The 25th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers (5-0) clash against the fourth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers (5-0) in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Imperial Arena at Atlantis Resort. The game will air on ESPN at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23, 2018.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Virginia Cavaliers ATS Odds
Both teams covered in their last matchup. The Cavaliers (19.5-point underdogs) defeated the Dayton Flyers 66-59, while the Badgers (9-point underdog) beat the Oklahoma Sooners 78-58. Both games went 2 points under their projected point totals (127 for the Virginia game and 138 for the Wisconsin game).
Wisconsin played a flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.1 (worse than their season average of 10.8) and a free throw rate of 0.136 (below their season average of 0.268). For those same stats, Oklahoma put up marks of 21.2 and 0.098, respectively. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, knocked down 17 of their 22 free throws (77.3 percent), while the Flyers had a turnover percentage of 22.0 (above their season average of 14.8). De’Andre Hunter had a solid performance for Virginia with 23 points and six rebounds. Wisconsin, meanwhile, received a boost from Ethan Happ, who contributed 14 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
Of the Badgers’ 4 games that accepted bets, three have gone over the total. Wisconsin heads into the contest with records of 5-0 straight up (SU) and 3-1 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas is exceedingly accurate when predicting totals of Cavaliers games, with an even split between overs and unders. Further, Virginia owns records of 5-0 SU and 3-1 ATS.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams face off. Virginia ranks 350th in possessions per game (60.4) and Wisconsin is 349th (63.4) dating back to the 2017-18 season. Additionally, the Badgers rank 37th in turnover percentage (16.4 percent), while the Cavaliers rank 35th in opponents’ turnover percentage (21.6 percent).
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Virginia Cavaliers ATS Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- Virginia ranks 21st in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while Wisconsin ranks 211th (3.8).
- The Badgers are sixth in the nation with 16.7 three pointers allowed per game while the Cavaliers are 54th with 19.9 three pointers allowed per game.
- Virginia ranks 298th in rebounds per game (32.6) while Wisconsin ranks 313th (31.4).
- The Cavaliers rank 89th in steals per game (6.8) while the Badgers rank 226th (5.4).
- Virginia ranks 139th in assists per game (13.9) while Wisconsin ranks 234th (12.6).
