The Samford Bulldogs and VCU Rams meet Friday in college basketball action at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Samford Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Samford Bulldogs look for a win after losing their opener to Purdue. The Samford Bulldogs haven’t started 0-2 since the 2014-15 season. The Samford Bulldogs are averaging 45 points on 25 percent shooting and allowing 98 points on 54.8 percent shooting. Jaden Campbell is averaging 11 points and 3 rebounds, while Rylan Jones is averaging 8 points and 1 rebound. Achor Achor is grabbing 7 rebounds and Dallas Graziani is grabbing 1 rebound. The Samford Bulldogs are shooting 16.1 percent from beyond the arc and 42.9 percent from the free throw line. The Samford Bulldogs are allowing 55.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28 rebounds per game.

VCU Rams Betting Preview

The VCU Rams look for a win after losing their opener to McNeese. The VCU Rams haven’t started 0-2 since the 2002-03 season. The VCU Rams are averaging 65 points on 41.5 percent shooting and allowing 76 points on 45.8 percent shooting. Max Shulga is averaging 22 points and 2 rebounds, while Zeb Jackson is averaging 14 points and 8 assists. Michael Belle is dishing 2 assists and Alphonzo Billups III is grabbing 4 rebounds. The VCU Rams are shooting 30.5 percent from beyond the arc and 71.4 percent from the free throw line. The VCU Rams are allowing 47.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33 rebounds per game.

Randy’s Pick

The VCU Rams have to be eager for a bounce back performance after losing their opener to McNeese. They should want to get that nasty taste out of their mouth. The Samford Bulldogs played Purdue, so we should give them some grace, but their lack of offensive firepower is concerning. Nobody decided to show a sign of life in that contest. The line is reasonable. Give me VCU and the chalk.