Offense meets defense when the No. 2 Virginia Cavaliers (16-1, 5-0 ACC) head to Georgia Tech to take on the Yellow Jackets (10-7, 3-1 ACC). The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 18, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 114 points with Virginia opening as an 8-point favorite.
Virginia Cavaliers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Free Prediction
The last time the Cavaliers played, they beat the North Carolina State Wolfpack, 68-51. One of Virginia’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 14-16 (87.5 percent), while the Wolfpack were just 3-5 (60.0 percent). With 25 points on 7-for-9 shooting, Devon Hall was the top scorer from either team.
The Yellow Jackets defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers in their last contest, 69-54. The Yellow Jackets had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 51.7 (above their season average of 31.3), while the Panthers had a turnover percentage of 21.3 (above the 17.6 mark opponents have averaged against Georgia Tech this season). With 11 points and 16 rebounds, Georgia Tech’s Ben Lammers played well.
This meeting figures to be low-scoring as two of the nation’s best defenses clash. Georgia Tech ranks 48th in defensive efficiency (95.7) and Virginia is second (85.7).
Virginia comes into the game with records of 16-1 straight up (SU) and 10-4 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total high when the Cavaliers are involved, as 10 of their 14 games have ended under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech owns records of 10-7 SU and 8-5 ATS. Yellow Jackets games also have a tendency to finish under the total (69.2 percent).
After the Cavaliers won the lone game against the Yellow Jackets last season, 62-49, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Cavaliers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (24.1 vs. 7.4) and had a much better free throw rate (0.271 vs. 0.167).
Virginia Cavaliers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Virginia, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Virginia is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Georgia Tech is 5-3 ATS at home with 5 unders and 3 overs.
Virginia ranks first in assists allowed per game (7.8) while Georgia Tech ranks 157th (14.0).
The Cavaliers rank 210th in three pointers attempted per game (19.6) while the Yellow Jackets rank 276th (14.6).
Virginia ranks 14th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while Georgia Tech ranks 79th (3.4).
The Cavaliers rank fifth in steals allowed per game (4.4) while the Yellow Jackets rank 62nd (5.7).
Virginia is 34th in the NCAA with 31.5 rebounds allowed per game while Georgia Tech is 47th with 32.1 rebounds allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Virginia is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Georgia Tech is 5-0 ATS with 5 unders over their last five games.
The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.6, down from 17.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Yellow Jackets have scored an average of 65.2 points per game (1.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 57.8 points per game (5.0 below their season average).
