NCAA Tournament 2021 – #13 Ohio Bobcats (16-7) vs #4 Virginia Cavaliers (18-6)
Threes and Frees Help Cavs
This Ohio vs Virginia pick has the Bobcats as the underdog. This 2021 NCAA Tournament West Region Round One game has the Ohio Bobcats at +7.0 (-110). The best line for the favored Virginia Cavaliers is -6.5 (-115). Ohio finished fifth in the Mid-American Conference and then took the conference tournament title by beating the Buffalo Bulls 84-69 in the final. Over their last five games, they’ve gone 4-1, winning their last three games. The Virginia Cavaliers, who’ve won three of their last five games, finished first in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In the ACC Tournament Finals, the Cavaliers beat Syracuse 72-69. The Bobcats and Cavaliers will meet on Saturday, March 20 at 7:15 pm ET. The game will take place at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, IN. Make sure you check out all of our March Madness picks, as we’ve got every game covered including Maryland vs UConn.
Ohio vs Virginia Pick – Stats
The Bobcats come to this game with some solid stats. Ohio is averaging 80.9 PPG, 34.8 RPG, and 17.9 APG. The team has a 48.9 FG%, 36.1 3PT%, and 70.1 FT%. They’re making 6.8 SPG and 2.1 BPG. Turnovers come in at 12.0 per contest. The Cavaliers are averaging just 68.6 PPG. Rebounds are at 31.8 per game and assists at 14.0. The team’s field goal percentage, which is 48.0%, matches up with Ohio’s, and their three-point percentage is better (38.1%). The Cavaliers are shooting a healthy 81.7% from the foul line. Virginia is averaging 4.9 SPG and 4.3 BPG. Ball control is sound. The team is averaging 9.4 TO.
Key Players
Point guard Jason Preston runs a tight ship. Preston is averaging 16.6 PPG, 7.2 APG, and 6.8 RPG. His field-goal percentage comes in at 53.0%, while he’s completing 40.8% of his threes. Steals come in at 1.6 PG. Also, in the backcourt, Lunden McDay is averaging 10.3 PPG. He’s a 40.7% three-point shooter. In the paint, Dwight Wilson III is averaging 14.9 PPG and 7.5 RPG. He’s shooting 66.5%. Forward Ben Vander Plas is a fine playmaker, averaging 3.8 APG as well as 12.8 PPG and 5.7 RPG.
Around the rim, the Cavs feature Sam Hauser and Jay Huff. Hauser is averaging 16.0 PPG and 6.7 RPG, while Huff, who is shooting close to 60%, is good for 13.1 PPG and 7.1 RPG. In the backcourt, Kihei Clark is averaging 4.6 APG and 9.5 PPG. Guard Trey Murphy III, a 42.9% three-point shooter, is recording 11.3 PPG and 3.4 RPG. Hauser, Huff, and Murphy are all shooting 40-percent-plus from downtown.
Ohio vs Virginia Pick – Final Thoughts
Our Ohio vs Virginia pick observes that these two teams a loaded with fine shooters. However, when it comes to sinking threes and nailing free throws, the Cavs come out on top. We’re going with Virginia at -6.5 (-115).
#12 Ohio Bobcats vs #5 Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers at -6.5 (-115)
