Virginia vs Hampton Betting Odds and Pick - March 17, 2016

The Virginia Cavaliers have booked themselves what should be an easy first game against the Hampton Pirates Thursday by claiming the top seed in the Midwest Region. Virginia will enter the game as massive favorites, but the Cavs have been excellent at covering when giving up points, as the team is 8-0 ATS in their past eight as faves.

Shark Bites

Hampton is 0-7 SU in their past seven against Virginia.
The UNDER is 11-2 in Virginia’s past 13 games.
Hampton is 10-0 ATS in their past 10 games as underdogs of 23.5 points or less.

It will be interesting to see if Virginia can cover the huge spread, as they tend to play a slowed down, defensive game. The Cavaliers have won by 20-points or more six times this season, but three of those occasions came in the early part of the season against watered down competition.

Hampton comes into their matchup with Virginia as winners of eight of their past nine games. Quinton Chievous has been a big reason for the Pirates surge, as the big guard has averaged 19.6 points and 14.3 rebounds in their seven victories. Chievous missed the one loss during that span.

Click here for a history of the No. 1 vs. No. 16 matchup.

Hampton Pirates vs Virginia Cavaliers Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Virginia Cavaliers are 26-7 so far on the season, and 17-14 ATS vs the number. The Hampton Pirates, meanwhile, are 21-10 and 3-2 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Virginia go 13-18 and the Hampton Pirates go 5-0 on betting totals.

The Cavaliers - Pirates odds would favor the Cavaliers if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Virginia is rated No. 22 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Hampton is at No. 53.