The Virginia Cavaliers (15-15) travel to face off against the Syracuse Orange (12-18) on Saturday, March 8th. This game will be played at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse and televised on ACCN. Virginia is coming off a win in their previous game, while Syracuse is looking to get back on track from a loss to the SMU. Tip-off is set for 8:00 ET.

Virginia Cavaliers vs Syracuse Orange

The Cavaliers Are Coming Off A Win

Virginia Cavaliers Recent Game/Games

Virginia improved to 15-15 on the season with a 60-57 win over Florida State on Tuesday, March 4th. Playing at home, the Cavaliers were favored by 4.5 points but didn’t cover the spread.

After trailing 28-27 at halftime, Virginia outscored the Seminoles 33-29 in the second half. The total points for the game were 117, well under the O/U line of 136.5.

The Orange Are Coming Off A Win

Syracuse Orange Recent Game/Games

The Orange fell to 12-18 on the season after a 77-75 road loss to SMU on Tuesday. Despite being +13.5 point underdogs, Syracuse kept it close and covered the spread. The total points for the game were 152, just under the O/U line of 153.5.

Syracuse led 44-36 at halftime but struggled in the 2nd half, scoring only 31 points while allowing 41. Their inability to maintain their lead in the 2nd half has been a recurring issue this season.

Cavaliers Offense Breakdown

Virginia’s offense put up 60 points in their last game, shooting 39.6% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 49.1%, thanks in large part to hitting 45.8% of their threes (11/24), while struggling inside the arc, shooting just 34.5% on two-pointers (10/29). They connected on 77.8% of their free throws, going 7/9 from the line.

Dai Dai Ames and Jamir Watkins each scored 18 points, with Ames shooting 54.5% overall and hitting 3 of 4 from deep. Watkins added 8 rebounds and 5 assists, despite shooting 38.9% from the field. Andrew Rohde contributed 17 points, making 4 of 8 threes, and Elijah Saunders also hit 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, finishing with 12 points.

Orange Offense Breakdown

Syracuse put up 75 points in their last game, shooting 48.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 55.6%. They connected on 40.9% of their three-point attempts, going 9-for-22 from deep, and hit 73.7% of their free throws, making 14 of 19 from the line.

Jaquan Carlos dished out 8 assists, while Kario Oquendo led the team with 16 points, hitting 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. Lucas Taylor also impressed, knocking down 3 of 4 threes and finishing with 13 points in just 16 minutes of action.

Cavaliers Team Defense

Virginia’s defense held their opponent to just 57 points, allowing them to shoot 39% from the field. They limited two-point shooting to 34%, with the opposing team hitting 10 of 29 shots.

From beyond the arc, Virginia’s opponent shot 45%, making 11 of 24 three-point attempts. They also went 7/9 from the free-throw line. Virginia gave up 10 offensive rebounds.

Orange Team Defense

Virginia’s defense held their opponent to just 57 points, with a field goal percentage of 39% (21/53). They were particularly effective inside the arc, limiting their opponent to 34% shooting on two-point attempts (10/29).

From three-point range, Virginia’s opponent shot 45%, making 11 of 24 attempts. They also went 7/9 from the free-throw line, hitting 77%. Virginia allowed 10 offensive rebounds in the game.

Cavaliers vs Orange Trends

• Across their last three road contests, Virginia has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 74 points per game.
• Through their last three home games, Syracuse has an ATS record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 0-3 while averaging 79 points per game.
• As the betting underdog, the Cavaliers have an ATS mark of just 2-3 in their last five games. Virginia posted a straight up mark of 2-3 in these matchups.
• Syracuse has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.

Cavaliers vs Orange Prediction

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Orange to secure the win, with an expected final score of 77-69. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -1.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 137.5 and given that our model is projecting 146 points between the teams, we like 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.