Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Texas Longhorns Picks, Predictions, Odds

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

The Virginia Tech Hokies (23-12) of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will meet the Texas Longhorns (21-11) of the Big 12 Conference in first-round action in the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., and the game can be viewed on TBS.

Score Prediction

Virginia Tech 66, Texas 63

Best Bet

Virginia Tech +105 ML
Over 123 (-110)

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MARCH MADNESS BETTING RESOURCES

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES vs. TEXAS LONGHORNS PREDICTIONS

The Hokies surprised everyone in the conference, ascending to the top of the heap in the ACC Tournament. Virginia Tech capped off a magical four-game ride with a convincing 82-67 win over Duke at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Hokies beat Duke, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Clemson en route to the title, covering the final three games while hitting the OVER in three of the four games. There weren't a lot of signs Virginia Tech's stay in the borough would be lengthy, as it finished 3-2 SU/1-3-1 ATS in the final five regular-season games.

Texas didn't last long in its conference tournament. In fact, it was a one-game stay, as TCU dismissed them in the Big 12 Quarterfinals by a 65-60 score, cashing as 5.5-point underdogs as the UNDER hit. Texas is on a 3-5 SU slide, and the Longhorns have failed to cover in each of the past six games. Some might sarcastically say that the Longhorns are rounding into their traditional NCAA Tournament form.

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES vs. TEXAS LONGHORNS BETTING ODDS

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VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES vs. TEXAS LONGHORNS BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Friday, March 18, 2022
Matchup: No. 11 vs. No. 6
Region: East
Venue: Fiserv Forum
Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
TV-Time: TBS - 4:30 p.m. ET

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 23-12
ATS: 18-16-1
O/U: 16-18-1

Virginia Tech won the ACC Tournament with victories over the top three teams in the conference, yet find themselves as an 11-seed, behind even Miami, who pulled a 10. But the Hokies are in a good place against underachieving Texas in this first-round matchup.

The Hokies have covered four of the past six games overall, while going 6-2-1 ATS in the past nine games against teams with a winning overall record. They're 4-1-1 ATS in the past six following a straight-up win, too, and 4-1 ATS in the past five neutral-site games. While they're just 2-6 ATS in the past eight NCAA Tournament games, they did play Florida tough last season in a first-round matchup, losing 75-70 in overtime. And it lost to Duke in a 75-73 thriller in a Sweet Sixteen matchup in its prior appearance in 2019. In fact, each of Virginia Tech's three NCAA Tournament losses since 2018 have been by five points or less.

For totals, the OVER is 4-1 in the past five neutral-site games for Virginia Tech, while the UNDER is 7-3 in the past 10 following a straight-up win, and 5-1 ATS in the past six after a cover.

TEXAS LONGHORNS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 21-11
ATS: 12-20
O/U: 14-18

The Longhorns have had an ugly history in the NCAA Tournament recently. In fact, Texas has lost five straight NCAA Tournament games, with its last win coming in 2014 against Arizona State in its opening game. The Longhorns embarrassment continued in 2021, as they fell as a 3-seed to 14-seed Abilene Christian. The past three NCAA Tournaments, Texas has been the higher seed, and it was sent packing by Abilene Christian, Nevada and Northern Iowa. Virginia Tech would love to add to their woes.

Since winning a first-round game against Minnesota in 2009, Texas is a dismal 2-9 SU in the NCAA Tournament, too. They're 0-8 ATS in the past eight as a favorite in the NCAA Tournament, and 6-18 ATS in the past 24 in the Big Dance. It's an epidemic, and while most of those results were with players and/or coaches no longer on the team, the Abilene Christian disappointment last season is still a fresh wound.

For totals, the OVER is 11-4 in the past 15 NCAA Tournament games, while going 8-3 in the past 11 as a favorite. The UNDER is 7-3 in the past 10 following a straight-up loss, however, and 21-8 in the past 29 neutral-site games as a favorite.

**Texas is 2-9 SU in the past 11 NCAA Tournament games. (AP)**

INSIDE THE STATS - VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES

Record: 23-12
PS/G: 70.7 (185th)
PA/G: 62.3 (22nd)

INSIDE THE STATS - TEXAS LONGHORNS

Record: 21-11
PS/G: 68.3 (253rd)
PA/G: 59.6 (6th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

VT: Keve Aluma - F (15.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 53.1 FG%)
VT: Justyn Mutts - F (10.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 34.9 3P%)
TEX: Timmy Allen - F (12.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 50.4 FG%)
TEX: Marcus Carr - G (11.0 PPG, 3.2 APG, 2.1 RPG, 32.5 3P%)

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES vs. TEXAS LONGHORNS BETTING CONCLUSION

Virginia Tech is coming off an ACC Tournament champions and they're flying high. Texas is coming on with tons of pressure and expectations after a disappointing exit last season against a 14-seed Abilene Christian team, and years of disappointment. You have to take the team which is playing loose and pressure-free, and that's certainly going to be Virginia Tech.

Neither of these teams has any real geographic advantage with the game in Milwaukee, so the fan presence should be rather neutral. So in a game which is essentially a coin-flip game, you have to look at who is playing better, and again, that's not Texas. Until the Longhorns prove they can be trusted in the postseason, ticking off regular wins again, you simply have to fade them. Kevin Durant isn't walking through that door.

MARCH MADNESS PICK RESOURCES

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES vs. TEXAS LONGHORNS BETTING TRENDS

Virginia Tech is 6-2-1 ATS in the past nine vs. winning teams.
Virginia Tech is 4-1 ATS in the past five neutral-site games.
Virginia Tech is 2-6 ATS in the past eight NCAA Tournament games.
Texas is 0-6 ATS in the past six games overall.
Texas is 0-4 ATS in the past four as a favorite.
Texas is 0-5 ATS in the past five vs. winning teams.
Texas is 6-18 ATS in the past 24 NCAA Tournament games.
Texas is 0-8 ATS in the past eight NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.
The OVER is 4-1 in the past five neutral-site games for Virginia Tech.
The OVER is 11-4 in the past 15 NCAA Tournament games for Texas.

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Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish