Liberty vs. Virginia Tech Prediction
Can No. 12 Liberty pull off another upset when the Flames take on No. 4 Virginia Tech tonight at 7:10PM ET in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament?
875 Liberty vs. 876 Virginia Tech
Sunday, March 24, 2019
7:10PM ET – SAP Center
TV: TBS
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Virginia Tech is the clear favorite in this game, as the Hokies are getting odds of -8.5 points against Liberty. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 124.5 points. The public betting currently is split down the middle, 50-50. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Liberty upsets Mississippi State
Liberty added to the lore of the 12 vs 5 matchup on Friday when it picked up an 80-76 win over Mississippi State on Friday. The Flames have now won six straight games while covering the spread in four of their last five. Liberty is 29-6 on the season, 2-2 on a neutral floor, 18-14 against the spread and 18-13-1 with the under.
The Flames are one of the best defensive teams in the country, allowing just 61.2 points per game while holding opponents to 41.7 percent shooting. Offensively, Liberty is putting up 74.2 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the floor. They were 12 of 25 from the arc in Friday’s win. Caleb Homesley led the way with 30 points, including five 3-pointers. Lovell Cabbil Jr. added 18 points and five assists.
Hokies roll past Saint Louis
Virginia Tech picked up a 66-52 win over Saint Louis on Friday in their NCAA Tournament opener. The Hokies have won and covered the spread in five of their last seven games. Tech is now 25-8 on the season, 6-1 on a neutral floor, 17-14-1 against the spread and 16-15-1 with the over.
The Hokies are similar to Liberty in terms of good defense and good shooting. Tech is giving up just 61.8 points per game while holding opponents to 40.4 percent shooting. Offensively, the Hokies are putting up 73.8 points per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the field. In Friday’s game, Saint Louis was just 4 of 23 from the arc. Tech also hit four 3-pointers on just 10 attempts. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is leading the team with 20 points, six rebounds and three steals. Kerry Blackshear Jr. added 15 points.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Liberty
The Flames are 9-4 against the spread in their last 13 non-conference games and 3-9 ATS in their last 12 on a neutral floor.
Virginia Tech
The Hokies are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven neutral site games and 20-8 ATS in their last 28 non-conference games.
Prediction:
Liberty shot the lights out on Friday and I can’t trust the Flames to repeat that today. Virginia Tech is a better defensive team than Mississippi State and the Hokies have the ability to shoot well from the arc as well. I think the Hokies will be able to limit the Liberty offense while finding their stroke to pull away in the second half of this game.
College Basketball Prediction: Virginia Tech -8.5