NIT: Virginia Tech at Cincinnati odds, picks and predictions

The Virginia Tech Hokies (18-13) battle the Cincinnati Bearcats (20-11) Wednesday at Fifth Third Arena. Tip in the 1st-round NIT game is set for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook's lines around the Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnatiodds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The Hokies finished their season with a 97-77 loss against N.C. State after beating Notre Dame 67-64 in their opening ACC Tournament game. They covered just 2 of their last 6 games and were 13-20 against the spread (ATS) on the season. Tech finished 36th in offense and 139th in defensive rating per Kenpom.

Cincinnati ranked 54th in Kenpom, sitting 55th in offensive and 66th in defensive rating. It lost to Houston 69-48 in the AAC Tournament following an 84-54 win over Temple. The Bearcats covered 8 of their last 12 games. They ended 21-11 ATS on the season.

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