It is currently the best time of the year for sports fans, and Thursday has 16 games on the NCAAB schedule. Our eyes are on the No.4 Virginia Cavaliers (25-7, 15-5 ACC) vs No.13 Furman Paladins (27-5, 15-3 SoCon).
Two teams atop their respective college basketball standings try to continue their magical seasons. Thankfully, both teams are healthy and are not hindered by the college basketball injury report.
The time to make your March Madness bracket predictions is now. This juicy matchup between two teams with seven losses each is the second game of what will be a memorable tournament.
Follow along for our Virginia vs Furman prediction. This should be one of the better NCAA basketball games today.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Furman Paladins
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Furman Paladins Information
Virginia Cavaliers vs Furman Paladins
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Date and Time: Thursday, March 16, 2023, 12:40 PM ET
How to Watch: truTV | March Madness App | https://livestreamsports.co/
Updates for Virginia and Furman
I know what you are all thinking; everybody is thinking about 2018 when the Virginia Cavaliers were upset by the No.16 UMBC Retrievers in the first round. No players remain on that team, and although it remains the biggest upset in the history of the tournament, Virginia grew from that loss.
At one point in the season, Virginia was ranked No.2 in the entire country after dominating their non-conference schedule. The ACC is not as talented as it used to be, but the 10-2 non-conference record for the Cavaliers is a great sign. They may not have the best odds to win March Madness, or even as good of NCAAB odds in this game alone, but Virginia is dangerous.
The Furman Paladins have a very good offense that put up 82.2 points per game this season. The best opponent Furman faced was Penn State, where they lost by five. Their best win of the season comes against the Belmont Bruins.
If you do not know by now, Tony Bennett and the Cavaliers are known for their defense. They play slow and methodically as they try to lull the defense to sleep.
This has been the recipe for success with Virginia throughout the years, but Furman wants to get out and run. Will Furman be forced to slow down, or will Virginia be sped up? The Virginia vs Furman prediction will be answered by that question.
Virginia averages 67.8 points per game, but they are a very balanced scoring offense. The Cavaliers are led by Armaan Franklin and Jayden Gardner, who both average over 12 points. The Paladins–and their tenacious offense–are led by Mike Bothwell, who averages 18.0 points per game.
They currently have +150000 odds to win March Madness.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Furman Paladins Betting Preview
There is no such thing as an easy win throughout the remainder of the tournament. The NCAAB picks will be closer and more important than ever. You may be surprised at how close these odds are, but the public really likes the Furman Paladins.
Furman is listed at +205 on the moneyline, while the Virginia Cavaliers are at -250. The spread could be decided by just two possessions, with Furman +6 (-110) and Virginia -6 (-110). The total for the game is 132 (-110). For Furman, their projected team total is 63 (-115), while Virginia is listed at 69 (-115).
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Furman Cavaliers Betting Prediction
The Virginia Cavaliers are going to control the pace of play against the Furman Paladins. Finally, it is time for the Virginia vs Furman prediction. In this No.4 vs No.13 matchup, a lot of people have Virginia on upset watch, but they should not. Virginia is going to win this game rather easily. Take Virginia -6 (-110) against Furman.
The total is low, but that is because Virginia’s defense is stifling. The college basketball players dressed in orange pride themselves on the defensive end. Furman is outsized, but they know how to put the ball in the hoop. Betting on the over/under seems too risky, so stick with the spread.
Betting on this event:
When making a pick for the bout between these two NCAA basketball teams, go ahead and roll with Virginia to cover the -6 betting spread at -110.
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