The No. 4 Virginia Tech Hokies (24-8) will be 10-point favorites in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at SAP Center at San Jose when they take on the No. 13 Saint Louis Billikens (23-12). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 126 points and action starts at 9:57 p.m. ET on Friday, March 22, 2019.
Saint Louis Billikens vs. Virginia Tech Hokies ATS Odds
In the Atlantic 10 Conference Tourney, the Billikens barely escaped the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 55-53, despite being 2-point underdogs. The Hokies, meanwhile, were defeated by the 12th-ranked Florida State Seminoles in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tourney, 65-63, and failed to cover as 1-point underdogs. The Saint Louis game went 11 points under the projected point total of 119, while the Virginia Tech game went 7 points under the projected point total of 135.
The Billikens had an absurdly low turnover percentage of 8.4 (better than their season average of 16.1) and held the Bonnies to an effective field goal percentage of 0.402 (below their season average of 0.486). Virginia Tech, meanwhile, forced Florida State into a turnover percentage of 21.6 (above their season average of 16.5). Kerry Blackshear Jr. had a solid performance for Virginia Tech with 17 points and nine rebounds. Jordan Goodwin played well for Saint Louis, recording 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Of the Billikens’ 35 games, 19 have finished under the projected point total. Saint Louis holds records of 23-12 straight up (SU) and 17-18 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas is extremely accurate when predicting totals of Hokies games, with an even split between overs and unders. Additionally, Virginia Tech owns records of 24-8 SU and 17-14-1 ATS.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Virginia Tech takes on the elite defense of Saint Louis. The Hokies rank 10th in offensive efficiency, while the Billikens are 35th in defensive efficiency.
Saint Louis Billikens vs. Virginia Tech Hokies ATS Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Virginia Tech, ATS Winner – Saint Louis, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Saint Louis ranks 15th in rebounds per game (39.7) while Virginia Tech ranks 270th (32.6).
- The Hokies rank 25th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while the Billikens rank 105th (5.9).
- Saint Louis ranks 69th in blocks per game (4.1) while Virginia Tech ranks 76th in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
- The Billikens rank 80th in three pointers allowed per game (20.6) while the Hokies rank 301st (26.7).
- Virginia Tech ranks 41st in assists per game (15.3) while Saint Louis ranks 168th (13.0).
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Saint Louis and Virginia Tech are both 3-2 ATS.
- The Billikens have 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games, while the Hokies have 3 overs and 2 unders
- The Billikens’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.6, up from 3.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Hokies have scored an average of 71.8 points per game (2.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.2 points per game (5.1 above their season average).
