2013 NIT Quarterfinals
Iowa Hawkeyes at Virginia Cavaliers
Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
John Paul Jones Arena – Charlottesville, Virginia
Opening Line: Virginia -3 1/2
Current Line: Virginia -4
Opening Total: 124
Current Total: 123
Opening Money Line: Virginia -165 / Iowa +145
Current Money Line: Virginia -190 / Iowa +160
The 23-11 Virginia Cavaliers host the 23-12 Iowa Hawkeyes Wednesday night in the NIT quarterfinals. The winner will face Maryland in the semifinals next week in New York. Iowa won the only previous match-up against Virginia in the 1997 NCAA tournament.
Virginia was tied for fifth in the ACC with an 11 -7 record with North Carolina St. The Cavaliers were beaten by the Wolfpack 75-56 in the ACC quarterfinals. Virginia was snubbed by the NCAA tournament, but given a #1 seed in the NIT. The Cavaliers beat Norfolk St 67-56 in the first round, and then beat St. John’s 68-50 in the second round Sunday, both in Charlottesville.
Iowa was alone in 6th in the Big Ten at 9-9. The Hawkeyes lost to Michigan St 59-56 in the Big Ten quarterfinals. Iowa was given a #3 seed in the NIT. The Hawkeyes beat Indiana St 68-52 in the first round and Stony Brook 75-63 Friday in the second round, both in Iowa City. Stony Brook upset #2 seed UMass in the first round.
Iowa is coached by Fran McCaffery. The Hawkeyes have losses to Wichita St in Cancun, Mexico, at Virginia Tech, Indiana twice, at Michigan, Michigan St twice, at Ohio St, at Purdue, at Minnesota, at Wisconsin, and at Nebraska. Iowa has wins over Central Michigan, Western Kentucky in Cancun, Iowa St, Northern Iowa, Northwestern 3 times, Wisconsin, Penn St twice, Minnesota, Purdue, Illinois, and Nebraska. The Hawkeyes are 22-9 ATS and the total is 12-18-1.
Iowa is outscoring teams 70-63 this season. The Hawkeyes are shooting 42.2% from the field and 30.4% from 3 point range. Iowa is #309 out of 347 teams in 3 point shooting. The Hawkeyes make 72.5% of their free throws. Iowa averages 39.3 rebounds per game, and give up 30.7 per game. The Hawkeyes are 311 nationally in rebounding. Iowa opponents are shooting 38.8% from the field and 29.1% from the field. The Hawkeyes are 18th or better in both categories. Iowa averages 15 assists, 7 steals, 5 blocks, and 13 turnovers per game.
Guard / forward Roy Devyn Marble averages 14.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Forward Aaron White averages 13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Guard Mike Gesell averages 8.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Forward Melsahn Basabe averages 7.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Zach McCabe averages 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Eric May, Adam Woodbury, Josh Oglesby, Anthony Clemmons and Gabriel Olaseni also get significant minutes.
Virginia is coached by Tony Bennett. The Cavaliers have losses at George Mason, Delaware, Old Dominion, at Wake Forest, at Clemson, at Georgia Tech, at North Carolina, at Miami, at Boston College, at Florida St, and NC State. Virginia has won 19 straight home games. The Cavaliers have wins at Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida St, Virginia Tech twice, Boston College, NC State, Clemson, Maryland twice, Georgia Tech, and Duke. Virginia is 18-12-1 ATS and the total is 12-11 this season.
Virginia is outscoring teams 64-55 this season. Virginia is #4 in points allowed nationally. The Cavaliers are shooting 45.9% from the field and 38.3% from 3 point range. Virginia is #21 in 3 point shooting. The Cavaliers make 70.2% of their free throws. Virginia averages 32.4 rebounds and gives up 28 per game. Cavalier opponents are shooting 38.5% from the field and 30.7% from 3 point range. Virginia is #12 in opponents’ field goal percentage. The Cavaliers average 14 assists, 6 steals, 4 blocks, and 11 turnovers.
Guard Joe Harris averages 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Forward Akil Mitchell averages 13.3 points, 9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Justin Anderson averages 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. Mike Tobey averages 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds. Evan Nolte averages 5.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Darion Atkins, Paul Jesperson, Jontel Evans, and Teven Jones make up the rest of the rotation.
Iowa is 7-0 ATS in non-conference games, 4-0 in Wednesday games, 4-1 in road games against teams with winning home records, 21-6 overall, 16-5 after a straight up win, and after a cover, and against teams with winning records, and 0-4 against ACC teams.
Virginia is 4-1 ATS in Wednesday games 8-2 against teams with losing road record, 14-4-1 in home games, 12-4 after a cover, 6-2 against Big Ten teams, 18-7-1 in non-conference games, 1-4 against teams with winning records, and 1-5 overall.
Virginia is almost unbeatable at home, but they did lose to Delaware early in the season. I think Virginia’s suffocating defense will be enough for the win.
