NCAAB · Final

Virginia Tech Edges Syracuse in Close Contest

Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · JMA Wireless Dome

Virginia Tech Hokies 76, Syracuse Orange 74, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Virginia Tech Hokies vs Syracuse Orange?

Virginia Tech Hokies beat Syracuse Orange 76-74 at JMA Wireless Dome on January 21, 2026.

Who was favored in Virginia Tech Hokies vs Syracuse Orange?

Syracuse Orange were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -180 (about 64% implied). The underdog won.

In a tightly contested match at the JMA Wireless Dome, the Virginia Tech Hokies defeated the Syracuse Orange 76-74. This victory marks a significant achievement for Virginia Tech, who improved their record to 16-5, while Syracuse dropped to 12-8. The game highlighted the competitive nature of NCAAB, showcasing two teams with contrasting recent performances. Syracuse entered the game with a 7-3 record over their last ten games, but they were on a one-game losing streak after falling to the Boston College Eagles 81-73 on January 17. They averaged 77.7 points scored and allowed 70.1 points during this stretch. In contrast, Virginia Tech also boasted a 7-3 record in their last ten games, riding a one-game winning streak after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 89-76 on January 17. The Hokies averaged 81.7 points scored and allowed 73.3 points in that same span.

At home, Syracuse had a record of 5-2, while their away record stood at 2-1. Virginia Tech, however, had a strong home record of 7-1 but struggled on the road with an 0-2 away record prior to this game. This match was particularly noteworthy as it was their second meeting of the season; in their previous encounter on March 1, 2025, Virginia Tech also emerged victorious, winning 101-95.

The injury situation did not heavily impact either team in this matchup, allowing both squads to field their strongest lineups. The market had set the odds with DraftKings, giving Syracuse a -3.5 spread and a moneyline of -180, while Virginia Tech was at +150. The total for the game was set at 152.5, with over odds at -108 and under odds at -112.

The game conditions were conducive to an exciting matchup, with both teams looking to establish their dominance early. As the game progressed, Virginia Tech’s ability to execute in crunch time proved decisive. Key moments included Tobi Lawal making crucial free throws to extend Virginia Tech's lead to 76-71 late in the second half. Syracuse fought back, with J.J. Starling scoring a driving layup to bring the score to 73-71, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

Fans witnessed a thrilling finish as Naithan George hit a 27-foot three-point jumper to narrow the gap to 76-74, but time ran out before Syracuse could secure the equalizer. This match not only reflected the intensity of the NCAAB season but also set the stage for both teams as they look to solidify their standings moving forward.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	SYR -3.5	152.5 o -108 / u -112	Virginia Tech Hokies +150 · Syracuse Orange -180

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsJ.J. Starling12Syracuse Orange
AssistsJ.J. Starling3Syracuse Orange
ReboundsDonnie Freeman9Syracuse Orange
PointsBen Hammond24Virginia Tech Hokies
AssistsBen Hammond4Virginia Tech Hokies
ReboundsTobi Lawal11Virginia Tech Hokies

Recent form

Syracuse Orange

Last 10: 7-3Streak L177.7 scored · 70.1 allowed per game5-2 at home

L73-81at Boston College EaglesJan 17
W94-86vs Florida State SeminolesJan 14
W83-72at Pittsburgh PanthersJan 10
W82-72at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsJan 7
L61-64vs Clemson TigersDec 31
W77-48vs Stonehill SkyhawksDec 23
W91-83vs Northeastern HuskiesDec 20
W76-62vs Mercyhurst LakersDec 18
L69-70vs Hofstra PrideDec 13
W71-63vs Saint Joseph's HawksDec 12

Virginia Tech Hokies

Last 10: 7-3Streak W181.7 scored · 73.3 allowed per game0-2 away

W89-76vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishJan 17
L76-77at SMU MustangsJan 15
W78-75vs California Golden BearsJan 10
L68-69vs Stanford CardinalJan 8
L78-81at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsJan 3
W95-85vs Virginia CavaliersDec 31
W82-81vs Elon PhoenixDec 20
W82-53vs Maryland Eastern Shore HawksDec 14
W96-74vs Western Carolina CatamountsDec 12
W73-62vs George Mason PatriotsDec 6

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Duke	35-3	-	17-1
Virginia	30-6	2	15-3
Miami	26-9	4	13-5
North Carolina	24-9	5	12-6
Clemson	24-11	5	12-6
Louisville	24-11	6	11-7
NC State	20-14	7	10-8
Florida State	18-15	7	10-8
California	22-12	8	9-9
Stanford	20-13	8	9-9
Virginia Tech	19-13	9	8-10
SMU	20-14	9	8-10
Wake Forest	18-17	10	7-11
Syracuse	15-17	11	6-12
Pittsburgh	13-20	12	5-13
Notre Dame	13-18	13	4-14
Boston College	11-20	13	4-14
Georgia Tech	11-20	15	2-16

Box score

Stat	Virginia Tech Hokies	Syracuse Orange
Field goals	23-51	26-61
Field goal %	45	43
Three-pointers	4-17	10-23
Three-point %	24	43
Free throws	26-36	12-14
Free throw %	72	86
Rebounds	34	36
Offensive rebounds	8	11
Defensive rebounds	26	25
Assists	10	13
Steals	9	6
Blocks	3	3
Turnovers	10	14
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	16	8
Fast-break points	25	15
Points in the paint	36	32
Fouls	15	28
Largest lead	9	10
Lead changes	12	12
Time in front	25	69

How the scoring went

2nd Half48-49Sadiq White Jr. makes 5-foot dunk (J.J. Starling assists)
2nd Half49-49Tobi Lawal makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-49Tobi Lawal makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half51-49Tobi Lawal makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-51Sadiq White Jr. makes 0-foot tip in dunk
2nd Half52-51Ben Hammond makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-51Ben Hammond makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half53-52J.J. Starling makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-53J.J. Starling makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-53Tobi Lawal makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-53Ben Hammond makes 4-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half58-53Ben Hammond makes layup (Neoklis Avdalas assists)
2nd Half59-53Ben Hammond makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half59-55Naithan George makes 6-foot jumper
2nd Half60-55Tobi Lawal makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-55Neoklis Avdalas makes driving layup
2nd Half64-55Amani Hansberry makes layup (Ben Hammond assists)
2nd Half64-56Donnie Freeman makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half64-57Donnie Freeman makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-57Ben Hammond makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half66-57Ben Hammond makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-59J.J. Starling makes driving layup
2nd Half67-59Ben Hammond makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half68-59Ben Hammond makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half68-62Tyler Betsey makes 29-foot three point jumper (Naithan George assists)
2nd Half69-62Ben Hammond makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-62Ben Hammond makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-63Tyler Betsey makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half70-64Tyler Betsey makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half70-65Tyler Betsey makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half70-67Donnie Freeman makes layup
2nd Half71-67Tobi Lawal makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-67Tobi Lawal makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-69J.J. Starling makes driving layup
2nd Half73-69Neoklis Avdalas makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half73-71J.J. Starling makes layup
2nd Half74-71Neoklis Avdalas makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half75-71Tobi Lawal makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half76-71Tobi Lawal makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half76-74Naithan George makes 27-foot three point jumper