NCAAB: Eckel on the ACC likes Wednesday’s road favorites

There are three games in the ACC Wednesday night and I like the road favorite in all three, which is probably not a good thing.

Anyway, here goes.

Virginia Tech -8 at MIAMI, 7 p.m.
The Pick: Virginia Tech -8

There are two trends that jump out here that make me lean toward the Hokies (16-3), even though they are on the road and laying a big number to the ‘Canes (9-10).

Virginia Tech is 13-3 against the spread this season against sub .500 teams. And Miami is 0-4 this season against teams ranked in the top 20. The Hokies are ranked 12 in the latest polls.

Miami couldn’t stay within single figures of Florida State at home in its last game, and Va. Tech is better than FSU. Look for big games from sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17.5 points) and junior forward Kerry Blackshear (13.3) and the Hokies to roll.

Louisville -10 at WAKE FOREST, 8 p.m.
Picks: Louisville -10; under 143 1/2

This is the strongest play, despite laying double-digits on the road.

Louisville (15-5) has won five straight, including a win over the Tar Heels at Chapel Hill. If it can win at the Dean Dome, winning at Wake shouldn’t be a problem for the Ville.

Wake (8-11) isn’t good. Philly fans might remember this team lost to St. Joe’s by 20 early in the season at the Myrtle Beach Invitational. Things haven’t gotten much better. Danny Manning’s Deacons have dropped six of their last seven and five were by double figures.

After tonight make that seven of eight and six by double figures (we hope).

Syracuse -2.5 at BOSTON COLLEGE, 8 p.m.
Pick: Syracuse -2.5

How up and down are the Orange? They lost at home to Georgia Tech and then went on the road and beat Duke the next game.

So they’re probably a good team to stay away from as far as wagering is concerned.

But the numbers lean their way tonight. Syracuse (14-6) is 6-2 against the spread in their last eight ACC games and 3-1 on the road.

Boston College (11-7) had lost five straight before recent wins over Florida State and Wake Forest. But the Eagles are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven home games.