No. 2 Virginia and No. 16 Louisville both started slow in their respective games, only to rally back late. Virginia took a dominant win after falling behind against Syracuse on Monday. Louisville wasn’t as fortunate as it ran out of steam against Notre Dame at home.
The two rivals now meet in what should be an entertaining regular season finale. Read on as we give you everything you need to know heading into this ACC clash.
Another contender for the national title is also in action on Saturday. The No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats put their undefeated record on the line as they take on a tough Florida Gators side. Check out our complete preview of that game here.
[sc:MarchMadness ]Virginia Cavaliers vs. Louisville Cardinals Preview
Where: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville
When: Saturday, March 7, 6:30 PM ET
Line: Virginia Cavaliers at Louisville Cardinals – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia seemed to be in trouble. The Cavaliers made just one field goal in the first 13 minutes and trailed Syracuse 11-2. But they heated up. The Cavaliers went on a 21-9 run to put themselves ahead by two at halftime, and then led all the way to a 59-47 win on Monday night.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Anthony Gill provided some offense by repeatedly driving toward the basket for a game-high 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Malcolm Brogdon and London Perrantes both buried a couple of long three-pointers, as No. 2 Virginia flashed its offensive weapons. Perrantes also finished with 10 assists as he directed the Cavaliers to their big comeback win.
The Cavaliers need the same offensive efficiency to sweep their two-game set against Louisville this season. Virginia took the first matchup 52-47 this year, but did not cover the -7 spread.
Brogdon put up 15 big points in the game, but was limited to 3-of-13 from the field. Gill did some damage off the bench with 10 points. Expect to find Gill back in the starting lineup for this game. He has averaged 14.7 points per game in the six games since becoming a starter.
Virginia’s ability to find the open man could be the spark it needs to take a win at Louisville. The Hoos had just nine assists in the first meeting against the Cardinals, but have averaged 14 in their last three games (with an average scoring margin of +20). Perrantes has done a fine job spreading the offense with 6.3 assists per game in his last four contests.
The Cavaliers have won their last 10 on the road, going 8-2 against the spread in those games.
Betting on the Louisville Cardinals
Montrezl Harrell scored 23 big points on 8-of-12 shooting, while Wayne Blackshear and Terry Rozier each chipped in 11 points. But the Louisville Cardinals could not hold back Notre Dame’s high-flying offense as they fell 71-59 on Wednesday night.
The Cardinals shouldn’t have as much trouble against Virginia’s offense. Virginia’s 65.8 points per game ranks 11th in a 15-team ACC. They limited Virginia to 52 points on 33 percent shooting (14 percent from three) in the first matchup this season.
If Louisville is to capitalize on Virginia’s lackluster offense, then it’ll need to be able to put up the points. Harrell should be a live threat after averaging 16.9 points per game since the loss to Virginia. Rozier also had some success against Virginia dropping 16 points in the first matchup.
The Cardinals may be better served to take two point shots against Virginia’s tight defense. Louisville made 44 percent of two-pointers in the first matchup, while it made just 21 percent of threes. The Cardinals have shot 49 percent from two-point range this season.
Louisville is just 2-8 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Virginia ekes out a close win on the road. Create a betting account now and cash in on plenty of exciting college basketball action.
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