Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech Odds
| Notre Dame Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -105 | 132 -110o / -110u | +225 |
| Virginia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -115 | 132 -110o / -110u | -280 |
Two teams currently heading in opposite directions square off on Saturday night in Blacksburg.
For the Hokies, it has been a disastrous start to ACC play. Virginia Tech currently sits at 0-4 in the league, with its most recent defeat coming by two against rival Virginia on Wednesday night.
VT has already dropped two conference games at home, to both Wake Forest and North Carolina State. The Hokies still check in very favorably in most of the predictive metrics, but for whatever reason that hasn't translated in the win/loss column.
Given the ACC is a shell of what it typically is, Tech cannot afford many more losses and needs to get things back on track quickly.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame hits the road as winners of six in a row and playing its best basketball of the season.
The Irish dominated Clemson on Wednesday night, and also knocked off North Carolina during their winning streak.
Will the Hokies finally get their first conference win, or can the Irish extend their winning streak and move to 5-1 in ACC play? Let's get into it.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
When the Irish fell to Boston College by 16 and dropped to 3-4 overall on the year, things were looking pretty dark in South Bend. I'm as big of a Mike Brey fan as there is, but I even felt myself start to wonder, "Is it time?"
Since that point, Notre Dame has won seven of eight, highlighted by a win over Kentucky and a 4-0 mark in the ACC.
Senior wing Dane Goodwin has been one of the biggest reasons for Notre Dame's recent charge. Goodwin is currently shooting 49.7% from the field, 45% from 3 and 94% from the foul line.
In addition to the incredibly efficient offensive numbers, the veteran guard is grabbing 5.5 rebounds a game, and is one of Brey's most reliable defenders.
The other key reason for the Notre Dame turnaround has been the emergence of freshman Blake Wesley. Wesley didn't enter the year as one of the more heralded freshman in the country, but you'd be hard pressed to find many rookies playing better basketball than him right now.
Wesley gives Notre Dame a dynamic athlete that the roster otherwise lacks, and someone who can create his own shot at pretty much any moment.
To be efficient against a feisty Virginia Tech defense, Brey will need more consistency from two of his seniors — point guard Prentiss Hubb and power foward Nate Laszewski.
Virginia Tech Hokies
The Hokies have the pieces to be a top-four team in the ACC and make the NCAA Tournament.
VT currently sits inside the top 50 in both offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency. Moreover, Tech is shooting just under 39% from 3-point range, and holding opponents to 26% shooting from distance.
So, why only an 8-7 start? Well, first of all, it would help to win a close game. In pretty much every tight game Virginia Tech has been in, it has come up short in the final minutes.
Another concern is on the backboards — Tech currently ranks 193rd in ORBD%, and on the other end, is allowing an offensive rebound on 27% of opponents' possessions.
Notre Dame does not send too many bodies to the offensive glass, so that shouldn't be too much of a concern in this game. That said, the Irish are very efficient with the ball and will make a defense work for the full 30 seconds.
The Hokies will need to bring one of their best defensive efforts of the season to earn this victory.
Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech Betting Pick
You could argue this is a really good situational spot for Virginia Tech. The Hokies return home desperate for a win after another tough loss on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame is riding high after six wins in a row, and could be due for a letdown performance.
I certainly understand that angle, but with Virginia Tech favored by six points in this game, I think the value lies on the underdog Irish.
Notre Dame has started to look like an old Brey offense in recent outings — decisive ball movement, freedom of movement and shooters knocking down open shots.
The Irish understand that they dug themselves a hole, and they are a veteran group, so I expect a fully focused effort from them on the road.
I do think you'll see Virginia Tech come out inspired and ready to play a good game. Mike Young knows an 0-5 start is pretty close to a death sentence, so he will have his team fully prepared for this one.
In a game I believe is destined to come down to the final couple of minutes, I'll roll with the veteran team getting the points on the road. The Irish have the offensive firepower to hang around in Blacksburg.
