Virginia Tech had an inferior overall record this season but played in the ultra-tough ACC, which is why it got a favorable seed in March Madness. However, the oddsmakers clearly believe their Big Ten foe is going to emerge from this one victorious.
Wisconsin has an elite defense and will aim to shut down Virginia Tech to move on.
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College Basketball Odds
Wisconsin is a five-point favorite in this matchup. That’s befitting more of a 7-10 or 6-11 matchup than an 8-9, but the oddsmakers differ from the selection committee on how this one will play out.
Wisconsin is 25-9 straight up and 15-16 against the spread. The Badgers have played in seven neutral site games on the season and has covered in three of them. Wisconsin is 15-13 against the spread on the year.
Virginia Tech is 22-10 straight up and 16-11-1 against the spread. The Hokies have done well in neutral court affairs, covering in four of their five matchups. Virginia Tech has been really good as the underdog, too, going 10-4 against the spread.
Key Stat
Nine. That’s the number of bids the ACC got. Virginia Tech only went 10-8 in conference, finishing in seventh place in the regular season, but had to face such elite competition week in and week out that the selection committee rewarded that.
The Hokies will aim to prove it deserved a No. 9 seed by keeping this one competitive and hopefully pulling the upset. Virginia Tech had regular season wins over ranked foes Duke, Miami and Virginia, but also lost plenty of games against top-notch teams in conference.
Wisconsin plays a different style of ball than many teams in the ACC, preferring to slow it down and be patient with its possessions, so it’s something Virginia Tech must adjust to.
The Big Ten wasn’t as strong as the ACC this season, and so Wisconsin’s more impressive season didn’t get them a top seed. The Badgers hope to prove that thinking wrong in this one.
Player to Watch
Zach LeDay -- The Virginia Tech senior has combined for 77 points and 34 rebounds in the last three games heading into this matchup against Wisconsin. Those recent performances included two double-doubles, highlighted by his 31 points and 15 rebounds against Wake Forest on March 8th.
He has been playing some of his best basketball of late and will look to continue playing at an elite level in the NCAA tournament. LeDay leads the team in points and rebounds, averaging 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds a game.
Behind the senior forward, Virginia Tech is averaging 79.3 points a game. The stout Wisconsin defense, which allows just 61.1 points per game, presents a big challenge for the Hokies and LeDay will be expected to lead the charge on offense.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
The selection committee gave too much credit to Virginia Tech. The ACC was loaded, yes, but the Hokies didn’t deserve a single-digit seed. Wisconsin, meanwhile, was seeded too low.
This will play out in the game. The Badgers are the better team and should be able to hit enough shots down the stretch to pick up the win. The spread is about right, and some late free throws by Wisconsin will tip the scales just barely in its direction.
College Basketball Odds: Wisconsin 73, Virginia Tech 66
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