Tuesday night features a battle of ACC versus Big Ten as the No. 3 Virginia Cavaliers (5-0) take on the Michigan Wolverines (5-1). The Wolverines will host this one at the Crisler Center with tipoff scheduled for 9:30 pm ET.
In their last game, the Cavaliers clobbered MD Eastern 72-45 at home. In the win, Jayden Gardner led all scorers with 26 points, while Kadin Shedrick added 13 points for Virginia.
Michigan also won their last game, taking down Jackson State 78-68 last Wednesday. Jett Howard tied for a game-high 19 points, while Terrance Williams II (11 points) and Kobe Bufkin (10 points) also scored in double digits.
The Cavaliers open as the favorites in this one despite playing on the road. They are -170 to win, while the Wolverines’ moneyline sits at +140. The spread features Michigan +3.5 (-110), and the over/under for total points is 130.5.
Cavaliers Have Sights Set High This Season, Look To Take Down Michigan
The Virginia Cavaliers have their sights set high this season as anything less than a national championship will be a disappointment. Coming into this game, they have the seventh-best odds in the nation of winning it all at +1800.
With expectations set so high, they will look to take down the Michigan Wolverines on the road. The Cavaliers have already proven they can take down tough teams, as they have taken down both No. 6 Baylor and No. 16 Illinois. Still, they can’t overlook Juwan Howard’s team, especially playing in Ann Arbor.
Leading the Cavaliers offensively through five games is Armaan Franklin. The senior guard is averaging 13.8 points, four rebounds, and one assist per game.
Other major contributors for Virginia include Jayden Gardner (11.4 points, 5 rebounds), Kadin Shedrick (11.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1.6 blocks), and Reece Beekman (10.6 points, 3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.2 steals).
Wolverines Try To Ride Momentum
After losing on the road to Arizona State 87-62, the Michigan Wolverines have regrouped well and won back-to-back games over Ohio (70-66) and Jackson State (78-68).
While these weren’t necessarily impressive wins, and the Wolverines have yet to face a ranked opponent, head coach Juwan Howard will look to pick up their first signature win Tuesday night.
Leading the Wolverines are center Hunter Dickinson and guard Jett Howard (Juwan’s son). For the 7’1” junior, Dickinson, he is almost averaging a double-double as he has put up 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He also is averaging 1.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.
For Howard, he is averaging 15.2 points, 2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. Other contributors include Kobe Bufkin (9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3 assists), Terrance Williams II (8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds), and Jaelin Llewellyn (7.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists).
Take Virginia To Win And Cover
Looking at the trends, Virginia comes into this one 5-0 this season, 9-1 in their last 10 games in November, and 15-5 in their last 20 games played on Tuesdays. The OVER has also hit in seven of the last eight road games for Virginia.
For Michigan, they are 5-1 in their last six, 6-1 in their last seven November games, and they are 4-1 in their last five games on Tuesday. Unlike Virginia, the UNDER has hit in four of their last five home games.
Statistically, Virginia has been a bit stronger offensively as they rank 48th in scoring (78 points per game), while Michigan ranks 58th (77.3 points per game). Virginia again ranks higher defensively at 20th in the nation, allowing 57.6 points per game). Michigan falls to 165th, allowing 70 points per game.
The Wolverines certainly can’t be overlooked, but Virginia will be too much for Michigan defensively. Expect Virginia to both win and to cover the modest -3.5 point spread (-110).
