Virginia Tech vs. Virginia prediction and odds for Wednesday, January 18 (Back UNDER)

In-state rivals are set to do battle on Wednesday night with Virginia Tech looking to turn around their season in Charlottesville against Virginia.

The Hokies have dropped five straight in ACC play without lead guard Hunter Cattoor, but it appears that Cattoor is on track to play in this rivalry matchup that has consistently been played close during Mike Young’s tenure with the Hokies.

Should we expect another close one with the Hokies desperate for a win? First, let’s look at the odds:

Virginia Tech vs. Virginia odds, spread and total

Virginia Tech vs. Virginia prediction and pick

In the five games Young has been on the sidelines for Virginia Tech, here have been the totals between these two teams: 115, 106, 116, 104, 109. The two teams play methodical offense and sturdy defense that force teams to win from the perimeter.

While the return of Cattoor should boost a Virginia Tech offense that is shooting 28% from three in ACC play, I still believe the sheer amount of possessions should limit the opportunities for each team to push into the mid 60’s as this total needs to go over. Virginia is one of the 10 slowest teams in the country and Virginia Tech is outside of the top 200, per Halsametrics.

Both teams are reliant on cutting off the ball and spot-up shots, but each defense is built to stop that type of action. Both defenses are elite at shutting off the rim, top third in shot proximity allowed and top 50 in field goal percentage allowed at the rim. There are going to be plenty of late shot clock situations with the offense chucking up a contested jumper.

Neither team is going to push the pace and this will come down to defense, where both have thrived against the other since Young has taken over. I’ll back another under in this in-state rivalry matchup.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.