Cincinnati Bearcats forward Kalu Ezikpe (1) and forward Ody Oguama. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Virginia Tech Hokies won three in a row before getting bounced by NC State in the ACC tournament, but those three wins were likely what it took for them to secure a spot in the NIT.
Their first round draw is the Cincinnati Bearcats who were the No. 4 seed in the AAC tournament, but were understandably beaten by Houston, one of the top teams in the country, in the semifinals.
Here are the odds for this NIT first round matchup between Virginia Tech and Cincinnati.
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati odds, spread and total
Virginia Tech Hokies @ Cincinnati Bearcats | Current Best Odds
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati prediction and pick
The Bearcats are led by Landers Nolley II who averaged 16.6 points this year and shot 42.2% from three in his senior season. Nolley actually started his career at Virginia Tech back in 2019-20 before spending two years at Memphis and now one year at Cincinnati. So, a revenge game of sorts for Cincy’s best player.
The Bearcats are No. 56 in KenPom just behind NC State who got an at-large bid into the big dance and well ahead of at-large teams, Arizona State and Pitt.
They have a good profile as a balanced team, 54th in adjusted offense and 65th in adjusted defense. That’s a good, but unremarkable team that doesn’t have a glaring weakness. They also only turn the ball over 10.6 times a game, which is a great number and means that they’re not going to give the Hokies free possessions all game.
The Hokies are 212th in defensive efficiency and 140th in adjusted defense, so while they can score with teams like Cincinnati, they were 11th in the ACC for a reason.
I’ll take Cincinnati and Landers Nolley II to cover a 5.5 point spread.
CIN -5.5
-110
spread
Virginia Tech Hokies @ Cincinnati Bearcats
03/15 8:00 PM
NCAAB • 2022-23 NIT – First Round
If the Cincinnati Bearcats win by 6 or more, a $11.00 bet on them will win you $10, for a total payout of $21.00.
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Published on Mar 15, 2023 12:35 PM
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Betslip #1678901705610-91ec-185
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