The Virginia Tech Hokies venture into Syracuse to play the Orange as ACC conference play continues through the weekend. ‘Cuse will be looking for some early home-wins versus quality opponents in an effort to get back into the NCAA tournament in March. The Orange have been stellar at home this season (10-1 SU) except for an overtime collapse last week against an up and coming St. Bonaventure squad. Syracuse opened as a 3.5-point favorite vs the Hokies.
- Syracuse is 1-4 ATS in its last five games vs Virginia Tech.
- Ahmed Hill leads the Hokies at 16.3 points per game.
- The OVER has hit in four of the Hokies last five road games.
The Orange and their patented zone defense will be put to the test by Virginia Tech and their offensive firepower. The Hokies rank sixth in the country in scoring, averaging 91.3 points per game and have five players who average double-digit points.
But despite the Hokies prowess to get buckets, they allow over 70 points per game (ranked 124th in the nation) and both of their losses this season have come on the road to ranked opponents. When you factor in Virginia Tech is 0-5 SU in its last five visits to the Carrier Dome, it may be a tough sell to ask the Hokies to nail down a win.
Defensively, Syracuse has nothing to worry about. The Orange are near the top of the leaderboard in blocks and steals per game in the ACC but It’s on the offensive side of the ball where they’ve struggled this season. Averaging only 72 points per game, the Orange may be too reliant on a defensive system that can be easily busted with superior shooting (which the Hokies have).
Sophomore Tyus Battle has topped 20 points in eight of 13 games this season but when he struggles, the rest of the Syracuse roster hasn’t picked up the slack as only two other players average double-digits in scoring. Stick to the Orange moneyline if you plan to back them.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks (including Sportsbook) had the Syracuse Orange betting line as -2-point favorites in this particular matchup earlier in the day. Also, watch for the Sportsbook over/under total value at Sportsbook.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs Syracuse Orange Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Syracuse Orange currently sport a 11-2 record overall in NCAA basketball action, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 5-6 ATS. The Virginia Tech Hokies are 11-2 and 7-2 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Syracuse Orange produce a 4-7 OVER/UNDER record on the season, while the Virginia Tech Hokies have gone 7-2 against the totals betting line.
This college basketball game matches up the No. 29 (Syracuse) and the No. 34 (Virginia Tech) teams in the league, according to our current NCAA basketball power rankings.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Syracuse's No. 191-ranked offense, averaging 72 PPG, against a Hokies defense that ranks No. 123 at 70.31 PPG. The Orange field goal percentage has averaged 42.76% so far, less than the Hokies marksmen have achieved on the year, 54.48% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Ahmed Hill scored 14 points leading the Hokies to a 76-59 victory over North Carolina A&T at Cassell Coliseum on Thursday.
The Orange got 22 points from Tyus Battle as Syracuse ran past Eastern Michigan 62-47 on Wednesday at Carrier Dome.
- Virginia Tech is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
- Virginia Tech is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
- Virginia Tech is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Virginia Tech's last 5 games on the road
- Syracuse is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
- Syracuse is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
- Syracuse is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Virginia Tech
- Syracuse is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Virginia Tech
Next Betting Matchups
Virginia Tech home to Virginia, Wednesday, January 3rd
Syracuse at Wake Forest, Wednesday, January 3rd
