Virginia Tech Hokies at #17 Virginia Cavaliers
John Paul Jones Arena – Charlottesville, Virginia
Sunday, January 22, 2012, 6:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Virginia -8
Current Line: Virginia -7 1/2
Opening Total: 113 1/2
Current Total: 116 1/2
Opening Money Line: Virginia -365 / Virginia Tech +305
Current Money Line: Virginia -350 / Virginia Tech +290
The 11-7 Virginia Tech Hokies are 0-4 in the ACC and in last place. However, they have been a little unlucky. The Hokies have 4 conference losses by an average of 6 points. Virginia Tech is coming off an 82-68 home loss to North Carolina Thursday night. The game was tight until North Carolina went on a 19-0 second half run to put the game away. It doesn’t get much easier for the last place Hokies as they take on in-state rival the #17 Virginia Cavaliers in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers are 15-2 overall and 2-1 in the ACC. Virginia is one of 5 teams in the ACC with one conference loss. Virginia leads the series all-time against their rivals 81-52, including 32-12 in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers swept the season series last year
Virginia Tech is coached by Seth Greenberg. The Hokies have losses to Syracuse, Minnesota, Kansas St, Wake Forest, Florida St, and Boston College in addition to the North Carolina loss. Virginia Tech has wins over Florida International, Oklahoma St twice, Rhode Island, and Eastern Michigan.
Virginia is coached by Tony Bennett. The Cavaliers have only two losses on the season, to TCU in a tournament in the Virgin Islands and at Duke. The Duke loss snapped a 12 game winning streak for the Cavaliers. Virginia has wins over Winthrop, Drake, Drexel, Green Bay, Michigan, George Mason, Oregon, LSU, Miami-FL, and Thursday night at Georgia Tech 70-38.
Virginia Tech is outscoring opponents 69-61 this season. The Hokies are shooting 43.2% from 3 point range, and 36.3% from 3 point range. Virginia Tech shoots 75.4% from the free throw line. The Hokies average 35.6 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of +1.9. Virginia Tech averages 12.7 assists, 12.7 turnovers, 6.3 steals, and 4.1 blocks a game. Hokie opponents are shooting 40% from the field and 26.3% from 3 point range. Virginia Tech is #4 nationally in opponents’ three point percentage. The Hokies force 13.4 turnovers a game.
Virginia Tech guard Erick Green averages 16.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. He leads the Hokies in scoring, assists, and steals. He makes 40% of his 3 point shot. Dorenzo Hudson averages 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists a game. Jarell Eddie averages 9.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists a game. He makes 50.8% of his 3 point attempts. Dorian Finney-Smith leads the Hokies in rebounds with 7.8 a game and is tied for the team lead in blocks with Cadaraian Raines with 0.8 a game. J.T. Thompson is out for the season with a knee injury.
Virginia is outscoring opponents 66-50 this season. The Cavaliers are shooting 46.1% from the field, including 34.5% from 3 point range. Virginia makes 72.8% of their free throws. The Cavs average 34.6 rebounds, and has a rebounding margin of +7.1. Virginia averages 13.1 assists, 11.3 turnovers, 6.5 steals, and 2.9 blocks a game. Cavalier opponents are shooting 38.3% from the field, including 25.7% from 3 point range. The Cavaliers are in the top 5 nationally in points allowed, and opponents’ 3 point percentage, and #17 in opponents’ field goal percentage. Virginia forces 13.4 turnovers a game.
Virginia forward Mike Scott is averaging 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a game. He leads the Cavaliers in scoring and rebounding. Joe Harris averages 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a game. He is shooting 36.2% from 3 point range. Sammy Zeglinski averages 9.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. Malcolm Brogdon averages 6.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a game. Jontel Evans leads the team in assists with 3.7 a game, and steals with 1.7 a game. Assane Sene leads the Cavaliers in blocks with 0.9 a game.
Virginia is 9-3 against the spread and the total is 1-11 this season. Virginia Tech is 5-8-1 ATS and the total is 5-9 this season. The underdog has covered 6 straight in this series, and 4 of the last 5 have gone under the total. The Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS against the Hokies recently, 7-2 in Charlottesville in the series. The Hokies are 2-5 ATS after failing to cover, 1-3-1 as a road underdog, 3-12-1 against teams with winning records, 1-4-1 as an underdog, 2-9-2 in road games, 1-5 after a straight up loss, 1-8-1 in road games against teams with winning home records, 0-3-1 as a road underdog of 7-12.5 points, 0-4 overall, and 0-6 in ACC games. The Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in Sunday games, and after a cover, 8-2 as a favorite, 7-2 after a straight up win, 20-7 against teams with winning records, 24-9 overall, 16-6 in ACC games, 5-2 after allowing 50 points or less, and as a favorite of 7-12.5 points.
Virginia has one of the most suffocating defenses in the country, and that should be enough to give Virginia Tech their 5th straight conference loss. I like the Cavaliers to cover the 7.5 point spread and for the game to go under.
