The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-8, 1-5 ACC) will have their hands full against the NCAA’s top scoring defense when they go head-to-head with the No. 3 Virginia Cavaliers (17-1, 5-1 ACC) at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. The game gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 26, 2019.
Virginia Cavaliers at Notre Dame Fighting Irish ATS Prediction
In the Cavaliers’ last outing, they blew out the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 68-45. The Cavaliers knocked down 17 of their 21 free throws (81.0 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 9.6 (better than their season average of 12.5). Virginia received a boost from De’Andre Hunter, who had 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Fighting Irish lost a tough one against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their last contest, 63-61. Georgia Tech’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Notre Dame. The Yellow Jackets had a rate of 0.510 (below their season average of 0.513), while the Fighting Irish posted a mark of 0.377 (below their season average of 0.489). With 22 points on 10-for-20 shooting, John Mooney was the game’s high scorer.
After the Cavaliers won the lone game against the Fighting Irish last season, 62-57, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Cavaliers had a better turnover percentage (7.8 vs. 11.7) and had a better free throw rate (0.300 vs. 0.226).
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the country’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Notre Dame ranks 272nd in possessions per game (67.8) and Virginia is 348th (61.5). Furthermore, the defense of the Cavaliers figures to have an advantage in terms of effective field goal percentage. They rank third in the NCAA with an effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.421, while the Fighting Irish’s offense ranks 295th in effective field goal percentage (0.483).
Virginia at Notre Dame Odds Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Virginia, ATS Winner – Virginia, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Virginia ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (29.2) while Notre Dame ranks 253rd (38.5).
The Fighting Irish rank 31st in three pointers attempted per game (27.1) while the Cavaliers rank 197th (20.9).
Virginia ranks first in assists allowed per game (7.9) while Notre Dame ranks 115th (12.8).
The Fighting Irish rank fifth in blocks per game (5.8) while the Cavaliers rank 111th (3.1).
Notre Dame is 20th in the NCAA with 5.0 steals allowed per game while Virginia is 30th with 5.2 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 18.0, down from 21.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Fighting Irish have scored an average of 66.8 points per game (7.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.6 points per game (1.9 above their season average).
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