Hampton Pirates vs Virginia Cavaliers

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.

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.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

The Pirates grabbed a 81-69 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday, behind a 22-point effort from Brian Darden at Norfolk Scope Arena.

Virginia got 15 points from Malcolm Brogdon but lost anyway, 61-57, to North Carolina on Saturday at Verizon Center.