The No. 12 Virginia Cavaliers (9-2, 1-1 ACC) battle the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-5, 0-2) at McCamish Pavilion Saturday. Tip from Atlanta is set for noon ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Virginia vs. Georgia Tech odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Cavaliers beat Albany 66-46 Wednesday, failing to cover as 26.5-point home favorites. Virginia is just 3-8 against the spread (ATS) this season. It is 1-1 straight up on the road as well. The Cavaliers rely heavily on their defense, which allows just 58.5 points per game, the 11th-fewest in the nation.
As for Georgia Tech, it lost to Clemson 79-66 Dec. 21, failing to cover as 2-point home underdogs. The Yellow Jackets are 6-5 ATS on the season but are just 1-3 ATS over their last 4 games. So far this season, the only notable stat for Georgia Tech is it’s 6th in opponents’ 3-point field goal percentage (26.3%).
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Virginia at Georgia Tech odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Virginia -500 (bet $500 to win $100) | Georgia Tech +350 (bet $100 to win $350)
- Against the spread (ATS): Virginia -9.5 (-110) | Georgia Tech +9.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 127.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Virginia at Georgia Tech picks and predictions
Prediction
Virginia 68, Georgia Tech 56
Moneyline
PASS.
Virginia is 1-1 on the road, and while justified as a (-500) favorite, there is no value in backing the Cavaliers. Similarly, the Yellow Jackets have yet to win in conference play and likely won’t pull off the upset.
Against the spread
BET VIRGINIA -9.5 (-110).
The Yellow Jackets, even at home, haven’t been great against ACC opponents. They failed to cover as 2-point home favorites against Clemson and also failed to cover as 13.5-point road underdogs at UNC, losing 75-59.
Virginia has one of the best defenses in the nation and should limit what Georgia Tech, which sits 244th in field goal percentage (43.6%), can do. Virginia has failed to cover 7 in a row, and the oddsmakers reflect that here. It is 2-3 ATS against Power 5 opponents though.
Given their defensive prowess and Georgia Tech’s struggles in conference play, back VIRGINIA -9.5 (-110).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 127.5 (-110).
Virginia allows 58.5 points per game, and Georgia Tech’s offensive efficiency doesn’t do it many favors. The Yellow Jackets are 4-7 O/U this season while Virginia is 5-6.
The Cavaliers have gone Under in 2 straight games and in 4 of their last 5. Georgia Tech has 4-6 O/U in its last 10 as well. Back the UNDER 127.5 (-110) given both sides’ season-long trends.
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