The 15th-ranked Louisville Cardinals (16-6, 7-2 ACC) and their phenomenal offense visit Virginia Tech to take on the 12th-ranked Hokies (18-3, 7-2 ACC) and their exceptional defense. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, February 4, 2019, and can be seen on ESPN.
Louisville Cardinals at Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Odds
In their last contest, the Hokies had no trouble getting past the 23rd-ranked North Carolina State Wolfpack, 47-24, while the Cardinals were beaten by the ninth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, 79-69.
Virginia Tech played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.178 (below their season average of 0.225) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.433 (below their season average of 0.597). North Carolina State put up marks of 0.074 and 0.185, respectively, for those same stats. Louisville, meanwhile, held North Carolina to an effective field goal percentage of 0.464 (below their season average of 0.539). Virginia Tech’s Kerry Blackshear Jr. played well, putting up 13 points and 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, Louisville received a boost from Dwayne Sutton, who finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.
The Cardinals dominated this series last year, taking both contests. In the most recent game, Louisville won 75-68. Louisville’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Cardinals had more offensive rebounds (13 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (31 vs. 20) and total rebounds (44 vs. 27). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
This meeting figures to be a shootout as two of the NCAA’s best offenses battle. Virginia Tech ranks fourth with 118.9 points per 100 possessions and Louisville is 38th (113.2). Also, the Cardinals rank fifth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.315), while the Hokies rank 15th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.169).
Louisville vs. Virginia Tech Betting Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Virginia Tech, ATS Winner – Virginia Tech, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Louisville ranks 59th in rebounds per game (38.0) while Virginia Tech ranks 262nd (32.7).
- The Hokies rank 46th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while the Cardinals rank 108th (3.5).
- Virginia Tech ranks 34th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while Louisville ranks 70th (5.7).
- The Cardinals rank 78th in three pointers allowed per game (21.0) while the Hokies rank 259th (26.2).
- Virginia Tech ranks 20th in assists per game (16.6) while Louisville ranks 104th (14.1).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Hokies have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (2.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.8 points per game (4.6 above their season average).
- The Cardinals’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.6, up from 11.0 for the season.
