Virginia Tech Hopes to Even the Score Against Rival Virginia
Virginia vs Virginia Tech Betting: Hokies Climb to 3.5-Point Fav
The Virginia Cavaliers will look to make it two-for-two against their in-state rivals when they visit the Virginia Tech Hokies on Monday (7 p.m. ET).
Virginia Tech opened as a 1.5-point favorite but is now up to -3 on the spread. It’s also -158 on the moneyline, with the No. 21 Cavaliers priced +138 to win outright. Meanwhile, the projected total has dropped from 128.5 to 126.5 with a slight lean to the Over at -115 odds.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both college basketball teams and assess the Virginia vs Virginia Tech betting odds in our college basketball game preview.
Cavaliers vs Hokies 
Day/Time:
Location: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA.
Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+
Virginia vs Virginia Tech Betting Trends
The Virginia Cavaliers are 14-11-1 ATS, including 4-4 away from home. Virginia has gone Under the total in 15 of its 26 games but is 5-3 against the Over/Under on the road. Meanwhile, the Virginia Tech Hokies are 11-14 ATS, including 8-5 at home. As for the Over/Under, the Hokies’ record is 13-11-1.
Be sure to keep these trends in mind when analyzing the Virginia vs Virginia Tech betting odds.
Not Perfect, But it Counts
Virginia (20-6, 11-4 ACC) rebounded from a loss to Pittsburgh by beating Wake Forest 49-47 on Saturday as a 2.5-point favorite. The Cavaliers have now won nine of their last 10 NCAAB games to keep pace atop the ACC standings. They begin the week just one game out of first place.
The No. 21 Cavaliers are one of three ranked teams from the conference, joining No. 7 North Carolina and No. 9 Duke.
Virginia’s resume is still a little flimsy, a result of a sum of loose ends. Non-conference wins over Florida and Texas A&M have lost some of their luster, and an underwhelming performance from the ACC isn’t helping matters.
Virginia still has games remaining against both North Carolina and Duke prior to the ACC Tournament in Washington, D.C. Should they hold their own and pick up a marquee win or two, the Cavaliers will be sitting in much better position in the NCAAB standings come Selection Sunday. At the moment, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi projects them as a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Cavaliers stand 53rd in KenPom, including ninth in adjusted defensive efficiency. They’re holding opponents to an average of 57.7 points, third fewest nationally behind Houston (55.0) and Saint Mary’s (57.7). They also rank ninth in field goal defense (39.4%) and tied for 37th in steal rate (5.2).
Virginia plays at the slowest tempo in all of Division I, and because of that it often finds itself in close games. Four of its last eight games have been decided by six points or fewer, including a 59-53 overtime win over NC State. The Cavaliers are just 145th in adjusted offensive efficiency, with guard Reece Beekman (14.2) their top scorer.
The Cavaliers have been an underdog just three times this NCAAB season. They are 1-2 OU and ATS in those contests, with the lone win coming against Clemson on Feb. 3. That’s important to remember when assessing the Virginia vs Virginia Tech betting odds.
Hokies Trending Down
Virginia Tech is reeling, having lost four of its last five games. It’s coming off a 96-81 loss to North Carolina on Saturday in which it failed to cover as a 10.5-point underdog.
At 14-11, including 6-8 in ACC play, the Hokies must turn around their fortunes in a hurry to maintain any hope of making the NCAA Tournament.
They’re just 64th in KenPom and 62nd in the NET, but they do own a signature win, that being their 71-62 victory over Iowa State in Kissimmee, Fla., on Nov. 24. Unranked at the time, the Cyclones are now 10th in the AP Top 25 poll.
Virginia Tech has no issues scoring. The Hokies, ranked 47th in adjusted offensive efficiency, are averaging 74.6 points. They’ve topped 80 points in each of their last two games and 75 points in five of their last eight. Guard Sean Pedulla (15.5) is the team’s top scorer, followed by Hunter Cattoor (14.3) and 6-foot-10 Lynn Kidd (12.9).
It’s on defense where Virginia Tech’s issues tend to arise. The Hokies are just 100th in adjusted defensive efficiency. In Saturday’s loss, North Carolina shot 51.5% from the field and slapped the Hokies with a season-high 96 points. Mike Young’s team had no answer for the 6-11 Armando Bacot, who had 25 points on 11 of 16 shooting.
Given that, this shouldn’t come as a surprise: Virginia Tech has gone Over the total in five of its last six games and is 13-11-1 against the Over/Under. But that success will be put the to test against the offensively challenged Cavaliers.
Handicapping the Game
In their last meeting on Jan. 17, a 65-57 Cavaliers win, the Hokies hit 11 3-pointers but shot just 38.9% overall. They also committed 15 turnovers and attempted only four free throws.
Both teams are relatively healthy according to the college basketball injury report. Based on that, oddsmakers seem to expect another close contest.
All things being equal, this may come down to which team can control the pace. If Virginia can turn this into a rock fight, it’ll be in good shape to sweep its in-state rival. But if not, Virginia Tech will be poised to return the favor.
For college basketball predictions, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
