The Virginia Tech Hokies take on the Clemson Tigers. Check out our college basketball odds series for Virginia Tech Clemson predictions and picks. Find out how Virginia Tech looks at Clemson.
The Virginia Tech Hokies are reeling, falling to 1-6 in the ACC one season after winning the ACC Tournament. What happened to coach Mike Young’s team? The answer isn’t that complicated: The Hokies really depend on Hunter Cator, and he’s been hurt for a significant portion of the season, including the ACC slate and most of January.
Kator is a reliable 3-point shooter who stretches the floor and forces opponents to pack the paint and pay attention to everyone on the floor. Kator allows much of Virginia Tech’s half-court offense to flow when he’s healthy and shooting well. The teammates have more freedom and openness. Without him, everything falls apart, and the natural gifts of other Hokie players don’t have the same ability to shine. That’s the equation. Although the Hokies are 1-6 in the ACC and Clemson is 7-1, you’ll note below that there isn’t a huge difference between these teams and that Virginia Tech isn’t having a tough season. Conference.
Courtesy of FanDuelHere are Virginia Tech-Clemson College basketball odds.
College basketball odds: Virginia Tech-Clemson odds
Virginia Tech Hokies: +1.5 (-110)
Clemson Tigers: -1.5 (-110)
Over: 140.5 (-110)
Under: 140.5 (-110)
How to watch Virginia Tech and Clemson
TV: ESPN2
Stream: ESPN+
Time: 6:00 pm ET, 3:00 pm PT
*Watch Virginia Tech-Clemson live on fuboTV (Click for Free Trial)*
Why Virginia Tech Can Cover the Spread
This is a comeback opportunity for the Hokies on several levels. First, you might be wondering – as we saw above – why is this game being played by so little points, even though Tech is at the bottom of the ACC standings and Clemson is in first place? This game at home in Littlejohn Coliseum. It’s simple: Virginia Tech returns Hunter Cator to the lineup. With Cator, Virginia Tech will be a very different team. Virginia Tech will be a potentially damaging team in the ACC. Clemson is a good team, but the Tigers are not dominant. They were able to win close games and make a handful of key plays in each game. This is not 2009 North Carolina, one of the greatest ACC teams of all time. The difference between the two groups is really small. Clemson won a close and competitive game at Virginia Tech several weeks ago in Cattor’s absence. It’s really not that complicated to see why this game has such a close distribution. With Cattoor in the mix, the Hokies can certainly win. It won’t even be a shock. Don’t just look at group records.
Why might Clemson cover the spread?
The Tigers are a better team than Virginia Tech, even considering what Hunter Cator brings to the table. Not that Cator is a superstar. He is a difference maker, but not at a high level. Clemson is at home, where it regularly plays well. Virginia Tech hasn’t shown the ability to pull off tough road wins. It lost to Boston College and Wake Forest, among other ACC spots, this season. Clemson deserves the benefit of the doubt here.
Final Virginia Tech-Clemson predictions and picks
Stay away from this game. Virginia Tech should play well at some point, but we don’t know when. Just sit back and enjoy this.
Final Virginia Tech-Clemson Prediction & Picks: Clemson -1.5
