Cardinals vs. Cavaliers Prediction
The second-ranked Virginia Cavaliers have won seven games in a row including their last three by at least 24 points. Will Virginia win big again today to cover the spread at home versus the Louisville Cardinals?
Game Snapshot
651 Louisville Cardinals at 652 Virginia Cavaliers
Saturday, March 9, 2019
John Paul Jones Arena at 4PM ET
TV: ESPN
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our College Basketball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cavaliers are a 13-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 126 points. As of Saturday morning, 54 percent of public bets are being placed on host Virginia. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Cardinals snap three-game skid
Louisville raced to a 75-61 home win Sunday over Notre Dame to improve to 19-11 overall and 10-7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cardinals outscored the Fighting Irish 46-37 in the second half to secure the win. Louisvills shot 30-of-63 from the field, 2-of-22 from 3-point range plus 13-of-15 at the free throw line. Jordan Nwora paced the Cardinals with 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting including 1-of-6 from 3-point range plus 3-of-4 at the free throw line. He also contributed 11 rebounds and two assists. Malik Williams tallied 16 points and 13 boards. Christen Cunningham added 14 points, four caroms and four dimes.
Cavaliers dominate Orange
Virginia rolled to a 79-53 home win Monday night over Syracuse to improve to 27-2 overall and 15-2 in the ACC. The Cavaliers outscored the Orange 47-19 in the second half after trailing by two at halftime. Virginia shot 28-of-51 from the field, 18-of-25 from 3-point distance plus 5-of-11 at the free throw line. Kyle Guy led the Cavs with 25 points on 8-of-10 3-point shooting plus 1-of-2 at the free throw line. He also notched seven rebounds and two assists. De’Andre Hunter contributed 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. Ty Jerome added 16 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Louisville
The Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall. Louisville is 0-4 ATS in its last four Saturday games.
Virginia
The Cavaliers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games. Virginia is 42-16-1 ATS in its last 59 games overall.
Prediction:
This spread doesn’t seem quite wide enough considering how well the Cavaliers are playing and how often they cover big spreads. It was only February 23 that Virginia downed Louisville 64-52 on the road and now the spread is only one point more than that margin with the Cavs hosting. Virginia is ranked second nationally in adjusted offensive AND defensive efficiency, so I expect the Cardinals to be frustrated on both sides of the court today.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: VIRGINIA CAVALIERS -13