Virginia Tech is just 6-5 over its past 11 games, but senior guard Justin Robinson will return for the NCAA Tournament after missing the past 12 games with a foot injury. His leadership, 14 points and five assists per game are a welcomed postseason upgrade for a Hokies team that held its own in a loaded ACC. Tech finished 24-8 overall and 16-14-1 against the spread this season.
After trailing St. Bonaventure by nine at the half of the Atlantic 10 championship game, St. Louis held the Bonnies to 19 second-half points and rallied to win 55-53 to earn the automatic bid. The Billikens have won six of their last seven games, but are 23-12 overall and 16-18-1 against the spread this season. Virginia Tech opened as a 12-point favorite before a pullback to Hokies -10. The total opened at 126.5, but is now 126.
Nothing like teams from Missouri and Virginia playing a late game in San Jose on a Friday night. This game won’t likely tip until well after 10 p.m. EST. These are two slow-tempo teams to begin with and now their game starts when one typically ends.
Though tempting to invest in the UNDER 126, I do believe the return of Robinson for Virginia Tech will spark a little more offense from the Hokies and they’ll win outright, but likely not by 10. I lean to take Tech SU and OVER.
St. Louis is 1-3 SU and ATS in its last four games vs the ACC.away Virginia Tech is 0-3 SU and ATS in its last three games vs the Atlantic 10.home Virginia Tech is 7-1 SU in its last eight games after a loss.home