CBB Picks: Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse Prediction Feb 27

Virginia Tech Hokies (15-12 SU, 11-14-2 ATS) vs. Syracuse Orange (18-10 SU, 11-17 ATS)

When: Tuesday, February 27th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: JMA Wireless Dome, NY, Syracuse

TV: ESPNU

Point Spread: VTECH +1.5/SYRA -1.5

Total: 154

Money Line: Virginia Tech Hokies +101/-123

Notable Injuries

Hokies

Orange

• Naheem McLeod (Out) Foot
• Chance Westry (Out) Lower Body
• William Patterson (Out) Redshirt

Recent Form

Virginia Tech will look to end a four-game road losing streak as they take on Syracuse. So far this season, the Hokies have gone 1-9 on the road compared to 14-3 at home.

Overall, Virginia Tech has gone 15-12, including a 7-9 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play. In their last game, the Hokies fell to Pittsburgh by a score of 79-64.

Today’s over/under line of 154 is higher than the average over/under line in Virginia Tech’s games this season (143.2). So far, 17 of their games have finished with more points than today’s line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 1-1-1 and the average scoring total is 145 points.

As the underdog, Virginia Tech has struggled vs. the spread this year, going just 3-8. Their overall ATS mark is 11-14-2, but on the road, they are just 1-9. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, the Hokies are just 2-8 vs. the spread.

With a record of 14-2 as the favorite, Syracuse is favored by 1.5 points at home against Virginia Tech. The Orange have gone 14-3 at home this season, and they have won their last two games at home.

Syracuse enters this game with an overall record of 18-10, and they have gone 9-8 in ACC play. They have gone 9-2 in non-conference games, and they have a scoring margin of +5.6 points per game at home.

Today’s over/under line of 154 is higher than the average over/under line in Syracuse’s games this season (150.6). So far, 14 of their games have finished with more points than today’s line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 and over their last 10 games, the over/under record is 7-3.

As the favorite this season, Syracuse has gone 7-9 vs. the spread, and their ATS record at home is 7-10. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Orange have gone just 4-6.

Analysis

In their most recent game, the Virginia Tech offense concluded with only 64 points against Pittsburgh. Throughout the game, they made 3/20 three-point attempts and had a field goal percentage of 40.7%. The Virginia Tech offense has been looking to get up shots from outside so far this season, averaging 23.3 three-point attempts per contest. Overall, they have connected on 35% of their looks from outside this season.

Currently, the Hokies’ defense holds the 118th rank in the nation, allowing 69.9 points per game. On average, opposing teams are hitting 6.6 threes per game vs. Syracuse. This has come on a three-point shooting percentage of 33.5%.

In their recent matchup, the Syracuse offense ended with 88 points against Notre Dame. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 53.1% and made 7 threes. In terms of offense, the Orange have a season-long field goal percentage of 45%, putting them 160th in the NCAA. Regarding three-pointers, they are ranked 219th in percentage and 228th in three-pointers made.

At this time, the Orange’s defense is positioned 246th in the country, permitting 75.0 points per game. The Syracuse defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 85 points and allowed Notre Dame to connect on 7 threes.

Betting Trends

• When looking at their past three road matchups, Virginia Tech has an ATS record of 0-3 while averaging 70 per game. The team went 0-3 overall in these games.
• In their last three games at home, the Orange have a straight-up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 72 points per game in these contests.
• Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Hokies have a straight-up record of 0-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 0-3.
• Through their previous five contests as the betting favorite, the Orange have a strong record of 3-2. Their record vs the spread in these matchups is 1-4.

Rich Crew’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Take Syracuse -1.5