Cavaliers vs. Orange Prediction
The 11th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers will open their season tonight with an Atlantic Coast Conference clash at the Syracuse Orange. Can Virginia take care of business as the road favorites?
Game Snapshot
719 Virginia Cavaliers at 720 Syracuse Orange
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Carrier Dome at 9PM ET
TV: ACC Network
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our NCAA Basketball Odds & Betting Page
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Cavaliers are a 3.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 125.5 points. As of Wednesday morning, 77 percent of public bets are pouring in on visiting Virginia. Check out our NCAA Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Cavs look to reload in 2019-20
Virginia lost the three biggest names from its NCAA championship team a year ago as DeAndre Hunter, Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome all left for the NBA Draft. But with head coach Tony Bennett still at the helm, expect the Cavs to play largely the same type of defensive-first basketball and slow-down tempo. Virginia returns experience in the form of Mamadi Diakite, Braxton Key and Kihei Clark. Junior college transfer Tomas Woldetensae and four-star recruit Casey Morsell look to solidify the guard positions. Virginia might not be at the level it has been the last several seasons, but this team under Bennett’s tutelage should once again be among the ACC’s best if not one of the best in the nation by the time it’s all said and done.
Boeheim returns for 44th season
Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim has been a staple of Orange basketball for the last four decades and his 2-3 zone will once again be a identifying factor of his squad. Back in the fold are many key returners including Elijah Hughes, Marek Dolezaj, Bourama Sidibe, Jalen Carey and his son Buddy Boeheim. But a pair of early entrees to the NBA – Tyus Battle and Oshae Brissett – keep this Syracuse squad from perhaps reaching its full potential. The Orange also bring in a decent recruiting class highlighted by Quincy Guerrier, who is expected to make an immediate impact. The Orange look to once again be one of those squads that might be on the fringe of a top-25 team and look to build something as the season progresses.
NCAA Basketball Betting Trends
Virginia
The Cavaliers are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 Wednesday games. Virginia is 6-2 ATS in its last eight ACC games.
Syracuse
The Orange are 7-1 ATS in their last eight Wednesday games. Syracuse is 1-3-1 ATS in its last five games overall.
Prediction:
The Orange are always tough in the Carrier Dome and with Virginia having to push new players to the forefront, this could be a prime opportunity for the hosts to pounce. The spread is small for good reason and I think this has prime upset potential. Take the points if you wish to be safe, but I’m definitely on board the Syracuse here.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: SYRACUSE ORANGE +3.5