NCAAB · Final

The Citadel Bulldogs Dominate VMI Keydets 80-56

Thursday, January 29, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · McAlister Field House

The Citadel Bulldogs 80, VMI Keydets 56, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won VMI Keydets vs The Citadel Bulldogs?

The Citadel Bulldogs beat VMI Keydets 80-56 at McAlister Field House on January 29, 2026.

Who was favored in VMI Keydets vs The Citadel Bulldogs?

The Citadel Bulldogs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -148 (about 60% implied). The favorite won.

In a commanding performance, the Citadel Bulldogs triumphed over the VMI Keydets with a final score of 80-56 at McAlister Field House on January 30, 2026. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it marked the second meeting between these two teams within the same month, with the Bulldogs having also secured a victory against the Keydets earlier in the season, winning 82-68 on January 18, 2026.

The Bulldogs entered this game with a home record of 7-15 and a recent form of 3-7 over their last ten games. They had been averaging 69.1 points scored while allowing 80.5 points per game during this stretch. In their last five games, the Bulldogs recorded an average of 71.8 points scored and 74.6 points allowed, indicating a slight improvement in their offensive output despite their overall struggles. The Citadel's last game before this contest was a loss to the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, where they fell 55-84 on January 24, 2026.

Conversely, the VMI Keydets came into the game with a record of 6-16, having lost six consecutive games, including their most recent outing against the Western Carolina Catamounts, where they lost 58-88 on January 24, 2026. Over their last ten games, the Keydets had managed only two wins, averaging 69.9 points scored and allowing 79.8 points. Their last five games had been particularly challenging, with an average of just 63.8 points scored and 80.2 points allowed, highlighting their struggles on both ends of the court.

The Bulldogs' victory was characterized by a strong second half, where they outscored the Keydets significantly. The scoring plays included key contributions from players such as Carter Kingsbury, who made free throws, and TJ Johnson, who hit a long three-point jumper. The Bulldogs maintained control of the game, showcasing their ability to capitalize on VMI's defensive lapses.

In terms of home and away performance, the Bulldogs had a home record of 2-2 in their last four home games, while the Keydets struggled with an away record of 0-4 in their last four games. This disparity in performance likely contributed to the Bulldogs' confidence heading into the matchup.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, opened with the Bulldogs favored by 2.5 points, reflecting their home advantage. The total points line was set at 142.5, with odds of -115.0 for the over and -105.0 for the under. The moneyline showed the Bulldogs at -148.0 and the Keydets at 124.0, indicating that the Bulldogs were expected to win.

Weather conditions were not a factor in this indoor venue, allowing both teams to focus solely on their gameplay without external distractions. The Bulldogs’ strong performance not only improved their morale but also showcased their ability to execute plays effectively, particularly in the second half.

Overall, this game served as a crucial turning point for the Citadel Bulldogs, who demonstrated their potential to compete effectively within their conference, while the VMI Keydets will need to reassess their strategy moving forward after another disappointing outing.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	CIT -2.5	142.5 o -115 / u -105	VMI Keydets +124 · The Citadel Bulldogs -148

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsChristian Moore20The Citadel Bulldogs
AssistsCarter Kingsbury7The Citadel Bulldogs
ReboundsSola Adebisi12The Citadel Bulldogs
PointsTJ Johnson16VMI Keydets
AssistsTan Yildizoglu3VMI Keydets
ReboundsTJ Johnson8VMI Keydets

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