Virginia (26-2) at Syracuse (19-10)
When: Monday, March 4th, 2019
Where: Carrier Dome,
Syracuse, New York
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Virginia -7/120.5
Open an Account at Bovada Sportsbook to get up to a $250 Deposit Bonus!
With just one week left in the ACC season, the battle for the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament is still on the line between three teams – Virginia, North Carolina, and Duke. The Cavaliers will take to the court first this week when they invade New York and battle the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Virginia and North Carolina are tied at 14-2 with Duke just a game behind heading into Monday’s action. The Cavaliers have won six straight since a 10-point home loss to Duke on Feb. 9 and have held each opponent to 61 or less in that stretch including a 73-49 triumph over Pittsburgh on Saturday. Syracuse is battling for position in the ACC Tournament next week and can finish anywhere from fourth to seventh. The Orange battled both Duke and North Carolina tough only to come up short, but rebounded this past Saturday with a 79-54 win at Wake Forest as the defense was spectacular against the reeling Demon Deacons. Tyus Battle led the way with 21 points for a Syracuse team who will look to even the all-time series with Virginia on Monday (6-5 Cavaliers).
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 39-19 halftime lead against Pittsburgh, which enabled coach Tony Bennett to rest his starters as much as possible. Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter all played less than 30 minutes, as Bennett used 13 players on Saturday. Guy led the team in scoring against the Panthers with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-7 from long range despite playing with a sore knee. The Cavs have held 10 teams under 50 points this season and led the nation in allowing 54.1 points per game. They will be home against Louisville to close the regular season on Saturday.
The Orange were 6.5-point underdogs the last time Virginia came to town and fell to the Cavaliers 59-44 and hope for a better offensive showing this time around. Battle leads the team in scoring at 17.7 points per game and hit 9-of-13 from the field against Wake Forest while also recording five steals. Second-leading scorer Elijah Hughes (13.9) shot 8-of-12 for his 18 points as the Orange shot 54.4 percent from the floor and outscored the Demon Deacons in the paint 44-10. The defense held Wake Forest without a basket for a 13.5-minute stretch in the second half.
The Cavaliers have been doing a terrific job on the road this season, winning 12 of 13 and covering the spread in 11 of those including a road win at North Carolina. Syracuse has a heck of a time trying to score, ranking in the 200’s in most offensive categories. I just don’t see how the Orange can keep up with the Cavaliers in this one.
Pick: Virginia -7
Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Cavaliers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Cavaliers are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Cavaliers are 22-8-1 ATS in their last 31 games after allowing less than 50 points in their previous game.
Cavaliers are 36-16-1 ATS in their last 53 games following a straight up win.
Cavaliers are 36-16-1 ATS in their last 53 games following a ATS win.
Cavaliers are 48-22-1 ATS in their last 71 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Cavaliers are 45-22-1 ATS in their last 68 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Cavaliers are 51-25-1 ATS in their last 77 road games.
Orange are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games overall.
Orange are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 vs. Atlantic Coast.
Orange are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Orange are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Orange are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Orange are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 games after allowing less than 50 points in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Cavaliers last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 3-1-1 in Cavaliers last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 37-16-1 in Cavaliers last 54 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 35-16-1 in Cavaliers last 52 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-0 in Orange last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 6-1 in Orange last 7 Monday games.
Under is 6-1 in Orange last 7 games following a ATS win.
Under is 5-1 in Orange last 6 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Orange last 5 home games.
Under is 6-2 in Orange last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Over is 3-1-1 in Orange last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 33-16-3 in Orange last 52 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings in Syracuse.
Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Road team is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
