Virginia Tech at North Carolina Expert NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread 1/21/2019

Monday, January 21, 2019

Dean Smith Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Virginia Tech Hokies travel to Dean Smith Center to play the North Carolina Tar Heels on Monday, January 21, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has North Carolina as 5 point favorites.

Virginia Tech comes into this game with an overall record of 15-2. They currently have a point differential of 18.9 as they are averaging 78.5 points per game while giving up 59.5 per contest. North Carolina has an overall mark of 14-4. They are averaging 87.3 points per contest and giving up 73.3, which is a point differential of 13.9.

Valuable Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Trends

The Virginia Tech Hokies are 10-7-0 against the spread

The Virginia Tech Hokies are 7-10-0 against the over/under

Important North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 10-6-2 against the spread

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 9-9-0 against the over/under

Key Virginia Tech Hokies Injuries

01/07/19 G Chris Clarke Suspension is out for season
01/07/19 G Landers Nolley II Eligibility is out for season

Key North Carolina Tar Heels Injuries

01/20/19 F Sterling Manley Knee is questionable Monday vs Virginia Tech

Player Spotlight

Nickeil Alexander-Walker comes into this contest averaging 18.3 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 78%. Kerry Blackshear Jr. averages 13.4 points per game in 26.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.6 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 54% for the year while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

Cameron Johnson averages 15.9 points per game while playing 27.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.7 rebounds per game and has 2.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. Luke Maye averages 14.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.9 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Virginia Tech averages 78.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 69th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 18.9 and their shooting percentage is 50% as a team, which has them ranked 9th. Behind the arc they shoot 42% which is good for 3rd in the nation. They average 32.6 rebounds per game and 16.7 assists per game, which ranks them 319th and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 324th with 11.2 per game. The Hokies allow 59.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 45th and 164th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 29.2 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 11.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 81st place in Division 1. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 297th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

North Carolina is 5th in the country with 87.3 points per game this year. They are 75th in Division 1 in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 13.9. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 80th in the nation. They are 2nd in the NCAA in rebounding with 44.4 boards per game, and 3rd in assists per contest with 19.4. The Tar Heels are 103rd in turnovers per game with 14.3. The Tar Heels surrender 73.3 points per contest, which ranks them 231st in D-1. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 86th and 104th in those defensive statistics. They rank 242nd with 13.8 assists allowed per contest and 116th with 33.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Tar Heels are 273rd in country in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Hokies have an offensive rating of 120.1, which is ranked 2nd. They are 343rd in college basketball in pace with 65.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 59% is 2nd. As a unit they are 4th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 62% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shot attempts, ranking 63rd in D-1. Virginia Tech is 284th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

North Carolina is 237th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.6 times per 100 possessions. The Tar Heels are 39th in the country in offensive rating with 112.2. In terms of pace they are 6th in Division 1 with 77.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 117th. As a team they are 97th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 295th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Virginia Tech/North Carolina college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take North Carolina -5

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