The Virginia Cavaliers take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg, VA. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Virginia is favored by 4.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -225. The total is set at 153.5 points.
Here’s my Virginia vs. Virginia Tech prediction and college basketball picks for December 31, 2025.
Virginia vs Virginia Tech Prediction
My Pick: Virginia -4.5 (Play to -5)
My Virginia vs Virginia Tech best bet is on the Cavaliers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Virginia vs. Virginia Tech Odds
| Virginia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 153.5 -110 / -110 | -225 |
| Virginia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 153.5 -110 / -110 | +184 |
- Virginia vs Virginia Tech spread: Virginia -4.5
- Virginia vs Virginia Tech over/under: 153.5 points
- Virginia vs Virginia Tech moneyline: Virginia -225, Virginia Tech +184
Virginia vs Virginia Tech College Basketball Betting Preview
Virginia Basketball
Virginia is off to an 11-1 start in year one of the Ryan Odom era, and it's playing a completely different style of basketball than Cavalier fans have grown accustomed to.
Odom’s group is playing much faster than the days of Tony Bennett, with the Cavs' average offensive possession length down to 16.4 seconds (inside the top 100 nationally). Virginia is 12th on KenPom in offensive efficiency and is shooting 39.6% from deep as a team.
On the defensive side of things, while not as elite as Virginia’s best units, this team excels in certain areas on that end. KenPom has Virginia 64th in defensive efficiency, but the Cavs are 17th in effective field goal percentage allowed at 44.7% and fifth nationally in block rate.
It’s quite the luxury to have multiple elite rim protectors. Both Johann Grunloh and Ugonna Onyenso rank in the top 15 in the country in blocks per game, at 2.6 and 2.5 respectively.
This is one of the deepest and most balanced teams in the entire country. Nobody is playing more than 26 minutes per game, and six players are averaging north of nine points per game.
German freshman Thijs De Ridder leads the way for the Hoos with his 16.1 points per game, and he's coming off a season-high 27-point effort in a 95-51 win over American on December 22.
It’s important to note that Virginia’s top 3-point shooter — Jacari White — broke his wrist a few weeks back and is sidelined indefinitely.
Virginia Tech Basketball
Virginia Tech is 11-2 on the season, with both losses coming in the Battle for Atlantis at the end of November. The Hokies lost by double digits to both Saint Mary’s and VCU. Three of Tech’s wins — against Providence, South Carolina and most recently Elon — have come in overtime.
The Hokies check in at 68th on KenPom, with the 74th-ranked offense and 77th-ranked defense.
Mike Young has a really solid team, but the Hokies have recently been held back by injuries.
Tobi Lawal has been out for a month, and he’s a game-time decision for this one. The Hokies could really use his help on the glass.
Tyler Johnson is confirmed to be out for this matchup due to a lower-body injury. He’s a big piece for this group, averaging 30.8 minutes per game and shooting north of 40% from long range.
Freshman big man Antonio Dorn is also a game-time decision.
The star player and engine for this offense is Greek freshman Neoklis Avdalas, who will be good to go on Wednesday after missing the last game with an illness. The 6-foot-9 point guard is a potential one-and-done talent, averaging 14.6 points and 5.0 assists per game.
Amani Hansberry has been awesome lately for the Hokies. The skilled 6-foot-8 big man is averaging 16.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Tech’s most elite attribute this season has been its ability to take care of the ball, as the Hokies are fourth nationally in turnover percentage. Their biggest weakness is their defensive rebounding, as they're sitting at 235th in the country in defensive rebounding percentage.
Virginia vs. Virginia Tech Betting Analysis
We have a rivalry game here to start ACC play. These games are typically always close, and the schools have split the series over the past four straight seasons.
Of course, there's new flavor this year with first-year coach Odom leading the Cavaliers into Cassell Coliseum for the first time.
Virginia has clearly performed better these first two months of the season and has the better wins. However, a rivalry game on the road is always tough.
The question for this game is clear to me: Can the Hokies keep the Cavaliers off the offensive glass? It’s a clear mismatch for Virginia Tech, which will potentially be down two rotation players standing 6-foot-8 and 7-feet, respectively.
Even without White, Virginia still has plenty of firepower offensively. I trust this balanced offensive attack to create better shots in the halfcourt. With the injury questions and the mismatch on the glass, I’ll go with the Cavaliers.
My Pick: Virginia -4.5 (Play to -5)
