Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech Prediction and Odds for Thursday, November 17 (Monarchs Can't Keep Up with Hokies)

The Shriners Children's Charleston Classic kicks off a full day of college hoops action, as Game 2 of the four matchups on the schedule put the Old Dominion Monarchs (2-1) up against the Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0) at 2 p.m. ET this afternoon.

The Hokies are off to a blistering start in the early going, winning all three of their early matchups at home by 38, 26, and 17 points. Now, they take on an Old Dominion squad that's already been tested on the road in a 71-59 loss to Drexel last Friday, but still enter 2-1 to begin the season.

Despite a margin of victory of 27 points, Tech is still 2-1 against the spread (ATS) this year, with a ATS +/- of -0.5. Can it cover the big number on a neutral site court?

Here's the latest odds for this afternoon's matchup in Game 2 of the all-day tournament from Charleston.

Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech Odds, Spread and Total

Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech Prediction and Pick

Virginia Tech has been sensational to start off the year. Offensively, it can't miss in the early going, ranking 11th in the country in KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency, while also sixth in effective field goal percentage (EFG %) at 64.3%. The Hokies also have been on fire from both inside and outside the three point line, and are shooting just over 79% from the foul line.

In theory, they should blitz Old Dominion, who has put up some gross numbers offensively this season, including a 45% EFG % which puts them 250th-best in the nation.

However, on a neutral site game in the middle of the afternoon, I believe the under is the more likely scenario rather than expecting the Hokies to cover another big number.

Virginia Tech is due for some regression offensively, and Old Dominion, while ranking slightly ahead of the middle of the pack in adjusted defensive efficiency, has been very good inside in getting second-chance opportunities with the 15th-best offensive rebounding percentage in college basketball. It's a physical team inside and can force turnovers, similar to Va-Tech.

While the Hokies are very efficient offensively, they also tend to play more on the slower side, as does Old Dominion. Between the pace of the game slowing down, Virginia Tech playing away from home for the first time all year, and Old Dominion having serious issues making shots, I'll take my chances to go under 132.5, which is already on the move towards the under at several books.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.