Virginia Cavaliers vs. Syracuse Orange Preview
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse
When: Saturday, February 4, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Virginia Cavaliers vs. Syracuse Orange – view all NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Virginia Cavaliers (17-4, 7-2 ACC)
No. 9 Virginia is out there suffocating opponents’ offense. Just like in the past few seasons, Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers have been reaping success by employing a nasty, crippling defense that allows just 53.4 points per game—the fewest in the nation.
Virginia Tech definitely tasted the wrath of the Cavs’ defense in a 71-48 Virginia win last Wednesday. The Hokies went just 15-for-42 from the floor for a poor 35.7 field goal shooting percentage, numbers that are typical of Virginia opponents. Virginia is fourth in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency and 10th in Division I with opposing teams shooting just 38.6 FG%.
Against the Hokies, Virginia got tremendous performances from Devon Hall and Isaiah Wilkins, who had 17 and 14 points, respectively. Hall’s elevated play of late has been a big boost for Virginia’s offense that produces 69.2 PPG. Hall is averaging 8.6 PPG thus far this season, but has put up 11.6 points over his last five games. Wilkins, who had 15 points and nine boards in the Virginia Tech game, has averaged 13.3 points in the last three games, significantly better than his season average of 7.4 PPG.
Virginia is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games.
Betting on the Syracuse Orange (14-9, 6-4 ACC)
John Gillon’s confidence is on a high right now and he wants his entire Orange team to feel the same way when they take on Virginia this Saturday. Gillon was straight up filthy last Wednesday, scoring 43 points with nine threes to guide Syracuse to a 100-93 win over NC State in Raleigh.
In the previous 82-72 win over No. 6 Florida State, Gillon also caught fire, torching the Noles for 21 points to go with 11 assists. Gillon’s unlikely to do that well against Virginia’s stingy defense but he’ll attract enough attention from the Cavs to give some space for other Orange players to find a way to score. Andrew White III, who leads the team with 17.2 PPG this season, had 28 against the Wolfpack, even scoring the overtime’s first nine points. Tyler Lydon had 15 against NC State.
Virginia plays dedicated defense against three-point shooters but a team like Syracuse, which is loaded with outside snipers should be able to stretch the floor well enough to get off some uncontested shots from beyond the arc. Syracuse has four players with at least 38 made threes made thus far this season. Furthermore, the Orange are 23rd in Division I with a 39.5 3FG% and 40th in three-points made with 9.0 per game.
Syracuse is 6-0 SU and ATS in its last six games as the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
Syracuse wins, 68-65.
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