The Colorado State Rams are set to face the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Battle 4 Atlantis happening in Nassau, Bahamas. The matchup is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPNU. Virginia Tech enters the game with a betting line favoring them by 3.5 points, and the total points set at 151.5.
In this contest, Virginia Tech is expected to showcase its strength against Colorado State, building on their recent efforts to end a three-year absence from the NCAA tournament. A pivotal player for the Hokies is Neoklis Avdalas, the Greek point guard whose impressive performances, including a notable 33-point game against Providence, have made headlines. He averages 15.4 points and 5.2 assists per game, and his size and skill will pose challenges for Colorado State’s backcourt.
On the other hand, Colorado State has had recent struggles, most notably a disappointing loss to Denver, where they allowed 83 points and exhibited significant defensive vulnerabilities. Despite boasting a strong offensive lineup, led by the standout sophomore Kyle Jorgensen, who averages 17.6 points per game, the Rams have shown inconsistency on defense. This glaring issue is compounded by their tendency to rely heavily on their shooting game, as over 52% of their field goal attempts come from beyond the arc.
Virginia Tech is more balanced than Colorado State, with the capacity to score efficiently while also showing flashes of solid defense against earlier opponents. They have managed to restrict three of their last four adversaries to fewer than 0.90 points per possession, indicating that while defensive improvements are needed, they have the foundation for solid defensive play.
As analysts weigh in, predictions lean towards Virginia Tech covering the spread, viewed as the stronger team in this matchup. Given the individual matchups favoring the Hokies, especially with the size advantage of players like Amani Hansberry, expectations are high for Virginia Tech to capitalize on Colorado State’s defensive weaknesses.
In this high-stakes encounter, both teams are looking to sharpen their game ahead of further challenges, making the results of this matchup crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the season.