With a ticket to match up against Villanova in the second round on the line, No. 8 Wisconsin will take on No. 9 Virginia Tech in the Sportsbook round with the Badgers Sportsbook as 5.5-point favorites over the Hokies. These teams with very different styles don’t meet up very often as this will be just their second contest since December ’08.
- Virginia Tech is 11-1 SU and ATS in its last 12 games as an underdog of 5.5 or less.
- Wisconsin has the 9th-best scoring defense in the NCAA and VT has the 41st-highest scoring offense.
- Virginia Tech is 3-2 SU and 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when held under 80 points.
The Badgers were upset by the Michigan Wolverines in the final of the Big Ten and, clearly, that affected their seeding in the tournament and it put them in a horrible situation. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, is back in the bracket for the first time since 2007 and will want to make the most of this rare appearance in the NCAAB championship tournament.
Wisconsin is probably one of the slowest-paced teams in the big dance so there will be a clear contrast of styles when they meet up with a Hokies team that relies heavily on its perimeter scoring (11th in 3-point shooting percentage).
In an ultimate contrast of styles, it will probably come down to whether the Hokies can hit from outside and with the Badgers ranking 235th in 3-point shooting defense, it looks like Virginia Tech could be making it rain on Thursday.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs Wisconsin Badgers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Wisconsin Badgers sit at 25-9 (15-16 ATS) on the college basketball season. By comparison, the Virginia Tech Hokies are currently 22-10 (16-11-1 ATS). Looking to bet on the total points scored? Wisconsin is 12-17-2 OU, and Virginia Tech is 14-14 OU.
This game puts the Wisconsin Badgers, most recently No. 108 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Virginia Tech Hokies, who rate No. 189 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Wisconsin has the nation's No. 165-rated offensive output, at 71.94 PPG. The visiting Virginia Tech Hokies defense ranks No. 178 allowing on average 74.41 PPG. The Badgers FG% has averaged 45.18% so far, less than the Wisconsin Hokies marksmen have achieved on the year, 48.98% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Hokies endured a 74-68 loss at the hands of the Seminoles on Thursday, despite a 22-point effort from Zach LeDay at Barclays Center.
The Badgers got 15 points from Bronson Koenig, but it was Michigan that prevailed in a 71-56 final on Sunday at Verizon Center.
