The Pittsburgh Panthers (12-16, 2-13 ACC) will have their hands full against the country’s top scoring defense when they clash with the second-ranked Virginia Cavaliers (25-2, 13-2 ACC) at John Paul Jones Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2, 2019.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Virginia Cavaliers ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Cavaliers won big over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 81-51, while the Panthers fell to the Clemson Tigers, 62-48.
Virginia played a nearly perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.222 (matching their season average) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 42.3 (above their season average of 31.0). For those same stats, Georgia Tech put up marks of 0.071 and 16.7, respectively. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (21-28; 75.0 percent). Ty Jerome fueled Virginia with 19 points and five rebounds. Terrell Brown, meanwhile had a good outing for Pittsburgh, putting up 11 points and five rebounds.
The Cavaliers won the only contest between these two teams last year, 66-37. Virginia’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Pittsburgh. The Cavaliers had a rate of 0.592 while the Panthers posted a mark of 0.315. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, this appears to be a balanced matchup. The upper-echelon Virginia offense ranks 35th in the NCAA in that metric at 0.551, while the stingy Pittsburgh defense is ranked 43rd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.473). Moreover, the Panthers, who rank seventh in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.305), will face a difficult challenge against the Cavaliers, who rank 20th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.175).
Pittsburgh Panthers at Virginia Cavaliers Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Virginia, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Virginia ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (29.3) while Pittsburgh ranks 240th (37.2).
- The Cavaliers rank 37th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while the Panthers rank 142nd (6.6).
- Pittsburgh ranks 223rd in three pointers attempted per game (20.6) while Virginia ranks 234th (20.3).
- The Cavaliers rank first in assists allowed per game (8.8) while the Panthers rank 176th (13.9).
- Virginia ranks 49th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while Pittsburgh ranks 192nd (5.7).
Bettings Trends:
- The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.4, down from 17.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 62.0 points per game (9.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.0 points per game (1.4 above their season average).
