Memphis vs. Virginia Tech Odds
| Memphis Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 140.5 -110o / -110u | -125 |
| Virginia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 140.5 -110o / -110u | +105 |
Off to a 4-0 start to the season, the Memphis Tigers will play Virginia Tech on Wednesday in New York in the Upsie NIT Season Tip-Off.
It will be the first road game for the Tigers, who are still not getting the respect I believe they deserve. With Penny Hardaway, Larry Brown, Rasheed Wallace and Cody Toppert on the coaching staff and star players Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren on the floor, the Tigers could easily be a top-10 team.
The game will also be a homecoming for Hardaway and Tigers assistant coach Larry Brown. Hardaway played with the New York Knicks and was coached there by Brown at one point.
Meanwhile, the Hokies are 5-0 on the season and they are ranked No. 26 overall, per KenPom. Virginia Tech hasn't had the strongest resume to start the season. The Hokies have wins over Maine, Navy, Radford, St. Francis (PA) and Merrimack.
Memphis has played Saint Louis and Western Kentucky, which both rank inside the top 150. Virginia Tech has yet to play anyone inside the top 150.
The winner of this game will play Iowa State or Xavier in the championship game of the tournament. It may not be the biggest multi-team event happening this week, but there is absolutely some tough competition in New York for these teams and a chance for Memphis to prove themselves.
Memphis Looks To Put On Show On Big Stage
The Tigers won the 2021 NIT championship and finished the 2020-21 season with a 20-8 record. They are one of just 14 schools in the nation with four-straight 20-win seasons to their credit. In three seasons, Hardaway has won 63 games.
The Tigers return three of their top five scorers from a season ago.
Senior point guard Alex Lomax has struggled this season; he had six turnovers in last week's win over the Hilltoppers. Many expected the Memphis native to take a giant leap this year. He still has time to do it, but he needs to improve this week in a paramount game for the Tigers.
Duren had one of the best games any player has had for Hardaway against Western Kentucky with 22 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks. While the Hokies will be a tougher opponent, he still should excel again this week.
The Hokies will be the toughest opponent Memphis has had so far, but last week's game against Western Kentucky was excellent preparation for the Tigers heading into the NIT Tip-Off.
Virginia Tech Faces Step-Up In Competition
The Hokies return their top four scorers from a season ago, but have struggled early in games this year. The Hokies have shot worse than 38% in the first half of two of their last three games.
Meanwhile, Memphis has made a habit of coming out strong this season, hitting 53.4% of its field goal attempts in the first half.
The Hokies are led by Keve Aluma, a 6-foot-9, fifth-year senior who tops the team in scoring.
They are a strong contrast to Memphis — ranking 300th in adjusted tempo — while the Tigers are one of the fastest teams in the country, ranking third per KenPom.
The Hokies do look better on paper than Memphis, but I think this is primarily due to the teams it has faced. I expect the Tigers' talent and pace to be a significant problem for the Hokies.
The Hokies are shooting 42.5% from 3-point range, ranking 13th in the country. It will be interesting to see how that holds up against a Tigers team that has been one of the best at defending the 3-ball, ranking in the top 25.
Overall, Tech has posted an effective field goal percentage of 58.4%.
Memphis vs. Virginia Tech Betting Pick
Virginia Tech has been a great team; they are more experienced and have been shooting great recently. But I think Memphis has better coaching talent and players on the floor. The Tigers had some issues recently just related to being a young team, but I think they step up here and get the win and advance.
They won the NIT postseason tournament last year and have their eyes set on the NCAA Tournament this year. This is a game Hardaway's team will need to win to prove themselves.
I got the Tigers right after they opened at -1.5 and I would bet them up to -3.
