(1) Virginia vs. (8) Memphis
Time: 8:40 PM ET, Mar 23, 2014
TV: TNT
Spread: VIR -7
M/L: VIR -300; MEM +250
Total: 128
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
Virginia won its second round matchup 70-59 over Coastal Carolina and Memphis won 71-66 over George Washington.
The programs will face off in third round action and the college basketball odds at Bovada showed Virginia with a 7 point edge in the matchup.
Virginia finished 16-2 in the ACC and defeated Duke 72-63 in the ACC championship game. The Cavaliers have one of the stingiest defenses, allowing just 55 points per game. Malcolm Brogdon leads Virginia in scoring at 12.7 points per game and ranks second on the team in rebounding (5.5 per game).
Brogdon had 14 points, five assists and five rebounds in the victory over Coastal Carolina, and he’s scored in double figures in four of his last five contests. In the victory over Duke, he had 23 points on 7-of-17 shooting. 6’6″ senior guard Joe Harris is a big contributor for Virginia as well, and averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists on the season. Harris had 11 points, three assists and three rebounds in the Coastal Carolina game.
Memphis got 15 points from 6’1″ senior guard Joe Jackson in its opening victory over GW. Jackson averaged 14.3 points, 4.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game this season for the Tigers. He’s scored in double figures in four straight games and and had 21 points and six assists in the 97-84 loss to Cincinnati on Mar 6. Memphis has lost three of its past six contests, and finished 5-7 against NCAA Tournament teams in 2013-14.
The Tigers have a very potent offense, averaging 77.6 points per game and shoot a good percentage as a team (47.9 percent field goals). Memphis can reel off points in a hurry in transition, but Virginia is known as a pace controlling team. Expect this game to oscillate speeds as the teams try to impose its choice in tempo throughout.
MEM Trends: UNDER 7-1 in last 8 neutral site games.
UVA Trends: 15-5-2 ATS in last 22 overall; OVER 6-2 in last 8 neutral site games.
