Trying to predict which team will land the number one seed in NCAAB at the end of the season is proving to be a tricky task. Getting to the top has proven to be the kiss of death, as getting there is usually followed by a loss to an unranked opponent. The latest upset came just last night, as the Wichita State Shockers, a team making a move for the top spot and huge College Basketball Betting favorite, fell to SMU in a surprise defeat. The Virginia Cavaliers are among the favorites to be at the top of the heap when we head into March Madness, but they have some potential landmines along the way before they get there.
The Cavaliers are the number 2 team in the country right now, but have another tough ACC match-up ahead of them when they head to the ATL on Thursday night to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Jackets are unranked but have been solid in conference play to this point. Make no mistake about it, this is a stern test for the NCAAB betting favorite Cavaliers.
They come into this one having won 4 straight, and if the Cavaliers need any type of warning against complacency ahead of this one, they need only look at the 64-54 win over ranked Miami that the Yellow Jackets delivered to get this run started. That was only the second time this season that Tech had faced a ranked opponent, and while they lost the other to UCLA, it was only a 3-point differential in that one. Tech may not have a great win/loss record, but they have been competitive, going 8-5 ATS.
Cavaliers vs. Yellow Jackets College Basketball Betting Preview & Pick
ORANGE & BLUE: Have we mentioned @UVAMensHoops is undefeated in @theACC? It’s true! @wahoovoice takes a deeper dive into last night’s win over NC State in today’s Orange and Blue Report. #GoHoos #Wahoowa 🔶🔷🏀 pic.twitter.com/swRWRscljO
— Virginia Cavaliers (@VirginiaSports) 15 de enero de 2018
- When: Thursday, January 18 at 8 PM EST
- Where: McCamish Pavilion, Atlanta
- TV: ACC Network
- Radio: 97.5 FM (Virginia) / 106.3 FM (Georgia Tech)
- Live Stream: ACCDN
- College Basketball Betting Odds: Virginia Cavaliers -7.5 (Over/Under at 117 points)
Team Records
- All: Virginia Cavaliers 16-1 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 10-7
- Home: Virginia Cavaliers 12-0 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 9-3
- Away: Virginia Cavaliers 4-1 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 1-4
- ATS: Virginia Cavaliers 10-4 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 8-5
- Over/Under: Virginia Cavaliers 4-10 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 4-9
2018 MENS NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS TO WIN
Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)
- Record: Virginia Cavaliers lead 8-2
- Score: Virginia Cavaliers 66.50 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 52.00
- Field Goal Percentage: Virginia Cavaliers 45.89 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 39.72
- Rebounds: Virginia Cavaliers 32.60 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 30.20
- 3 Point Shots: Virginia Cavaliers 64-165 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 47-146
- Steals: Virginia Cavaliers 5.20 / Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 4.30
Why bet on the Virginia Cavaliers?
While the big guns have been dropping like flies this season, the Virginia Cavaliers are rolling and looking tougher to beat with each passing game. Their lone loss this season came at the hands of a ranked West Virginia squad, but since that defeat, the Cavaliers have reeled off 8 straight wins, never once looking in danger of dropping any of those games. Their run has allowed them to surge to the top of the standings in the ACC, where they are now the only unbeaten team in the conference. This is a team that is getting the job done by playing a stifling brand of defense, allowing just 52.9 PPG, good for first in the nation. Their average margin of victory in their last 4 games, which included a tilt against ranked UNC is 15 PPH. The Cavs have been a great bet this season, going an impressive 11-3 ATS.Team Statistics
Offense- Total Score: 70.53
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.44
- Three-Point Percentage: 39.94
- Free Throw Percentage: 76.68
- Total Rebounds: 33.18
- Total Score: 52.88
- Field Goal Percentage: 36.37
- Three-Point Percentage: 29.38
- Free Throw Percentage: 72.02
- Total Rebounds: 31.53
Why bet on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets?
While some teams come storming out the gate and play great basketball on the off, there are others that need some time to ease into their season. At 10-7, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have been somewhat disappointing, but they are showing signs that they might be ready to put things together.
They come into this one having won 4 straight, and if the Cavaliers need any type of warning against complacency ahead of this one, they need only look at the 64-54 win over ranked Miami that the Yellow Jackets delivered to get this run started. That was only the second time this season that Tech had faced a ranked opponent, and while they lost the other to UCLA, it was only a 3-point differential in that one. Tech may not have a great win/loss record, but they have been competitive, going 8-5 ATS.
Team Statistics
Offense- Total Score: 66.59
- Field Goal Percentage: 43.28
- Three-Point Percentage: 31.85
- Free Throw Percentage: 71.31
- Total Rebounds: 35.24
- Total Score: 62.76
- Field Goal Percentage: 40.41
- Three-Point Percentage: 36.18
- Free Throw Percentage: 68.66
- Total Rebounds: 32.12
Latest College Basketball Betting Trends
- Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on the road
- Cavaliers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Virginia’s last 5 games
- Yellow Jackets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
- Yellow Jackets are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Georgia Tech’s last 5 games
