ESPN's BPI Predictor Sees A Tight Game Between Virginia Tech and Boston College Tonight
After losing to Virginia at home on Saturday, Virginia Tech is heading back on the road tonight to face Boston College. The Eagles have been one of the worst teams in the ACC this season and the Hokies need to win this game to try and stay in the mix for a top-nine spot in the ACC Tournament, which would include a first-round bye. Virginia Tech faces a tough final three games down the stretch and needs to take advantage of matchups like this.
The Hokies are a small favorite tonight when it comes to the Oddsmakers, but ESPN's BPI (Basketball Power Index) sees the Eagles winning and favors them very slighty. BPI is giving Boston College a 51% chance to win the game.
But what is BPI? Here is how ESPN describes it:
"The Basketball Power Index (BPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of performance going forward. BPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Strength of Record (SOR) is a measure of team accomplishment based on how difficult a team's W-L record is to achieve. Game predictions account for opponent strength, pace of play, site, travel distance, day's rest and altitude, and are used to simulate the season 10,000 times to produce season projections. Numbers update daily."
Tech snapped a five-game losing skid in the Boston College series on Jan. 23, 2024, defeating the Eagles 76-71. Hunter Cattoor paced four Hokies in double figures with 17 points on 4 of 6 shooting. VT shot 60.7% (17- 28) in the opening stanza of that game. The Eagles lead the all-time series, 23-14, including a 14-4 mark in games played in Chestnut Hill. The Hokies’ last win at BC came on Jan. 31, 2018, in an 85-80 overtime victory. Kerry Blackshear Jr. (20), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (18) and Justin Bibbs (18) combined for 56 of Tech’s 85 points.
Boston College was the last ACC foe Tech hadn’t beaten under Mike Young’s direction until last season
Tech hits the road for a pair of contests this week – at Boston College on Feb. 18 and at Miami on Feb. 22. The Hokies boast four road wins on the season – their most since the 2021-22 season when they posted seven road victories. Tech has won three straight road contests – at Florida State, at Virginia and at Notre Dame. Its last road loss came at Georgia Tech.
As the Atlantic Coast Conference expanded to 18 teams this season, only the top 15 teams will advance to the ACC tournament in Charlotte, March 11-15. Tech is in a four-way tie for ninth at 6-8 following Saturday’s slate of games. Its two opponents this week are tied for last place in the ACC at 2-12 in league play. Following this week, three of the Hokies’ four remaining opponents rank higher than them in the ACC standings: vs Louisville (third), vs. North Carolina (sixth), and at Clemson (second).
Additional Links:
How To Watch Virginia Tech vs Boston College: Tipoff Time, TV Channel, and Odds
Brent Pry Speaks After Hiring New OC, ‘Montgomery Was Our Best Candidate’
Virginia Tech Football: Grading the Hokies’ Hire of Phillip Montgomery as Offensive Coordinator
Jackson Caudell has been covering Georgia Tech Athletics For On SI since March 2022 and the Atlanta Hawks for On SI since October 2023. Jackson is also the co-host of the Bleav in Georgia Tech podcast and he loves to bring thoughtful analysis and comprehensive coverage to everything that he does. Find him on X @jacksoncaudell