It’s time for Commonwealth Clash No.2 for the 2018-19 NCAA college basketball season as Virginia faces off against Virginia Tech. When they met this past January 15th the Cavaliers trounced the Hokies 81-59 and extended the all-time series record to 92–56 and ACC series record to 19-11, in favor of the Cavaliers on all counts. Virginia may have bragging rights, but their rival Virginia Tech has a bone to pick after that 22-point loss over a month ago. Going into this highly anticipated game, NCAAF Futures price the Cavs at +650 to win the 2019 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament, while the Hokies are listed at just +5000. While the sportsbook clearly likes the #4 ranked (at press) Cavaliers over the #22 ranked Hokies anything can happen when it comes to the rivalry series.
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Betting Preview for the Virginia Cavaliers vs Virginia Tech Hokies College Basketball Game on February 18, 2019
Where: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Virginia (Hokies territory)
When: Monday, February 18, 2019, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Virginia Cavaliers (-5) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (+5) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Virginia Cavaliers (22-2 Overall / 10-2 Conference)
Virginia may be coming off its Norte Dame win (more on this below) from Saturday but bettors will want to look at what transpired in their last game against Virginia Tech last month. The Cavaliers were devastating in the first half, shooting 68 percent from the field (17 of 25) and 71.4 percent from 3-point range (10 of 14) against the rival. The game was cooked for the Hokies from the beginning. While the Cavs were hitting, Virginia Tech defense was a far cry from what it was when they played their rival last February (2018), where they squeaked out a 61-60 overtime win in a game of D. Virginia’s Big 3 put together a magnificent performance. Ty Jerome contributed 14 points, 12 assists, and 2 steals, while Kyle Guy added 15 points and De’Andre Hunter led with 21 points.
Saturday’s win against Notre Dame was a nail biter, with the Fighting Irish getting within 2-points to tie at the 34-second mark, but Virginia got to the foul line twice in the final few seconds, and made their shots to keep their lead and eventual 60-54 win. Head coach Tony Bennett’s team shows resilience when it counts, and going into this Monday’s game Virginia ranks #3 on KenPom’s efficiency ratings.
After a win this season, Virginia is 14-6 against the spread (ATS) and on the road so far the Cavaliers are both 8-1 straight up (SU) and ATS, looking like a sure thing heading into the Commonwealth Clash part two. If opponent Virginia Tech eases up on defense in any way they won’t have a chance at keeping this one close.
Betting on the Virginia Tech Hokies (20-5 Overall / 9-4 Conference)
Lack of defense was the main key to the Hokies loss the their rival last month so if they can keep this one a low scoring affair they may pull off a win. Of course, offense needs to step up too. In January’s game against the Cavs, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 19 points and Ahmed Hill added 14, but that wasn’t enough to get them out of a double digit deficit that would persist from the 12-minute mark in the first half all the way through to the end of the game. Overall, the squad was only 2 for 9 from beyond the arc and shot just 35 percent (7-for-20) from the field.
Virginia Tech defeated Pittsburgh this last Saturday, 70-64. While the Panthers did a fairly decent job of holding down seven of the eight Hokies, 6-foot-10 forward Kerry Blackshear Jr was unstoppable as he put up 29 points on 8 of 9 shooting and pulled down nine rebounds. The Hokies hit 10 of 21 from long range with guard Ahmed Hill contributing 14 points on just 4 of 11 shooting. The rest of team barely showed, with only a combined 23 points. This kind of play won’t fly this Monday against Virginia.
At Cassell Coliseum so far this season, the Hokies are 13-1 SU and 9-6 against the spread, records that instill some bettor confidence for the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
No surprises here folks, as the Cavaliers take down the Hokies 83-62.
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