Virginia Cavaliers at Oregon Ducks
Matthew Knight Arena – Eugene, Oregon
Sunday, December 18, 2011, 5:30 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: Virginia -1 1/2
Current Line: Virginia -3
Opening Total: 122 1/2
Current Total: 122 1/2
Opening Money Line: Virginia -145 / Oregon +125
Current Money Line: Virginia -155 / Oregon +135
The 8-1 Virginia Cavaliers travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the 6-2 Oregon Ducks Sunday evening. Virginia is off to a surprising start led by coach Tony Bennett. Bennett is familiar with the area as he coached Oregon’s Pac 12 rival Washington St for 3 seasons. The only loss for the Cavaliers happened to TCU in the Paradise Jam tournament in the Virgin Islands. Virginia has wins over Drexel and Drake in the Paradise Jam, Michigan and George Mason. Virginia is receiving votes in both polls and could move into the top 25 with a win here against Oregon. The Cavaliers have won 6 straight games. The Ducks are coached by Dana Altman. Oregon has losses to Vanderbilt and BYU. The Ducks have wins over Nebraska, UTEP, Fresno St, and Portland St. The Ducks have won 6 of the last 7 games. Virginia won the only previous meeting between the Cavaliers and Ducks last season 63-48 in Charlottesville.
Virginia is outscoring opponents 67-48 this season. The Cavaliers are shooting 47.7% from the field, including 34.8% from 3 point range. Virginia makes 74.2% of their free throws. The Cavs average 33.3 rebounds, and has a rebounding margin of +6.9. Virginia averages 12.9 assists, 12.3 turnovers, 7.6 steals, and 3.7 blocks a game. Cavalier opponents are shooting 36.6% from the field, including 26.3% from 3 point range. Virginia forces 15.2 turnovers a game.
Virginia forward is averaging 15.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists a game. He leads the Cavaliers in scoring and rebounding. Joe Harris averages 12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists a game. Sammy Zeglinski averages 9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 steals a game to lead the team. Malcolm Brogdon averages 7.1 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists a game. Jontel Evans leads the team in assists with 3 a game, and Assane Sene leads the team in blocks with 1.2 a game.
Oregon is outscoring opponents 74-70 this season. The Ducks are shooting 46.9% from the field, including 35.9% from 3 point range. Oregon makes 67.7% of their free throws. The Ducks average 35.5 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +1.1. Oregon averages 15.4 assists, 14.3 turnovers, 6.4 steals, and 5 blocks a game. Duck opponents are shooting 42.2% from the field, including 32.5% from 3 point range. The Ducks force 12.5 turnovers a game.
Oregon guard Devoe Joseph, a transfer from Minnesota, averages 15.5 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. He leads the team in scoring and assists, and is tied for the team lead in steals. Garrett Sim averages 13 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He is shooting 53.3% from 3 point range. E.J. Singler averages 13 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists,and 1 block a game. Olu Ashaolu averages 7.9 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. Tony Woods averages 7.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks to lead the team. Johnathan Loyd averages 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals a game.
Oregon is 2-6 against the spread and the total is 3-5 this season. Virginia is 5-1 ATS and the total is 1-5 this season. The Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS as a favorite, and in non-conference games, 4-0 after a straight up win, 9-0 in road games against teams with winning home records, 5-1 on the road after 3 or more consecutive home games, 13-3 on the road, 8-2 in Sunday games, 4-1 after allowing less than 50 points, and after a cover, 20-7 overall, 17-6 against teams with winning records, 5-2 as a favorite of 6.5 points or less, and 6-15-1 as a road favorite, including 5-15-1 as a favorite of 6.5 points or less. Oregon is 4-1 ATS as a home underdog of 6.5 points or less, 12-4-1 in Sunday games, 2-5 after a straight up win, 1-4 after failing to cover, and as an underdog, 1-5 at home, 0-4 in non-conference games, and overall.
Virginia is the more talented team but having to travel cross country is always tough especially during finals week. I still think Virginia pulls out a close low scoring game.
