5 Bold Predictions For No. 7 VCU vs. No. 10 Ohio State

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For No. 7 VCU vs. No. 10 Ohio State

Shaka Smart VCU Rams NCAA Tournament — How Shaka Smart hasn’t up and left the VCU Rams program is a testament to the environment catered by the Rams’ fans. How the Ohio State Buckeyes stumbled into the tournament as a No. 10 seed is a testament to the Buckeyes’ decline since the 2014 tournament. For two teams on divergent paths, here are five bold predictions toward a singular outcome.

5. Ohio State Will Shoot Over 50% From The Field

Ohio State Buckeyes D'Angelo Russell guard NCAA Tournament

5. Ohio State Will Shoot Over 50% From The Field

Ohio State Buckeyes D'Angelo Russell guard NCAA Tournament — The Buckeyes are tied for being the ninth-best shooting team in the country. The Big Ten conference provides myriad physical tests, so this stat is definitely not skewed. Look for Shaka Smart to quickly burn VCU’s “use it or lose it” timeout in an effort to bring Ohio State shooters back to earth.

4. VCU Will Swipe Seven Steals

VCU Rams basketball George Mason hustle NCAA Tournament

4. VCU Will Swipe Seven Steals

VCU Rams basketball George Mason hustle NCAA Tournament — The Rams average 9.7 steals per game. That was not an autocorrection failure. VCU was third in the country in pick-pocketing and will definitely take advantage of the turnover-prone Buckeyes.

3. D’Angelo Russell Will Break Out On Big Stage

D'Angelo Russell Ohio State Buckeyes basketball NCAA Tournament

3. D’Angelo Russell Will Break Out On Big Stage

D'Angelo Russell Ohio State Buckeyes basketball NCAA Tournament — There have been murmurings about the Ohio State freshman, and now they’ll finally reach a fever pitch. Expect a double-double from Russell and expect his point total to climb above 25.

2. Both Teams Will Combine For At Least 145 Points

VCU Rams Ram Mascot 2015 NCAA Basketball Tournament

2. Both Teams Will Combine For At Least 145 Points

VCU Rams Ram Mascot 2015 NCAA Basketball Tournament — High-scoring games have become a threatened species in college basketball, but offense will be once again alive for this one matchup. Ohio State averages 75.8 points per game while surrendering 62.4, and VCU puts up 72.5 per game while giving up 65.5.

1. Ohio State Pulls Off The Upset

Ohio State Buckeyes Thad Matta

1. Ohio State Pulls Off The Upset

Ohio State Buckeyes Thad Matta — Smart would’ve been wise to leap to a bigger program when the coach's stock was surging. D’Angelo Russell will take over this game in the final minutes and bring a finality to VCU’s season.

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Ohio State Buckeyes

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VCU Rams

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