VCU Rams vs Duquesne Dukes Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Saturday January 3 2026
The VCU Rams, who have started their season strong with a 10-4 overall record and a 1-0 mark in Atlantic 10 action, are hitting the road for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They’ll take on the Duquesne Dukes at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, where both teams are looking to keep their perfect start in conference games alive. The Rams are eager to build on their momentum and get an early edge in the A-10 standings, but they'll face a tough challenge from a Duquesne squad that also boasts a 1-0 conference record and sits at 9-5 overall this season. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
VCU vs. Duquesne Game Information
- January 3, 2026
- 12:00pm EST
- UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse
- USA Network
Duquesne Form & Recent Results
Duquesne enters this matchup riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak and has claimed victory in three of their last five games. Their most recent game was a thrilling double-overtime battle against Davidson, where they pulled off an 89-83 win. In that intense contest, Tarence Guinyard had a standout performance, leading the team with 24 points and also dishing out 6 assists. David Dixon was a force on the boards, pulling down an impressive 13 rebounds to help the Dukes secure the win. During that hard-fought game, Duquesne put up strong shooting numbers, hitting 41% of their shots from the field and connecting on 46% of their attempts from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, they made 81% of their shots, and as a team, they grabbed a total of 53 rebounds, showing both offensive and defensive hustle. Looking at the season as a whole, Guinyard has been the team's go-to scorer, averaging 16.4 points per game. John Hugley IV has also been a key contributor on offense, putting up 15.4 points per contest. When it comes to rebounding, Jakub Necas leads the squad, snagging an average of 6.1 rebounds each game, while Guinyard has been instrumental in creating scoring opportunities, leading the team with 5.2 assists per game. Offensively, the Dukes have been on a hot streak in their recent games, averaging 86 points over their last five matchups. They'll be aiming to maintain their scoring punch as they move forward this season. Duquesne has been especially tough to beat at home, boasting an impressive 8-1 record in their own arena, where they've averaged a remarkable 91.1 points per game. With the backing of their home crowd, the Dukes will hope to extend their home dominance and keep their winning ways alive.
VCU Form & Recent Results
VCU heads into this game riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak, having come out on top in four of their last five matchups. In their recent 89-82 victory over St. Bonaventure, Lazar Djokovic was the star on offense, delivering an impressive 23 points. Nyk Lewis played a key role on the boards, pulling down 7 rebounds, while Barry Evans helped facilitate the offense with 4 assists. The Rams put on a strong shooting performance that game, connecting on 55% of their field goal attempts and a remarkable 93% from the free throw line. They were fairly careful with the ball, committing just 7 turnovers during the contest. Throughout this season, Terrence Hill Jr. has been the main offensive force for VCU, leading the team with an average of 13.5 points per game. Not far behind, Lazar Djokovic has provided reliable scoring, adding 12.9 points per contest. Barry Evans has been the Rams’ leader on the glass, averaging 5.4 rebounds each game, and he’s also set the pace in playmaking with a team-high 2.6 assists per game this season. Offensively, VCU has been firing on all cylinders lately, averaging an impressive 91.2 points over their last five games. However, when it comes to playing away from home, they've faced some challenges, holding a 0-1 road record so far, having allowed 85 points in that lone away game. As they prepare to travel to Pittsburgh to take on Duquesne, VCU will be looking to even out their road record and continue their undefeated run in conference play this season.
Key Stats
- VCU this season: 47% field goal percentage, 37.8 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 4.4 blocks, 7.8 steals
- Duquesne this season: 50% field goal percentage, 38.1 rebounds, 17.6 assists, 2.7 blocks, 7.6 steals
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- VCU -5.5; O/U 164.5
VCU vs. Duquesne Picks and Prediction
VCU has started their season strong, coming out on top in ten out of their first fourteen games. They’re currently undefeated in conference play within the Atlantic 10, sitting at 1-0 as they prepare to take on Duquesne this Saturday. On the other side, the Duquesne Dukes have an identical conference record of 1-0 and have managed to rack up nine victories in their fourteen games so far this year. With both teams entering the matchup with plenty of confidence, they’ll each be looking to set the tone early, especially when it comes to dominating the boards in the opening minutes. Establishing control and building momentum will be key, and neither side will want to let up. It’s also worth noting that VCU suffered a tough loss in their only road game so far this season. That defeat is sure to be on their minds, providing a bit of extra motivation to prove themselves and rebound with a strong performance away from home. Final Score Prediction, VCU Rams win and covers the spread, 80-67.
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