Multiple times each week, The Gaming Juice’s resident action seeker, Brad Evans, will attempt to blast the ‘books with his favorite selections on sides, totals, props, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — but that’s up to you.
Sledgehammer Special — VCU +8.5 at Utah (-110, MGM)
With daydreams about St. Elmo’s shrimp cocktails in Indy likely top of mind, the Rams are hoping to drown the Utes in cocktail sauce and score another step-forward win.
Of all the NIT Elite Eight games, the matchup inside the Huntsman Center, in this profitless wagerer's mind, has the most upset appeal.
Shaka Smart’s tenure at The Commonwealth is long in the past, but this VCU brand under Ryan Odom shares similar tendencies. The Rams thrive off creating “havoc” via a slowed-down pace (No. 299 in adjusted temp, per KenPom) and mistake-coaxing traps. The persistent on-ball pressure explains why they rank No. 16 in effective field-goal pressure on the season, limiting opponents to a brick-laying 46.6% inside the arc and 31.0% outside of it.
No pushover on the opposite end, VCU ranks an appreciable No. 107 in effective field-goal percentage offense over its last nine games. Most notably, Max Shulga, Joe Bamisile and Kuany Kuany each shoot over 37% from distance. In fact, 46.0% of the Rams’ points are scored from three.
Utah rates 50 spots higher this month, according to BartTorvik’s advanced metrics. Craig Smith’s crew is a balanced bunch sliding inside the top 50 in effective field-goal percentage offense and effective field-goal percentage defense. The nation’s fifth-tallest team also tenaciously attacks the glass.
With NIT road wins at Villanova and at South Florida, VCU has exceeded expectations. The Rams are road warriors, as their 11-7 record in road/neutral games indicates. Apparently fond of continental breakfasts at the Holiday Inn Express, they’re 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 away games.
Get your grips on ‘dem shrimps, gents.
Season record: 28-27, +6.45 units
BONUS TIME — UNLV vs. Seton Hall UNDER 140 (-110, MGM)