The No. 4 Virginia Cavaliers (5-0) challenge the No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers (5-0) in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Imperial Arena at Atlantis Resort. The game starts at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Virginia Cavaliers Betting Prediction
The Badgers will be looking for similar success after blowing out the Oklahoma Sooners in their last contest, 78-58, as 9-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (136) were just under the O/U total of 138. The Badgers forced 15 turnovers, while the Sooners had a free throw rate of 0.098 (below their season average of 0.245). Wisconsin rallied around Ethan Happ, who contributed 14 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
The last time the Cavaliers took the court, they were victorious over the Dayton Flyers, 66-59, despite being 19.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (125) finished just under the projected point total of 127. The Cavaliers made 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 was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field.
Wisconsin heads into the contest with records of 5-0 straight up (SU) and 3-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Badgers are involved, as 75.0 percent of their games have gone over the total.
Meanwhile, Virginia owns records of 5-0 SU and 3-1 ATS. There does not appear to be a trend for Cavaliers games in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams battle. Virginia ranks 350th in possessions per game (60.4) and Wisconsin is 349th (63.4) since last season. Moreover, the Badgers have committed the 37th-fewest errors in the country (turnover percentage of 16.4 percent), while the disruptive defense of the Cavaliers has caused the 35th-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 21.6 percent).
Wisconsin vs. Virginia ATS Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Virginia ranks 21st in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while Wisconsin ranks 211th (3.8).
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).
The Badgers are sixth in the NCAA with 16.7 three pointers allowed per game while the Cavaliers are 54th with 19.9 three pointers allowed per game.
Neither of these teams are great at rebounding the ball. Virginia is 298th in the nation with 32.6 rebounds per game while Wisconsin is 313th with 31.4 rebounds per game.
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