Samford vs VMI

Samford enters this matchup riding a five-game winning streak, while VMI stumbles in with three straight losses. The Bulldogs have dominated this series in recent years, and with leading scorer A.J. Staton-McCray averaging 17.8 points over his last five games, they hold a clear offensive edge. VMI has been hampered by injuries, most notably to starting center Sean Conway, further weakening their interior defense. Samford's aggressive full-court press has overwhelmed turnover-prone teams all season, and VMI’s ball-handling struggles make them an ideal victim. Although the odds offer limited value, the Bulldogs should comfortably dispatch the Keydets. The grade of B reflects both the high likelihood of a win and the low return on investment.

Samford enters this matchup riding a five-game winning streak, propelled by their high-tempo offense, while VMI has struggled with consistency, dropping three of its last four. The Keydets’ starting guard, Sean Conway, remains sidelined with a lingering ankle injury, leaving them without a key scoring option against a disciplined Samford perimeter defense. Historically, Samford’s Ques Glover has found success against VMI, averaging 18 points in their last three meetings, but VMI’s slow-paced attack could control possession and limit transition opportunities. Given Samford’s offensive capabilities but VMI’s deliberate tempo and injury issues, a lower-scoring contest feels probable. This under bet gets a solid B rating—likely to hit with decent value.

Samford enters this matchup riding a strong wave of momentum, having won eight of their last ten games, while VMI finds itself struggling to break free from a mid-season slump. Adding to VMI’s concerns, their leading scorer has been nursing an injury, limiting his effectiveness in recent outings. Historically, Samford has dominated VMI in recent matchups, covering the spread comfortably in their last three head-to-head encounters. Given Samford's form, VMI's injury setbacks, and the Bulldogs' track record in this matchup, Samford covering the -11 spread looks solid. While road favorites can be risky in conference play, Samford’s offensive efficiency and VMI's defensive vulnerabilities make this bet a strong value. Grade: B+.