Richmond vs VCU Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions
Spiders, Rams Chasing Davidson in Atlantic 10 Standings
No Margin of Error for In-State Rivals
The Richmond Spiders and Virginia Commonwealth Rams are both trailing the Davidson Wildcats in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings. If they want to catch Davidson, this game is a must, especially for Richmond.
Let’s take a look at this contest and see how it impacts the March Madness odds.

Richmond Spiders vs VCU Rams Game Information
- Game: Richmond Spiders (17-9) at VCU Rams (17-7)
- Location: Siegel Center
- Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m. ET
- Television: ESPN2
Spiders Need to Take a Bite Out of Neighbors
This is a must-win for Richmond. The Spiders are 8-5 in the A-10 standings, trailing both VCU and first-place Davidson. They have won four of their last five games.
They stumbled much earlier in the Atlantic 10 season, which is why they have a lot of ground to make up. In the past few weeks, VCU’s only loss was an overtime game against George Mason.
Three of the Spiders’ four recent wins have been convincing ones, by 10 or more points. The narrow win was against George Mason, which has been a thorn in the Spiders’ side.
Richmond’s defense has generally been strong over the past five games, the one exception being the loss to George Mason.
In the four wins from that five-game sequence, the Spiders allowed 63 or fewer points and remained very focused at the defensive end. They will need that level of defense to continue against VCU.
VCU One Game Back
This game is essential for VCU if it wants to overtake Davidson, but with a two-game lead over Richmond in the standings, it’s clear the Rams have slightly more leeway than the Spiders.
VCU has won seven of its last eight games. Notably, the Rams have a win over Davidson, something Richmond lacks. VCU lost at home to Davidson on Jan. 18 but has gone 7-1 run since.
The Rams went to Davidson and avenged their loss on Jan. 26. They scored a 70-68 win on the road. The one loss for VCU in its last eight games was a blowout at Dayton in which nothing went right.
VCU’s wins have been a mixture of close ones and comfortable ones: three by five points or fewer and four by nine points or more. Like Richmond, VCU has defended well in recent weeks, allowing under 70 points in six of its last eight games.
Richmond vs VCU Head-to-Head
This is a rematch of a game on Jan. 29, won by VCU 64-62 on Richmond’s home floor. VCU’s Vince Williams Jr. scored 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out eight assists in a tremendous performance.
Given that VCU won by only two points, those who bet online know that the Rams’ supporting cast will need to help Williams and provide reinforcements against Richmond.
Richmond vs VCU Prediction
Expect a tight game in the rematch. These in-state rivals know each other so well that they are going to dig in at the defensive end of the floor and make it hard for the other side to score.
The under of 133½ is a good play in the sportsbook. VCU has been a better team in Atlantic 10 play and deserves a small but real edge for your college basketball picks.