Women's basketball odds: Virginia Tech at LSU picks and predictions
The Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1) and LSU Tigers (7-1) meet Thursday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze DraftKings Sportsbook's lines around the Virginia Tech vs. LSU odds, and make our expert women's college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Hokies look to avenge a 79-72 loss to the Tigers in last season's Final Four. Virginia Tech led 59-50 heading to the 4th quarter of that national semifinal, but LSU rallied behind G Alexis Morris (game-high 27 points) and F Angel Reese (24 points, 12 rebounds) as both players scored 10 points apiece in the final quarter.
Speaking of Reese, the "Bayou Barbie" is back after a 4-game absence due to an undisclosed reason. Coach Kim Mulkey has been very tight-lipped on the situation. Reese has averaged 17.0 points and 10.3 rebounds in 4 games. However, LSU will be without F Sa'Myah Smith, who suffered a season-ending injury (torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in her right knee).
Virginia Tech's only blemish so far is an 80-76 setback against then- No. 3 Iowa in Charlotte back on Nov. 9. The Hokies enter on a 4-game win streak, although the past 2 victories over Tulane and Kansas were by 1 and 6 points, respectively.
LSU is coming off a 76-73 victory Saturday over Virginia at the Cayman Island Classic. The Tigers have won 7 straight since a stunning-opening 92-78 loss to Colorado on an neutral floor in Las Vegas. The Tigers have won 6 of those 7 outings by 23 or more points, but they figure to get a much bigger test against the Hokies.
Virginia Tech is No. 9 and LSU is No. 5 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll.
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Virginia Tech at LSU odds
Provided by DraftKings Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Virginia Tech +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | LSU -380 (bet $380 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Virginia Tech +7.5 (-110) | LSU -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): Off the board
Virginia Tech at LSU picks and predictions
Prediction
LSU 83, Virginia Tech 72
Moneyline
LSU (-380) is too expensive for my liking, well over my personal limit of -180 for a singular bet.
The Tigers could have some chemistry issues. It folds Reese back into the mix, and that's a good thing as she is one of the best players in the nation. But I could see a slow start before the Tigers pick up the pace. LSU will certainly get going by the 2nd half ... in front of its raucous crowd with Reese and Co. comfortable together again by game's end.
PASS and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
The play is LSU -7.5 (-110) on its home court in this marquee matchup between top-10 programs. Virginia Tech will go down to the bayou with revenge on its mind, and it has a tremendous player in its own right with C Elizabeth Kitley leading the way. Averaging 24.3 PPG and 11.5 RPG this season, Kitley will be a handful for the Tigers.
However, it's all about the venue. The Maravich Assembly Center will be wild with an extra gear for the return of Reese.
LSU -7.5 (-110) puts this away in the 2nd half.
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Over/Under
While the O/U line is off the board as of this publishing, I would back an Over up to 151.
We saw Virginia Tech play a marquee matchup in Charlotte against Iowa earlier this season, and that total went Over by a few buckets. This Hokies team can score, especially on the interior.
For LSU, it gets a big chunk of scoring and swagger back with Reese. She is averaging a double-double per game, and that will help infuse more offense into an already high-octane attack for LSU.
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