Offense meets defense when the No. 13 North Carolina Tar Heels (14-4, 4-1 ACC) welcome the No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies (15-2, 4-1 ACC) to Dean E. Smith Center. The game will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 21, 2019.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Free Prediction
The Hokies come in on a high note after beating the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in their last outing, 87-71. Virginia Tech couldn’t miss, shooting 56.9 percent from the field. Wake Forest, on the other hand, had a field goal percentage of 37.5. Virginia Tech was led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who led the team in scoring with 24 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
In the Tar Heels’ last game, they beat the Miami (FL) Hurricanes, 85-76. North Carolina out-rebounded Miami (FL). The Tar Heels had 13 offensive rebounds and 38 total rebounds, while the Hurricanes had six and 23, respectively. With 15 points, eight assists and five rebounds, Coby White had a solid game for North Carolina.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as North Carolina currently ranks 42nd in offensive efficiency and Virginia Tech is 16th in defensive efficiency.
After the Hokies won the lone game against the Tar Heels last season, 80-69, these teams will clash for the first time this year. The Hokies had a better free throw rate (0.127 vs. 0.079) and had a better turnover percentage (11.6 vs. 16.6).
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – Virginia Tech, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Virginia Tech ranks eighth in steals allowed per game (4.5) while North Carolina ranks 151st (7.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Hokies’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.6, down from 18.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 79.4 points per game (7.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.0 points per game (0.7 above their season average).
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