Betsided

Virginia Tech vs. Dayton Prediction and Odds: Back Flyers as Home Underdogs

By Reed Wallach

Nov 26, 2021; Orlando, FL, USA; Dayton Flyers guard Elijah Weaver (0) dribbles the ball against
Nov 26, 2021; Orlando, FL, USA; Dayton Flyers guard Elijah Weaver (0) dribbles the ball against / Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

The Dayton Flyers are home on Sunday afternoon against the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Virginia Tech has been up and down early in the season, beating up on lesser competition, but has struggled at times against higher quality teams like Memphis and Xavier. The Hokies also lost last week at home in their ACC opener to Wake Forest.

How will they fare against a young Dayton team that is going to be hungry to beat another NCAA Tournament caliber team after knocking off Kansas on a neutral floor earlier this year?

Here are the odds for this non conference matchup from WynnBET Sportsbook.

Virginia Tech vs. Dayton Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Virginia Tech: -2.5 (-110)
  • Dayton: +2.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Virginia Tech: -145
  • Dayton: +125

Total: 127 (Over -105/Under -115)

Virginia Tech vs. Dayton Prediction and Pick

I'm a big fan of backing Dayton as a home underdog here. For starters, we have seen Virginia Tech struggle with long, athletic teams like Memphis earlier this season, which disrupts its off ball screen heavy offense.

Dayton is top 50 per KenPom in terms of average height and I love this matchup for Flyers guard Malachi Smith to give Va. Tech point guard Storm Murphy fits on both ends.

While Dayton isn't turning opponents over much this year (290th in the country), I do believe they have a significant edge on the glass, 48th in limiting second chances this season, and the length to make the Hokies work for their offense all game.

The Flyers are young, bottom five in terms of experience, per KenPom, but I can't back Virginia Tech as road favorites due to the stylistic matchup. Further, the Hokies have been lockdown from the perimeter this season, allowing a bottom 100 3-point rate and teams to shoot just 24%. Dayton is fine with that considering most of their shots come from inside and they hit on them at a 57% clip.

After a 1-4 start, the Flyers have won five of six. I think they are ripe for another upset on Sunday afternoon.

PICK: Dayton +2.5, play to +2

Home/College Basketball Predictions and Picks