Top betting sites favor the Virginia Cavaliers by 8.5 points over the Oregon Ducks in the Sweet Sixteen round. UVA beat the Gardner Webb Runnin Bulldogs by margin of 15 points in the first round. Enough to make it through though not quite to cover the point spread. According to the best online sportsbooks, the Cavs entered the second round as 10.5-point favorites over the Oklahoma Sooners. Winning 63-51, Virginia did pick up the ATS victory that time. So that, you know, whoever placed that $25k bet came one step closer to collecting.
Meanwhile, Oregon took care of the Wisconsin Badgers 72-54 in the first round as 1.5-point underdogs. And then they victimized UC Irvine 73-54 as 4.5-point chalk in the second round. That marked the Ducks’ 10th straight SU and ATS win. Additionally, OU has held seven of those 10 opponents under 55 points. At this stage of the NCAA tournament, No. 12 Oregon is the last double-digit-seeded school still alive.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Oregon Ducks
- Date: Thursday March 28, 2019
- Time: 9:59 PM (EDT)
- Venue: KFC Yum! Center Louisville, Kentucky
- Line from MyBookie.ag:
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | +8½ (-110) | 119½ (-110) | +348 |  |
| Virginia | -8½ (-110) | 119½ (-110) | -435 | |
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Betting Virginia
The Cavaliers score a decent 71.6 points per game. And that’s more than enough considering they only allow 55.0 points per game (No. 1 in the country). Of the points UVA does score, 35.1% comes from the three-point range. From which Virginia hits 40.2% of their shots. Conversely, the Cavs allow the lowest three-point percentage in the nation. Furthermore, UVA averages 34.8 rebounds per game. According to top betting sites, the Cavs are 11-1 SU and 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games. Winning by an average of 14.9 points per game. UVA also is 1-5 ATS in their last six NCAA tournament games. 4-1 ATS in their last five non-conference games. And 44-19-1 ATS in their last 64 games overall.
Betting Oregon
Not entirely unlike the Cavs, the Ducks score 70.6 points per game and allow just 62.5. OU achieves 32.8% of its scoring from the three-point line, shooting 35.1% from that range. Oregon ranks 6th in opponent three-point percentage. Additionally, the Ducks grab 34.5 rebounds per game. The Ducks are 10-0 SU and ATS in their last 10 games, winning by an average margin of 17.9 per game. Additionally, OU is 4-0-1 ATS in their last five NCAA Tournament games. 7-0 ATS in their last seven neutral court games. And 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
The Ducks did not rejoiced too long in their latest victory. “Super-quick turnaround,” guard Ehab Amin said. “We enjoyed the win on Sunday and coach has tried to make us have the same intensity and approach we have had since the Pac-12 Tournament when it is win or go home. There is nobody in Eugene, no classes, no tutoring, no team breakfasts. You can sleep in a bit and that helps too.”
Pick: The Ducks are en fuego and can seemingly do no wrong. The Cavs are getting the job done, as they should. However, as far as top betting sites are concerned, UVA may be doing a half-ass job. Illustrated by their inability to cover against lowly Gardner Webb. Some so-called experts see Oregon stunning Virginia and leaving the Cavs in the dust. Others feel that OU is in for Rick Rude’s finisher – i.e., a rude awakening. Like a junkie leaving rehab, I’m going to meet them halfway. I think the Cavaliers are going to win but the Ducks are going to keep it close. Close enough to remain within the point spread.
