Spread: VT by 3.

The bad news is VT is just 2-5 all time in the ACC/Big(12)Ten Challenge.  The good news is both wins came against iowa.  The Hokies will look for the hat trick Tuesday night in the Cassell.

Tech has gotten off to a great start at 5-0, but they really haven’t been tested.  That changes over the next two weeks as VT plays iowa and oklahoma state at home, then at wvu.  This will show us whether we really are solid, or if we’ve just been feasting on weaker competition and still can’t win a big out of conference game.  Having Tuesday at home will surely help.

Both teams have similar tempo-free numbers.  They average approximately 105.5 points per 100 possessions, a very good average, and hold opponents to less than a point per possession (iowa is 50th best in the nation in this stat).

The hawkeyes have mostly played cupcakes, too, except they did play wichita state in the Cancun Challenge title game and lost by 12 (the shockers were a #5 seed in the Big Dance last year and are undefeated this season).

iowa will really challenge the Hokies with their length.  Of iowa’s top eight players, all but one are 6’5″ or taller.  The Hokies must all get after the defensive glass to help reduce second chance opportunities for the hawkeyes.  iowa averages 14 offensive rebounds per game led by White, Basabe, and 7’1″ Woodbury.  Tech, meanwhile, averages less than 8 offensive rebounds per game.  They’ve been outrebounded on the offensive glass 61-39 by their opponents.  Plain and simple, rebounding could decide this game.