Citadel Bulldogs vs VMI Keydets Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Citadel vs VMI NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Charleston.

Citadel vs VMI Prediction

The Bulldogs and Keydets are set to face off at 1:00 ET on ESPN+. The Keydets will host the game at McAlister Field House in Charleston, SC. Citadel is favored by -1 in this Southern conference contest against VMI. The game's over/under currently sits at 136.5 points.

Citadel vs. VMI Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Citadel Bulldogs at VMI Keydets
Where: Charleston at McAlister Field House
Date: Saturday, January 18th
Betting Odds CITA -1, CITA -115 | VAMIL -105 O/U 136.5

Bulldogs Preview: Can The Bulldogs Secure a Win at Charleston?

Citadel Bulldogs Recent Game/Games

The Bulldogs fell to 1-11 on the season after a 70-57 loss to the Spartans on Wednesday. Citadel was +16.5 point underdogs going into the game, but they managed to keep it closer than expected.

After trailing 34-29 at halftime, Citadel was outscored 36-28 in the second half. The total points for the game ended at 127, just under the O/U line of 131.5.

Bulldogs Offense Breakdown

In their last game, the Citadel Bulldogs managed just 57 points, shooting 41.2% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 47.1%, with two-point shooting at 46.7% and three-point shooting at 33.3% (7/21). They struggled at the free-throw line, hitting only 53.3% of their attempts (8/15), and finished with 9 offensive rebounds and 8 assists.

Brody Fox led the Bulldogs with 21 points, shooting 50% from the field and 1/2 from three-point range. Donovan Atwell added 19 points, connecting on 5 of 9 threes, while Joryam Saizonou contributed 16 points and 10 assists, hitting 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. Malik Henry was efficient inside, shooting 5/7 for 12 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.

Bulldogs Team Defense

Despite the Citadel Bulldogs' defense giving up 70 points, they held their opponents to 43% shooting from the field, with a 40% rate on two-point attempts (9/22). However, the Bulldogs struggled to contain the three-point line, where their opponents shot 46%, hitting 12 of 26 attempts.

From the free-throw line, the Bulldogs allowed 19 attempts, with their opponents converting 16 for an 84% success rate. Citadel also gave up 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Keydets Preview: Taking a Look at the Keydets Chances at Home

VMI Keydets Recent Game/Games

VMI improved to 3-11 on the season with a 66-50 home win over Western Carolina on Wednesday. The Keydets entered the game as -1.5 favorites and covered the spread.

VMI led 29-28 at halftime before clamping down defensively, allowing just 22 points in the 2nd half while scoring 37 of their own. The total points for the game (116) fell well short of the O/U line of 147.5.

Keydets Offense Breakdown

VMI's offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 35.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 30 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 45.1%, and they managed only 7 offensive rebounds.

They were nearly perfect from the free-throw line, making 20 of 21 attempts (95.2%). Four players scored 14 points each, with Rickey Bradley Jr. and TJ Johnson both hitting 40% of their threes.

Keydets Team Defense

VMI's defense was on point, holding their opponent to just 50 points on 35% shooting from the field. They limited two-point attempts effectively, with the other team making only 8 of 21 shots for 38%.

From beyond the arc, VMI gave up 10 threes on 30 attempts, a 33% shooting performance. They also sent the other team to the line 21 times, where they converted 20 free throws for 95%. VMI allowed 7 offensive rebounds.

Bulldogs vs Keydets Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the Bulldogs last ten road games, the team averaged 64 points per game while allowing 81. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 4-6, while going 0-10 straight-up.
Through their last ten home contests, the Keydets offense has averaged 67 points per game while allowing an average of 80. VMI posted an overall record of 1-9 while going 7-3 ATS.
Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, VMI has an ATS mark of 4-1 while going 0-5 straight up.
As the betting favorite, the Bulldogs have an ATS record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups, their straight up record was 2-1.