Once Upon A Time in America Betting Show
On Saturday, the (6-7 SU, 6-7 ATS) La Salle Explorers and (9-4 SU, 3-9-1 ATS) VCU Rams will play at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. The Explorers, 2-2 in road games this season, defeated Howard 80-76 in their last game. The Rams, 8-1 at home, have won four straight. These Atlantic 10 foes met once last season, an 85-66 victory for VCU.
Tip-off is at 2:00 p.m. ET. VA Commonwealth is a 12-point spread favorite, and the game total is 135.5 points.
La Salle avoided picking up its fifth straight loss against Howard in their most recent outing. With their non-conference schedule behind them, the Explorers must navigate an upcoming stretch of games against VCU, Rhode Island, and UMASS. Sophomore guard Khalil Brantley scores 13.9 points per game to lead La Salle. The Explorers also count on contributions from senior guard Josh Nickelberry (11.5 PPG), junior guard Anwar Gill (9.9 PPG), and senior forward Fousseyni Drame (8.7 PPG and 4.7 RPG).
In their win over the Bison, the Explorers shot 54.5 percent from the field and 9-of-18 from three. Brantley scored 24 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 4-for-4 from three, and went 10-for-12 from the foul line. Gill scored 18 on 6-of-8 shooting, and Drame contributed 13 points. The teams were tied at 29 at the half, and both picked up the scoring in the second half, but La Salle picked up the win with a 51-47 advantage.
Dub in D.C.!
Ending our non-conference slate with a win!#Authenticity | #GoExplorers?? pic.twitter.com/2RZ4hJhH71
— La Salle Men's Basketball (@LaSalle_MBB) December 29, 2022
The Explorers are scoring 68.2 points on 41.4 percent shooting, including 33.1 percent from long range. Their offensive efficiency rating, adjusted for strength of schedule, is ranked 291st in D-1, per KenPom. La Salle's assist-to-turnover ratio (0.94) is 195th. The Explorers give up 72.7 points on 45.1 percent shooting, including 35.3 percent from distance. Their adjusted defensive efficiency rating is ranked 207th, per KenPom.