No. 11 seed Virginia Tech and No. 6 seed Texas face off on Friday in an NCAA Tournament first round game.
The game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. MST and can be seen on TBS.
Who will win the game?
Check out these odds, picks and predictions for the contest.
Texas is a 1.5-point favorite in the game, according to Tipico Sportsbook.
It is -117 on the money line and Virginia Tech is -103.
The over/under for the game is set at 124.5 points.
NCAA Tournament schedule, odds, picks:
Reed Wallach writes: “This matchup is going to be tight as indicated in the line and the low total. Both teams play at a methodical pace, each bottom 20 in adjusted tempo this season. Virginia Tech has the better offense that is in a really good flow after a run to the ACC title in Brooklyn this past week, but Texas boasts a top 15 defense that can match up with Virginia Tech’s starting five. This game may come down to if Texas can score enough to separate from the Hokoies. The Longhorns have been prone to dry spells all season, but do have timely bucket getters like Timmy Allen, Marcus Carr, among others. However, the team has been susceptible in the front court as they are down their starting big man Tre Mitchell and have gotten inconsistent production from the likes of Christian Bishop this season. If the Longhorns can run the Hokies off the 3-point line, the team is third in the country in 3-point percentage on a top 100 3PAr, and force turnovers, which they are top 15 in the country, they are going to be able to win this one, but expect this one to stay tight.”
Thursday’s NCAA Tournament game predictions:
Gilbert McGregor writes: “With the 13th-rated defense in college basketball, the Longhorns are one of just six teams to hold their opponents to under 60 points per game this season. Allen leads Texas in three statistical categories, with his efforts in the 2021-22 season earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors. The 6-foot-6 forward is one of a few impactful transfers on the team, another being the 6-foot-2 Carr, a heady guard that leads the team in assists. The Hokies are hot, but the Longhorns have something to prove and their defense could prove to be too stingy for Virginia Tech’s offensive attack.”
Friday’s NCAA Tournament game predictions:
It writes: “Virginia Tech went from squarely on the bubble to locking up a bid by winning the ACC Tournament. Their reward? An 11 seed in the East Region and a meeting with coach Chris Beard and the No. 6 seed Texas Longhorns. Nobody wants to see Beard across the bracket from them in March. But Texas has struggled to consistently put it together, finishing just 10-8 in Big 12 play. The Longhorns will have their hands full with a Hokies team that ranks third in three-point percentage, per KenPom.com. Texas defends at an elite level, ranking 13th in adjusted defensive efficiency, per BartTorvik. However, they from the floor, ranking 171st in effective shooting percentage. And while the Longhorns are proficient at cleaning up the offensive glass, the Hokies are pretty good at limiting extra opportunities. However, the Longhorns might be the toughest defensive team Virginia Tech has played all season. Texas doesn’t have a ton of upside to make a deep run, but I trust Beard to get the Longhorns past a Hokies team that might be emotionally spent after expending so much energy just to make the dance.”
It writes: “The Texas Longhorns have covered the spread in just three of their last ten games. Virginia Tech has the momentum entering the tournament as they seek their fifth straight game. Texas has not looked good as of late and may be in trouble in the first round.”
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Randy Chambers writes: “There could be a hangover for the Virginia Tech Hokies after an improbable win of the ACC Tournament, but we can’t forget this was a arguably a top-25 team before the season started. It just took the Hokies a few months to act like it. The Texas Longhorns have been hit or miss all season long, and their offense can really struggle for long stretches. We’re getting the hotter, more confident team and a free point. I’ll gladly side with the Hokies.”
The site’s Basketball Power Index gives Virginia Tech a 49.4% chance to win the game.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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