Thundering Herd vs. Cavaliers Prediction
No one has solved the smothering defense of the fourth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers yet this season. Will today’s home contest versus the Marshall Thundering Herd stay under the total today as Virginia again showcases its elite defensive abilities?
Game Snapshot
751 Marshall Thundering Herd at 752 Virginia Cavaliers
Monday, December 31, 2018
John Paul Jones Arena at 1PM ET
TV: ACCNE
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cavaliers are a 20-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 135 points. As of Monday morning, 80 percent of public bets are pouring in on host Virginia. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Thundering herd crushed by Aggies
Marshall dropped to 7-5 on the season Saturday with a 92-68 loss at Texas A&M. The Thundering Herd trailed 42-33 at halftime and could not bounce back after the break. Marshall shot only 25-of-71 from the field including 10-of-35 on 3-point attempts while going 8-of-15 at the free throw line. Rondale Watson paced the Thundering Herd with 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting including 2-of-5 on 3-point tries to go with six rebounds and three assists. C.J. Burks added 18 points, two boards, two assists and two steals.
Cavaliers shut down William & Mary
Virginia cruised to a 72-40 home win over William & Mary Saturday afternoon to improve to 11-0 on the season. The Cavaliers led 34-23 at halftime before playing even better in the second half. De’Andre Hunter led Virginia with 18 points on 4-of-8 shooting including 1-of-1 from 3-point range and 9-of-10 at the free throw line. He also contributed four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kyle Guy added 16 points and seven boards. The Cavaliers shot 24-of-50 from the floor, 5-of-13 on 3-point tries and 19-of-21 on free throws.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Marshall
The Thundering Herd are 24-12 ATS after allowing 80 or more points the previous game the last three seasons. Marshall is 114-147 in road lined games since 1997.
Virginia
The Cavaliers are 28-14 ATS in all games the last two seasons. Virginia is 15-6 ATS in non-conference games the last two seasons.
Prediction:
This will be a total clash in personalities as the Thundering Herd like to play at a breakneck pace while the Cavaliers prefer to be plodding and efficient. I think Marshall will be slowed down some, but there will still be more possessions in this contest than a normal Virginia game. Look for that to lead to more points on both sides. I like the over in this one.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD/VIRGINIA CAVALIERS OVER 135