Saint Louis Billikens vs. Virginia Tech Hokies 3/22/19, Predictions & Odds

Saint Louis vs. Virginia Tech Prediction

The closing game of the first round of the NCAA Tournament features No. 4 Virginia Tech against No. 13 Saint Louis in the East Region at 9:57PM ET. Will the Hokies roll?

Game Snapshot & Odds

823 Saint Louis vs. 824 Virginia Tech

Friday, March 22, 2019

9:57PM ET – SAP Center

TV: TRUTV

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Virginia Tech is the favorite, as the Hokies are getting odds of -10 points against Saint Louis. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 126 points. The public betting currently has 59 percent going on Virginia Tech as the favorite. 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.

Billikens heating up

Saint Louis is riding a four-game win streak from winning the A-10 Tournament last week. The Billikens have covered the spread in their last three games. Saint Louis is 23-12 on the season, 4-2 on a neutral court, 16-18-1 against the spread and 20-14-1 with the under.

The Billikens are solid on defense but a mess on offense. They are giving up just 63.7 points per game while holding opponents to 40.9 percent shooting from the field. Offensively, Saint Louis is putting up just 67.1 points per game while shooting 41.8 percent from the field. Javon Bess is leading the team with 15.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while Jordan Goodwin is adding 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest.

Virginia Tech edged by FSU

The Hokies are coming off a 65-63 OT loss to Florida State in the ACC Tournament. Tech has won and covered the spread in four of their last six games. VT is 24-8 on the season, 5-1 on a neutral floor, 16-14-1 against the spread and 16-14-1 with the over.

Tech is also a strong defensive team, allowing just 62.1 points per game while holding opponents to 40.6 percent shooting. Offensively, the Hokies are putting up 74.0 points per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from the arc. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is leading the team with 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while Kerry Blackshear Jr. is adding 14.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest.

College Basketball Betting Trends

Saint Louis

The Billikens are 1-5-1 against the spread in their last seven against ACC opponents and 16-33-2 ATS in their last 51 non-conference games.

Virginia Tech

The Hokies are 5-1 against the spread in their last six on a neutral floor and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games.

Prediction:

Both teams rely on their defense to get the job done, but the Hokies have the ability to shoot the ball very well. That should be the difference today. Saint Louis can’t keep up with the Hokies if Tech decides to turn things up on offense. The Billikens had a nice week last week, but it was more of an anomaly than how the team really performs. I think they will be outmatched by Tech.

College Basketball Prediction: Virginia Tech -10