NCAAB: Monday Teaser is avoiding spreads and going over/under

Virginia -5 @ VIRGINIA TECH (119.5), 7 pm. We’ll acknowledge up front that this is two great defensive teams who play at very slow pace. That said, taking the Teaser 5 off the Over/Under and getting that below 115 seems like a good Over play. Good as Virginia (22-2, 10-2) is on the D, they’ve only played one sub-115 road game all season and Virginia Tech (20-5, 9-4) has only played one home game below that number. You don’t have to run-and-gun fellas, but 59-57 will work. Illinois +9.5 @ WISCONSIN (135), 8 pm. Wisconsin (17-8, 9-5) has lost two in a row, is home, and needs a win. Illinois (10-15, 6-8) has won four in a row and five of six. If Wisconsin dictates tempo this is a grinder. If Illinois gets its way there will be up-and-down action. We’re thinking Wisconsin will badger the Illini.
Pick: Virginia @ VIRGINIA TECH Over 114.5 with Illinois @ WISCONSIN Under 140.