Will the actual Virginia Tech please rise up?
After touting the Hokies earlier this season in our biweekly futures piece (50/1 and 100/1), they're lastly rounding into type as we close to March.
This was a workforce extremely rated by KenPom and varied different fashions, nevertheless it has suffered foolish losses by by no means having the ability to put collectively a whole recreation on each ends of the courtroom.
Virginia Tech went on a current tear, although, successful six video games in a row. None of these victories got here in opposition to the ACC elites, however momentum is essential as we close to Championship Week.
The streak included wins in opposition to Florida State, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh (twice), Syracuse and Virginia earlier than the Hokies misplaced to North Carolina.
Whereas the competitors wasn’t one of the best, it’s the type of play that's drawing my curiosity.
The ACC this yr has been dominated by Duke, with each different squad simply attempting to struggle for the No. 2 spot within the standings. The extent of play within the league is at an all-time low, with at most 5 groups more likely to earn a spot within the Huge Dance.
So, Duke ought to run away with the ACC Event at Barclays Middle in Coach Ok’s final season, proper?
Fallacious.
Whereas Duke has been the clear-cut No. 1 workforce and the ACC’s knight in shining armor, it’s removed from good. The Blue Devils battle to defend the perimeter, permit cuts and dishes to open shooters and are one of many worst half-court offenses within the nation.
If Duke can’t get in a rhythm, it has collapsed versus lesser competitors.
That’s the place Virginia Tech comes into play. Sure, the Hokies misplaced to Duke earlier this season, 76-65, nevertheless it took a late run for the Blue Devils to comfortably pull forward.
Virginia Tech’s type of play gave Duke matches all recreation, because the Hokies operated at a snail’s tempo and compelled the Blue Devils to arrange their half-court offense.
Virginia Tech had an actual probability to win the sport, however shot 5-for-19 from 3-point vary (26.3 p.c). That's uncharacteristic for the Hokies, as they lead the ACC in 3-point share (40 p.c) this season.
The Hokies possess the type of play to beat Duke and are one of the balanced groups within the convention, (twenty third in AdjO and 73rd in AdjD), so I'll seize them on the good worth of +975, with intentions of letting it journey till the top.
Illinois to win Huge Ten event at +345
I’m by no means a fan of taking a small quantity in a event format, however that’s how a lot I consider within the Preventing Illini.
It additionally speaks to how a lot I consider Purdue shall be an early out in each the Huge Ten Event and March Insanity. Purdue’s suspect protection leaves the door open for the remainder of the league to make a run on the title.
Illinois is likely one of the most balanced groups within the Huge Ten, rating twentieth in AdjO and twenty fourth in AdjD. The Illini have been top-tier elite of their convention regardless of a gradual begin as a result of suspension of Kofi Cockburn, the potential Picket Award winner.
As quickly as Cockburn got here again — and was finally joined by Andre Curbelo — the Illini began to remind everybody why they’re among the finest groups within the convention.
It is a unit that's close to prime of the Huge Ten in scoring and No. 1 in rebounding. The Illini personal an environment friendly, harmful offense that crashes the boards for extra alternatives.
Purdue would be the solely workforce that’s presently higher than Illinois, however I'll take a stab on the Illini’s small worth with the hope of the Boilermakers getting bounced early. If these two meet within the finals, I can doubtlessly purchase the opposite aspect and safe a really small revenue both approach.
Post a Comment