In state rivals clash in Blacksburg as Virginia takes on Virginia Tech in a ranked matchup. Virginia leads the all time series 60-44, and have won 3 of the last 5 matchups head to head.
Virginia is coming off a 60-54 win over Notre Dame at home on Saturday. Last Saturday (2/9) they lost 81-71 to #2 Duke at home, and last Monday (2/11) they beat #8 North Carolina 69-61.
Virginia Tech is coming off a 70-64 win at Pitt on Saturday. Last Saturday (2/9) they lost 59-51 to Clemson on the road, and on Wednesday (2/13) they beat Georgia Tech 76-68 at home.
On the season, Virginia is 17-7 ATS, 8-1 ATS on the road, and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games. On the season Virginia Tech is 13-11-1 ATS, 8-6 ATS at home, and 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
Bovada has Virginia as 3.5 point favourites with an O/U total of 121.5.
Virginia Tech averages 75.4 PPG, 32.1 RPG, 16.2 APG, 7.1 SPG, 2.5 BPG, and 11.7 TPG. As a team they shoot 48.6% from the field, 75.5% from the free throw line, and 41.8% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold opponents to 61.1 PPG, 29.4 RPG, 40.6% shooting from the field, and 34.1% shooting from 3 point range.
They are led by guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who averages 16.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, and 0.5 BPG while shooting 50.9% from the field, 75.5% from the free throw line, and 41.6% from 3 point range. Big man Kerry Blackshear is putting up 14.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.7 BPG, and 1.0 BPG while shooting 52.1/73.3/41.0. Ahmed Hill chips in 12.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 37.6% from 3 point range. Ty Outlaw (8.5 PPG/5.2 RPG/48.3% from 3), Isaiah Wilkins (4.8 PPG/2.3 RPG/45.0% from 3), P.J. Horne (4.4 PPG/2.8 RPG/64.9% from the field), and Wabissa Bede (3.3 PPG/2.2 RPG/2.4 APG/1.1 SPG).
Key Injuries
G Justin Robinson (foot) – out
Virginia averages 72.1 PPG, 35.5 RPG, 14.5 APG, 5.6 SPG, 3.7 BPG, and 9.2 TPG. As a team they shoot 47.4% from the field, 75.4% from the free throw line, and 40.0% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold opponents to 54.4 PPG, 29.8 RPG, 37.6% shooting from the field, and 26.7% shooting from 3 point range.
They are led by guard Kyle Guy who averages 15.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 0.6 SPG while shooting 45.5% from the field, 83.7% from the free throw line, and 43.6% from 3 point range. DeAndre Hunter contributes 15.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 0.6 SPG while shooting 53.4/78.4/46.3. Ty Jerome is their main ball handler and he averages 13.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 42.0% shooting from 3 point range. Mamadi Diakite (6.9 PPG/3.8 RPG/1.5 BPG/55.9% from the field), Braxton Key (6.6 PPG/6.0 RPG/1.2 APG/1.1 SPG), Jay Huff (4.8 PPG/2.1 RPG/0.9 BPG/62.3% from the field), and Kihei Clark (4.3 PPG/1.9 RPG/2.2 APG/0.8 SPG) chip in as well.
Virginia is a championship caliber team, and have imposed their methodical play style on everyone they’ve faced this season not named Duke, who is the most talented team in the country by a wide margin. When Virginia Tech was up to #9 in the country back in mid January, they made a trip to Virginia and lost by 22, and that was with Justin Robinson, who is the emotional leader of this Hokies team.
Tech has been uninspiring of late, even in their wins, beating Pitt and Georgia Tech (combined 5 wins in the ACC) by a combined 14 points, as well as a puzzling loss to an inconsistent Clemson team.
Tech is still lacking on the interior, with Blackshear being their only true paint man, while Virginia boasts a talented 3 man big rotation between Jack Salt, Mamadi Diakite, and Jay Huff to stuff the paint and dominate the boards. Kyle Guy and DeAndre Hunter have been excellent as of late, averaging 19.3 and 17 PPG respectively over their last 3 games against Duke, UNC, and Notre Dame. 3.5 points is generous for a Virginia Tech that has been lackluster as of late, and laying the points seems like the right play here.
Final Pick: #4 Virginia Cavaliers (-3.5)
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