Virginia at Pittsburgh College Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/24/2018

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Petersen Events Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Virginia Cavaliers head to Petersen Events Center to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, February 24, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Virginia as 20.5 point favorites.

Virginia heads into this matchup with a mark of 25-2. They currently have a point differential of 14.9 as they are averaging 67.6 points per contest while giving up 52.7 per game. Pittsburgh has an overall record of 8-21. They are averaging 63.0 points per game and surrendering 72.8, good for a point differential of -9.7.

Valuable Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Virginia Cavaliers are 17-6 against the spread this season

The Virginia Cavaliers are 6-18 against the over/under this year

Important Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 13-11 against the spread this season

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 5-19 against the over/under this year

Key Virginia Cavaliers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

01/12/18 F Ryan Luther Foot is out for season

Player Spotlight

Kyle Guy averages 14.9 points per contest while playing 32.5 minutes per night this year. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is 86%. Devon Hall averages 12 points per contest in 31.6 minutes per game this year. He averages 3 assists per game and 4.2 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 91%.

Player Spotlight

Marcus Carr scores 10.2 points per contest while playing 29 minutes per game this season. He hauls in 2.8 rebounds per contest and has 4.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Jared Wilson-Frame averages 12.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 27.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.5 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 37% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Virginia averages 67.6 points per contest this year, which is 308th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 14.9 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 113th. From 3-point territory they shoot 38%, which is good for 44th in Division 1. They average 32.4 boards per contest and 13.7 assists per game, which ranks them 316th and 178th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 351st with 8.9 per game. The Cavaliers allow 52.7 points per contest, which is 1st in the country. They also surrender a 38% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 5th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 31.1 rebounds a game which ranks 24th, and they allow 8.6 assists per game which puts them in 1st place in college basketball. They force 13.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 201st in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Pittsburgh is 344th in the country with 63.0 points per contest this season. They are 321st in the nation in shooting at 41%, while their average scoring margin is -9.7. They shoot 33% from beyond the arc, which is good for 270th in Division 1. They are 334th in the country in rebounding with 31.5 boards per contest and 245th in assists per game with 12.7. The Panthers are 59th in turnovers per contest with 14.4. The Panthers give up 72.8 points per game, which ranks them 185th in the nation. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 197th and 88th in those defensive statistics. They rank 304th with 15.3 dimes allowed per game and 284th with 37.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Panthers are 14th in college basketball in forcing turnovers with 10.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 60th in the nation in offensive rating with 110.8, and their defensive rating of 86.5 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 351st in the country with 60.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 109th. As a team they are 113th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 212th in Division 1. Virginia is 348th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 19.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 44%, which is 4th in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Pittsburgh is 11th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 19.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 162nd in Division 1. The Panthers are 307th in the nation in defensive rating with 108.9, and their offensive rating of 94.3 is ranked 335th. They are 324th in D-1 in pace with 66.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 275th. As a unit they are 273rd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 47% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Virginia/Pittsburgh college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Virginia -20.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink