Fighting Irish vs. Cavaliers Prediction
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish face a daunting task this afternoon as they travel to play the fourth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers. Can Notre Dame keep it close enough as big underdogs to stay within the number?
Game Snapshot
631 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at 632 Virginia Cavaliers
Saturday, February 16, 2019
John Paul Jones Arena at 2PM ET
TV: ACCNE
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cavaliers are an 18.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 123.5 points. As of Saturday morning, 51 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Notre Dame. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest updates.
Fighting Irish edge Yellow Jackets
Notre Dame secured a 62-59 home victory Sunday night over Georgia Tech to improve to 13-11 overall and 3-8 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Fighting Irish outscored the Yellow Jackets 45-34 in the second half after trailing by a point at halftime. Notre Dame shot 21-of-64 from the floor, 6-of-27 from 3-point range and 21-of-25 at the free throw line. T.J. Gibbs paced the Fighting Irish with 20 points on 5-of-13 shooting including 2-of-8 from 3-point distance plus 8-of-9 at the free throw line. He also tallied five assists, four steals and three rebounds. D.J. Harvey registered 18 points and eight rebounds. Prentiss Hubb tallied 13 points, five boards and three dimes. John Mooney added 11 points and 14 caroms.
Cavs shut down Tar Heels
Virginia earned a 69-61 victory Monday night at eighth-ranked North Carolina to move to 21-2 overall and 9-2 in conference play. The Cavaliers outscored the hosts 36-29 at halftime en route to the win. Virginia shot 24-of-45 from the floor, 11-of-20 from 3-point distance and 10-of-18 at the free throw line. Kyle Guy led the Cavaliers with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting including 5-of-9 from 3-point range plus 1-of-3 at the free throw line. He also snatched two rebounds. De’Andre Hunter also scored 20 to go with five boards and two assists. Ty Jerome added 15 points, 11 assists and four rebounds.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games overall. Notre Dame is 1-5 ATS in its last six Saturday games.
Virginia
The Cavaliers are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 ACC games. Virginia is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 home games.
Prediction:
The Cavaliers are top five nationally in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. With its only two losses against second-ranked Duke, Virginia is proving to be elite once again this season and with its massive improvements offensively this is arguably its best version yet under head coach Tony Bennett. With an 82-55 win over the Fighting Irish already this season, I’m expecting the Cavs to make quick work of their opposition on their home court today.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: VIRGINIA CAVALIERS -18.5