The No. 10 Memphis Tigers (4-0) and Virginia Tech Hokies (5-0) meet Wednesday for the NIT Season Tip-Off at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Memphis vs. Virginia Tech odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Tigers have a star-studded lineup featuring freshmen F Emoni Bates and C Jalen Duren, as well as former Virginia Tech G Landers Nolley. Duren absolutely went off in Friday’s win over Western Kentucky with 22 points, 19 rebounds and five blocked shots, looking like a man among boys.
The Hokies have won the first five games by 20 or more points, including a 77-57 win at Navy on Nov. 12. Virginia Tech has covered all five games, but they haven’t really faced a true power. This will easily be the biggest test to date.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Memphis vs. Virginia Tech odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:23 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Memphis -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Virginia Tech +122 (bet $100 to win $122)
- Against the spread (ATS): Memphis -2.5 (-112) | Virginia +2.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Memphis vs. Virginia Tech odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Memphis 79, Virginia Tech 68
Money line
MEMPHIS (-150) is slightly more expensive than just laying the point and a half here. Take the moneyline if you think it’s going to be a one-point game, but if not, the spread is the better value.
Against the spread
MEMPHIS -2.5 (-112) is the more complete team. There just isn’t anybody who is going to match up with Duren and keep him from going bonkers in the paint when you look up and down the VT roster, and Nolley will have a chip on his shoulder facing his former team, too.
The Tigers have a ton of depth, and the Hokies are going to be out of their league playing against a true power after knocking around five patsies to pad their record.
Memphis is the real deal, and you shouldn’t be surprised if the Tigers pull away for a double-digit victory.
Over/Under
OVER 140.5 (-110) is the play. Memphis hit the Over in three of its first four games and its gone for 89 or more points in three outings as well.
Virginia Tech is more methodical on offense, and they have posted just one Over result in five outings. However, it’ll be forced to play the up-tempo style of Memphis or fall by the wayside.
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