Florida vs. Virginia Tech Odds, Early Analysis & Pick For NCAA Tournament First Round

#7 Florida vs. #10 Virginia Tech Odds

How Florida & Virginia Tech Match Up

Florida vs. Virginia Tech Instant Analysis

Many ACC fans didn’t like that Virginia Tech got the 3-seed in the conference tournament after several of its most difficult league games were cancelled during its COVID-19 pause. The NCAA Tournament committee, however, punished the Hokies for their weak strength of schedule, slotting them as a 10-seed with a very tough opening game against the Florida Gators.

Florida is a bad matchup for the Hokies because it can take away what Virginia Tech does best. The Hokies are a good outside shooting team and have a number of offensive options, but Florida defends the 3-point line very well, giving up just 30.5% from deep. The Gators also have a great interior defender in Colin Castleton, who averages over two blocks per game and can contain VT big man Keve Aluma in the post. The Action Network projects a spread of Florida -1.1, but I’d be very comfortable backing the Gators up to -3.5. — Pat McMahon

What To Know About Florida

Head coach Mike White welcomed the return of Tre Mann in the SEC Tournament, rebounding from consecutive losses that would have provided a double-bye in the tournament. It seems as if the Gators will go as far as Mann can take them. Florida does have a very efficient offense (especially in transition) when it actually takes care of the ball. Turnovers have been a major pain point for the Gators this year.

The perimeter defense is sound for a unit that applies extended pressure before dropping into a matchup zone. However, they are fairly vulnerable against teams that can clean up the offensive glass. Florida ranks 301st in the country in defensive rebounding rate.

Overall, the defense (and Tre Mann's offense) has been fierce since the beginning of February and trending in the right direction after a few tweaks from Mike White. The Gators have fielded the best perimeter defense and ranked third in adjusted defensive efficiency in the SEC over the past five weeks of play. This team can make some noise if Tre Mann is locked in and they avoid a disastrous matchup, but it feels like this team, which has no seniors, is a year away from a really deep run.. — Collin Wilson

What To Know About Virginia Tech

It seemed like the Hokies might be in for a rebuild when Buzz Williams bolted for Texas A&M, but they’re right back in the thick of the ACC race, finishing third in the regular season. Tech will have to regain momentum after having three games postponed and two canceled due to COVID-19, and it lost three of its last five games. KenPom’s efficiency numbers say the Hokies are more of a bubble team than top-25, ranking outside the top-50 in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency.

If Tech is going to make a run, efficient scorers Keve Aluma (15.6 points, 48.9% shooting) and Tyrece Radford (11.9, 56%) will have to carry the load for an offense that is very dangerous when outside shots are falling, although it's hard to put too much trust into a Hokies team that has only two wins since January against Wake Forest and Miami (in OT). The defense has versatility but is very vulnerable in the post and in transition. — Matt Trebby