The nation’s top scoring defense will be 4.5-point favorites at home in John Paul Jones Arena, when the Virginia Cavaliers (15-7, 7-5 ACC) square off with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (15-8, 6-6 ACC). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 122.5 points and it can be seen on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Virginia Cavaliers Betting Odds
In the Fighting Irish’s last game, they covered the 2-point spread against the Clemson Tigers, 61-57. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, were topped by the fifth-ranked Louisville Cardinals, 80-73, and failed to cover as 7-point underdogs. The Notre Dame game finished 20 points under the projected point total of 138, while the Virginia game finished 38.5 points over the projected point total of 114.5.
The Fighting Irish were 9-10 from the foul line (90.0 percent) and held the Tigers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.438 (below their season average of 0.492). Virginia, on the other hand, had an effective field goal percentage of 0.643 (above their season average of 0.453). Kihei Clark had a good outing for Virginia with 23 points, seven assists and five rebounds. John Mooney, meanwhile had a good game for Notre Dame, putting up 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Cavaliers dominated this series last year, securing victories in both games. In the most recent matchup, Virginia won 60-54. Virginia’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Notre Dame. The Cavaliers had a rate of 0.269, while the Fighting Irish posted a mark of 0.145. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Fighting Irish games, with 12 unders compared to 11 overs. Notre Dame holds records of 15-8 straight up (SU) and 11-10-2 against the spread (ATS).
Coinciding with Notre Dame, a little over half of Cavaliers games have finished under the total. Virginia is 15-7 SU, but they are just 6-15-1 ATS.
Virginia may have trouble getting to the charity stripe in this matchup. The Cavaliers rank 310th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.190, while Notre Dame ranks first in FTA rate allowed (0.134). Moreover, the Fighting Irish rank 37th in offensive efficiency (110.2), while the Cavaliers rank second in defensive efficiency (85.8).
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Virginia Cavaliers Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Notre Dame, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Virginia ranks 21st in rebounds allowed per game (30.6) while Notre Dame ranks 254th (38.3).
- The Fighting Irish rank 47th in steals allowed per game (5.5) while the Cavaliers rank 161st (7.0).
- Virginia ranks ninth in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while Notre Dame ranks 88th (3.1).
- The Fighting Irish rank seventh in assists per game (17.2) while the Cavaliers rank 230th (11.4).
- Notre Dame ranks 12th in three pointers attempted per game (28.5) while Virginia ranks 233rd (19.3).
- Notre Dame is 4-3-1 ATS on the road, while Virginia is 4-9 ATS at home.
- Of the Fighting Irish’s 8 road games, they have 5 unders and 3 overs.
- The Cavaliers have 8 unders and 5 overs in 13 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Fighting Irish are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 1-3-1.
- In their last five games, Notre Dame has 4 overs and 1 under, while Virginia has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- During their last five games, the Fighting Irish have scored an average of 79.0 points per game (2.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.2 points per game (4.8 above their season average).
- The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.0, down from 4.8 for the season.
