North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech Prediction and Odds for Sunday, December 4 (Back Both Defenses as ACC Play Begins)
By Ben Heisler
After being ranked as the top team in the country just a week ago, the No. 18 North Carolina Tar Heels look to snap a 3-game losing streak when they head back on the road to face the 7-1 Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg this afternoon.
The Hokies have played in two close games since a surprising loss back on November 20 to the College of Charleston, but have since beaten Charleston Southern and Minnesota in the ACC / Big Ten Challenge.
Who has the edge as ACC-play tips off this afternoon? Here are the latest odds for today's matchup:
North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech Odds, Spread and Total
North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech Prediction and Pick
On a Sunday afternoon with two teams struggling to score the basketball of late, now feels like an ideal time to back the under, especially with North Carolina continuing a grueling schedule on the road.
It's been November 20 since the Tar Heels played a home game, traveling to Portland for the Phil Knight tournament, playing a 4-OT game vs. Alabama, then to Bloomington to face a top tier Indiana squad, and now to a very difficult environment at Cassell Coliseum.
UNC still ranks top 12 in efficiency in adjusted offense over at KenPom, but if you watched the game last week vs. IU, it was evident they're not the same team from the beginning of the season. They've also really struggled from downtown, shooting barely above 30% for the year.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Tech offensive number are solid, ranked 23rd in adjusted offensive efficiency, but they too have struggled to find momentum. They've scored just 68 points on average to two below average teams in Charleston Southern and Minnesota their last two games.
Until they both figure things out offensively, I'll trust both teams' strong defenses to prevail.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.