Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs Virginia Cavaliers Prediction, 12/12/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs Virginia Cavaliers

Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024

Location: John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA

TV: ESPN+

John Paul Jones Arena is the location where the Virginia Cavaliers (5-4) will attempt to defeat the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-6) on Thursday.

The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats played Minnesota and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 79-62 in their last contest. Bethune-Cookman ended the game with a 46.2% FG percentage (24 of 52) and made 10 out of their 20 three-point attempts. At the charity stripe, the Wildcats knocked down 4 of their 9 shots for a rate of 44.4%. In reference to grabbing rebounds, they compiled 23 with 3 of them being of the offensive variety. They also doled out 12 dimes for the game while forcing the other team into 9 turnovers and earning 5 steals. When it comes to defending, Bethune-Cookman allowed the other team to go 47.5% from the field on 29 of 61 shooting. Minnesota distributed 25 dimes and had 7 steals for this contest. Furthermore, Minnesota had 34 boards (9 offensive, 25 defensive), but wasn't able to record a block. Minnesota finished shooting 83.3% at the free throw line by making 10 of their 12 shots. They knocked down 11 out of their 23 shots from beyond the perimeter. With respect to personal fouls, the Wildcats ended up finishing with 13 while Minnesota had 13 personal fouls.

Brayon Freeman is someone who was a contributor for the matchup. He ended up shooting 57.1% from the floor and also distributed 5 dimes. He played for 36 minutes and pulled down 2 boards. He accounted for 21 points on 8 of 14 shooting.

Get all of our NCAA Basketball Betting Picks

Bethune-Cookman comes into this one with a win-loss mark of 2-6 so far this season. They are averaging 65.6 points per outing (338th in college basketball) while connecting on 40.7% from the floor. The Wildcats are shooting 32.1% on three-point attempts (53 of 165) and 67.2% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Bethune-Cookman is pulling down 32.1 rebounds per game and has accounted for 80 dimes on the season, which is 364th in D-1 in terms of passing the rock. They turn the ball over 12.9 times per contest and as a team they commit 17.1 fouls every game.

On the defensive end, the Wildcats are able to force 13.4 turnovers per contest and they draw 16.3 fouls. They are 139th in Division 1 in allowing assists to their opponents with 117 conceded this year. The Wildcats defensively are allowing a FG percentage of 43.0% (213 of 495) and they relinquish 41.9 boards per game as a unit. They concede 35.0% on shots from beyond the perimeter and they are 291st in D-1 in points per game allowed (75.9).

When they last played, the Virginia Cavaliers went home defeated by a final of 63-51 against SMU. The Cavaliers snagged 21 defensive boards and 2 offensive boards for a total of 23 for the matchup. They turned the ball over 12 times, while getting 2 steals in the matchup. SMU was called for 12 personal fouls in the game which got the Cavaliers to the free throw line for a total of 12 attempts. They were able to convert 11 of the free throw tries for a clip of 91.7%. With regard to 3-pointers, Virginia converted 8 out of their 19 tries (42.1%). Overall, the Cavaliers ended up shooting 16 out of 47 from the floor which gave them a rate of 34.0%. The Cavaliers permitted SMU to knock down 21 of 49 tries from the field which gave them a percentage of 42.9% for the contest. They wrapped up this game 25.0% from beyond the perimeter by going 6 out of 24 and ended up going 15 out of 20 at the free throw line (75.0%). In relation to rebounding, Virginia permitted SMU to collect 34 in all (8 on the offensive side).

Isaac McKneely ended up being a major contributor for the Cavaliers for this contest. He racked up 17 points in his 34 minutes on the hardwood and had 3 dimes in this game. He converted 5 out of 12 in this game for a field goal percentage of 41.7%, and accounted for 3 rebounds.

Virginia has a record of 5-4 on the year. As an offensive unit, the Cavaliers are shooting 43.8% from the field, which ranks them 237th in Division 1. Virginia has scored 555 pts this year (61.7 per game) and they grab 31.3 rebounds per game. They are assisting teammates 14.0 times per game (185th in college basketball) and they are giving up possession 12.4 times per contest. The Cavaliers commit 14.0 fouls every game and they connect on 73.5% from the free throw line.

The Cavaliers on the defensive end are ranked 18th in D-1 in PPG given up with 62.3. They are able to force 9.9 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 40.6% from the floor (78th in the country). The Virginia defense gives up 33.2% on three-point shots (75 of 226) and their opponents are converting on 70.8% of their shots from the free throw line. They have conceded 11.6 dimes and 32.6 rebounds per contest, which has them ranked 92nd and 85th in those categories on the defensive end.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Bethune-Cookman

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