Halftime Report
Fortunes may be turning around for ETSU after losing three in a row. They are fully in control with a 50-30 lead over VMI. This contest looks nothing like the tight 74-73 margin from ETSU's win over the Keydets in their previous head-to-head back in January.
If ETSU keeps playing like this, they'll bump their record up to 14-14 in no time. On the other hand, VMI will have to make due with a 4-24 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who's Playing
VMI Keydets @ ETSU Buccaneers
Current Records: VMI 4-23, ETSU 13-14
How To Watch
- When: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Freedom Hall -- Johnson City, Tennessee
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Online Streaming: Catch select College Basketball matches on Fubo (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket Cost: $4.00
What to Know
VMI has quite the challenge ahead of them as they're expected to be blown off the court. They and the ETSU Buccaneers will face off in a Southern battle at 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Freedom Hall. VMI is no doubt hoping to put an end to a 16-game streak of away losses dating back to last season.
VMI managed to keep up with the Bulldogs until halftime on Saturday, but things quickly went downhill from there. The Keydets ended up on the wrong side of a painful 76-51 walloping at the hands of the Bulldogs. VMI found out winning isn't easy when your shooting is a whole 16.3% worse than the opposition.
Meanwhile, ETSU's recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Saturday after their third straight loss. They fell 70-65 to the Catamounts. ETSU has struggled against the Catamounts recently, as their matchup on Saturday was their sixth consecutive lost matchup.
ETSU struggled to work together and finished the game with only five assists. That's the fewest assists they've managed all season.
The Keydets have been struggling recently as they've lost 13 of their last 14 matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 4-23 record this season. As for the Buccaneers, they now have a losing record at 13-14.
This contest is one where the number of possessions is likely to be a big factor: VMI have been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 37.5 rebounds per game. However, it's not like ETSU struggles in that department as they've been averaging 38.4 rebounds per game. Given these competing strengths, it'll be interesting to see how their clash plays out.
VMI and the Buccaneers were neck-and-neck in their previous matchup back in January, but the Keydets came up empty-handed after a 74-73 loss. Can VMI avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Odds
ETSU is a big 17.5-point favorite against VMI, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 17.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
The over/under is 148 points.
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Series History
ETSU has won 9 out of their last 10 games against VMI.
- Jan 24, 2024 - ETSU 74 vs. VMI 73
- Feb 10, 2023 - ETSU 69 vs. VMI 65
- Dec 31, 2022 - ETSU 64 vs. VMI 50
- Jan 29, 2022 - VMI 83 vs. ETSU 79
- Jan 05, 2022 - ETSU 80 vs. VMI 79
- Jan 18, 2021 - ETSU 92 vs. VMI 81
- Mar 07, 2020 - ETSU 70 vs. VMI 57
- Feb 15, 2020 - ETSU 72 vs. VMI 67
- Jan 11, 2020 - ETSU 61 vs. VMI 55
- Feb 21, 2019 - ETSU 94 vs. VMI 70