Virginia Cavaliers vs Louisville Cardinals Predictions, NCAA Basketball Picks 2/8/2020

Game: Virginia Cavaliers vs Louisville Cardinals

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2020

Location: KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Louisville -9

Total/Over-Under: 114

The Virginia Cavaliers travel to KFC Yum! Center to play the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Louisville as 9 point favorites.

Virginia comes into this game with an overall record of 15-6. They currently have a point differential of 5.6 as they are averaging 56.0 points per game while giving up 50.4 per contest. Louisville has an overall record of 20-3. They are averaging 75.9 points per game and surrendering 63.0, good for a point differential of 12.9.

Valuable Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Virginia Cavaliers are 7-14-0 against the spread

The Virginia Cavaliers are 9-12-0 against the over/under

Important Louisville Cardinals Betting Trends

The Louisville Cardinals are 12-10-1 against the spread

The Louisville Cardinals are 13-10-0 against the over/under

Key Virginia Cavaliers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Louisville Cardinals Injuries

02/06/20 G Josh Nickelberry Ankle is out

Player Spotlight

Mamadi Diakite comes into this contest averaging 13.5 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 0.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 74%. Braxton Key averages 10.7 points per game in 33.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.6 assists per contest and 7.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 59%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Nwora averages 19.3 points per game while playing 33.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.4 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Steven Enoch averages 10.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 21.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.1 rebounds per contest and 0.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Virginia averages 56.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 347th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 5.6 and their shooting percentage is 40% as a team, which has them ranked 330th. Behind the arc they shoot 28% which is good for 344th in the nation. They average 35.5 rebounds per game and 11.3 assists per game, which ranks them 187th and 304th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 251st with 12.5 per game. The Cavaliers allow 50.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the country. They also allow a 36% shooting percentage and a 29% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 30.6 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 8.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 3rd place in Division 1. They force 12.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 115th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Louisville is 66th in the country with 75.9 points per game this year. They are 48th in Division 1 in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 12.9. They shoot 40% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the nation. They are 34th in the NCAA in rebounding with 39.4 boards per game, and 69th in assists per contest with 14.5. The Cardinals are 243rd in turnovers per game with 12.6. The Cardinals surrender 63.0 points per contest, which ranks them 31st in D-1. Their defense allows a 37% shooting percentage and a 29% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 33rd with 10.4 assists allowed per contest and 81st with 33.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cardinals are 26th in country in forcing turnovers with 11.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 331st in the nation in offensive rating with 91.9. In terms of pace they are 350th in the country with 60.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 45% is 333rd. As a team they are 335th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 49% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 180th in Division 1. Virginia is 80th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.8 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Louisville is 227th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.9 times per 100 possessions. The Cardinals have an offensive rating of 111.3, which is ranked 12th. They are 281st in D-1 in pace with 67.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 37th. As a unit they are 30th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 189th in the country.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Louisville -9

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