25* CBB FIRST ROUND NIT GAME OF THE YEAR
- Handicapper
- Hollywood Sports
- League
- NCAAB
- Competition
- Virginia Tech vs Cincinnati
- Release Date
- 03/15/2023 06:45 PM
- Event Date
- 03/15/2023 09:00 PM
- Bet Type
- Point Spread
- Pick
-
Cincinnati -5 (-110)
(Caesars)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- At 9:00 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing the Cincinnati Bearcats (716) minus the points versus the Virginia Tech Hokies (715) in the First Round of the National Invitational Tournament. THE SITUATION: Cincinnati (21-12) lost in the Semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament to Houston by a 69-48 score as a 9.5-point underdog on Saturday. Virginia Tech (19-14) got eliminated in the ACC Tournament in a 97-77 loss to North Carolina State as a 2.5-point underdog on Wednesday.
REASONS TO TAKE THE BEARCATS MINUS THE POINTS: Cincinnati shot a season-low 25.5% from the field against the Cougars. They also allowed Houston to make 50.9% of their shots which was the worst defensive effort in their last eight games. The NIT presents this team some measure of redemption from that disappointing performance. The Bearcats have covered the point spread in 12 of their last 13 games after a straight-up loss — and they have covered the point spread in 11 straight games after a point spread loss. Additionally, they have covered the point spread in 5 of their last 7 games after a loss by 20 or more points. They get this game at home where they have a 15-3 record with a +15.9 net point differential — and they rank 36th in the nation in their last ten games when playing on their home court. Cincinnati has covered the point spread in 12 of their last 16 games at home — and they are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 home games against teams with a winning percentage of 40% or lower on the road. Virginia Tech had a 13-4 record at home — but they were only 6-10 away from home. In their 11 true road games in hostile environments, the Hokies were only 2-9 — and they ranked 201st in the nation in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. What drags this team down the most when playing in those road games is their interior defense as they allow their home hosts to make 54.2% of their shots inside the arc, ranking 283rd in the nation. The Hokies have failed to cover the point spread in 9 of their last 11 games on the road — and they are 16-34-2 ATS in their last 52 road games against teams with a winning record at home.
FINAL TAKE: Virginia Tech has failed to cover the point spread in 10 of their last 14 games against teams with a winning percentage of 60% or higher — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 11 of their last 14 tournament games. 25* CBB First Round NIT Game of the Year with Cincinnati Bearcats (716) minus the points versus the Virginia Tech Hokies (715). Best of luck for us — Frank.
