Virginia Tech vs Auburn Odds, Picks and Predictions: Broome, Tigers Put Pedal Down

The Auburn Tigers have played like a legitimate March Madness team so far this season. They’ll look to keep up that momentum as they host the Virginia Tech Hokies in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Wednesday night.

Auburn is on the verge of entering the AP Top 25 after winning four straight games in impressive fashion. Virginia Tech is 5-2 but is coming off a blowout loss to FAU. The college basketball odds have the Hokies as an underdog again in tonight’s game.

This game will feature a fascinating battle of talented big men, and both teams have recent battles against quality competition that can give us some insight into tonight’s matchup.

We’ll break it all down in our free college basketball picks for Virginia Tech vs. Auburn on November 29.

Virginia Tech vs Auburn best odds

Virginia Tech vs Auburn picks and predictions

While the Auburn Tigers haven't gotten much love from the national polls just yet, it probably deserves to. The Tigers have shined on both ends of the court and are currently No. 17 in the Pomeroy Ratings at KenPom.com. 

Auburn’s biggest weapon is Johni Broome, a 6-foot-10 junior who's averaging 15.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, both of which lead the Tigers this season. Broome has run the offense largely in a two-man game with point guard Aden Holloway (13.2 ppg), though the Tigers have a depth of capable players both in the post and on the perimeter. 

The Virginia Tech Hokies have their own talented big man in senior center Lynn Kidd. He leads Virginia Tech in scoring (15.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rph) while shooting an astounding 74.5% from the field so far this season. This has been a breakout year for Kidd, who never got much playing time in his first three seasons of college play.

However, while Kidd may be feasting on easy buckets, the rest of his teammates struggled in their toughest test yet this year. On Sunday, Florida Atlantic beat the Hokies 84-50, killing Virginia Tech on the boards and holding it to just 33.3% shooting, including going just 2-for-17 from 3-point range. 

Arguably, the Hokies could have the toughest time against Auburn. The Tigers will be playing at home and are probably a touch better defensively than the Owls, which has me questioning whether Virginia Tech will be able to get much done offensively in this matchup.

Kidd will get his share of post buckets, but Broome will be able to keep him in check – and given his history, it’s unclear just how well Kidd can compete against legitimate, national-level big men.

He scored just nine points against Florida Atlantic, while guard Sean Pedulla — who's also averaging 15.9 ppg for the Hokies — put up just 11 on 5-for-16 shooting without hitting a single three.

It’s unlikely Virginia Tech will shoot that badly again, nor will Auburn likely hold the Hokies to just 50 points, but the Tigers are averaging 82.4 points per game, and surpassed 80 points even in quality matchups against Baylor and Notre Dame.

Auburn will be likely to eclipse that number again on Wednesday night, and it’s hard to imagine how this sluggish Virginia Tech offense will compete with that against a Tigers defense that’s holding opponents to just 66.4 points per game on 38% shooting. I’m taking Auburn and laying the points.

My best bet: Auburn -8.5 (-110 at BetMGM)

Virginia Tech vs Auburn same-game parlay

Auburn -9

Under 150

Johni Broome Over 14.5 points

+480 at DraftKings

As I said above, I expect Auburn to win this game by double digits. That makes a great launching point for a same-game parlay on tonight’s game, especially as I don’t expect Virginia Tech to do much on offense.

The total on this game has been set at 150 points flat. With the Hokies unlikely to get to 70 in this game, I’m looking at the Under as a strong addition. If Auburn wins going away, it’s unlikely that these teams will go Over the total. 

Finally, let’s take Broome to go Over his scoring prop at 14.5 points. He’s a strong favorite to hit this number, as he’s done so in four of Auburn’s five games this year. The only exception was in a blowout win over the Alabama A&M. In a more meaningful game tonight, Broome will hit the Over.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Virginia Tech vs Auburn spread and Over/Under analysis

Auburn opened tonight’s game as an 8.5-point favorite. That line is still available at many books, though some have moved to a flat 9-point spread. You can get a discount on Auburn -9, paying just -108, or on Virginia Tech +8.5 (-102) by shopping around. 

The Hokies have put up a solid 4-3 record against the spread so far this year. Auburn has a less impressive 2-3 ATS record on the season.

In terms of talent, Auburn should be able to overwhelm the Hokies tonight. Virginia Tech will especially struggle on offense, where a series of bad matchups and a lack of depth in scoring options will see them come up short. 

The total on this game opened at 152 points, but that number has come down across the board, with the Over/Under now ranging between 149.5 and 150.5 at various sites. Most books are offering -110 action on both sides regardless of the number.

So far this year, the Over holds a 4-3 edge in Virginia Tech’s games. Auburn has played slightly lower-scoring games, with the Under 3-2 when the Tigers take the court. 

We’ve already seen the Hokies struggle to score against Florida Atlantic, and the Auburn defense will pose similar problems. The Tigers have hit the Under in three straight games, with totals of Under 140 points in all three of those contests. I’m leaning strongly toward the Under tonight. 

Virginia Tech vs Auburn betting trend to know

Auburn has won each of its last four games by at least 15 points. Find more college basketball betting trends for Virginia Tech vs. Auburn.

Virginia Tech vs Auburn game info

Virginia Tech vs Auburn key injuries

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