Louisville at Virginia NCAAB Betting Lines & Game Preview

As we head into the final weekend of the college basketball regular season, we are at a point where there are still a few things to be decided. Regular season conference titles are still there for the taking, but perhaps more importantly, the jockeying for position is at a fever pitch. The goal of the teams sitting at or near the top of the current rankings is to win out so that they can secure one of those coveted #1 seed spots in the bracket. While getting there does not guarantee a deep run in the tournament, it does make the path to the final that much easier.

The Virginia Cavaliers have probably already done more than enough to be guaranteed one of those #1 seeds, but you can bet that they are not going to leave anything to chance. They will be looking to finish the season strong when they welcome in the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday afternoon. This is a game that you would certainly expect the college basketball betting favorites Cavaliers to win, but let’s not take anything for granted.

Louisville at Virginia NCAAB Betting Lines & Game Preview

We get to honor our big fella Jack Salt tomorrow during Senior Day!📆 Saturday, March 9⃣⏰ 4⃣ p.m.📍 @JPJArena▶️ https://t.co/Zsh6sk3OUL🔶⚔️🔷 #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/YQ1LnDL6iX
— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) 8 de marzo de 2019

When: Saturday, March 9, 4 PM EST
Where: John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
NCAAB Betting Lines: TBA

Why bet on the Louisville Cardinals?

It wasn’t so very long ago that the Louisville Cardinals looked like a shoe-in to be part of March Madness, but they may be forced to sweat things out a little when Selection Sunday comes around. They are currently sitting at 19-11 on the season, but they also seem unlikely to improve on that record when they go against the #2 team in the nation on Saturday afternoon.

Louisville has stumbled badly coming down the stretch and has just 2 wins in their last 7 games, taking their record in the ACC to 10-7. The Cardinals were able to snap out of a 3-game slump earlier this week with a 75-61 win over Notre Dame, but they are now going against a team that they have only beaten once in their last 10 meetings. The Cardinals are 5-5 SU on the road and 6-4 ATS.

Team Stats

Offense

Total Score: 74.90
Field Goal Percentage: 43.72
Three-Point Percentage: 34.41
Free Throw Percentage: 77.30
Total Rebounds: 37.90

Defense

Total Score: 67.63
Field Goal Percentage: 40.83
Three-Point Percentage: 31.99
Free Throw Percentage: 69.12
Total Rebounds: 34.27

Why bet on the Virginia Cavaliers?

The Virginia Cavaliers only have two losses on the season, but they have also only lost to one team, with both of those losses coming at the hands of the Duke Blue Devils. The Cavaliers are currently on a 7-game winning streak and are now at 15-2 in conference play, which is the same record as the UNC Tar Heels.

Louisville at Virginia should be an easy victory for the Cavs.

With a win here, Virginia could potentially take the ACC Conference regular season title and secure the #1 ranking in the nation, so there is a little bit of pressure on them to go out and get the job done. The Cavaliers have already beaten Louisville this season, winning 64-52 on the road, so you would certainly like them to win this one. Virginia is 14-1 SU at home, as well as being 10-5 ATS.

Team Stats

Offense

Total Score: 72.10
Field Goal Percentage: 48.17
Three-Point Percentage: 41.36
Free Throw Percentage: 74.78
Total Rebounds: 35.31

Defense

Total Score: 54.10
Field Goal Percentage: 37.27
Three-Point Percentage: 26.92
Free Throw Percentage: 64.63
Total Rebounds: 29.24

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

Given that the Cavaliers have not lost to anyone other than Duke this season, it’s tough to see them slipping up in their final regular season game of the year. I see the defense reigning supreme once again in a comfortable win.

Score: Louisville Cardinals 58 – Virginia Cavaliers 69

Louisville at Virginia NCAAB Betting Lines & Game Preview