The Virginia Tech Hokies take on the Virginia Cavaliers in Charlottesville, VA, on Saturday, March 7. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET on The CW.
Virginia is favored by 11.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -625. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, enters as a +11.5 underdog and is +445 on the moneyline to pull of the upset. The over/under sits at 146.5 total points.
Here’s my Virginia Tech vs. Virginia prediction and college basketball picks for Saturday, March 7.
Virginia Tech vs Virginia Prediction
My Pick: Under 146.5 (Play to 143)
My Virginia Tech vs Virginia best bet is on both teams to go under the total. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Virginia Tech vs Virginia Odds
| Virginia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11.5 -105 | 146.5 -108o / -112u | +455 |
| Virginia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11.5 -115 | 146.5 -108o / -112u | -625 |
- Virginia Tech vs Virginia Spread: Virginia -11.5
- Virginia Tech vs Virginia Over/Under: 146.5 points
- Virginia Tech vs Virginia Moneyline: Virginia Tech +455, Virginia -625
Virginia Tech vs Virginia College Basketball Betting Preview
Virginia Tech Basketball
Virginia Tech finds itself fully in desperation mode as it closes out the regular season against in-state rival Virginia on Saturday afternoon.
VA Tech has lost five of its last eight games down the stretch and sits on the wrong side of the bubble as we start to close the book on the regular season.
The Hokies are going to have to win this game and make a special run in the ACC Tournament, where they'll likely need to win four games in four days to pass the teams above them and elevate themselves into at-large consideration.
The offense is well-equipped with Amani Hansberry leading the scoring efforts with 14.4 points per game. Ben Hammond, Tobi Lawal and Neoklis Avdalas all average over 12 points and can go off for 20 at any given time.
Jailen Bedford averages 11 points and is one of the better 3-point shooters on this team.
VA Tech collects about 11 offensive rebounds per game and does a nice job of finding second-chance opportunities.
The pace has slowed down a bit of late, but Virginia Tech has found a stroke from deep over the last five games, which has given the offense a boost.
The defense defends the 3-point line well and has done well to keep its opponents off the stripe in ACC play. However, Virginia Tech isn't a great rebounding team and gives up too many second-chance opportunities.
The defense doesn't have an exceptional rim protector, and teams can get good looks in the painted area against the Hokies.
The Wahoos will be a big test for this defense on the road.
Virginia Basketball
Virginia has played brilliant basketball all season and sits at 14-3 in league play. The Hoos are looking to keep the positive momentum rolling before ACC Tournament play starts next week.
UVA appears to be firmly on the 4-line come NCAA Tournament time, but it could ascend to a 3-seed with a deep ACC Tournament run — so long as it wins this game.
The Cavaliers are in position to lock up the 2-seed in the ACC, which would be important to ensure they avoid Louisville or Clemson in the quarterfinals.
Factor in the triple overtime loss to the Hokies back on New Year's Eve, and this becomes a pretty important ball game for the Hoos.
The offense is dangerous and equipped with players who can score in a variety of ways. Thijs De Ridder averages 16 points and six boards per game, while Malik Thomas, Sam Lewis and Chance Mallory all average double-figure scoring.
Six players have at least 30 made 3s on the season, although the hot outside shooting has dipped a bit over the last three weeks.
Virginia has solid ball handlers, and both Mallory and Dallin Hall make smart decisions at the point. Both of them boast a 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is excellent in the ACC.
Meanwhile, the defense has been exquisite all season.
While defense was a staple under former head coach Tony Bennett, new head coach Ryan Odom has instilled toughness, physicality and grit with this bunch.
UVA boasts the top field-goal percentage defense in the ACC from both inside and outside the arc, and it's blocking an incredible 17% of opponent shots in ACC play.
Johann Grunloh and Ugonna Onyenso have each swatted over 70 shots on the season, so it's incredibly challenging to beat the Hoos on the interior.
Virginia Tech vs Virginia Pick, Betting Analysis
This line opened with Virginia slated as a 10.5-point favorite with a total set at 144.5. I like the under in this matchup.
This game is really important for both teams, and I think the possessions will matter a lot more in the second half.
This matchup pits the second- and seventh-most effective defenses in the ACC against each other, and I want to lean in on that defensive effectiveness.
Virginia Tech has a good 3-point offense, but the Hokies are methodical, preferring to work the ball into the paint. Virginia makes it really tough to get good paint touches, and I could see the Hokies having to work hard to get the shots it wants here.
VA Tech has averaged the 14th-longest possession length in league play, and UVA has been excellent at getting its opponents deep into the shot clock. I think that will play out here.
Virginia has blocked and altered shots at an alarmingly high rate, and the Wahoos don't give up second-chance opportunities. I fully expect the Hokies to struggle to get good looks.
They don't rebound the ball well on the offensive glass, and I don't expect many putbacks. We should see a lot of one-and-done possessions here.
UVA hasn't found the bottom of the net from deep recently, and the Cavaliers rank 15th in the ACC in 3-point shooting. Virginia Tech has an efficient 3-point defense, so we're either going to see frequent misses from deep or a more methodical strategy to get the ball inside.
Either way, possessions will be longer in nature.
The first meeting between these two teams was tied at 55 at the end of regulation. That game was a slow-burning grind throughout, and I expect this one to be the same.
I expect a slower pace and for this one to finish under the total.
My Pick: Under 146.5 (Play to 143)
