Although Ohio finished 5th in the Mid-American Conference, they found another gear. Bobcat fans are still celebrating the MAC Tournament championship. Ohio made the March Madness betting cut with that stunning triumph. Now, the Bobcats meet Virginia in a matchup of stark contrasts. Ohio is one of the highest-scoring teams in the country. By contrast, the Cavaliers bring a stifling defense to the Big Dance. Virginia makes gamblers weary. Coach Tony Bennett wins but in the ugliest of ways. Offense was a problem for UVA when they won the national championship. Now it’s even worse.
Ohio Bobcats vs. Virginia Cavaliers Betting Information
| Date: |
Saturday, March 20, 2021 |
| Time: |
7:15 p.m. ET |
| Location: |
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Indiana |
| TV Coverage: |
truTV |
Ohio Bobcats vs. Virginia Cavaliers Betting Odds
| Team |
SP/RL |
TOTAL |
ML |
|
| Ohio |
+7 (-110) |
130½ (-110) |
+250 |
Place Bets |
| Virginia |
-7 (-110) |
130½ (-110) |
-300 |
| Place Bets |
Ohio Bobcats vs. Virginia Cavaliers CashBet Wagering Analysis
On this occasion, Virginia brings substantial name-brand cache with the sportsbook odds.
Sharps Like Ohio for Red-Hot Hidden Value
Ohio is 16-7 straight up, 14-7 vs. the odds, and 12-9 to the over. Late on, the Bobcats are one of the hottest teams on the 2021 March Madness betting board. Ohio has gotten the cash in nine of their last ten games. Three of their previous four went under the total. Last time out for the Bobcats was an 84-69 win over Buffalo in the MAC Tournament championship game. Before that, they beat regular-season champion Toledo 87-80. Ohio ranks 25th in the nation for scoring offense and 262nd out of 350 teams for points allowed.
Since 2012, Ohio has been waiting for another trip to the Big Dance. Head coach Jeff Boals has the honor of leading his alma mater to March Madness. Boals was the Ohio captain during his playing days. This is his second year in Athens. First, Boals made his coaching bones as an assistant at several schools. At Stony Brook, he coached three seasons with a 24-9 record in his final campaign. That catapulted him to the Ohio job.
Junior guard Jason Preston leads Ohio with 16.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. This is the second straight year he has averaged more than 16 points and six rebounds per contest. Specifically, he failed to score in double digits for only two games all season.
Senior Dwight Wilson III adds 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Further, he has scored in double digits in eight of his last nine games.
Virginia Takes ACC Regular Season Title
Virginia is 18-6 straight up, 11-12-1 vs. the odds, and 14-10 over the total. In sum, the Cavaliers have bet on NCAA basketball metrics of 255th out of 350 teams for scoring but 5th for points allowed. Coach Tony Bennett’s team ranks 3rd for free throw shooting percentage and 7th for defensive rebounding. First, in the ACC regular-season standings went to the Cavaliers. Virginia was upset by Syracuse 72-69 in the ACC Tournament.
Senior forward Sam Hauser leads Virginia with 16.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. As a result, he was named to the All-ACC first team for 2021. Hauser found the perfect home after transferring from Marquette. Accordingly, Hauser has scored 18 or more points in five straight games.
Ohio Bobcats vs. Virginia Cavaliers Against the Spread
Overall, Ohio is 5-2 against the spread as a dog. The Bobcats are 4-0 on the board in neutral site games. And the Bobcats are 3-1 vs. the line in non-conference games.
Virginia has lost 8 of their last 15 to the line as chalk. In non-conference action, the Cavaliers are 4-3 on the board. While in neutral site games, UVA is 3-4 vs. the line.
Last time these teams met, Ohio covered against Virginia
Ohio Bobcats vs. Virginia Cavaliers CashBet Free Pick
As mentioned earlier, Virginia’s lack of offense is a 2021 March Madness Betting liability. Ohio should slip through the back door, at the very least.
Ohio vs. Virginia CashBet Best Bet:
Ohio Bobcats
