At the end of last week, the Duke Blue Devils finished strong and did enough to get back to the #1 spot in the national rankings, but it now looks as though their time at the top may be a little short-lived after losing this week and losing start player Zion Williamson to injury, albeit on a day to day basis. One of the teams that might be able to claim that #1 spot is the Virginia Cavaliers, although with their only losses this season coming at the hands of Duke, the committee may decide to hold them out of the top spot, at least for now.
All Virginia can do at this point is to continue to keep winning, which might just get them the regular season conference crown as well as the #1 ranking at the end of the season. The Cavaliers have themselves a bit of a tricky one on Saturday, as they will be on the road to a Louisville team edging ever closer to their 20th win of the season. This is a meeting that could have a huge impact on the race to win the regular season ACC crown. Be sure to check back for the latest NCAAB Odds.
Virginia at Louisville NCAA Basketball Odds & Game Info
Another tough road test at Louisville! 📆 Saturday. Feb. 2⃣3⃣ ⏰ Noon 📍@kfc_yumcenter ▶️ https://t.co/VNQXH6IYde 🔶⚔️🔷 #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/rUexKOzHpN
— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) 22 de febrero de 2019
- When: Saturday, February 23 at 12 PM EST
- Where: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville
- TV: ACC Network
- Live Stream: Watch ACC
- NCAA Basketball Odds: TBA
Why bet on the Virginia Cavaliers?
Where it not for the Duke Blue Devils, the Virginia Cavaliers would have made it to this late stage of the season with a perfect 23-0 record. Despite those losses to a conference rival, the Cavaliers still have a share of the lead at the top of the ACC, where they have gone 11-2. A big part of their success has been their ability to go into hostile territory and come away with a win, which they have done in 18 of their last 19 road games.
Over their last 9 games against Louisville, the Cavaliers have won 8. They are also 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games against the Cardinals overall. Virginia has won 22 of 23 games as a favorite this season while going an incredible 9-1 ATS in road games.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 71.76
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.38
- Three-Point Percentage: 40.00
- Free Throw Percentage: 74.88
- Total Rebounds: 35.36
Defense
- Total Score: 54.56
- Field Goal Percentage: 37.65
- Three-Point Percentage: 25.85
- Free Throw Percentage: 64.42
- Total Rebounds: 29.68
Why bet on the Louisville Cardinals?
With an 18-9 record, the Louisville Cardinals are having a decent season, but they are closing out their season by heading in the wrong direction. They have lost 4 of their last 6 games and have particularly struggled in games against ranked opponents, going 1-3 SU during that losing stretch.
While things have not been good for the Cardinals of late, there are still some definite positives to be found when looking at this team, including a very solid 13-3 SU record in their own building. As we mentioned earlier, the Cardinals have just 1 win in their last 9 meetings with the Cavaliers, which is not good news for a struggling team when they know that they will have a pair of meetings with the Cavaliers over the final 4 games. This team could be pushed into the bubble if their poor run of form continues.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 76.33
- Field Goal Percentage: 44.50
- Three-Point Percentage: 35.64
- Free Throw Percentage: 77.10
- Total Rebounds: 37.30
Defense
- Total Score: 68.07
- Field Goal Percentage: 40.90
- Three-Point Percentage: 32.59
- Free Throw Percentage: 69.74
- Total Rebounds: 34.11
Virginia at Louisville NCAA Basketball Betting Trends
- Virginia is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
- Virginia is 18-1 SU in its last 19 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Virginia’s last 22 games on the road
- Louisville is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Virginia
- Louisville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Louisville’s last 8 games
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction
Given the Cavaliers success against the Cardinals and the fact that they have only lost to one team this season, it’s tough to imagine them losing this one. I am looking at a comfortable win for Virginia on Saturday afternoon.
Score: Virginia Cavaliers 78 – Louisville Cardinals 63
