season, and he will need to take over this game in order to pull off the upset. Oregon does have several defenders to throw at Hyland, but he has the ability to score on anyone.

VCU is averaging 71 points per game this season while holding opponents to just 65 points per game. The Rams don’t mind playing an uptempo style of game, but they will likely look to slow things down on Saturday night.

Vince Williams Jr. is the only other Rams player scoring at least 10 points per game, and finding a third scoring option will be a big key. VCU shoots just 32 percent from the three-point line, and they will need to get hot to win this game.

VCU vs Oregon Preview and Betting Pick: Ducks Have Some Depth

Senior Chris Duarte of Oregon won the Pac-12 Player of the Year Award, but he isn’t even the leading scorer on this team. Duarte does a little bit of everything for Oregon, and he will be asked to make all the big plays to lead the Ducks on a deep run.

Eugene Omuriyi leads the team with nearly 17 points per game, and his size should give the VCU Rams some trouble. Oregon is scoring more than 74 points per game, and that offense can take over this game if they get rolling.

The Ducks are shooting 38 percent from behind the arc this season, and that should give them another big edge over the VCU Rams on Saturday night. Oregon can defend when needed, but that offense is tough to stop.

VCU vs Oregon Preview and Betting Pick: Ducks Fly Past Rams

The VCU Rams have had a solid 2021 season, but they don’t have anything on their resume that truly stands out. Oregon has been red-hot of late, even if they failed to win the Pac-12 Conference Tournament.

VCU no longer plays the frenetic style of basketball that made them so popular, but this is still a team that wants to play fast. The Rams don’t have the size to match up to Oregon, and they will look to score quickly out on the break.

Oregon has the ability to score both inside and outside, and that will play a key role in this game. The Ducks have a pair of stars that can lead the way, and their talent will take over this game late as they are able to advance.

Don’t expect a blowout either way in this game, but the Ducks won’t truly be challenged down the stretch. Take the Oregon Ducks -5.0 over the VCU Rams on Saturday night.

Final Score:
Oregon 71
VCU 62

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