Virginia Tech vs North Carolina 2/19/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The North Carolina Tar Heels will travel to Cassell Coliseum to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The North Carolina Tar Heels had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 18-8 on the season after being defeated by the Pittsburgh Panthers, 76-67, this past Wednesday. North Carolina struggled defensively against Pittsburgh and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 40-23 lead. North Carolina shot 41.4% from the field & 26.9% from beyond the arc while allowing Pittsburgh to shoot 51.1% from the field & 58.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Tar Heels was Caleb Love who had 19 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, North Carolina is averaging 78.3 ppg on 45.6% shooting from the field. The Tar Heels are averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game on 38.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, North Carolina has been led by Armando Bacot (16.2 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 bpg), Caleb Love (15.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 spg), Brady Manek (13.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.7 apg), & R.J. Davis (13.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.0 spg).

Defensively, North Carolina is allowing their opponents to average 73.0 ppg on 43.5% shooting from the field. The Tar Heels have a rebound margin of 7.3 and a turnover margin of -1.8.

The Virginia Tech Hokies won their 6^th straight game and improved to 16-10 on the season after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers, 62-53, this past Monday. Virginia Tech was outstanding defensively against Virginia and was able to pull away for the victory after taking a 58-50 lead with 1:21 left in regulation. Virginia Tech shot 43.5% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc while holding Virginia to 40.0% shooting from the field & 0.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Hokies was Keve Aluma who had 24 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 blocks, & 1 steal.

On the season, Virginia Tech is averaging 70.6 ppg on 47.4% shooting from the field. The Hokies are averaging 9.2 three-pointers per game on 40.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Virginia Tech has been led by Keve Aluma (15.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.8 apg), Justyn Mutts (10.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.2 spg), Hunter Cattoor (10.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg), & Nahiem Alleyne (10.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.7 apg).

Defensively, Virginia Tech is holding their opponents to an average of 61.5 ppg on 42.2% shooting from the field. The Hokies have a rebound margin of 1.2 and a turnover margin of 1.3.

The Tar Heels are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss, however, are just 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. The Hokies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games & 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.

North Carolina has a great offense, however, the Tar Heels have had huge issues slowing opposing offenses down and come into this game ranked just 272^nd in scoring defense & 206^th in defensive FG%. Virginia Tech has shot the ball well this season, ranking 32^nd in scoring defense & 2^nd in 3P-FG%, however, the real strength of the Hokies has come on the defense end where they come into this game ranked 18^th in scoring defense. North Carolina was able to pick up a double-digit victory against Virginia Tech earlier this season, however, the Hokies have been playing some of their best basketball season as of late and after seeing North Carolina struggle against Pittsburgh, I think the play here is to take Virginia Tech to cover this small home spread. Good luck!