Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Wednesday ACC basketball odds: Hokies may be without key player Hunter Cattoor against Cavaliers, owners of nation's longest home win streak

The Mountain West's Boise State carried a 22-game home winning streak into Tuesday's college basketball action, the longest such streak in the nation, but were upset by UNLV. That means the longest home winning streak now belongs to Virginia at 19 straight, but that's in potential jeopardy tonight when the Cavaliers host rival Virginia Tech – which might be without one of its key players, guard Hunter Cattoor. UVA is currently -4 on the SportsLine consensus.

Is it too early to talk about NCAA Tournament bracketology? Neither ESPN nor CBS Sports' Jerry Palm have Virginia Tech (10-6) or Virginia (11-5) in the current field of 68 as both are 2-3 in ACC play. Since winning the 2019 NCAA Tournament for the school's first title Tony Bennett's team has lost twice in the first round and missed the 2022 tournament.

The Cavs have been routed in back-to-back games by NC State and Wake Forest, but those were on the road. At John Paul Jones Arena, Virginia has held 44 straight ACC opponents to 70 points or fewer. UVA ranks first nationally in turnovers per game (8.3), second in scoring defense (57.7 PPG), fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.86), sixth in turnover margin (5.5), ninth in fouls per game (13.4), 25th in field goal percentage defense (39.4) and 34th in blocks per game (4.9).

UVA is never a stellar offensive team under Bennett and is shooting 44.2% from the field, 35.8% from 3-point range and 65.6% from the free throw line – the latter is a good way to lose close games. Reece Beekman (12.7 PPG, 5.9 assists per game) is the only starter back from last season's ACC regular-season champion.

Virginia Tech missed the Tournament last season at 19-15 and then lost in the first round of the NIT. The Hokies were beaten 75-71 by Miami on Saturday for their third loss in four games despite Sean Pedulla's of 33 points and 10 rebounds. He has been scorching hot of late in averaging, 30.3 PPG over the past three, but is set at only over/under 13.5 at DraftKings against that stellar UVA defense.

Cattoor, a senior guard averaging 13.5 points, hasn't played since leaving last Wednesday's win over Clemson. He dove onto the floor for a loose ball and was accidentally kicked in the side of his head by a Tigers player. Coach Mike Young has said Cattoor is feeling much better but has not been cleared to play as of this writing. His 288 career made 3-pointers are a school record.

Virginia is 42-13 in Charlottesville against Virginia Tech and has won the past four there. The Hokies' last road win came on Feb. 10, 2018. The teams have split the past two season series. Tech is 0-3 in true road games this season and its last such win came on Feb. 28, 2023 at Louisville (71-54).

Who has the longest home winning streak should Virginia lose? Cleveland State of the Horizon League has won 17 in a row. The Vikings aren't back in action until Saturday's home game vs. IPFW.

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