BYU vs. VCU predictions, game picks for 2025 NCAA Tournament first round
Editor's note: Follow Men's March Madness live scores and updates for Thursday's first-round games.
The 2025 men's NCAA Tournament is here.
The first-round action Thursday features an East Region matchup between BYU and VCU.
The BYU Cougars finished the 2024-25 season with a 24-9 record, good for fourth in the Big 12. That earned them a 6-seed in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the VCU Rams, finished first in the Atlantic 10 with a 28-6 record and a conference tournament win earned them an 11-seed in the Big Dance.
BYU ranks as the 24th-best team in the KenPom rankings, sporting the 11th-best offense and 68th-best defense. Meanwhile, VCU ranks 30th overall, possessing the 41st-ranked offense and 23rd-ranked defense.
Here's how our experts see Thursday's Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out Paste BN's complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team's picks for every game. While you're at it, don't forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.
Without further ado, here's our BYU vs. VCU picks and predictions.
BYU vs. VCU picks and predictions
- Jordan Mendoza: BYU
- Paul Myerberg: BYU
- Erick Smith: VCU
- Eddie Timanus: VCU
- Dan Wolken: BYU
- Craig Meyer: BYU 76, VCU 75
- Jeremy Cluff: BYU 79, VCU 73
Five of seven experts are siding with BYU in the first round. Craig Meyer has BYU pulling off the win, but VCU covering the 2.5-point spread while AZ Central's Jeremy Cluff is sticking with the favorite on the spread and moneyline. Both of them have the game going over the 145.5-point total.
BYU vs. VCU date, start time, how to watch
- Game Day: Thursday, March 20
- Game Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Location: Ball Arena in Denver
- TV Channel: TNT
- Live Stream: Sling TV - Watch Now!
BYU vs. VCU odds
Odds as of Tuesday, March 18 via BetMGM.
- Spread: BYU -2.5 (-115)
- Moneyline Favorite: BYU -155
- Moneyline Underdog: VCU +125
- Total: 145.5
March Madness game-by-game predictions for Thursday
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- SIU Edwardsville vs Houston prediction, picks
- Alabama St. vs Auburn prediction, picks
- McNeese vs. Clemson prediction, picks
- VCU vs BYU prediction, picks
- Georgia vs Gonzaga prediction, picks
- Wofford vs Tennessee prediction, picks
- Arkansas vs Kansas prediction, picks
- Yale vs Texas A&M prediction, picks
- Drake vs Missouri prediction, picks
- Utah St. vs UCLA prediction, picks
- Nebraska Omaha vs St. John's prediction, picks
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