VTech vs. Wake Forest Betting Line
Carrie Stroup here with your VTech vs. Wake Forest betting line for Tuesday’s afternoon game.
Atlantic Coast Conference – First Round
Sportsbook.ag Line: Wake Forest -4.5, Total: 139.5
Virginia Tech looks to prevent an eighth straight loss when it faces Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC tournament.
Virginia Tech hosted Miami in its final game of the regular season and lost 82-61 as a 5.5-point underdog. The Hokies have lost their past seven games and have only covered in two of those contests. Their defense has been absolutely dreadful recently, allowing their opponents to shoot 46% or higher from the field in each of those contests.
Wake Forest lost 79-61 as a 4.5-point road underdog against Boston College on Saturday. The Demon Deacons have now lost two straight games both SU and ATS. They allowed both Boston College and Duke to shoot better than 53% from the field in their past two games.
Virginia Tech has gotten the best of this series recently, winning three straight games SU. The teams most recently met on Jan. 31, when the Hokies won 73-70 as 8-point home favorites. It was the Demon Deacons’ first time covering against Virginia Tech in their past five meetings. While Virginia Tech is 2-16 SU versus the ACC, the team is 10-8 ATS. The Hokies are also 7-4 ATS when coming off of an ATS loss this season.
Meanwhile, Wake Forest covered in its only game on a neutral site this season. The Demon Deacons are just 5-13 SU and 9-9 ATS against the ACC this season. Virginia Tech is not dealing with any injuries in this game, but Wake Forest will be without Daniel Green (Knee) indefinitely.
Virginia Tech has been brutal on both ends of the floor this season, averaging just 65.4 PPG (228th in NCAA) on 44.6% shooting (112th in NCAA) and allowing 69.4 PPG (257th in NCAA). This team will need to clamp down on the defensive end or it will have no chance of advancing on Tuesday.
G Adam Smith (13.7 PPG) is the best offensive weapon this team has. Smith is a lethal shooter from the outside (43% 3PT), but was lousy against Miami last game. He had just three points in 18 minutes after averaging 20.5 PPG in his previous two games. He’ll need to find his stroke in this game, as he had 15 points the first time he met Georgia Tech this year and was a big reason the team won.
G Justin Bibbs (11.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG) is another guy who shoots it really well from deep (44% 3PT). Bibbs had just eight points the last time he faced the Yellow Jackets, and has been inconsistent at times this season. He’ll need to put it together and play efficiently in what could be his last game of the season.
F Satchel Pierce (3.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG) is going to need to be extremely active in this game if this team is going to find a way to win. The Hokies often play four guards at once, and Pierce is one of the only players with real size on this team. He had 13 points, seven boards and two blocks in 23 minutes against Miami on Saturday and must do a good job of rebounding and protecting the rim Tuesday afternoon.
Wake Forest is averaging 68.7 PPG (146th in NCAA) on 42.0% shooting (263rd in NCAA). The team moves the ball well (13.9 APG, 83rd in NCAA) and can also do a solid job rebounding (37.5 RPG, 39th in NCAA). It’s on the defensive end where they truly stand out in a horrible way, allowing 71.8 PPG (302nd in NCAA). The Demon Deacons will need to find a way to stop their opponents in this one.
G Cody Miller-McIntyre (14.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.1 APG) has done everything he can to help this team win games. He’s averaging 22.0 PPG over the past two contests and is capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor. He is also a good rebounder and passer. Miller-McIntyre had 19 points the last time he faced Virginia Tech and he was perfect from the floor in that game (7-for-7 FG). He’ll need to be at his best in this game, as the team counts on him to do far too much for him to have an off game.
F Devin Thomas (11.7 PPG, 8.8 RPG) is also going to have to come through for the Demon Deacons. He has struggled lately though, averaging just 4.0 PPG over the past four contests. He has to remain disciplined on the defensive end because the team can’t afford to have him in foul trouble.
F Konstantinos Mitoglou (9.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG) had 10 points and four rebounds against Boston College last game. Mitoglou has excellent size and range, as he is 6-foot-10 and can really shoot it from deep (38% 3PT). If he can get it going in this game then it will really help Cody Miller-McIntrye, as the opposing defense will not be able to completely focus on him.
G Mitchell Wilbekin (7.5 PPG, 1.1 SPG) is another guy who can shoot from the outside (40% 3PT) and he plays with fire every time he is on the court. He could provide a big spark in this game.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
