NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams prediction: NJIT's frozen jump shot faces VCU on the second night
A day after a 37-point loss at Rutgers, NJIT brings one of the country's worst shooting offenses to Richmond, and VCU gets to the line more often than anyone.
VCU Rams covered the closing spread (NJIT Highlanders +33.5). The game went under the closing total of 149.5.
| Spread | VCU -33.5 |
|---|---|
| Total (over/under) | 149.5 |
- VCU should control early through threes and free throws while a tired, cold-shooting NJIT struggles to reach the 60s.
- VCU's foul-drawing attack, first nationally in free throw rate, against an NJIT defense that ranks 199th in fouls allowed.
- VCU is a 34-point favorite after the line moved from 31.5 to 34; the Rams failed to cover both lines this season.
Second night, cold hands
NJIT lost 101-64 at Rutgers on Tuesday. The next night it plays at the Siegel Center, against a VCU team that won the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament last year. The back-to-back would be a problem for any roster. It is a bigger one for an offense that has struggled to make shots.
The Highlanders are hitting 20.2% of their threes, 362nd of 364 Division I teams. Their effective field goal percentage, which counts a three as 1.5 makes, sits at 37.6%, 357th. This is also a new group. Players on the current roster accounted for only 37.8% of last season's minutes. Sebastian Robinson, who scored 14.8 points a game last season, now plays at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
David Bolden led NJIT with 18 points at Rutgers. Across his season line he is still shooting 28.9% from the field. Mathéo Coffi, a transfer from UTSA, has been the efficient one. He scored 12 in his debut and carries a 58.3% effective field goal mark.
VCU lives at the line
Martelli's second VCU team has two weapons so far: the three and the whistle. The Rams' free throw rate, which is free throw attempts per field goal attempt, is 70.8%. That ranks 1st in the country. They are making 76.0% of those attempts. NJIT's defense ranks 199th in opponent free throw rate, so this edge should hold.
Blake Harper, a Creighton transfer, is making 46.7% of his threes and scored 22 at Memphis. Nyk Lewis, last season's A-10 Rookie of the Year, is running the offense at 6.0 assists a game.
The whistle also works against VCU. The Rams rank 339th in opponent free throw rate. NJIT is a 67.4% foul-shooting team, though, so it may not punish VCU much for it. VCU has played only two games, so read its season numbers with care.
The glass is open
NJIT's defensive rebounding is a real problem. The Highlanders grab just 56.0% of opponents' misses, 357th nationally. That gives VCU's big men an easy way to score.
Torey Alston, a Middle Tennessee transfer, pulled down 12 rebounds against Little Rock and averages 8.5 a game off the bench. On NJIT's side, Victor Vanderstraeten grabbed 10 rebounds at Rutgers. He is about the only Highlander holding up on the boards.
A huge spread, a shaky favorite
A huge spread, a shaky favorite VCU was first seen at -31.5 and is now a 34-point favorite, so the line has moved from -31.5 to -34. The total has not moved from 149.5. The Rams are 0-2 against the spread. They beat Little Rock by 10 as a 19-point favorite, then lost 89-88 at Memphis as a small favorite.
VCU's defense explains the hesitation. It ranks 290th in raw efficiency this season, compared with 62nd in last season's final opponent-adjusted rating. NJIT's first-half scoring points the other way. The Highlanders average 22.3 first-half points, 357th, and trailed Dayton 47-23 at the break. For a spread this large, the question is whether VCU's defense lets NJIT's offense back into the game.
NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams line movement and odds
| Book | Highlanders ML | Rams ML | Highlanders spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | — | — | +33.5 (-110) | o149.5 (-115) |
| BetRivers | — | — | +33.5 (-110) | o150.5 (-108) |
| DraftKings | — | — | +33.5 (-108) | o149.5 (-110) |
| ESPN BET | — | — | +33.5 (-110) | o150.5 (-105) |
| Fanatics | +7000 | -50000 | +33.5 (-110) | o149.5 (-110) |
| FanDuel | — | — | +33.5 (-110) | o149.5 (-115) |
| Hard Rock Bet | — | — | +33.5 (-110) | o150.5 (-105) |
| Caesars | — | — | +33.5 (-110) | o149.5 (-110) |
Where the money is on NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams
On the Kalshi moneyline: NJIT Highlanders: 90% of bets, 25% of the money; VCU Rams: 10% of bets, 75% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: VCU Rams -35.5: 47% of bets, 96% of the money; NJIT Highlanders +35.5: 53% of bets, 4% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 149.5: 60% of bets, 96% of the money; Under 149.5: 40% of bets, 4% of the money.
Key players
- Blake Harper (VCU): Leads VCU at 18.0 points a game and hit 5 of 9 threes at Memphis.
- Nyk Lewis (VCU): Averaging 6.0 assists and 14.5 points a game in two starts.
- Torey Alston (VCU): Posted 17 points and 12 rebounds against Little Rock.
- David Bolden (NJIT): Scored 18 at Rutgers but is shooting 28.9% from the field this season.
- Mathéo Coffi (NJIT): NJIT's most efficient scorer, with a 58.3% effective field goal percentage.
- Victor Vanderstraeten (NJIT): Had a team-high 10 rebounds at Rutgers and averages 5.8 a game.
Numbers that matter
| VCU free throw rate | 70.8% | First in the country, against an NJIT defense that ranks 199th at keeping teams off the line. |
|---|---|---|
| NJIT 3-point % | 20.2% | 362nd of 364 teams, heading into the second night of a back-to-back. |
| NJIT defensive rebound % | 56.0% | 357th nationally, which gives VCU plenty of second chances. |
| Spread | -31.5 | Unchanged since our feed first saw it, for a VCU team that is 0-2 against the spread. |
NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams: quick answers
What was the final score of NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams?
NJIT Highlanders 49, VCU Rams 87 (final). VCU Rams covered the closing spread (NJIT Highlanders +33.5). The game went under the closing total of 149.5.
Who is favored in NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams?
VCU is favored by 33.5 points (VCU -33.5).
What is the over/under for NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams?
The total is 149.5 points.
When is NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.
Has the line moved for NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams?
Yes: NJIT Highlanders opened +28.5 and is now +33.5, and the total moved from 148.5 to 149.5 (consensus of the regulated US sportsbooks since we first saw the game).
Where is the money on NJIT Highlanders vs VCU Rams?
On the Kalshi moneyline: NJIT Highlanders: 90% of bets, 25% of the money; VCU Rams: 10% of bets, 75% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: VCU Rams -35.5: 47% of bets, 96% of the money; NJIT Highlanders +35.5: 53% of bets, 4% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 149.5: 60% of bets, 96% of the money; Under 149.5: 40% of bets, 4% of the money.