The Virginia Commonwealth Rams, with an 18-6 overall record and 9-2 conference mark, are poised to take on the La Salle Explorers, who are struggling with a 7-17 record and 3-8 conference standing. This matchup is crucial for both teams, as VCU looks to solidify its position on the NCAA Tournament bubble, while La Salle desperately needs a quality win to bolster its tournament resume, currently lacking a Quad 1 win and holding a 1-4 record against Quad 2 opponents.
VCU's Defense Has Allowed Just 60.8 Points Per Game Over Their Last 5 Contests
The game is scheduled for February 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET, and will be held at the John Glaser Arena, with streaming options available on ESPN+. The over/under is set at 147.5 points, with VCU favored by 12.5 points.
The Virginia Commonwealth Rams have been impressive this season, with a 5-1 record against Quad 2 opponents and a perfect 8-0 mark against Quad 4 teams. Their NET ranking of 49 is a reflection of their strong performance, which includes a 3-game win streak and a 9-2 conference record. VCU's stingy defense, allowing just 64.5 points per game, want to stifle the La Salle offense, which averages 71.4 points per contest.
The La Salle Explorers, on the other hand, are struggling to find their footing, with a 7-17 overall record and a 3-8 conference mark. Their recent form has been dismal, with a 3-game losing streak, and their NET ranking of 245 reflects their difficulties. La Salle's quad record is also a concern, with a 0-3 mark against Quad 1 opponents and a 1-4 record against Quad 2 teams. The Explorers must find a way to overcome their struggles and pull off a major upset to boost their tournament hopes.
The matchup between VCU's defense and La Salle's offense will be a crucial aspect of the game, as the Rams' defense has allowed just 42.1% shooting from the field, while the Explorers' offense has struggled with a 41.5% field goal percentage. The pace of the game will also be an interesting factor, as VCU averages 69.5 possessions per game, while La Salle averages 71.1 possessions per contest. With VCU's defense ranked 15th in the nation in terms of efficiency, allowing just 89.5 points per 100 possessions, La Salle must find ways to exploit the Rams' weaknesses and create scoring opportunities.
CHD Scout Prediction
VCU
83
La Salle
65
For VCU, Adrian Baldwin Jr. has been on a tear, averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 assists per game over his last 5 contests. Meanwhile, La Salle's Josh Nickelberry has struggled, shooting just 35.7% from the field over his last 3 games. VCU's Jamir Watkins has also been a key contributor, averaging 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while La Salle's Anwar Gill has been a bright spot, averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest.
The CHD Scout prediction has VCU winning by a margin of 17.2 points, with an 8.3% win probability for La Salle. This prediction reflects the significant gap between the two teams, with VCU's strong defense and efficient offense giving them a substantial edge. With VCU's recent form and La Salle's struggles, it's difficult to envision a scenario where the Explorers pull off the upset.
A win for VCU would solidify their position on the NCAA Tournament bubble, while a loss would deal a significant blow to their tournament hopes. For La Salle, a win would be a much-needed quality victory, potentially boosting their NET ranking and quad record. However, with a loss, the Explorers would fall further behind in the conference standings and diminish their already slim tournament chances. As it stands, VCU's quad record, including a 5-1 mark against Quad 2 opponents, has them in a favorable position, while La Salle's 1-4 record against Quad 2 teams makes their path to the tournament much more challenging.