Thursday’s contest features the Samford Bulldogs (12-3, 2-0 SoCon) and the VMI Keydets (6-9, 0-2 SoCon) squaring off at Pete Hanna Center in what is expected to be a lopsided matchup, with a projected 86-70 win for heavily favored Samford according to our computer prediction. Tipoff is at 8:00 PM ET on January 9.

Based on our computer prediction, VMI projects to cover the 18.5-point spread in its matchup versus Samford. The over/under is listed at 157.5, and the two sides are projected to come in below that total.

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Samford vs. VMI Game Info & Odds

• Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025
• Time: 8:00 PM ET
• Where: Birmingham, Alabama
• Venue: Pete Hanna Center
• Line: Samford -18.5
• Point total: 157.5
• Moneyline (to win): Samford -4545, VMI +1300

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Samford vs. VMI Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  Samford 86, VMI 70

Spread & Total Prediction for Samford vs. VMI

• Pick ATS: VMI (+18.5)
• Pick OU: Under (157.5)

Samford’s record against the spread this season is 7-6-0, and VMI’s is 8-3-0. The Bulldogs have a 7-6-0 record going over the point total, while games involving the Keydets have a record of 4-7-0 when it comes to hitting the over. The teams score an average of 167 points per game, 9.5 more points than this matchup’s total. In the past 10 contests, Samford is 6-4 against the spread and 8-2 overall while VMI has gone 7-3 against the spread and 1-9 overall.

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Samford Performance Insights

• The Bulldogs average 88.7 points per game (fourth in college basketball) while allowing 75.8 per contest (291st in college basketball). They have a +194 scoring differential overall and outscore opponents by 12.9 points per game.
• Samford ranks 205th in the country at 32.6 rebounds per game. That’s similar to the 32.7 its opponents average.
• Samford connects on 12.0 three-pointers per game (third-most in college basketball) while shooting 38.6% from deep (26th in college basketball). It is making 3.9 more threes per outing than its opponents, who drain 8.1 per game while shooting 32.7%.
• The Bulldogs rank 39th in college basketball by averaging 104.2 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively are 130th in college basketball, allowing 89.0 points per 100 possessions.
• Samford has committed 12.7 turnovers per game (283rd in college basketball play), 4.0 fewer than the 16.7 it forces on average (fourth in college basketball).

VMI Performance Insights

• The Keydets’ +95 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 6.3 points per game) is a result of putting up 78.3 points per game (105th in college basketball) while allowing 72.0 per outing (207th in college basketball).
• The 34.0 rebounds per game VMI accumulates rank 122nd in the country, 2.7 more than the 31.3 its opponents record.
• VMI knocks down 10.0 three-pointers per game (33rd in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 9.3. It shoots 34.6% from deep, and its opponents shoot 33.4%.
• VMI has come out ahead in the turnover battle by 1.9 per game, committing 10.9 (121st in college basketball) while forcing 12.8 (119th in college basketball).

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