Thursday College Basketball Betting Previews: Virginia Tech-Ball State, Oregon-Iowa

We're more than a week into the college basketball season, and November continues to deliver enticing non-conference tournament matchups.

The Charleston Classic and the 2K Classic take center stage today, and there are two matchups — Virginia Tech-Ball State (11:30 a.m. ET) and Oregon-Iowa (9 p.m. ET) — presenting value.

Betting Odds: Virginia Tech vs. Ball State

• Spread: Virginia Tech -7.5
• Over/Under: 153
• Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
• Channel: ESPN 2

The Hokies (1-0 against the spread) are sizable favorites against a Ball State team that kept things close against Purdue in the first half. The Cardinals unraveled in the final 20 minutes, amounting 18 total turnovers, a credit to Purdue's ball pressure.

Virginia Tech should present similar issues with three ball-hawks in its starting five — Justin Robinson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Ahmed Hill. Hokies coach Buzz Williams noted he saw his defense take a major step last season after shifting their attention to swarming the perimeter, which is Ball State's strength. Cardinals' point guard Taylor Persons shouldn't blow by the opposition very often.

The trio also played a major role for a group which owned the sixth-highest Effective Field Goal Percentage last season. While the Hokies lost some key pieces offensively, including guard Justin Bibbs, the Cardinals' below-average defense isn't about to slow down their high-tempo attack.

According to Bet Labs, Virginia Tech is 3-2 ATS in the last season-plus while giving at least eight points. That trend will continue in a positive direction against Ball State.

THE PICK: Virginia Tech -7.5

Betting Odds: Oregon vs. Iowa

• • Spread: Oregon -4
  • Over/Under: 152
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET
  • Channel: ESPN 2

I'm surprised the spread is this close, especially since the game is at a neutral site (Madison Square Garden). The Hawkeyes (0-2 ATS) own the 19th-best Adjusted Offensive Efficiency in the nation through two contests, but they've yet to face a daunting defense.

The Ducks (2-0 ATS) present just that with their 19th-ranked Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, led by three athletic forwards possessing at least 6-foot-9 frames — none more freakishly built than Bol Bol.

The 7-foot-4, 235-pound center owns a 35.7 Possession Percentage, the 25th-highest in the sport. He's even guided them to a 24.1 Block Percentage, good for the second-best in the country. Five-star freshman Louis King, the other prized possession in Oregon's 2018 recruiting class, isn't expected to make his college hoops debut in New York City because of an ankle injury.

Dana Altman's bunch will continue to work their offense inside-out, giving its top perimeter shooters in Paul White, Preyton Prichard and Victor Bailey Jr. clean looks from deep.

Thus far, 52.1% of Oregon's offense has come inside the arc. Hawkeyes' 6-foot-11 big Luka Garza is a sound interior defender, but he's not quick enough to stick with anyone in the Ducks' frontcourt. 

Oregon was favored in the past two non-conference tournaments and slipped into the consolation bracket both times. That skid will be halted Thursday evening.

THE PICK: Oregon -4 and over 152