Richmond Spiders vs VMI Keydets Matchup

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

VMI vs Richmond Prediction

Planning on watching today's Keydets and Spiders game? Catch the action at Robins Center in Richmond, VA, as the Spiders hosts this showdown at 6:00 ET on ESPN+. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 145 points, and Richmond is favored by -12.5 vs. VMI.

VMI vs. Richmond Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: VMI Keydets at Richmond Spiders
Where: Richmond at Robins Center
Date: Saturday, December 21st
Betting Odds RICH -12.5, VAMIL +570 | RICH -850 O/U 145

Keydets Preview: Will VMI Be The Talk of Robins Center?

VMI fell to 2-6 on the season after a narrow 81-78 home loss to Queens (NC) on Saturday. The Keydets entered the game as +2 underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 159, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 153.5.

VMI trailed 46-33 at halftime but mounted a strong comeback, outscoring Queens 45-35 in the second half. Despite the rally, they couldn’t complete the comeback.

Keydets Offense Breakdown

VMI put up 78 points in their last game, shooting 44.6% from the field and hitting 36.7% of their threes (11/30). Their effective field goal percentage was 53.6%, and they were strong from the free-throw line, making 17 of 20 attempts (85%).

Rickey Bradley Jr. struggled, shooting just 20% overall and 16.7% from three, but still managed 19 points. TJ Johnson added 17 points, hitting 4 of 8 from deep, while Leo Colimerio and Jaxon Pollard both shot 75% from the field, with Pollard also grabbing 8 rebounds.

Keydets Team Defense

Despite giving up 81 points, VMI's defense held their opponent to 44% shooting from the field, with 25 made baskets on 56 attempts. Inside the arc, the Keydets allowed 53% shooting, as their opponent went 14/26 on two-point attempts.

From three-point range, VMI's defense saw their opponent hit 11 of 30 shots, good for 36%. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 20 times, where they converted 17 of those attempts, an 85% success rate. VMI limited second-chance opportunities, giving up just 6 offensive rebounds.

Spiders Preview: Can Richmond Deliver Being Favored at Home?

Richmond Spiders Recent Game/Games

Richmond fell to 2-7 on the season after a 93-87 road loss to William & Mary on Wednesday. The Spiders, who were +2.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 180 exceeded the pre-game over/under line of 154.5.

Richmond led 41-38 at halftime but allowed 55 points in the 2nd half while scoring 46. Their defensive struggles in the 2nd half were a key factor in the loss.

Spiders Offense Breakdown

Richmond's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 87 points with a 53.7% field goal percentage. They were particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 42.9% of their threes, and their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 63%.

The Spiders also shot 83.3% from the free-throw line, making 20 of 24 attempts. Dusan Neskovic led the way with 20 points, while Jonathan Beagle and DeLonnie Hunt each added 17. Apostolos Roumoglou was perfect from the field, hitting all 5 of his shots, including 5 threes.

Spiders Team Defense

Richmond's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 93 points on 51% shooting from the field. They allowed 62% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 18 of 29 shots inside the arc.

From three-point range, Richmond's opponents connected on 13 of 31 attempts, good for 41%. They also sent the other team to the line 24 times, where they made 18 free throws, shooting 75%. Richmond allowed 12 offensive rebounds in the game.

Keydets vs Spiders Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their last three road contests, VMI has a 2-1 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 0-3, while averaging 65 points per game.
In their last ten games at home, the Spiders have a straight up record of 4-6 while going 3-6 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 67 points per game in these contests.
Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Keydets have a straight up record of 0-5. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.
Going back to their last five games as the favorite, the Spiders have a straight up record of 2-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-4.