Virginia vs Pittsburgh Predictions, NCAA Basketball Picks 2/22/2020

Game: Virginia Cavaliers vs Pittsburgh Panthers

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2020

Location: Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: ESPN, ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh +2

Total/Over-Under: 109.5

The Virginia Cavaliers travel to Petersen Events Center to play the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, February 22, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Virginia as 2 point favorites.

Virginia comes into this game with an overall record of 18-7. They currently have a point differential of 5.1 as they are averaging 57.6 points per game while giving up 52.6 per contest. Pittsburgh has an overall mark of 15-12. They are averaging 65.9 points per contest and giving up 64.6, which is a point differential of 1.3.

Valuable Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Virginia Cavaliers are 9-15-1 against the spread

The Virginia Cavaliers are 12-13-0 against the over/under

Important Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 12-15-0 against the spread

The Pittsburgh Panthers are 13-13-1 against the over/under

Key Virginia Cavaliers Injuries

02/21/20 G Casey Morsell Ankle left last game, is questionable Saturday vs Pittsburgh

Key Pittsburgh Panthers Injuries

11/05/19 F Kene Chukwuka Hip is out indefinitely
02/21/20 F Eric Hamilton Ankle is questionable Saturday vs Virginia
02/07/20 G Onyebuchi Ezeakudo Ankle is out indefinitely
01/09/20 G Ithiel Horton Undisclosed is out for season

Player Spotlight

Mamadi Diakite comes into this contest averaging 13.5 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 0.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 74%. Kihei Clark averages 10.6 points per game in 37.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.2 assists per contest and 4.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 37% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Justin Champagnie averages 12.4 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.2 rebounds per game and has 0.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. Trey McGowens averages 12.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.5 rebounds per contest and 3.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 36% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Virginia averages 57.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 346th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 5.1 and their shooting percentage is 41% as a team, which has them ranked 292nd. Behind the arc they shoot 30% which is good for 309th in the nation. They average 34.3 rebounds per game and 11.6 assists per game, which ranks them 238th and 292nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 269th with 12.2 per game. The Cavaliers allow 52.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the country. They also allow a 37% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 30.7 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 8.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in Division 1. They force 12.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 73rd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Pittsburgh is 311th in the country with 65.9 points per game this year. They are 319th in Division 1 in shooting at 41%, while their average scoring margin is 1.3. They shoot 29% from 3-point range, which is good for 330th in the nation. They are 224th in the NCAA in rebounding with 34.5 boards per game, and 217th in assists per contest with 12.6. The Panthers are 294th in turnovers per game with 11.8. The Panthers surrender 64.6 points per contest, which ranks them 53rd in D-1. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 148th and 242nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 269th with 13.9 assists allowed per contest and 239th with 36.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Panthers are 302nd in country in forcing turnovers with 15.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 318th in the nation in offensive rating with 94.4. In terms of pace they are 350th in the country with 60.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 47% is 298th. As a team they are 308th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 162nd in Division 1. Virginia is 93rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.5 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Pittsburgh is 271st in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions. The Panthers are 206th in the country in offensive rating with 100.1. In terms of pace they are 329th in Division 1 with 65.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 46% is 334th. As a team they are 316th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 289th in the nation.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh +2

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