Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview
Where: KFC Yum! Center — Louisville, Kentucky
When: Saturday, February 18, 2017, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Louisville Cardinals – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ACC Network
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Betting on the Virginia Tech Hokies (18-7, 7-6 ACC)
The Hokies will be coming off back-to-back victories, both of which are in thrilling fashion. After edging Virginia in OT last Sunday, they visited Pittsburgh on Tuesday and earned a great road victory, 66-63, rallying from an 11-point deficit in the second half.
Such finishes are beginning to be customary to Virginia Tech’s games this season, as they have now played in six conference games that are decided by two possessions or less.
Close game or not, we should continue seeing the team’s balanced attack, wherein five players are able to average double-digit points – Zach LeDay (15.3 PPG), Ahmed Hill (12.6 PPG), Seth Allen (12.1 PPG), Chris Clarke (11.4 PPG), and Justin Robinson (10.3 PPG). Through those guys, VT is leading the ACC in shooting from two (53.7 percent), and currently ranks 45th in the nation in offensive efficiency.
The Hokies are 4-5 SU and ATS in their last nine games on the road.
Betting on the Louisville Cardinals (21-5, 9-4 ACC)
Like VT, Louisville will also enter the game as winners of two straight thrilling wins. They shot poorly at home against Miami last Saturday (39.3 percent), but did enough things to come away with a close 71-66 victory. They then visited Syracuse on Monday and came out victorious in OT, 76-72, thanks to third-stringer Ryan McMahon scoring seven points in the extra frame.
The success of the Cardinals this season, just like in years past, is mostly about defense. They are second in the ACC in points allowed (65.9 PPG) and opponents’ field goal shooting (41.6 percent), while also being consistently ranked as the number one defense in the nation.
On offense, they are at the respectable 30th spot in Kenpom.com’s rankings. Through Donovan Mitchell (15.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.2 SPG), Deng Adel (11.4 PPG), and the returning Quentin Snider (12.2 PPG, 4.1 APG), who will be in his third game back from a hip injury, they decently put up 77.2 PPG.
The Cardinals are 14-1 at home this season (11-4 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
Louisville wins, 80-68.
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