Atlantic Coast foes will collide when the Pittsburgh Panthers (16-4) challenge the Virginia Tech Hokies (12-9) at Petersen Events Center. Action begins at 6:30 pm ET on Sunday, Jan. 31 and can be seen on ESU and ES3.
The Panthers are hoping to rebound after their 73-60 loss to Clemson on Wednesday. Michael Young was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points. The Hokies, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 91-83 loss against Louisville on Wednesday. Jalen Hudson had a team-high 27 points.
Pittsburgh could dominate the offensive glass in this matchup, as it’s ranked 20th in the nation in OR% at 37.5%. Alternatively, Virginia Tech ranks 291st in the nation on the defensive backboards with a DR% of 67.7%.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Pittsburgh, a substantial 11-point favorite, takes on Virginia Tech. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of 151 points. The Panthers come into this game 16-4 Straight Up (SU) and 8-9 Against The Spread (ATS). The Panthers have no trouble scoring as they rank 39th in the nation in offense with 80.0 points per game. The Panthers are one of the best in Division I in terms of field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive .380 from beyond the arc. Pittsburgh is one of the best passing teams in the nation with an average of 18.2 assists per game. Pittsburgh’s three-point defense can be considered one of the best in the nation, allowing just 6.0 three-pointers per game.
Over on the other bench, the Hokies have 12-9 SU and 9-5-1 ATS records. Virginia Tech performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-3 record. The Hokies average 73.0 points allowed per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 80.2 points per game during that span.
The conference foes will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Virginia Tech came out on top, but the win was not enough to overtake Pittsburgh in the head-to-head series. Its record is now 1-4 SU. The Hokies lead the matchup ATS with a record of 3-2.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pitt, ATS Winner – Pitt, O/U – Over
Notes
Pittsburgh is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games.
Pittsburgh is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home.
Pittsburgh sits at 5-3 SU against conference rivals, while Virginia Tech has an even 4-4 SU record against its foes.
The Virginia Tech Hokies average 77.0 points per game, ranking 99th in the nation. The Pittsburgh Panthers rank 56th in points allowed with 66.2.
Virginia Tech scores just 73.1 points per away game (ranked 109th). Pittsburgh ranks 91st in points allowed at home, giving up 64.6 points.
The Pittsburgh Panthers have a defensive rating of 98.5 (ranked 88th), while the Virginia Tech Hokies have an offensive rating of 107.7 (ranked 121st).
The Virginia Tech Hokies average a field goal percentage of 44.9% this season. The Pittsburgh Panthers have a winning 5-2 record in games where opponents have a FG% of 44.9% or greater.
The Pittsburgh Panthers and the Virginia Tech Hokies both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Pittsburgh is 51st and 38th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Virginia Tech ranks 211th and 122nd in these categories.
The Pittsburgh Panthers rank ninth in assists per game with an average of 18.2. The Virginia Tech Hokies are among the worst in the country with 12.1 assists per game (ranked 267th).
Pittsburgh, the 64th-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 4.5 per game. Virginia Tech does worse, ranked 134th with 3.7.
Pittsburgh ranks 68th in offensive rebounding. Virginia Tech ranks 208th in defensive rebounding.
The Virginia Tech Hokies make an average of 5.2 steals per game. When the Pittsburgh Panthers give up 5 or more steals, they are a superb 9-3.
