Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers (+600 to win the national title) continue to make Charles Barkley happy. They have booked their first Final Four seat in the program’s history after slaying another blue blood in the previous round. It’s not about to get easier for them, though, as the Tigers will next face another No. 1 seed in the form of the Virginia Cavaliers (+150), whose defense and discipline are going to be big hurdles for Auburn.
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Betting Preview for the Auburn Tigers vs. Virginia Cavaliers College Basketball Game on April 6, 2019
Where: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
When: Saturday, April 6, 2019, 6:09 PM ET
Line: Auburn Tigers (+5.5) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (-5.5) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Auburn Tigers (30-9 Overall / 11-7 Conference)
The Tigers could be a team of destiny, and no one could blame them if they believe in that. Auburn has been nothing short of sensational in the NCAA Tournament, as evidenced not only by its deep run, but also of the quality of the teams it took down on its way to the Final Four. After barely surviving the New Mexico State Aggies in the first round, the Tigers have knocked out the Kansas Jayhawks (89-75), the North Carolina Tar Heels (97-80), and the Kentucky Wildcats (77-71 OT). Against the Wildcats in the Elite Eight round, the Tiger bucked the absence of forward Chuma Okeke and relied on their seemingly ever-reliable backcourt tandem of Jared Harper and Bryce Brown. Harper scored a team-high 26 points, while Brown chipped in 24 points. Auburn’s pesky defense affected the Wildcats’ attack, as the Tigers had 10 steals and nine blocks. It’s also the same reason why Auburn survived despite having its first bad-shooting game from deep in the tournament, going just 7-for-23 from distance after draining 42 triples in the first three games in the Big Dance. Auburn’s pace and still lethal outside sniping are huge keys to their success in breaking down Virginia’s defense.
Auburn is 8-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 games, and is 18-9-1 ATS after a win.
Betting on the Virginia Cavaliers (33-3 Overall / 16-2 Conference)
The Cavaliers are on the verge of making one of the most memorable turnarounds in March Madness history. A year after becoming the first No. 1 seed to get ousted in the tournament, Tony Bennett and his Cavs are making their first Final Four appearance during his coaching tenure in Charlottesville. It wasn’t an easy journey for them, though, especially in the Elite Eight round where they have to stop the high-flying offense of the Purdue Boilermakers in an 80-75 overtime win. The tandem of Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome led the way for Virginia, scoring 25 and 24 points, respectively, while combining for nine of the Hoos’ 14 3-pointers. Apart from their offense, their sticky defense will be very much counted upon by Virginia against Auburn, particularly in the team’s attempt to contain Harper and Brown. Outside of the Purdue meeting, the Cavaliers have not allowed more than 56 points in a game in the tournament. In the regular season, Virginia led the nation with just 55.4 points allowed per game. With Auburn missing Okeke, who would have posed trouble for the Cavaliers inside, expect the pair of Mamadi Diakite and Jack Salt to have an easier time controlling the board, which, in effect, would dictate the game’s pace to Virginia’s favor.
The under is 3-1 in its last four games. The Cavs are the fifth best in NCAA Division 1 when it comes to covering (doing so 69.4% of the time), with a 25-11 ATS record on the season as a whole.
Writer’s Prediction
Virginia wins, 70-64.
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