The country’s top scoring defense will be a 12-point favorite at home in John Paul Jones Arena, when the ninth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers (9-1) meet the South Carolina Gamecocks (7-4). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 113 points and it begins at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 22, 2019.
South Carolina Gamecocks at Virginia Cavaliers Betting Odds
In the Gamecocks’ last contest, they topped the Clemson Tigers, 67-54, as 6-point underdogs. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, topped the Stony Brook Seawolves,56-44, but were unable to cover as 17-point favorites. The South Carolina game finished 16 points under the projected point total of 137, while the Virginia game went 5.5 points under the projected point total of 105.5.
South Carolina played a nearly flawless game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.529 (above their season average of 0.472) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (below their season average of 34.0). Clemson put up marks of 0.370 and 25.0, respectively, for those same stats. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, forced 17 turnovers, while the Seawolves had a free throw rate of 0.111 (below their season average of 0.219). Mamadi Diakite had a good performance for Virginia with 13 points and six rebounds. AJ Lawson had a good game for South Carolina, putting up 20 points and six rebounds.
The Cavaliers won the lone game between these two teams last season, 69-52. The Cavaliers’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Gamecocks. Virginia had a rate of 7.2, while South Carolina posted a mark of 16.5. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Gamecocks games, with 5 overs compared to 5 unders. South Carolina holds records of 7-4 straight up (SU) and 5-6 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Cavaliers’ 10 games, 8 have finished under the total. Virginia has a phenomenal 9-1 SU record, but they are just 3-7 ATS.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Virginia should have a considerable advantage. The Cavaliers defense ranks second in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.387), while the South Carolina offense is ranked 275th in effective field goal percentage (0.476). Furthermore, the Gamecocks are among the country’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 52nd in offensive rebounding percentage (33.9 percent). The Cavaliers, however, rank 18th at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 77.5 percent.
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Virginia Cavaliers Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Virginia, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Virginia ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (30.5) while South Carolina ranks 101st (34.0).
- The Cavaliers rank 207th in three pointers attempted per game (19.3) while the Gamecocks rank 233rd (18.0).
- South Carolina averages 7.5 steals per game, which ranks 73rd in the nation. Virginia ranks 77th in steals allowed per game (6.1).
- The Cavaliers rank second in assists allowed per game (7.4) while the Gamecocks rank 69th (11.5).
- Virginia ranks 31st in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while South Carolina ranks 79th (3.2).
- Virginia is 2-4 ATS at home, while South Carolina is 2-2 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 2 of the Gamecocks’ 4 road games, while 5 of the Cavaliers’ 6 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Gamecocks are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 1-4.
- In their last five games, South Carolina has 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push, while Virginia has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Gamecocks have scored an average of 70.6 points per game (0.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.6 points per game (5.1 above their season average).
- The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.4, down from 8.7 for the season.
