When Louisville joined the ACC back in 2014, the Cardinals were expected to become a force in the conference but they have yet to get over the mountain that is Virginia. Louisville is 1-6 SU (4-2-1 ATS) vs Virginia since joining the ACC, with four of the losses coming by double digits. A victory over Virginia on Thursday could be huge for a Louisville team that is firmly on the bubble.
- Virginia is 17-4-1 ATS in its last 22 games as favorite.
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Virginia’s last 12 games.
- Louisville is 6-0 SU in its last 6 games at home after consecutive road games.
Louisville has been the definition of mediocrity this season in almost every way and could be on the outs come Selection Sunday without a marquee victory. The Cardinals are just 1-5 in games against ranked opponents this year – and that victory came against an FSU team that is 8-9 in conference play. Ray Spalding – who has actually seen some minutes decrease with Dwayne Sutton getting some extra minutes – has been Louisville’s best player, averaging 15.7 points and 9.7 rebounds in the past three contests.
Though Virginia has little to play for, having already locked up the top spot in the ACC, it will be important to see just how many minutes leading scorer Kyle Guy gets. Guy played a season-low 19 minutes on Saturday after taking a hard spill. Though coach Tony Bennett said Guy could have played if he was needed, it is still worth monitoring with the Cavaliers having little to gain from a victory.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Bettors looking to go with the Louisville Cardinals in this one found them listed as 3.5-point underdogs earlier on the NCAA basketball betting odds menu at Sportsbook. Check for line moves and odds updates as money coming in on the Cavaliers was expected to move the line.
Virginia Cavaliers vs Louisville Cardinals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Louisville Cardinals bring a 19-10 record (14-12-1 ATS) to this tilt against the 26-2 Virginia Cavaliers, who are 18-6-1 ATS. Those OVER/UNDER betting have witnessed Louisville go 16-11 so far and Virginia go 6-19.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 149-rated Cardinals and the No. 4-ranked Cavaliers, according to the latest college hoops power rankings here at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
Rebounding is always a key handicapping betting consideration and Virginia is ranked No. 233 in NCAA basketball at 32.64 per game. Contrast that with Louisville's No. 63 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, Louisville is the No. 126-ranked team in the country at 7.79 treys per game, while Virginia rates No. 145 at 7.54 per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The battle between the Cavaliers and Panthers didn't turn out to be much of a battle at all as Pittsburgh was handed a 66-37 defeat on Saturday at Petersen Events Center.
Louisville earned a 75-68 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday, getting 22 points from Quentin Snider at Cassell Coliseum.
- Virginia is 9-2-1 ATS in its last 12 games
- Virginia is 18-1 SU in its last 19 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Virginia's last 6 games
- Virginia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Louisville is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
- Louisville is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Louisville is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games at home
- Louisville is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Virginia
Next Betting Matchups
Virginia home to Notre Dame, Saturday, March 3
Louisville at North Carolina State, Saturday, March 3
