Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Texas Longhorns Predictions

Virginia Tech Hokies (23-12 SU, 19-16-0 ATS) vs. Texas Longhorns (21-11 SU, 12-19-1 ATS)
When: Friday March 18 2022, 4:30 PM PM (ET)
Where: Fiserv Forum

Point Spread: Virginia Tech +2/Texas -2 (BetOnline)
Total: 125.5
Money Line: Hokies -15/Texas -115

Key Injuries

Virginia Tech VA Tech has no reported injuries at this time.: VA Tech has no reported injuries at this time. (VA Tech has no reported injuries at this time.)

Texas Tre Mitchell: Personal (OUT)

Recent Form

The Virginia Tech Hokies come into this matchup with an overall record of 23-12. On the season, the Hokies have performed well in their 11 non-conference games, posting a record of 8-3. For the year, the Hokies went 5-2 at neutral sites. Heading into this matchup, the Hokies are looking to stay hot as they try to add on to their current 4 game win streak.

The Texas Longhorns get set to host the Hokies with an overall record of 21-11. On the season, the Longhorns have performed well in their 13 non-conference games, posting a record of 11-2. On the season, they played just two games at neutral sites, going 1-1. Against Virginia Tech, the Longhorns will look to turn things around, as they are on a 3 game losing streak.

For the season, the Virginia Tech Hokies are averaging 70.7 points per game, good for a rank of 158th in the NCAA. Defensively, the Hokies are allowing 62.3 points per game (20th).On the other side, the Texas Longhorns are the 229th ranked scoring offense, averaging 68.3 points per game, while giving up just 59.6, placing them 5th.

Efficiency Outlook

Virginia Tech comes into this matchup as the more efficient scoring team. In these games, the Hokies have a record of 22-11 on an average scoring margin of 9.0. Even though Texas trails Virginia Tech on the offensive end of the court, they enter this game holding the edge on defense. So far, the Longhorns are 20-8 with an edge in defensive efficiency. In these games, they hold an average scoring margin of 11.0.

The Hokies come into this game with 38.2% of their overall scoring coming from made three-point shots. This figure places them above the NCAA average. Compared to Virginia Tech, three-point shooting is not a key part of their gameplan as just 28.1% of their scoring comes from outside. In terms of efficiency, Virginia Tech has been the more efficient team, connecting at a rate of 39.3%, compared to Texas at 32.3%.

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Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Hokies are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• Hokies are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
• Longhorns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games as a favorite.
• Longhorns are 4-11-1 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up loss.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

The Virginia Tech Hokies are RED HOT! Texas is NOT! The Longhorns are a good club, however, they’re not getting it done, as they’re losers of three games in a row. It’s a homerun or nothing in homerun derby and you gotta know how to win in the tournament or you go home. I like Va. Tech to win by 5+ and it wouldn’t surprise me if they got it done by double-digits.