Thursday, January 26, 2017

Dean Smith Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Virginia Tech Hokies travel to Dean Smith Center to play the North Carolina Tar Heels on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The opening line for this game has North Carolina as 15 point favorites.

The Hokies come into this game with an overall record of 15-4 and a road record of 2-2. They are 8-7 against the spread and their over/under record is 8-6. The Tar Heels have an overall record of 18-3 and a home record of 10-0. They have an over/under record of 9-11 and they are 10-9 against the spread.

Zach LeDay comes into this contest averaging 16.4 points per game while playing 29.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Hokies. He pulls down 7.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 52% while his free throw percentage is currently at 75%. Ahmed Hill averages 13.8 points per game in 30.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 3.5 rebounds per game for Virginia Tech. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 72%.

Justin Jackson averages 18.2 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per contest this year for the Tar Heels. He grabs 5 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 80%. Joel Berry averages 15.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.4 rebounds per contest and 3.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Virginia Tech averages 81.5 points per contest this season which ranks them 26th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 9.3 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 42nd in the country. They average 35.5 rebounds per game and 15.9 assists per game which ranks them 186th and 41st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 75th with 12.2 per game. The Hokies allow 72.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 162nd in the nation. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc ranking them 153rd and 89th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.6 rebounds a game which ranks 121st and they give up 13.1 assists per contest which puts them in 155th place in the country. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 199th in Division 1.

North Carolina averages 88.7 points per game this year which ranks them 3rd in Division 1 college basketball. Their average scoring margin is 17.4 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them sitting in the 53rd spot in the country. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 66th in the nation. They average 45.6 rebounds per game and 18.4 assists per contest which ranks them 1st and 3rd respectively. In the turnover department the Tar Heels rank 156th with 13.2 per game. The Tar Heels allow 71.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 141st in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 52nd and 118th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 32.1 rebounds a game which ranks 34th and they give up 11.6 assists per contest which puts them in 57th place in the nation. The Tar Heels force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 35th in college basketball.

The Hokies average 76.3 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 71.7 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of -1 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is -1 per contest. The Hokies have an offensive rating of 112.1 and they assist on 56% of their shots. In terms of pace they average 72.7 possessions per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 56%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 59% and they shoot 3 pointers on 38% of their shots. Virginia Tech turns the ball over an average of 15.1 times per 100 possessions and they get a steal on 6.2% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 50.7% while their offensive rebound percentage is 26.3%. The Hokies give up 77.3 points per game on the road this season and they have surrendered 72.7 points per contest in their last 3 games.

The Tar Heels score 91.6 ppg at home and they have averaged 90.3 points per contest in their last 3 games.They have an average scoring differential of 12.7 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of 27.4 points per game. The Tar Heels have a rating on offense of 117.5 and 57.4% of their shots are assisted. They possess the ball 75.7 times per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage for the year is 53%. As an offensive unit they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shots. North Carolina turns it over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions and they steal the ball on 10.8% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 59.1% while their offensive rebound percentage for the season is 43%. The Tar Heels give up 64.2 points per contest at home this year and they have given up 77.7 points per game in their past 3 contests.

Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Trends

The Virginia Tech Hokies are 8-7 against the spread

The Virginia Tech Hokies are 8-6 against the over/under

North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 10-9 against the spread

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 9-11 against the over/under

Virginia Tech Hokies Injuries

12/10/16 C Johnny Hamilton Thumb out for season
11/11/16 F Kerry Blackshear Jr. Shin out indefinitely

North Carolina Tar Heels Injuries

No key injuries to report

Josh's Pick: Take North Carolina -15

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