Who's Playing

VMI @ Western Carolina

Current Records: VMI 16-14; Western Carolina 10-21

What to Know

The VMI Keydets and the Western Carolina Catamounts are even-steven against one another since January of 2016 (7-7), but not for long. The Keydets and Western Carolina will face off in a Southern battle at 7 p.m. ET Saturday at Ramsey Center. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W.'

The matchup between VMI and the Wofford Terriers on Wednesday was not a total blowout, but with VMI falling 83-72 at home, it was darn close to turning into one.

Meanwhile, Western Carolina came up short against the UNCG Spartans on Wednesday, falling 73-64.

VMI is the favorite in this one, with an expected 4.5-point margin of victory. The odds have been favorable for them against the spread on the road this season, even if it's been tough sledding overall. They are 9-4-1 ATS in away games but only 15-10-1 all in all.

The losses put the Keydets at 16-14 and the Catamounts at 10-21. A pair of stats to keep an eye on: VMI is stumbling into the contest with the 11th fewest takeaways in college basketball, having accrued only 10.3 on average. Western Carolinas have had an even harder time: they are worst in college basketball in takeaways, with only 10.1 on average. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.

How To Watch

  • When: Saturday at 7 p.m. ET
  • Where: Ramsey Center -- Cullowhee, North Carolina
  • Follow: CBS Sports App

Odds

The Keydets are a 4.5-point favorite against the Catamounts, 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 4.5-point spread, and stayed right there.

Over/Under: -111

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Series History

Western Carolina and VMI both have seven wins in their last 14 games.

  • Feb 04, 2022 - VMI 76 vs. Western Carolina 69
  • Feb 10, 2021 - Western Carolina 74 vs. VMI 72
  • Jan 27, 2021 - VMI 87 vs. Western Carolina 61
  • Feb 19, 2020 - VMI 74 vs. Western Carolina 71
  • Jan 08, 2020 - Western Carolina 97 vs. VMI 85
  • Mar 08, 2019 - VMI 96 vs. Western Carolina 83
  • Feb 23, 2019 - VMI 83 vs. Western Carolina 78
  • Jan 19, 2019 - VMI 91 vs. Western Carolina 83
  • Feb 08, 2018 - Western Carolina 72 vs. VMI 60
  • Jan 15, 2018 - Western Carolina 65 vs. VMI 58
  • Feb 27, 2017 - Western Carolina 81 vs. VMI 68
  • Jan 12, 2017 - VMI 79 vs. Western Carolina 78
  • Feb 06, 2016 - Western Carolina 69 vs. VMI 60
  • Jan 09, 2016 - Western Carolina 73 vs. VMI 52