Oklahoma vs. Virginia Prediction
Will No. 1 Virginia be able to avoid an early exit when the Cavaliers take on No. 9 Oklahoma tonight at 7:45PM ET in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament?
861 Oklahoma vs. 862 Virginia
Sunday, March 24, 2019
7:45PM ET – Colonial Life Arena
TV: TRUTV
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Virginia is favored in this game, as the Cavaliers are getting odds of -10.5 points against Oklahoma. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 126 points. The public betting currently has 56 percent going on Virginia. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Sooners roll past Ole Miss
Oklahoma picked up a 95-72 win over Ole Miss on Friday for one of their stronger wins in some time. Oklahoma shot 34 of 59 from the field in the win. The Sooners are 20-13 on the season, 4-2 on a neutral court, 20-10-3 against the spread and 20-13 with the under.
The Sooners are giving up 68.3 points per game this season while holding opponents to 40.4 percent shooting. Offensively, Oklahoma puts up 71.9 points per game while shooting 44.9 percent as a team. In Friday’s win, Oklahoma was very efficient with the ball, committing just four turnovers. Both Rashard Odomos and Christian James each had 20 points while two others scored a combined 37.
Virginia survives scare
Virginia got an early scare from No. 16 Gardner-Webb on Friday, trailing by 14 in the first half before using a big second half to win 71-56. The Cavs failed to cover a 22.5-point spread and they have failed to cover in three of their last four. UVA is now 30-3 on the season, 5-1 on a neutral floor, 23-10 against the spread and 18-15 with the under.
The Cavs have the nation’s top defense, allowing just 55.1 points per game while holding opponents to 38.1 percent shooting. Offensively, UVA averages 71.8 points per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from the arc. Deandre Hunter led Virginia in the win on Friday with 23 points and six rebounds while Mamadi Diakite added 17 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Oklahoma
The Sooners are 14-3-1 against the spread in their last 18 non-conference games and 4-9 ATS in their last 13 NCAA Tournament games.
Virginia
Virginia has failed to cover in five straight NCAA Tournament games, but 6-2 ATS in their last eight non-conference games.
Prediction:
Virginia was able to dominate the second half of its game with Gardner-Webb, but the Cavs can’t afford to start slow tonight. Oklahoma has better athletes and is more capable of scoring. The Sooners showed good balance against Ole Miss and didn’t need the 3-ball to win big. I think they have enough fire power and defensive ability to keep this game with Virginia competitive.
College Basketball Prediction: Oklahoma +10.5