The Virginia Tech Hokies (12-4, 3-2 ACC) will be at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum to square off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (8-7, 1-4 ACC) in an ACC matchup. Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, and can be seen on ACC Network.
Virginia Tech Hokies at Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Odds
In the Hokies’ last game, they beat the North Carolina State Wolfpack, 72-58, easily covering as 2-point favorites. The Demon Deacons, meanwhile, were thoroughly outplayed by the second-ranked Duke Blue Devils, 90-59, and failed to cover as 20-point underdogs. The Virginia Tech game finished 12 points under the projected point total of 142, while the Wake Forest game went 3 points over the projected point total of 146.
Virginia Tech played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.322 (above their season average of 0.172) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.449 (below their season average of 0.532). For those same stats, North Carolina State had marks of 0.116 and 0.362, respectively. Wake Forest, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.164 vs. 0.210). Olivier Sarr had a solid performance for Wake Forest with 13 points and nine rebounds. Landers Nolley II, meanwhile had a good outing for Virginia Tech, contributing 29 points and seven rebounds.
The Hokies won the sole game between these two teams last season, 87-71. Virginia Tech made 11 of its 26 three pointers (42.3 percent). Wake Forest, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (42.4 vs. 17.4). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Of the Hokies’ 16 games, 11 have finished under the total. Virginia Tech holds records of 12-4 straight up (SU) and 9-7 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Virginia Tech, games including the Demon Deacons tend to finish over the total (66.7 percent). Further, Wake Forest owns records of 8-7 SU and 7-8 ATS.
Wake Forest does a great job at getting to the charity stripe. They rank fourth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.319), but Virginia Tech is among the best in the NCAA at keeping opponents off the line (ranking third by allowing a FTA rate of 0.124). Furthermore, the 60th-ranked offense of the Hokies (offensive efficiency of 108.9) will battle against the 281st-ranked defense of the Demon Deacons (defensive efficiency of 103.3).
Virginia Tech Hokies at Wake Forest Demon Deacons Odds Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Wake Forest, ATS Winner – Wake Forest, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Virginia Tech ranks 27th in three pointers attempted per game (27.4) while Wake Forest ranks 274th (17.2).
- The Hokies rank 29th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the Demon Deacons rank 139th (4.2).
- Wake Forest averages 38.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 72nd in the nation. Virginia Tech ranks 145th in rebounds allowed per game (35.3).
- The Hokies rank third in steals allowed per game (4.1) while the Demon Deacons rank 172nd (7.9).
- Virginia Tech ranks 40th in assists per game (15.6) while Wake Forest ranks 157th (12.8).
- Wake Forest is 2-4 ATS at home, while Virginia Tech is 3-3 ATS on the road.
- Of the Hokies’ 6 road games, they have 4 unders and 2 overs.
- The Demon Deacons have 5 overs and 1 under in 6 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Hokies are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Demon Deacons are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Virginia Tech has 4 unders and 1 over, while Wake Forest has 5 overs.
- During their last five games, the Hokies have scored an average of 66.8 points per game (4.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 55.6 points per game (5.7 below their season average).
- The Demon Deacons’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.6, up from 1.0 for the season.
