Despite playing under interim head coach David Padgett the Louisville Cardinals have been a surprise sports betting value and Atlantic Coast Conference contender. Louisville was written off for dead when scandal ridden head coach Rick Pitino was shown the door and Padgett deserves credit for holding the program together. The Virginia Cavaliers are for real as proven by their recent win at Duke. Head coach Tony Bennett has built the Cavs into the top defensive team in the country. #2 Virginia hosts Louisville on Wednesday.
Louisville Cardinals vs. #2 Virginia Cavaliers
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 7 p.m. Eastern
Location: John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, Virginia
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Virginia -12
Cardinals vs. Cavaliers TV Coverage: ESPN2
Louisville
The Louisville Cardinals have emerged as one of the biggest sports betting surprises in college basketball. This season was written off as finished before it even began because of the Pitino departure. Padgett is making the most of his opportunity as the interim coach and team confidence is building. Gamblers are noticing the good betting value that Louisville is producing. The Cardinals are 16-5 straight up and 11-8 against the spread with seven payouts in their last eight games. The over is hitting as well for Louisville with none of their last five games going under the total. Road games for Louisville have gone over the total in four out of six matchups with four covers in those six games as well.
Virginia
Speaking of great betting value, the Virginia Cavaliers are 20-1 straight up and 14-4 against the spread. Coach Tony Bennett’s team is coming off a signature 65-63 win at Duke as 3.5 point dogs. Virginia has come away with the money in seven out of their last eight games and in seven out of ten home games. The under is clicking against the betting lines in Virginia games with eight payouts for under the total in UVA’s last nine games.
A suffocating defense that ranks first in the nation is Bennett’s blueprint for success. Because Virginia is not a flashy or offensively oriented program they do not get the immediate street cred of other higher profile programs. But the old saying goes that “Defense wins championships” and the Cavaliers are bringing that adage to life. The closest thing that Virginia boasts as an offense threat is guard Kyle Guy. Guy leads Virginia with 15.2 points per game and had a team best 17 points in the win at Duke.
Team vs Team
This sports betting matchup has been dominated by Virginia as the Cavs have gotten the money in their last four games against The Ville. Three out of the last four games between Louisville and Virginia have gone under the total. In home games against Louisville the Virginia Cavaliers have covered their last two games.
Matchup to Watch
The Virginia defense going up against a hot Louisville team that has caught everyone by surprise. Any fear of a Cavaliers letdown is offset by that dominant defense. Defense is what has made the Cavs a consistent betting value.
Cardinals vs. Cavaliers NCAA Games Betting Odds Picks
The suffocating defense and phenomenal betting value established by Virginia make the Cavaliers an appealing choice.
NCAA Betting Online Pick: Virginia Cavaliers -12
NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Cavaliers 72, Cardinals 58
Check out highlights of Virginia’s huge win at Duke!