Two teams will put their undefeated records on the line as the Virginia Tech Hokies take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Hall of Fame Series Baltimore at CFG Bank Arena on Friday night.
The Nittany Lions have looked dominant on offense so far this season, which is why I’m taking them in my Virginia Tech vs. Penn State predictions.
Find out why I like Penn State in this matchup by reading my college basketball picks for Friday, November 15 below.
Virginia Tech vs Penn State prediction
My best bet
Penn State -6 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Neither of these teams has faced a serious threat yet this season, so it’s little surprise that they both come in with 3-0 records. But not all undefeated starts are created equal.
The Penn State Nittany Lions has been absolutely crushing their overmatched opponents early in the year. When the St. Francis PA Red Flash lost by just 30 to the Nittany Lions earlier this week, that marked the closed game for Penn State this year, and the 92 points it scored was its weakest offensive performance.
I don’t want to overstate how much wins over the likes of the UMBC Retrievers and the Binghamton Bearcats will mean in the long run. But the Nittany Lions are averaging an incredible 101 points per game on the year, one of the highest totals in the nation. Winning games against weaker mid-major programs may not mean much; dominating those games tells us much more about the level of a team.
At this early point in the season, Penn State boasts five players who are scoring in double figures, led by Yanic Konan Niederhauser (15.0 ppg). Whether all of these players can continue finding points against better competition remains to be seen, but it’s impressive that these players are putting up big numbers in limited playing time, with D’Marco Dunn (12.7 ppg in just 16.3 minutes per game) looking like a particularly dangerous scoring threat.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Tech Hokies' three wins have been far less impressive. The Hokies got their biggest win of the season against the Delaware State Hornets, who they beat by 23 in their opening game of the season.
After a similar win at home over the USC Upstate Spartans, they faced a slightly more legitimate challenge in the form of the Winthrop Eagles. Virginia Tech failed to cover in that matchup, winning just 58-52 after trailing at the half.
It’s far too early in the season to make any definitive statements about either of these squads, as this may be the first truly relevant game they play. But Penn State looks like an NCAA Tournament team, while Virginia Tech looks merely average, just good enough to score comfortable wins against one of the weakest schedules in the country. I’m taking the Nittany Lions to cover.
Virginia Tech vs Penn State same-game parlay
Penn State -6
Over 149.5
Penn State team total Over 81.5
The Penn State scoring barrage should continue on Friday, and that’s the basis for my same-game parlay. Along with taking the Nittany Lions to cover, I’m also hitting the Over from two different angles.
First, I’ll take the Over at 149.5 points, as Penn State has easily hit this total in each of its first three contests, while Virginia Tech has already hit the Over twice in three games this year.
However, I’ll also take the Nittany Lions to go Over 81.5 points. That may be a high number, but the Hokies have already allowed 74 points to the USC Upstate Spartans this year, and Penn State should be able to go far higher against what looks like a potentially shaky defensive unit.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Virginia Tech vs Penn State odds
Virginia Tech vs Penn State live odds
Virginia Tech vs Penn State opening odds
- Spread: Virginia Tech (+185) | Penn State (-225)
- Moneyline: Virginia Tech +5.5 (-110) | Penn State -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 148.5 (-115) | Under 148.5 (-105)
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Virginia Tech vs Penn State betting trend to know
Penn State has won each of its first three games by 30+ points. Find more college basketball betting trends for Virginia Tech vs. Penn State.
How to watch Virginia Tech vs Penn State
| Location: | CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, MD |
| Date: | Friday, 11-15-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Peacock |
Virginia Tech vs Penn State key injuries
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