The Louisville Cardinals (9-5) travel to face off against the Virginia Cavaliers (8-5) on Saturday, January 4th. This game will be played at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville and televised on ACCN. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 4:00 ET.

Louisville Cardinals vs Virginia Cavaliers

The Cardinals Are Coming Off A Win

Louisville improved to 9-5 on the season with an 83-70 win over North Carolina on Wednesday. The Cardinals, who were -1.5 point favorites, covered the spread in the victory.

Louisville led 37-31 at halftime and put up 46 points in the 2nd half while allowing 39. The game’s total points of 153 fell short of the 164.5 O/U line.

The Cavaliers Are Coming Off A Win

Virginia Cavaliers Recent Game/Games

Virginia improved to 8-5 on the season with a 70-67 win over NC State on Tuesday. The Cavaliers, who were -1 favorites, covered the spread at home. The game’s total points of 137 exceeded the O/U line of 122.5.

Virginia rallied in the 2nd half, outscoring NC State 41-28 after trailing 39-29 at halftime.

Cardinals Offense Breakdown

Louisville put up 83 points in their last game, shooting 44.8% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 50%, largely due to hitting just 23.1% from three-point range (6/26). Inside the arc, they were much more efficient, converting 62.5% of their two-point attempts (20/32).

Chucky Hepburn led the way with 26 points and 7 assists, shooting 62.5% overall. Ian Jackson added 23 points, hitting 2 of 5 from deep, while Reyne Smith knocked down 4 threes on 10 attempts, finishing with 17 points. James Scott was a force inside, shooting 5 of 6 and grabbing 8 rebounds.

Cavaliers Offense Breakdown

Virginia’s offense was clicking in their last game, shooting 54.2% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc, finishing with 70 points. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 62.5%, with 18 assists on 26 made field goals.

Elijah Saunders led the way with 22 points, shooting 77.8% from the field. Isaac McKneely and Jayden Taylor each added 14 points, with McKneely hitting 4 threes and Taylor contributing 5 assists.

Cardinals Team Defense

Louisville’s defense gave up 70 points, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field. They allowed 62% shooting on two-point attempts, with the other team making 20 of 32 shots.

From beyond the arc, Louisville held the other team to 23% shooting, as they hit just 6 of 26 three-point attempts. The opposing team also went 25 of 39 from the free-throw line, shooting 64%. Louisville allowed 10 offensive rebounds.

Cavaliers Team Defense

Louisville’s defense gave up 70 points, allowing the opposing team to shoot 44% from the field, with 26 made baskets on 58 attempts. Inside the arc, the Cardinals struggled, as their opponent connected on 62% of their two-point shots, going 20/32.

From three-point range, Louisville’s defense was more effective, holding the other team to just 23% shooting, with only 6 made threes on 26 attempts. The Cardinals also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 39 times, where they converted 25 free throws, shooting 64%. Louisville allowed 10 offensive rebounds in the game.

Cardinals vs Cavaliers Trends

• Although Louisville has a straight up record of 2-8 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 6-4. The team averaged 76 points per game in these games.
• Across the Cavaliers last ten home games, the team averaged 61 points per game while allowing 68. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 5-5, while going 5-5 straight-up.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Cavaliers have a straight up record of 1-9 and an ATS mark of 2-8.
• Although the Cardinals have a strong straight up record in their last five games as the betting favorite, they have not done as well vs the spread going 1-4.

Cardinals vs Cavaliers Prediction

Coming in as the underdogs at +4.5, we have the Cavaliers as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 130.5 and our model has the Cardinals and Cavaliers finishing with a combined 145 points. Our pick is to take the over.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.