Mountaineers vs Cavaliers Betting Odds and Pick – December 8, 2015

West Virginia has been on cruise control to start the college basketball season but will face its toughest test Tuesday when they take on state rival Virginia in the Jimmy V Classic at the renowned Madison Square Garden. The 14th-ranked West Virginia is used to playing a much more up-tempo game, while the 10th-ranked Cavaliers are a defense-first team, ranking sixth in the nation in scoring defense (57.5 points per game).

Shark Bites

Virginia is 5-0 SU in its last five games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in West Virginia's last four games on the road.
West Virginia is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games against the Atlantic Coast.

Despite their proximity, the two schools have not met since 1985 when Virginia eked out a 56-55 victory. Containing the Cavaliers’ offense will be key for West Virginia, as the Mountaineers are 27-0 over the last few seasons when holding opponents to 69 points or fewer.

Big 12 competition hasn’t been kind to Virginia as of late. The Cavaliers are 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four games against the Big 12.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

College basketball betting odds makers at Sportsbook opened the Virginia Cavaliers as -4-point favorites in this matchup. Check for the latest spread and over/under total line at sportsbooks such as Sportsbook.

West Virginia Mountaineers vs Virginia Cavaliers Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The West Virginia Mountaineers will look to cover the spread vs the Virginia Cavaliers on Tuesday, as the Mountaineers are 5-0 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Cavaliers are 3-3 ATS. West Virginia is 2-3 against the total, while Virginia is 4-2 versus the total betting line.

It's a betting matchup between the No. 8-rated Virginia Cavaliers and the No. 9-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers, according to the latest pro hoops power rankings here at Odds Shark.

Statistical Matchup

Scoring and defensive stats point to some betting edges in this matchup. The game features Virginia's No. 105-ranked scoring average of 77.12 PPG, against a West Virginia Mountaineers defense rated No. 7 and allowing 57.57 PPG. The Virginia Cavaliers FG% has averaged 49.89% to date this season, more than the West Virginia Mountaineers shooters have managed so far (48.99% per game).