VCU vs UCF 3/22/19 - NCAA Tournament Picks & Predictions

By: Zack |

Last Updated: 08/21/2019 at 11:55 AM ET

The VCU Rams are set to face the UCF Knights in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament as they will meet at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. The VCU Rams enter the tournament as an 8th seed with a 25-7 record, and they will be looking to rebound after losing in the Atlantic 10 quarterfinal round to the Rhode Island Rams, 75-70. Marcus Santos-Silva led the way for the Rams with 26 points and 22 rebounds. De’Riante Jenkins was able to have a solid all-around game for the Rams as he recorded 13 points and 5 rebounds.

The UCF Knights enter the NCAA Tournament as a 9th seed with a 23-8 record, and they will be looking to respond after losing in the AAC quarterfinal round to the Memphis Tigers, 79-55. Tacko Fall led the way for the UCF Knights with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Aubrey Dawkins struggled to shoot the ball as he went 1 for 10 from the field for a total of 7 points in the loss.
Marcus Evans is the leading scorer and assists guy for the VCU Rams as the junior guard is averaging 13.9 PPG and 3.2 APG while also contributing a team-high 1.9 steals per game. Marcus Santos-Silva is the leading rebounder for Mike Rhoades and company as the sophomore forward is averaging 7.4 RPG as well as contributing 1.1 blocks per game. The VCU Rams are shooting 44.2% from the field this season while connecting on 30.7% of their three-point attempts.

B.J. Taylor is the leading scorer for the UCF Knights as the senior guard is averaging 16 PPG. Tacko Fall is the leading rebounder for Johnny Dawkins and company as the senior center is averaging 7.3 RPG while also contributing 10.9 PPG. Terrell Allen is the leading assists guy for the Knights as the junior guard is averaging 4.3 APG. The UCF Knights are shooting 46.3% from the field this season while connecting on 35.4% of their three-point attempts.

I like the VCU Rams to advance to the 2nd round due to their veteran leadership and their stingy defense. VCU was the favorite to win the Atlantic 10 championship but they were upset early on which means they are coming into this game with a chip on their shoulder. VCU has Marcus Santos-Silva in the front-court which may be the right guy to keep Tacko Fall off the boards. Final Score Prediction, VCU Rams win and cover ATS 68-63.

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