The top seed Virginia Cavaliers are taking on 16th seeded Hampton Pirates at the PNCA Arena in Raleigh North Carolina on Thursday afternoon. The top seeded Cavaliers, out of the Midwest Region come into the game with a 26-7 record. The Cavaliers finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season, and also in the conference tournament. Virginia fell to North Carolina by 4. For the Pirates of Hampton, they are 21-10 on the season. The Pirates won the MEAC tournament with an 81-69 win over South Carolina State. The Pirates also won the regular season title. The winner of this March Madness lines match up will take on either Texas Tech or Butler in the second round.
How To Bet on Virginia vs. Hampton March Madness Odds, TV and Game Info
What: Hampton Pirates (21-10) at Virginia Cavaliers (26-7)
When: Thursday, March 17, 2016
Start Time: 3:10 PM ET
Where: Raleigh, North Carolina
Stadium: PNC Arena
Spread: Virginia -24
Moneyline: Virginia -23000
Game Total: N.A
Watch: TRU TV
Why Bet on Hampton
The Hampton Pirates have won 8 of their last 9 games, with their lone loss coming on the road at Norfolk State. During the MEAC tournament, the Pirates downed Morgan State, Savannah State and South Carolina State. In those three games, the Pirates won by an average of 16 points per game. The Pirates are one of the best rebounding teams in all of college basketball, as they rip down more than 41 per game. Hampton’s top scorer this season has been guard Reginald Johnson, with 18.3 points per game. The team is scoring 74.8 points per game, and allowing teams to score 73.8.
Why Bet on Virginia
Virginia had won five in a row before the loss to the Tar Heels in the title game. The Cavaliers picked up wins over North Carolina, Clemson and Louisville during that stretch. Virginia ranks second in the nation defensively, as they are allowing teams to score 59.7 points per game. The Cavaliers have one of the best players in the country, who is their leading scorer Malcolm Brogdon, with 18.7 points per game. Brogdon and guard London Perrantes and the leaders, and have been a magnificent duo. The Cavaliers biggest weakness is on the glass, where they are grabbing just 31.9 rebounds per game.
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction
The Hampton Pirates feel like they can run with the Virginia Cavaliers, because Virginia plays a more deliberate of a game. They will sadly be mistaken, because the Cavaliers are a team that can speed it up when they want to. The Cavaliers are a really good defensive team, and will put the clamps all over Hampton in this one. Look for Virginia to get out to a big lead, and keep that one. The bet to take in this game is definitely the top seeded Virginia Cavaliers. Bet Virginia -24 (at MyBookie.ag) over the Hampton Pirates in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The final score prediction is Virginia 89 and Hampton 54.
