Louisville vs Virginia Predictions, Expert College Basketball Picks 3/7/2020

Game: Louisville Cardinals vs Virginia Cavaliers

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2020

Location: John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA

TV: ESPN, ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Virginia -1

Total/Over-Under: 112.5

The Louisville Cardinals head to John Paul Jones Arena to take on the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, March 7, 2020. The opening line for this game has Virginia as 1 point favorites.

Louisville comes into this game with an overall record of 24-6. They currently have a point differential of 10.8 as they are averaging 74.7 points per game while giving up 63.9 per contest. Virginia has an overall mark of 22-7. They are averaging 57.0 points per contest and giving up 52.3, which is a point differential of 4.7.

Valuable Louisville Cardinals Betting Trends

The Louisville Cardinals are 15-13-2 against the spread this season

The Louisville Cardinals are 17-13-0 against the over/under this year

Important Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Virginia Cavaliers are 11-16-2 against the spread this season

The Virginia Cavaliers are 13-16-0 against the over/under this year

Key Louisville Cardinals Injuries

03/06/20 F Aidan Igiehon Shoulder is questionable Saturday vs Virginia
03/06/20 F Malik Williams Ankle is doubtful Saturday vs Virginia

Key Virginia Cavaliers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jordan Nwora comes into this game averaging 18.0 points per contest while playing 32.9 minutes per night this year. He grabs 7.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is 81%. Steven Enoch averages 9.4 points per contest in 20.3 minutes per game. He averages 0.4 assists per game and 5.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% for the season while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Mamadi Diakite scores 13.6 points per contest while playing 32.8 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.7 rebounds per contest and has 0.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 76%. Kihei Clark averages 10.6 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 37.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.1 rebounds per game and has 5.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 37% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Louisville averages 74.7 points per contest, which is 81st in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 10.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 75th. From 3-point territory they shoot 38%, which is good for 17th in the nation. They average 38.9 boards per contest and 14.0 assists per game, which ranks them 36th and 105th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 263rd with 12.1 per game. The Cardinals allow 63.9 points per contest, which is 35th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 39% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 42nd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 32.3 rebounds a game which ranks 60th, and they allow 10.6 assists per game which puts them in 35th place in the country. They force 11.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 68th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Virginia is 348th in the nation with 57.0 points per contest this season. They are 296th in the country in shooting at 41%, while their average scoring margin is 4.7. They shoot 30% from beyond the arc, which is good for 310th in the NCAA. They are 231st in D-1 in rebounding with 34.3 boards per contest and 290th in assists per game with 11.5. The Cavaliers are 248th in turnovers per contest with 12.4. The Cavaliers give up 52.3 points per game, which ranks them 1st in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 37% shooting percentage and a 29% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 2nd and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 8.9 dimes allowed per game and 16th with 30.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Cavaliers are 58th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 11.7 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Cardinals are 23rd in the nation in offensive rating with 110.1. In terms of pace they are 272nd in the country with 67.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 53rd. As a team they are 55th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 167th in Division 1. Louisville is 252nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Virginia is 64th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.9 times per 100 possessions. The Cavaliers have an offensive rating of 93.5, which is ranked 326th. They are 350th in D-1 in pace with 60.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 297th. As a unit they are 312th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 185th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Louisville +1

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