The Virginia Tech Hokies (14-6, 3-4 ACC) head to Notre Dame to take on the Fighting Irish (13-7, 3-4 ACC) in a matchup that pits great offense against exceptional defense. The game can be seen on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 27, 2018.
Notre Dame opened as a 3-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 147 points.
Virginia Tech Hokies at Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Prediction
The last time the Hokies played, they beat the No. 15 North Carolina Tar Heels, 80-69. The Hokies had a better free throw rate (0.127 vs. 0.079) and had a turnover percentage of 11.6 (better than their season average of 16.3). Virginia Tech received a boost from Justin Robinson, who led the team in scoring with 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
The Fighting Irish were beaten by the No. 20 Clemson Tigers in their last matchup, 67-58. Clemson’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Notre Dame. The Tigers had a rate of 0.231 (below their season average of 0.275), while the Fighting Irish posted a mark of 0.032 (below their season average of 0.250). With 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting, T.J. Gibbs was the game’s high scorer.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAA’s best offenses face off. Notre Dame currently ranks 32nd with 114.3 points per 100 possessions and Virginia Tech is 16th (117.2). It will also be a battle of contrasting paces as the up-tempo Hokies rank 59th in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Fighting Irish rank 300th.
Virginia Tech heads into the contest with records of 14-6 straight up (SU) and 9-7 against the spread (ATS). Hokies games have typically finished over the projected point total (66.7 percent).
Meanwhile, Notre Dame owns records of 13-7 SU and 7-8 ATS. Contrary to Virginia Tech, a little over half of Fighting Irish games have finished under the total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Robinson (17.0 points and 5.4 assists) has been fantastic for the Hokies while Martinas Geben (13.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks) has contributed greatly to the Fighting Irish.
After the Fighting Irish won the lone contest against the Hokies last season, 76-71, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Notre Dame had a better free throw rate (0.241 vs. 0.175). Virginia Tech, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (27.3 vs. 23.3).
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Virginia Tech, ATS Winner – Virginia Tech, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Virginia Tech is 3-4 ATS with 5 overs and 2 unders.
Notre Dame is 2-4 ATS at home with 4 overs and 2 unders.
Virginia Tech averages 17.5 assists per game, which ranks 17th in the nation. Notre Dame ranks 133rd in assists allowed per game (13.4).
The Fighting Irish average 22.2 three pointers per game, which ranks 123rd in the NCAA. The Hokies rank 203rd in three pointers allowed per game (23.6).
Notre Dame averages 4.2 blocks per game, which ranks 63rd in the NCAA. Virginia Tech ranks 117th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
The Fighting Irish rank 34th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while the Hokies rank 64th (5.8).
Notre Dame averages 37.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 77th in the NCAA. Virginia Tech ranks 79th in rebounds allowed per game (33.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Virginia Tech is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Notre Dame is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Hokies’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.2, down from 12.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Fighting Irish have scored an average of 61.6 points per game (15.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.4 points per game (0.2 above their season average).
